Secretary Gordon R. England
Gordon Richard England is an American businessman who (as of 2005) serves as the United States Secretary of the Navy.
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, he graduated from the University of Maryland in 1961 with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. In 1975 he earned a master's degree in business administration from the M.J. Neeley School of Business at Texas Christian University and is a member of various honorary societies: Beta Gamma Sigma (business), Omicron Delta Kappa (leadership) and Eta Kappa Nu (engineering).
England later held various posts at General Dynamics; executive vice president of the Combat Systems Group, president of General Dynamics Fort Worth aircraft company (later Lockheed), president of General Dynamics Land Systems Company, and from 1997 to 2001 was executive vice president of the corporation as a whole.
He served as the 72nd Secretary of the Navy from May 24, 2001, then joined the United States Department of Homeland Security as its first Deputy Secretary in January 2003. He returned after several months in Homeland Security, resuming his former post (though now counted as the 73rd Secretary) on October 1, 2003.
Gordon England has been actively involved in a variety of civic, charitable and government organizations, including serving as a city councilman; Vice Chair, Board of Goodwill Industries; the USO's Board of Governors; the Defense Science Board ; the Board of Visitors at Texas Christian University; and many others.
He has been recognized for numerous professional and service contributions from multiple organizations such as Distinguished Alumnus Award from the University of Maryland; the Department of Defense Distinguished Public Service Award ; the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America; the Silver Knight of Management Award from the National Management Association ; the Henry M. Jackson Award and the IEEE Centennial Award .