HDR Strengthens Defense and Naval Programs With Key New Hires

HDR has added two veteran U.S. Navy leaders to strengthen the firm's services to federal clients supporting national security and readiness.

Dean Vander Ley has joined HDR as director of defense programs. He leads the company's integrated defense initiatives by aligning technical expertise, strategic partnerships and mission-driven solutions to deliver innovative capabilities.

Recently retired from the Navy as a two-star admiral, Vander Ley served as the commander of Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) and was the Navy’s 46th chief of civil engineers. He held leadership roles at every level within NAVFAC, including the command's operations in the Pacific, Atlantic and Mid-Atlantic, and as public works officer at Naval Station Norfolk.

Vander Ley began his career as a submarine officer, serving for more than three years on the USS Michigan (Gold) and completing four strategic deterrent patrols. With the Seabees, he served as an operations officer and commanding officer for naval mobile construction battalions, deploying as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and in Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom.

He is a professional engineer registered in the state of Washington and a fellow of the Society of American Military Engineers.

Miguel Dieguez has joined HDR as Navy programs director. He manages strategic program delivery for the Navy by coordinating complex initiatives, advancing mission-focused solutions, and verifying high-value outcomes.

Dieguez served in the Navy's Civil Engineer Corps for 28 years, holding various positions of responsibility.  He completed five deployments supporting operations Joint Endeavor and Enduring Freedom, including one as the commanding officer of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133. He also served at every level of the Navy shore enterprise, with multiple tours at the installation and regional levels, and two tours in the Pentagon. His most recent role was as the commanding officer of NAVFAC Southeast and regional engineer for Navy Region Southeast in Jacksonville, Florida. Under Dieguez's leadership, NAVFAC Southeast managed a multibillion-dollar portfolio of design, construction, environmental, and facilities support contracts across 12 states and the Caribbean. His tenure included major investments to shore up infrastructure for new weapons and training platforms, disaster response efforts, and long-term strategic planning to support the fleet. 

He is a Seabee combat warfare officer, a registered professional engineer in the Commonwealth of Virginia, an acquisition professional member, and a certified project management professional.