Matt Garner is a distinguished executive with over 28 years of experience in maritime technology, defense systems, and leadership. Currently serving as President – TAI Engineers, LLS, he leads a global team of approximately 150 engineers and designers performing total ship design, from concept incept through production engineering. Mr. Garner’s contributions have been recognized with multiple awards, including the U.S. Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award and the Superior Civilian Service Award.
Prior to joining TAI, Mr. Garner served as Vice President of Autonomous Systems at Gibbs & Cox, a Leidos Company, where he established and led an 80-person organization focused on autonomous surface vessel development. His leadership was instrumental in expanding the company’s autonomous systems portfolio and successfully managing critical programs for both U.S. Navy and commercial clients.
Mr. Garner’s distinguished career includes 18 years with the U.S. Navy’s Naval Sea Systems Command, where he served six years in the Senior Executive Service. As Director of Submarine and Submersible Design and Systems Engineering, he held technical authority for all U.S. Navy submarine and submersible programs. His expertise spans the full lifecycle of naval vessels, from concept development through construction and sustainment.
Throughout his career, Mr. Garner has demonstrated exceptional ability in leading complex, high-stakes projects. Notable achievements include winning Gibbs & Cox’s largest-ever contract award at $319M for the NAVSEA Surface Combatant Ship Design and Engineering program, and successfully leading the DDG 51 Flight Upgrade Study, which defined the Program of Record for the DDG 51 Flight III destroyer class. Mr. Garner’s contributions have been recognized with multiple awards, including the U.S. Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award (twice awarded) and the U.S. Navy Superior Civilian Service Award.
A lifelong learner, Mr. Garner holds master’s degrees in both System Engineering Management from Naval Postgraduate School and Engineering (Naval Architecture) from the University of New Orleans. He has recently enhanced his executive expertise with certificates in Finance for Non-Finance Executives and Financial Analysis and Valuation from Columbia Business School.
Mr. Garner is actively involved in the non-profit community, with positions on two non-profit Board of Directors, focusing on STEM workforce developmentand Mental Health awareness. Mr. Garner along with his wife resides in Metairie, Louisiana and has two adult children.