Austal USA Introduces Director of Customer Relations (Navy Programs)

Austal USA is pleased to announce the appointment of Lawrence (Larry) Ryder to the position of Director of Customer Relations (Navy Programs), effective June 23, 2014. In this role, he will be the customer interface with the Navy and Marine Corps for all Austal USA programs.

Mr. Ryder is a retired Marine with over 20 years of service, and comes to Austal from General Dynamics, Advanced Information Systems (GD-AIS) where he worked on both the Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) programs. Mr. Ryder is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and the Naval Postgraduate School.

Mr. Ryder has extensive experience with Navy and Marine Corps shipbuilding programs, serving as the first Director of the USMC High Speed Vessel Program Office where helped develop the Marine Corps’ High Speed Vessel (HSV) program. He also served with the Navy as the Deputy Program Manager for JHSV in PEO Ships, where he travelled extensively developing the program. Mr. Ryder has worked with both of these Navy/Marine Corps programs since their inception over 13 years ago.

Most recently, Mr. Ryder was employed by General Dynamics, Advanced Information Systems (GD-AIS), where he led all business development efforts for the JHSV and LCS programs, domestic and international. He has worked closely with the Navy and Austal in the development of these programs. Based in Washington D.C., Mr. Ryder will provide direct support to Terry O’Brien, Vice President of Business Development and External Affairs.

“Larry Ryder is the perfect fit as the Director of Customer Relations” said Mr. O’Brien. “The combination of his military background and work in industry give him the insight to make an immediate impact to the Austal team in Washington and strengthen our efforts with the Navy, Marine Corps and civilian leaders on behalf of all Austal programs.”