Austal USA, Mobile, Ala., has named Gene Miller as its president and added three senior leaders to its executive ranks as the shipbuilder continues to build out its management team.
Miller, who had been serving as interim president since Feb. 16, was confirmed in the role effective May 28 following a three-month search by the company's board of managers. He had joined Austal USA as chief operating officer in 2024 and took over the interim role after former president Michelle Kruger's planned retirement.
Miller brings more than 30 years of naval architecture and shipbuilding experience to the position. Before Austal USA, he served as director for amphibious ship programs at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, Miss., and spent more than 20 years at General Dynamics Bath (Maine) Iron Works, where he rose to vice president of programs and planning. He holds degrees from Webb Institute and MIT.
Austal USA Chairman Chris Chadwick cited Miller's operational track record and workforce focus as key factors in the decision. "Since stepping into the interim role in February, he has demonstrated the qualities we have been looking for: operational discipline, a commitment to the workforce, and the ability to deliver results," Chadwick said.
Miller will oversee more than 3,500 employees across Austal USA's operations in Mobile, Washington, D.C., San Diego, and multiple Virginia locations, with responsibility spanning ship and submarine module manufacturing and autonomous vessel technology development.
"Austal USA's greatest strength is its workforce, and everything we do as a leadership team is in service to the men and women who show up every day to build ships that defend this nation," Miller said.
On June 4, Austal USA announced three additional appointments to its senior leadership team.
Michael Pruitt joins as vice president of surface ship programs, bringing more than 25 years of large-scale shipbuilding experience, including management of multi-billion-dollar Navy surface ship portfolios at Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc., Newport News, Va., and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding. He holds a bachelor's degree in business and is a certified Six Sigma Green Belt.
Michael Oberdorf has been named vice president of submarine programs. A retired Navy captain and nuclear engineer, Oberdorf spent more than 30 years in the Navy and most recently served as senior director of operations at Bath Iron Works. His Navy career included command of Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, where he led a $1.5 billion organization of 6,700 personnel handling submarine overhauls, modernization, and refueling. He holds a master's degree in electrical engineering.
Andrew Hinkebein joins as director of state and local government relations, tasked with leading engagement with state and local governments, economic development organizations, and community stakeholders, as well as overseeing external communications. A Marine Corps veteran, Hinkebein previously served as director of government affairs for Bollinger Mississippi Shipbuilding, Pascagoula, and as state director for U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama. He also served on the staff of Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker of Mississippi.
"These three highly experienced industry professionals each boast broad defense backgrounds that will contribute unique perspectives to their Austal USA leadership roles," Miller said. "We are excited to have them join our senior leadership team and look forward to having them help to grow Austal USA."
