Shipbuilding Panel
Shipbuilding In The 21st Century:
Bridging The Gap In U.S.–China Capacity
China’s shipbuilding and maintenance industry currently holds an overwhelming advantage over the United States, boasting 232 times the capacity. As global security and economic stability hinge more than ever on maritime dominance, the U.S. faces an urgent need to address this capacity imbalance. This panel seeks to explore practical solutions to revitalize American shipbuilding and manufacturing capability.
Mark Edelson
U.S. Navy | Program Executive Officer
Mark Edelson serves as Program Executive Officer for Industrial Infrastructure in the Department of the Navy, principally responsible for recapitalizing the nation’s four public shipyards. Previously he served as the National Nuclear Security Administration Deputy Associate Administrator for Design and Construction, leading capital asset acquisition and project management. Prior to joining NNSA in 2020, Mark completed a 30-year active duty Navy career where he held a variety of command, operational, and staff positions in contracting, construction, contingency response, and facilities management. He has degrees in civil engineering from MIT and Stanford and is a registered engineer.
Jason Potter
Senate Appropriations | Professional Staff Member
Jason Potter is a Professional Staff Member on the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense (SAC-D) with oversight responsibility for Navy shipbuilding; Navy and Air Force weapons procurement; Defense-wide research, development, test, and evaluation (RDTE); Defense Production Act purchases; and National Defense Stockpile transactions. He has previously served as a Professional Staff Member and Seapower Subcommittee staff lead on the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), in civilian positions on the Navy Staff, and as a naval officer. He earned a M.B.A. from the Naval Postgraduate School, a M.A. in Government from the University of Maryland, and a B.S. in Political Science from the U.S. Naval Academy.
Mark Vandroff
Fincantieri Marinette Marine | CEO
Mark Vandroff is the Chief Executive Officer of Fincantieri Marinette Marine (FMM). Prior to joining Fincantieri, Mark served as the Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior Director for Defense Policy on the National Security Council staff at The White House. Before his civilian career, Mark served in the United States Navy, retiring from active duty with the rank of Captain. His command level tours included service as the Major Program Manager for ARLEIGH BURKE Class destroyers and Commanding Officer of Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock, Maryland. He holds a B.S. in Physics from the United States Naval Academy and an M.S. in Applied Physics from The Johns Hopkins University.
Rob Gorham
BlueForge Alliance | Co-Founder & CEO
Rob Gorham is Co-Founder & CEO of BlueForge Alliance (BFA), a 501(c)(3) that strengthens the United States Navy’s submarine industrial base and maritime manufacturing sector. At BFA, he ensures the base’s capability, capacity, and resilience. Previously, as Executive Director of the SecureAmerica Institute at the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station (TEES), he led strategic manufacturing initiatives and a $50M public–private partnership. He also led America Makes, executing a $400M DOD–sponsored additive manufacturing program, and worked at Lockheed Martin’s Skunk Works. Rob holds a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering from Texas A&M University and an M.S. in Engineering Management from Southern Methodist University.
Matthew Bernard
[ Moderator ]
Matthew is a first-year MBA student at HBS. Matthew served 10 years in the U.S. Navy as a Naval Aviator including assignments with HSM-73, the Navy Office of Legislative Affairs, and the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78).