Gerald A. Cann
Encyclopedia
Gerald A. Cann was Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Engineering and Systems) in 1981 and Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisitions)
from 1990 to 1993.
. He attended New York University
, receiving a B.A.
in 1953. Upon graduating, he joined the U.S. Army Signal Corps, serving there until 1955. He then joined the American Machine and Foundry Co. In 1965, he joined TRW
as assistant program manager for surface ship
sonar
systems and program manager for undersea surveillance.
Cann joined the government in 1970 as assistant director for ocean surveillance at the Office of the Director of Defense Research and Engineering
. In 1977, he became Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Systems. In 1979, he became Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Engineering, and Systems.
In 1981, President of the United States
Ronald Reagan
nominated Cann as Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Engineering and Systems) and Cann held this office from January 1981 until December 1981.
Cann left government service in 1985 to become president of his own company, Gerald A. Cann, Inc. In 1988, he joined General Dynamics
as vice president of GD's undersea warfare center in Arlington, Virginia.
In 1990, President George H. W. Bush
nominated Cann as Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisitions)
and Cann served in this office from March 1990 until January 1993.
Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisitions)
The Assistant Secretary of the Navy is a civilian office of the United States Department of the Navy...
from 1990 to 1993.
Biography
Gerald A. Cann was born April 29, 1931, in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He attended New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
, receiving a B.A.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1953. Upon graduating, he joined the U.S. Army Signal Corps, serving there until 1955. He then joined the American Machine and Foundry Co. In 1965, he joined TRW
TRW
TRW Inc. was an American corporation involved in a variety of businesses, mainly aerospace, automotive, and credit reporting. It was a pioneer in multiple fields including electronic components, integrated circuits, computers, software and systems engineering. TRW built many spacecraft,...
as assistant program manager for surface ship
Surface ship
A surface ship is any type of naval ship that is confined to the surface of the sea. The term is primarily used to mean any modern vessel type that is not a submarine; although a "surface ship" may range in size from a cutter to an aircraft carrier, the weapons and tactics have some commonality,...
sonar
Sonar
Sonar is a technique that uses sound propagation to navigate, communicate with or detect other vessels...
systems and program manager for undersea surveillance.
Cann joined the government in 1970 as assistant director for ocean surveillance at the Office of the Director of Defense Research and Engineering
Director of Defense Research and Engineering
The Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering ASD is a senior official of the United States Department of Defense. The ASD and the office s/he heads are charged with the development and oversight of DoD technology strategy for the DoD. The ASD reports to the Under Secretary of...
. In 1977, he became Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Systems. In 1979, he became Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Engineering, and Systems.
In 1981, President of the United States
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Reagan
Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....
nominated Cann as Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Engineering and Systems) and Cann held this office from January 1981 until December 1981.
Cann left government service in 1985 to become president of his own company, Gerald A. Cann, Inc. In 1988, he joined General Dynamics
General Dynamics
General Dynamics Corporation is a U.S. defense conglomerate formed by mergers and divestitures, and as of 2008 it is the fifth largest defense contractor in the world. Its headquarters are in West Falls Church , unincorporated Fairfax County, Virginia, in the Falls Church area.The company has...
as vice president of GD's undersea warfare center in Arlington, Virginia.
In 1990, President George H. W. Bush
George H. W. Bush
George Herbert Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 41st President of the United States . He had previously served as the 43rd Vice President of the United States , a congressman, an ambassador, and Director of Central Intelligence.Bush was born in Milton, Massachusetts, to...
nominated Cann as Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisitions)
Assistant Secretary of the Navy (Research, Development and Acquisitions)
The Assistant Secretary of the Navy is a civilian office of the United States Department of the Navy...
and Cann served in this office from March 1990 until January 1993.