Mr. Merz became Senior Vice President, Aerospace and Defense Technologies in 2025. He joined Oceaneering in 2024 as Vice President, Aerospace and Defense Technologies, from his position as Vice President of Operations for Entergy in Houston. Prior to joining Oceaneering, Mr. Merz served 36 years in the U.S. Navy as a nuclear submarine officer, a career that culminated in command of the U.S. Seventh Fleet and senior Pentagon positions as the Navy’s Requirements Officer (OPNAV N9), Operations/Policy Officer (OPNAV N3/N5), and Director of Undersea Warfare.