About
Vice Admiral John “Jay” Donnelly, U.S. Navy, (Ret.) is formerly corporate vice president of advanced technologies for Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) where he was responsible for coordinating Independent Research and Development (IRAD) priorities and technology development. He retired from this position in July 2020.
Donnelly served 35 years in the United States Navy. A submarine officer by training, his commanding officer assignments included USS Hyman G. Rickover (SSN 709) and USS McKee (AS 41). Selected to flag rank in 2000, he served as Commander, Submarine Group SEVEN in Yokosuka, Japan and Deputy Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet. His final assignment was as Commander, Submarine Forces, responsible for establishing force-wide strategies on core submarine issues such as force structure, budgetary requirements and manpower. After retiring from the Navy, Donnelly initially served as vice president with the advanced technologies group of Oceaneering International, Inc. before moving to Huntington Ingalls Industries, the nation’s largest shipbuilder.
A native of Groton, Connecticut and a second-generation submarine officer, he was a physics major and distinguished graduate from the U.S. Naval Academy class of 1975. He received a Master of Science degree in Engineering Acoustics from the Naval Postgraduate School and attended MIT Seminar XXI on Foreign Politics, International Relations, and National Interest.
Donnelly lives in Annapolis, Maryland with his wife of 44 years. They have three married children and a daughter-in-law who each became naval officers following college. Jay and his wife are happily accumulating grandchildren.
Education, Certifications, and Boards:
- B.S. in Physics
United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD - M.S. in Engineering Acoustics
Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey CA - U.S. Submarine League
– President and Life Member - National Defense Industrial Association
– Former Chairman, Undersea Warfare Division Advisory Council - Navy League of the United States
– Life Member and former National Vice President - U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association
– Life Member
Areas of Expertise
Executive Coaching, Leadership, Decision Making, Strategic Planning, Think Tanks, and Undersea Systems