Gordon England is currently the Deputy Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security. If confirmed by the Senate as Secretary of the Navy, he would take over the top post for the second time in his career. He served as Navy Secretary for two years, before accepting his current position at the Department of Homeland Security.
"Gordon England is a capable and proven leader of our country's naval operations and in his prior service as Navy Secretary he proved to be a good friend of Maine," said Senator Collins. "I discussed with Secretary England the progress that Maine continues to make in shipbuilding. I also talked to Mr. England about the need to close the gap in the Navy''s destroyer budget for the years 2006-2008, that exists in part because of the transition to the next generation of ships. It is important for our national defense that we maintain a skilled industrial base, like the workforce at Bath Iron Works, and closing the gap is critical in that regard. I also expressed my concerns to him about the base closure process which will begin next year, and outlined the critical roles played by the Kittery-Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, the Brunswick naval Air Station, and The Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station in Cutler."