Hondo Geurts
Distinguished Fellow, Business Executives for National Security (BENS)
Acquisition
Contact Information
Hondo Geurts
Distinguished Fellow, Business Executives for National Security (BENS)
Acquisition
Contact Information
The Honorable James Geurts, known to most as Hondo, has over three decades of leadership in the national security sector. Recognized for his abilities to rapidly field emerging technologies, create and scale innovative solutions, inspire teams, and develop diverse talent, he is a proven leader in the most challenging and complex situations.
He is currently the Distinguished Fellow at Business Executives for National Security (BENS) where he provides strategic oversight for BENS’ pioneering work related to shaping the nation’s future industrial base. He devotes much of his time to mentoring and coaching public and private sector teams on scaling, agility, innovation, teamwork, talent development, and servant leadership.
He is the Chairman of the National Security Advisory Board for Sierra Space, Vice Chairman for SARCOS Robotics and serves on several Boards of innovative firms. In addition, he is a member of the Board of Trustees for WWII veteran SS American Victory Ship and Maritime Museum and supports numerous other non-profit, volunteer, and academic organizations.
Prior to his retirement from government service, Secretary Geurts performed the duties of the Under Secretary of the Navy — the Department’s number-two civilian with responsibility for the effective global business operations of the over one million person/$200 billion U.S. Navy and Marine Corps team. From 2017 until 2021, after his Presidential Appointment and unanimous Senate confirmation, he served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition. As the Department of the Navy’s most senior acquisition official, he was responsible for a $140 billion-dollar annual budget and ensuring the effective procurement and sustainment of platforms, systems, technologies, and services to enhance the capabilities and readiness of Sailors and Marines serving around the globe.
Before joining the Department of the Navy, he served as Acquisition Executive for the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) as a member of the Senior Executive Service. He served in key leadership roles in USSOCOM for over a decade during its most intense period of operations around the globe. He began his career as an Air Force officer where he served as an acquisition program manager with engineering and program management leadership positions in numerous weapons systems before his retirement as a Colonel after 22 years of service in uniform. He is the founder of SOFWERX, Naval X, and the Ghost Mentor Program, all of which have been emulated in the Department of Defense and other Federal agencies as an effective means to drive innovation into large public sector organizations.
Throughout his military and civilian careers, Geurts’ contributions have been recognized by both private and public institutions to include earning the Navy Distinguished Public Service Medal (twice), Presidential Rank Award, USSOCOM Medal and Colors, William Perry Award, Rylander Award, and Federal Times Vanguard Award for Executive of the Year.