Leaders of the shipyard at work to meet the mark To the Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) Superintendents Association, meeting the mark is not an option, it’s a duty. The group of shipyard leaders is determined to uphold Shipyard Commander Capt. Scott Brown’s Performance Improvement Plan by affecting positive change in every shop. “We challenged ourselves to go do something different,” explained Reggie Thompson, association president and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) deputy project superintendent. “We are trying to make sure we are leading the charge.” The Superintendents Association includes more than 40 leaders across the shipyard in key positions that meet certain criteria. In the past, the association was viewed as more of a social club than an agent for change, so the association is motivated more than ever to be a driving force for success. “The last 10 years have been the most trying years for the shipyard. We went through a rough time where we had inexperienced leaders and inexperienced employees,” said Treasurer Gerald White, Electrical Group (Code 950) deputy superintendent. “It’s an honor to be a superintendent, and with that comes responsibility. We have to own it. So we as the leaders of the shipyard, from this point on, are going to take the shipyard in the direction it needs to go so we can become America’s Shipyard – the shipyard of choice – the shipyard everyone wants to come to.” The first part of accomplishing that mission is to ensure the shipyard’s people are taken care of, which includes ensuring the 28 • SERVICE TO THE FLEET • DECEMBER 2016
By Anna Taylor • Public Affairs Specialist Photos by Shayne Hensley • NNSY Photographer
safety of NNSY’s workspaces. “Every Tuesday we go out as a team and inspect the different zones of the shipyard,” said Thompson. “We point out problems and take corrective actions.” In addition to safety, the superintendents are researching work stoppages, resolving material acquisition delays, increasing the shipyard’s productive capacity, and addressing day-to-day frustrations, such as parking shortages, shipyard cleanliness, and a lack of food options. They are also working hard to bring Family Day back to NNSY in conjunction with the 250th birthday celebration next year. “It’s all about the people,” said Charlie
McVey, Temporary Services Group (Code 970) superintendent. “If you invest in your people, the ships will get out on time.” If there is one thing the association members wants people to understand it’s that they are working hard to address issues head on. “We’ve been living on the work of previous superintendents, so we haven’t seen the need to make any changes,” said White. “But now we realize the success and failures of the shipyard rest on our backs, so we must strive for success,” said White. The Superintendents Association is putting together a page on WebCentral in an effort to keep the shipyard updated on their efforts.
John Floyd and George Mack perform a safety inspection near Dry Dock #2.