MAJOR GENERAL WILLIAM A. NAVAS, JR. (RETIRED)

Highlights

• Executive Director, National Security Professional Development Integration Office
• Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs
• Director, Army National Guard, National Guard Bureau
  
  

Biography

In recent years, the United States Armed Forces has increased its reliance on National Guard and Reserve units; a change that led the Defense Department to overcome significant manpower challenges.  Fortunately, it could call on the services of Major General (Ret.) William Navas.

Maj. Gen. Navas’ expertise in manpower operations stems from 33 years active duty service in the U.S. Army and nearly a decade of civilian service. In 2001, he became Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.  For the next six years, Gen. Navas led the Navy’s effort to modernize its personnel policies to improve efficiency.

From 1995 to 1998, Maj. Gen. Navas served as Director of the Army National Guard at the National Guard Bureau in Washington.  This is one of the highest positions for a National Guard officer in the Department of Defense.

During his tenure, he oversaw all programs and planning affecting the Army National Guard.  In 1997, he successfully opposed efforts by the Quadrennial Defense Review to reduce National Guard combat force structure, a position that has been vindicated in recent years. 

In recognition of his expertise, Gen. Navas was featured on the cover of National Journal, a magazine that covers the federal government and public policy.

In January 2008, he became the nation’s first executive director of the National Security Professional Development Integration Office.  Established by Executive Order 13434 of May 2007, the NSPDIO promotes the education, training and professional development of national security professionals serving in the Federal Departments and Agencies.

During the 1980s, his service took him to Central America where, as an Army National Guard Colonel, he commanded the first Engineer Training Exercise in the Azuero Peninsula of Panama in 1984.  The series of exercises, Fuertes Caminos / Fuerzas Unidas, continue throughout Latin America to this date.

A Vietnam veteran, he was awarded a Bronze Star for achievement during his tour of duty in South Vietnam as a Combat Engineer Company Commander.

Gen. Navas has a B.S. in civil engineering from the University of Puerto Rico and a Master’s in Management Engineering from the University of Bridgeport. He is also a graduate of the Kennedy School’s Senior Managers in Government at Harvard University.

 

 

Other Achievements

• Director, Army Engineer Association (2011 - present)
• Recipient of the Departments of Defense and Army Distinguished Service Medals
• Recipient of the Hispanic Magazine Leadership Award in 2004
• Registered Professional Engineer (P.E.)