Counsel to the
Naval Air Systems Command
Diane K. Townsend
In April, 2001, Ms. Diane K.
Townsend became Counsel, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR). With headquarters
in Patuxent River, Md. and eight major sites nationwide, NAVAIR is responsible
for acquisition management, test and evaluation, repair/modification and
in-service engineering and logistics support for naval aircraft and related
weapons systems. As NAVAIR Counsel, Ms. Townsend leads a legal staff of over
100 attorneys and staff, who provide advice on a wide range of subject areas,
including acquisition, strategic sourcing, personnel, environmental, fiscal,
ethics, labor relations, and standards of conduct.
Ms. Townsend began her federal government career with the Department of the
Treasury in 1978. In 1980, Ms. Townsend joined the Navy Office of the General
Counsel and was assigned to NAVAIR as legal advisor to various aircraft and
missile programs. In 1985, she became the Supervisory Associate Counsel for
aircraft programs. She was responsible for legal advice to a wide range of major
weapon systems, including aircraft, electronic countermeasures and weapons, and missiles.
In 1995, Ms. Townsend transferred to the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) as head
of the Systems Section and provided advice on the acquisition of combat and
weapon systems, navigational systems, propulsion systems, acoustical systems,
ordnance, and other ship related items. Ms. Townsend was also responsible for
acquisition issues for NAVSEA’s large field counsel system.
In October, 1997, Ms. Townsend was appointed Counsel, Naval Supply Systems
Command (NAVSUP), headquartered in Mechanicsburg, Pa. NAVSUP oversees logistics
programs in the areas of supply operations, conventional ordnance, contracting,
resale, fuel, transportation, and security assistance. In that position, she
supervised a legal staff of over 50 attorneys.
Ms. Townsend received her B.A. degree, cum laude, in political science from
Boston University. She received a law degree, cum laude, from New England School
of Law, and is a member of the New York State bar. She was selected for the
Senior Executive Service in October 1997. She received the Navy’s Meritorious
Civilian Service Award in 1995 and received the Superior Civilian Service Award
in 2001 and 2005. She was awarded the Presidential Rank Meritorious Executive
Award in 2003.