Gary Vanderwater
Project Manager | Navy Veteran | Nuclear Shipyard Operations & Engineering Overhauls | $2.5B+ Portfolio Management | Secret Clearance
- Role
- Program Manager at Steel America
- Location
- Chesapeake, VA, US
- LinkedIn followers
- 500 followers
About Gary Vanderwater
Complex operations don\'t manage themselves - they require someone who understands how to coordinate thousands of moving pieces while maintaining zero tolerance for failure. That\'s been my reality for 22 years in the U.S. Navy, where I\'ve directed massive projects in some of the most demanding environments imaginable.I\'m a Project Manager with deep expertise in large-scale operations, nuclear facility management, and cross-functional team leadership. My Navy background taught me that excellence isn\'t about perfection - it\'s about relentless execution, continuous improvement, and building systems that work even under extreme pressure. I bring that military discipline and operational rigor to every project I lead.I specialize in: Large-scale project management and complex overhauls Multi-team coordination and cross-functional leadership Budget management and resource optimization Process improvement and operational efficiency Quality assurance and compliance standardsHere\'s what I\'ve delivered: Directed personnel across 23 production teams and 20 contracting teams in a fast-paced shipyard environment Orchestrated a $2.5B refueling overhaul coordinating jobs - all milestones achieved on time and within budget Reduced project delays by 25% through advanced tracking systems and workflow optimization Increased efficiency by 30% after integrating 63+ cross-functional teams with streamlined collaboration CERTIFICATIONS: PMP | Master of Science in Engineering Management - Project Management EXPERTISE: Project Management Budget Management Personnel Management Process Improvement Quality Assurance Nuclear Operations Risk Mitigation Data AnalysisSecret Clearance holder. Let\'s connect if you\'re building or scaling operations that demand precision and accountability.
Experience
Program Manager
Jan 2026 — Present · Chesapeake, VA, US
Education
Thomas Edison State University
Bachelor's degree, Nuclear Engineering Technology/Technician
Liberty University
Master of Science - MS, Project Management
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