Joe Rella, president and chief operating officer of Austal USA since 2007, has reportedly resigned from the company. Austal's board of directors has accepted his resignation.
Brian Leathers, who had been serving as chief financial officer, will serve as interim president of Austal USA. Craig Perciavalle will serve as vice president of shipyard operations."This transition is a natural step," said Austal chief executive officer Andrew Bellamy. "We are moving from infrastructure growth to a focus of putting this cutting-edge yard to work meeting the terms of our Littoral Combat Ship and Joint High Speed Vessel contracts and strengthening the overall management of operations."
Austal has an active contract with the U.S. Navy to build nine Spearhead-class Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV) under a 10-ship, $1.6 billion contract. Beyond this, the company also has a contract to build up to 10 Littoral Combat Ships (LCS).
Austal is conducting a search for new leadership, according to the company. No timeline was set for naming a new CEO.