CRANE – Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane), a Navy federal laboratory located in Southern Indiana, is pleased to announce the selection of four new members of the Executive Leadership Team (ELT). The ELT is a group of 10 senior-level executives responsible for directing departments and leading NSWC Crane’s strategic vision.
Dr. Kyle Werner has been selected to serve as NSWC Crane’s Deputy Technical Director (DTD). Dr. Werner’s brings more than 23 years of diverse and extensive leadership experience to this unique role.
“Dr. Werner is well versed in the strategic direction of NSWC Crane and provides valuable executive leadership across the organization,” said Dr. Angie Lewis (SES), NSWC Crane Technical Director. “Kyle has served on our ELT for the past eight years and I am confident we will succeed with his leadership as Deputy Technical Director.”
Dr. Werner’s previous assignments on the ELT include having served as the Director of the Applied Science & Demand Management Department, Director of Innovation, Director of Engagement, and most recently acting Director of the Global Deterrence and Defense Department.
Dr. Werner received his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Evansville. He received his master’s degree in Engineering Management from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and his Ph.D. in Strategic Management from Sullivan University. Dr. Werner received a certificate in Public Management from Indiana University and a certificate in Executive Leadership & Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Mr. James R (JR) Ross has been selected as the Director for the Global Deterrence and Defense Department. Mr. Ross has more than 23 years of experience at NSWC Crane, 11 of which have been in Nuclear Deterrence,
Hypersonics, and Missile Defense.
“JR has a proven track record of providing executive leadership in support of Strategic Missions, including Nuclear Deterrence, Missile Defense Agency, and Office of Secretary of Defense to support Hypersonics and Microelectronics,” said Dr. Angie Lewis (SES), NSWC Crane Technical Director. “He has demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and the ability to conceive, plan and manage complex and innovative technology programs.”
He previously served as the Deputy Director for the Global Deterrence and Defense Department, Division Manager of the Platform and Launch Systems Division, Division Manager of Irregular Warfare Technologies Division, and Deputy Division Director/Chief Engineer of the Expeditionary Systems Engineering Division.
Mr. Ross received his bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Evansville. He received his master’s degree in Engineering Management from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, and his Masters of Public Administration from Indiana University.
Mr. Dane Speer has been selected as NSWC Crane’s Business Director serving as a part of the Command Staff. Dane brings more than 30 years of dedicated service and tremendous knowledge to this new role that was established in accordance with the Warfare Center Common Organization. This position was a dual role with the Corporate Operations Department Head position previously.
“Dane has a tremendous background spanning both technical and business experience that make him well- suited for this newly established role,” said Dr. Angie Lewis (SES), NSWC Crane Technical Director. “I look forward to seeing our Business Excellence reach new heights with his leadership.”
As Business Director, Speer will be responsible for Command planning, assessment, budgeting, and workforce shaping across both the technical and business domains. He will lead command workload planning and assessment, strategic planning and corporate business planning, and development of NSWC Crane’s operations budget and investment portfolio, balancing competing priorities across departments.
Speer previously served as the acting Corporate Operations Department Director and Deputy, Lead Customer Advocate, Technical Project Manager, Deputy Division of Expeditionary Electronic Warfare, Chief Business Strategist and Division Manager of the Weapon Systems and Corporate Business Office Divisions. Speer has a bachelor’s degree in Finance and Business Administration from Indiana State University and a certification in Public Management from Indiana University. Mr. Speer received a Master of Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University.
Mr. Brent Voigtschild has been selected as the Corporate Operations Department Director. Brent brings 22 years of leadership, management, and engineering experience at NSWC Crane that make him well suited for
his important Executive Leadership Team role.
“Brent consistently exemplifies and upholds the Crane Values and prioritizes time and attention to take care of the workforce in his charge,” said Dr. Angie Lewis (SES), NSWC Crane Technical Director. “He communicated a passion for the corporate environment and will ensure the continuance of the Business Excellence and Customer Service tradition.”
As the Corporate Operations Director, he will lead the 350-person Department responsible for the Human Resources, Corporate Communications, Infrastructure (Facilities and Safety), IT, Security, Corporate Business Office and Financial Management, Corporate Communications, and Property Management competencies.
Brent previously served as acting Director of Engagement, Special Warfare and Expeditionary Systems Department Deputy Director, Munitions Development Branch Manager, Specialize Munitions Division Manager, and the NSWC Crane Test and Evaluation (T&E) Director. Brent has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rose Hulman Institute of Technology. He also holds a Professional Engineering License in the State of Indiana.
About NSWC Crane
NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with mission areas in Expeditionary Warfare, Strategic Missions, and Electronic Warfare. The warfare center is responsible for multi-domain, multi-spectral, full life cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability to today’s Warfighter.
Join Our Team! NAVSEA employs a diverse, highly trained, educated, and skilled workforce – from students and entry-level employees to experienced professionals and individuals with disabilities. We support today’s sophisticated Navy and Marine Corps ships, aircraft, weapon systems, and computer systems. We are continuously looking for engineers, scientists, and other STEM professionals, as well as talented business, finance, logistics and other support experts to ensure the U.S. Navy can protect and defend America.
