Executive Director, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Lakehurst
In 2024, Mr. Sean D. Brennan was selected as the Executive Director for Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst (LKE), Support Equipment (SE) and Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE) Group. He is responsible for executing NAWCAD LKE mission functions for all aspects of SE and ALRE including management of the labs and facilities providing capability development and sustainment to the fleet. He manages more than 1,800 NAWCAD LKE civilian and military personnel, is responsible for a contracting operation that obligates more than $2B annually and executes budgets exceeding $1B.
Prior to returning to NAWCAD LKE, from 2017 to 2024 Mr. Brennan served as the Distinguished Engineer for Research and Development, Senior Scientific Technical Manager (SSTM), and the Division Test Director at Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division. In this role he oversaw the strategy, execution, and improvement of more than 100 labs and test sites.
From 2006 through 2017, Mr. Brennan was the Lead Systems/Chief Engineer of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). This was the first new aircraft carrier catapult design in more than 50 years. In 2015, Mr. Brennan took on the added responsibility of the Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) as the first Chief Engineer of Future ALRE Systems. He led both systems through notable ‘firsts’ including commissioning and first land-based aircraft launch and recovery and shipboard installation of both systems aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78).
Mr. Brennan started his Navy career in 1999 at NAWCAD LKE in the Carrier Analysis Lab focusing on design and operation of large deck Amphibious and Large Deck ships including CVN(X), LHA(R), and various new ship concepts.
Mr. Brennan earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Rutgers University and a master’s degree in systems engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology.
Mr. Brennan is the recipient of the Department of the Navy Superior Civilian Service and the Meritorious Civilian Service Awards. He is a Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Practitioner in Engineering and Technical Management and a 2015 Graduate of the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Leadership Development Program.
Officer In Charge, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Lakehurst
Commander Adam "Repo" Pawlak is a 2006 graduate of the United States Naval Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ocean Engineering. Upon being selected for the Naval Aviator training pipeline, he reported to Aviation Preflight Indoctrination at NAS Pensacola in 2007. After stops at Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi and NAS Kingsville, he earned his wings of gold and was designated a Naval Aviator in April 2009.
CDR Pawlak then reported to VAQ-129 at NAS Whidbey Island to begin Fleet Replacement training in the Grumman EA-6B Prowler. Once complete, he reported to the Gray Wolves of VAQ-142 meeting them on deployment at Al Asad AB, Iraq. During his time with the Gray Wolves he flew combat sorties in support of Operations New Dawn and Enduring Freedom from CENTCOM coalition airbases as well as the USS Nimitz while attached to Carrier Air Wing Eleven.
In 2014, CDR Pawlak reported once again to VAQ-129 to complete a transition syllabus to the Boeing EA-18G Growler. Once complete, he instructed at VAQ-129 as the Airborne Electronic Attack Phase Head until 2016 when he transferred to VAQ-132 as a Department Head. From 2016 to 2020, he served in various Department Head billets including both Maintenance and Operations Officer. His tour was highlighted by two expeditionary deployments to INDOPACOM and one deployment to CENTCOM where he flew additional combat missions in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
At the completion of his tour with VAQ-132, CDR Pawlak reported to the staff of Commander Naval Air Force, Atlantic as the EA-18G Requirements Officer. It was then that he was selected for lateral transfer to the Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer community. Upon redesignation, he assumed the F/A-18 Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler Class Desk billet. Additionally, he earned his Master of Science in Program Management degree from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2022.
He assumed his current position as Officer-In-Charge, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in August 2023.
Executive Director, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Lakehurst
In 2024, Mr. Sean D. Brennan was selected as the Executive Director for Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst (LKE), Support Equipment (SE) and Aircraft Launch and Recovery Equipment (ALRE) Group. He is responsible for executing NAWCAD LKE mission functions for all aspects of SE and ALRE including management of the labs and facilities providing capability development and sustainment to the fleet. He manages more than 1,800 NAWCAD LKE civilian and military personnel, is responsible for a contracting operation that obligates more than $2B annually and executes budgets exceeding $1B.
Prior to returning to NAWCAD LKE, from 2017 to 2024 Mr. Brennan served as the Distinguished Engineer for Research and Development, Senior Scientific Technical Manager (SSTM), and the Division Test Director at Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division. In this role he oversaw the strategy, execution, and improvement of more than 100 labs and test sites.
From 2006 through 2017, Mr. Brennan was the Lead Systems/Chief Engineer of the Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). This was the first new aircraft carrier catapult design in more than 50 years. In 2015, Mr. Brennan took on the added responsibility of the Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) as the first Chief Engineer of Future ALRE Systems. He led both systems through notable ‘firsts’ including commissioning and first land-based aircraft launch and recovery and shipboard installation of both systems aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78).
Mr. Brennan started his Navy career in 1999 at NAWCAD LKE in the Carrier Analysis Lab focusing on design and operation of large deck Amphibious and Large Deck ships including CVN(X), LHA(R), and various new ship concepts.
Mr. Brennan earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Rutgers University and a master’s degree in systems engineering from Stevens Institute of Technology.
Mr. Brennan is the recipient of the Department of the Navy Superior Civilian Service and the Meritorious Civilian Service Awards. He is a Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Practitioner in Engineering and Technical Management and a 2015 Graduate of the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Leadership Development Program.
Officer In Charge, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division Lakehurst
Commander Adam "Repo" Pawlak is a 2006 graduate of the United States Naval Academy where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Ocean Engineering. Upon being selected for the Naval Aviator training pipeline, he reported to Aviation Preflight Indoctrination at NAS Pensacola in 2007. After stops at Naval Air Station (NAS) Corpus Christi and NAS Kingsville, he earned his wings of gold and was designated a Naval Aviator in April 2009.
CDR Pawlak then reported to VAQ-129 at NAS Whidbey Island to begin Fleet Replacement training in the Grumman EA-6B Prowler. Once complete, he reported to the Gray Wolves of VAQ-142 meeting them on deployment at Al Asad AB, Iraq. During his time with the Gray Wolves he flew combat sorties in support of Operations New Dawn and Enduring Freedom from CENTCOM coalition airbases as well as the USS Nimitz while attached to Carrier Air Wing Eleven.
In 2014, CDR Pawlak reported once again to VAQ-129 to complete a transition syllabus to the Boeing EA-18G Growler. Once complete, he instructed at VAQ-129 as the Airborne Electronic Attack Phase Head until 2016 when he transferred to VAQ-132 as a Department Head. From 2016 to 2020, he served in various Department Head billets including both Maintenance and Operations Officer. His tour was highlighted by two expeditionary deployments to INDOPACOM and one deployment to CENTCOM where he flew additional combat missions in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
At the completion of his tour with VAQ-132, CDR Pawlak reported to the staff of Commander Naval Air Force, Atlantic as the EA-18G Requirements Officer. It was then that he was selected for lateral transfer to the Aerospace Engineering Duty Officer community. Upon redesignation, he assumed the F/A-18 Super Hornet and EA-18G Growler Class Desk billet. Additionally, he earned his Master of Science in Program Management degree from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2022.
He assumed his current position as Officer-In-Charge, Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division in August 2023.