Department of Defense news release (March 2, 2005): new assistant secretary of the Navy sworn in.

B.J. Penn, was sworn in yesterday as the assistant secretary of the Navy for installations and environment by Secretary of the Navy Gordon England. In this position, Penn is responsible for formulating policy and procedures for the effective management of Navy and Marine Corps real property, housing, and other facilities; environmental protection ashore and afloat; occupational health for both military and civilian personnel; and timely completion of closures and realignments of installations under base closure laws.

Prior to his appointment, Penn served as the Defense Department's director, industrial base assessments, where he was responsible for the overall health of the U.S. defense industrial base. A retired Navy officer, Penn's assignments included deputy director of the Navy Office of Technology Transfer & Security Assistance; command of Naval Air Station North Island, Calif.; and command of Electronic Attack Squadron Thirty Three (VAQ-33). Penn holds a bachelor of science degree from Purdue University and a master of science degree from George Washington University. He received certificates in aerospace safety from the University of Southern California and in national security for senior officials from the Kennedy School, Harvard University.