General Dynamics announced a change in leadership at its Electric Boat subsidiary, just as the company ramps-ups its production to build Virginia-class and Columbia-class nuclear submarines.

Kevin Graney, currently president of General Dynamics NASSCO in San Diego, was named as the next president of Electric Boat, according to a statement released after markets closed on Friday. Graney, who started his career with General Dynamics at Groton, Conn.-based Electric Boat in 1995, replaces Jeffrey Geiger. Geiger has been president since 2013.

“We thank Jeff Geiger for his 35-years of service to General Dynamics and we wish him well,” Robert E. Smith, executive vice president for General Dynamics Marine Systems, said in a statement.

Geiger’s last day in Groton is Sept. 30, and Graney’s official first day is Oct. 1. General Dynamics did not state a reason for the sudden change in leadership. However, Smith’s statement did offer some reasoning for why Graney was selected to take over Electric Boat.

“Kevin Graney’s leadership, nuclear propulsion expertise and proven track record with submarine and surface shipbuilding will be essential to Electric Boat as it expands operations to build both the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine and the next generation of Virginia-class attack submarines,” Smith said.

The change in leadership at Electric Boat comes as the company is in the midst of a massive $852 million project upgrading the yard. Electric Boat is starting Columbia-class ballistic-missile submarine production while also building Block V Virginia-class fast-attack submarines. The Block V subs are larger than previous Virginia-class iterations because of an increased number of missile tubes in the Virginia Payload Module.

“Jeff has been a tireless advocate for the workforce at EB since he became president in 2013. I hold him in the highest regard based on his breadth of knowledge and experience as a shipbuilder, and his accessible, ethical approach to leadership. I wish Jeff and his wife all the best,” read a statement from Rep. Joe Courtney (D-Conn.).

David J. Carver, NASSCO’s vice president and general manager of repair, was promoted to president of General Dynamics NASSCO, according to the General Dynamics statement.

The following is the full release from General Dynamics announcing the retirement of Electric Boat President Jeffrey Geiger and the appointment of his replacement Kevin Graney.

General Dynamics Appoints Graney as President of Electric Boat; Carver as President of NASSCO; Geiger to Retire

RESTON, Virginia – General Dynamics (NYSE: GD) has appointed General Dynamics NASSCO president Kevin Graney as president of General Dynamics Electric Boat, effective October 1. David J. Carver, NASSCO’s vice president and general manager of repair, will succeed Graney as president of General Dynamics NASSCO. Jeffrey S. Geiger, who has served as president of Electric Boat since 2013, will retire effective September 30.

“Kevin Graney’s leadership, nuclear propulsion expertise and proven track record with submarine and surface shipbuilding will be essential to Electric Boat as it expands operations to build both the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine and the next generation of Virginia-class attack submarines,” said Robert E. Smith, executive vice president for Marine Systems. “With Dave Carver’s in-depth understanding of NASSCO, he will ensure that we continue to deliver on our strong backlog of new construction and repair for both the U.S. Navy and commercial customers.”

“We thank Jeff Geiger for his 35-years of service to General Dynamics and we wish him well,” said Smith.

Graney began his shipbuilding career with General Dynamics Electric Boat in 1995 as a senior engineer for the Virginia-class submarine program and worked in various leadership roles at General Dynamics before becoming president of NASSCO in 2017. Carver joined NASSCO in 1987 and has served in his current position since 2014, where he has been responsible for production, engineering, purchasing, subcontracts administration, contracting and estimating of repair activities.