Jan. 3, 2022

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A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding

Photo by Ashley Cowan

Welcome Back

Newport News Shipbuilding President Jennifer Boykin sent a message to shipbuilders Jan. 3 welcoming them back following the holiday shutdown. In the letter, Boykin thanked the approximately 1,000 employees who worked during shutdown and emphasized the company’s priorities for 2022 – safety and execution. “Each of us must own these priorities to be successful, and you will soon hear more about what this means for our shipyard as a whole and for you and your teams,” she wrote. See the insert to read Boykin’s full message.

New Vice President Named Matt Mulherin Jr. has been promoted to vice president of Contracts at Newport News Shipbuilding, NNS President Jennifer Boykin announced in a Dec. 20 message to employees. In his new role, Mulherin has overall responsibility for contracts, pricing and export/ import licensing and compliance for NNS. A second-generation shipbuilder, Mulherin came to NNS in 2004.

He has served in leadership positions of increasing responsibility, including business manager for the Virginia-Class Submarine Block III Program and director of business management for both submarine and aircraft carrier programs. He most recently served as program director for Doris Miller (CVN 81) and Future Aircraft Carriers.

Mulherin succeeds Christie Thomas, who was recently promoted to corporate vice president of Investor Relations for Huntington Ingalls Industries.

Volunteering Yields Lean Learning Moments The Lean Community of Practice (CoP), a voluntary Newport News Shipbuilding community, volunteered to pack food boxes and sweet potatoes for the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank on Dec. 13. The NNS Lean Community of Practice focuses on Continuous Improvement and Lean Manufacturing benchmarking, learning and sharing best practices.

Fourteen volunteers representing departments X51, T53, T56, O54, E70 and E81 volunteered their own time packaging food to be distributed in the community.

The volunteers included Richard Aiken, Brenda Berkley, Joshua Buchanan, Chad Daniels, Naomi Ghirmai, Crystal Krompegel, Joseph Martin, Michael McClellan, Richard and Robin Penley, Jason Prokup, Sabrina Quick, Nicole Radcliff, Russ Shaffer, Brian Tapajna and Cenise Waites.

In two and a half hours, the Lean CoP...

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NNS Launches Website for Labor Updates In November, United Steelworkers (USW) Local 8888 members at Newport News Shipbuilding voted against a new labor contract negotiated with NNS over the course of several months.

Work continues under a contract extension, and all current contract terms and conditions will be honored. To be as transparent as possible with the workforce, NNS has launched a website (nns.huntingtoningalls.com/laborupdates) to keep employees informed about the process and its potential impacts, including clarifying misinformation.

For more information, shipbuilders should contact their Labor Relations representative or the USW office.

AWEs on this first-of-class aircraft carrier operate using several advanced technologies, including electromagnetic motors, instead of more labor-intensive hydraulic systems. The advanced technology enables fewer sailors to safely move ordnance from weapons magazines to the flight deck with unparalleled speed and agility.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, centerleft, watches USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) advanced weapons elevators (AWE) during a 2019 visit to the ship.

U.S. Navy photo

Advanced Weapons Elevators Completed Aboard CVN 78 The 11th and final advanced weapons elevator (AWE) aboard USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) was turned over to the ship’s crew in late December.

Shipbuilders Support National Wreaths Across America Day Newport News Shipbuilding’s Veterans Employee Resource Group (VERG) and other employee volunteers laid Christmas wreaths at Hampton National Cemetery in support of National Wreaths Across America Day in December.

National Wreaths Across America Day is meant to remember fallen U.S. veterans, honor those who serve and teach children the value of freedom.

“The Navy-industry teaming provided the opportunities for hundreds of craftsmen, technicians and engineers, working around the clock – through multiple underway and holiday periods – to get these advanced systems on line and operational,” said Adm. James P. Downey, program executive officer for Aircraft Carriers.

This important milestone came in the midst of the ship’s six-month planned incremental availability (PIA) at Newport News Shipbuilding. Ford is scheduled to complete the PIA this spring, followed by training and deployment.

Volunteers from Newport News Shipbuilding’s Lean Community of Practice pack food at the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank.

Volunteering Yields Lean Learning Moments CONTINUED FROM PG 1

...packed 360 boxes on nine pallets. The work provided an opportunity to practice skills, seeing lean principles – or the lack thereof – at play, while having fun and building comradery among the attendees.

The Lean CoP intends to repeat this quarterly, not only for a much needed service in the community, but as means to educate on principles of efficiency, flow and work cell design. This will continue an ongoing relationship with the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank.

The Foodbank is located at 2401 Aluminum Ave. in Hampton. To learn more about volunteer opportunities, check NNS Gives (nns.YourCause.com) or contact the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank for volunteer needs. For more information on the Lean Community of Practice, contact Sabrina Quick, Membership Committee chair; Josh Buchanan, Executive Board chair; or Brian Tapajna, Outreach Committee chair.

TAX REMINDERS

Employees should review their name and address on pay stubs for accuracy. W-2s will be mailed to the address that appears on the check stub. The first and last name printed on the stub should appear exactly as it does on the employee’s social security card. If you need to submit an address or name change, visit the MyHR website and click the employee Information Updates Link for instructions. Changes updated in SAP

by Jan. 10 will be reflected on the W-2. Shipbuilders should also review and verify state withholding taxes are for states in which they actually worked in 2021. If not, contact Kerrie Smith (O95) at 688-8228 or Debbie Burris (O95) at 688-2529.

As a reminder, employees who claimed exempt for tax year 2021 must submit a new W-4 form no later than Feb. 15.

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AROUND THE YARD Apprentice School Foundation Awards Scholarships The Apprentice School Foundation awarded its fifth and sixth 2021 scholarships to Ross Nara (X11) and Rodney Willoughby Jr. (X36), respectively.

Nara is from Newport News and started his apprenticeship Oct. 4 as a shipfitter. He is a 2012 graduate of UNC Greensboro, from which he graduated with a 3.60 GPA with a Master of Science. Nara has held several positions and taught abroad. He has returned to the United States and came to The Apprentice School to learn a shipbuilding trade as he continues making the most of his opportunities.

Willoughby is from Hampton and started his apprenticeship Oct. 4 as a rigger. He is a 2016 graduate of The Master’s University & Seminary where he graduated with a GPA of 3.35 with a Master of Divinity. Rodney has served in many ways at his church and in his community. He has come to Newport News Shipbuilding following a family tradition of shipbuilding and The Apprentice School to learn a trade and continue that tradition.

This foundation recently named its scholarships in honor of Daniel Lee “Danny” Brookman, who graduated as an inside machinist apprentice in 1976. He managed craft training for The Apprentice School for over 30 years and had a passion for supporting apprentices’ growth and development to succeed

Pictured from left are Rodney Willoughby Jr., Kathy Brookman and Ross Nara.

throughout their career. Retiring after 43 years at NNS, he became the first secretary for The Apprentice School Foundation until his passing in 2021.

The Apprentice School Foundation provides a tax-deductible opportunity for alumni, friends and community partners of The Apprentice School to help fund scholarships, historic preservation and community service projects that carry on the school’s legacy. The foundation awards four scholarships annually. Visit The Apprentice School Foundation’s website (www.tasfd.org) for more information.

VERG Supports Toys for Tots

Veterans Employee Resource Group (VERG) members supported the Smithfield District Toys for Tots by manning the grills and slow cookers to serve up hamburgers, hot dogs, pulled pork barbecue and Brunswick stew at the 22nd Annual Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show and Toy Drive. The event brought out 167 show vehicles and over 700 attendees. The toy drive collected 906 toys, 103 books and 1,450 stocking stuffers. Through entry fees and VERG food sales, the event raised $6,500. ”As a U.S. Marine Corps/U.S. Air Force

brat, events like this have always been close to my heart, and with this being the first big volunteering thing I’ve done since COVID, it was beyond amazing to see the turnout for such a wonderful cause and get to interact with so many people happy to be there,” said Katiana Slaton (E46). “The stacks of toys (for tots!), Mr. and Mrs. Claus coming in on a helicopter, vintage cars, excited families and the company of my fellow VERG members all made for a day full of Christmas joy. I’m already looking forward to Toys for Tots next year.”

Confirmed Cases of COVID-19

Confirmed Cases of COVID-19

Cases Total cases NNS employees NNS employees reported at NNS: medically cleared to vaccinated: Cases 20-Jan 2.: 321 last week: 25 reported 4,831 from Dec. return to work: 74%cases at NNS: 5,282 4,001 Total

See case details at nns.huntingtoningalls.com/411.

NNS employees medically cleared to return to work: 4,114 NNS employees vaccinated: 78%

See case details at nns.huntingtoningalls.com/411.

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Nominations Open for Diversity Conferences Newport News Shipbuilding celebrates shipbuilders by recognizing success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through the participation in national conventions and award conferences.

NNS supports six major STEM Diversity Conferences each year.

Twice a year, NNS requests nominations of employees who have and are making significant contributions to the company to be recognized during these diversity conferences. Nominations for the fall 2022 conferences listed below are open through Jan. 11.

Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers (SASE): SASE recognizes the achievements of Asian Pacific Islander Americans

students and professionals in their respective worlds.

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE): SHPE aims to change lives by empowering the Hispanic community to its full potential in STEM awareness. SHPE was created to bring awareness, provide access and prepare Hispanics for STEM careers.

Women of Color (WOC): The WOC STEM Conference recognizes outstanding women and provides opportunities for professional development, networking and recruiting.

To learn more about nominating an employee, visit the Diversity Conference and Awards website.

L.E.A.R.N. 2021 Recognition Class Congratulations to the 2021 L.E.A.R.N. Recognition Class.

Shipbuilders can be a part of a prestigious future recognition class after attending their first five L.E.A.R.N. events. The recognition class receives a certificate and acknowledgment at the L.E.A.R.N. year-end event. Will you be part of the 2022 L.E.A.R.N. Recognition class? For more information, visit the L.E.A.R.N. website on MyNNS. Shipbuilders in the 2021 Recognition Class include Jeff Beck (E63), Haleigh A. Benson (T56), Rachel A. Biehl (X51), Cassandra Bonner (O18), Colette A. Booker-Bell (O03),

Matthew Bruce (X47), Tim Bulles (T54), Vicki C. Carroll (T50), Taylor L. Chamberlain (E91), Karen A. Dedow (O52), Jonathan Deeds (O51), Carmen M. Downing (T56), Derrick Greene (T52), Evelyn Gregory (O18), Okema L. Hill (O20), Chona Kelly (O79), Abra A. McCollum (T52), Letitia R. McDonald (T55), Emmylou D. Mosley (E33), Suresh Palaniswami (T56), Michelle A. Pope (E08), Jason Prokup (T53), Sabrina Quick (X57), Mark Reidelbach (E44), Lisa M. Renn (T51), Karen P. Schmidt (E20), William R. Shaffer (X57), Carole P. Sterling (T55), Brian F. Stockunas (X71) and Sandy Veit (O18).

Shipbuilders Give Back for the Holidays Instead of exchanging holiday gifts among each other, the SCM Material Clerk Support Team (O53) chose to think of others and support the community. Shipbuilders gave out bags of toiletries and food to homeless residents of downtown Newport News.

The team also collected canned goods and nonperishable food items for the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank.

Pictured from left are Kevin S. Jones, Dentazhia Hall, Mo’Nita Reynolds, Geraldine Stith, Catrina Joyner and Adrian Bracy. Members of the team who are not pictured include Mario Barnes, Johnta Knight, Margaret Newby, David Holloway, Laura Bass and Gerald Palmer.

Editor: Nicholas Langhorne Currents@hii-nns.com

Currents is published every Monday for employees of Newport News Shipbuilding. To submit a story, visit nns.huntingtoningalls.com/currents.

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January 3, 2022 Dear Shipbuilders, Welcome back from shutdown on this cold, wintery day! I hope you had a relaxing and safe holiday, and for the approximately 1,000 of you who worked over the holiday – thank you for your flexibility and dedication to our Navy programs. I hope you also had an opportunity to unwind and spend time with loved ones.

Like last year, our shipyard is the busiest it’s been in at least four decades. Despite the continued COVID-19 pandemic, our dry docks and piers are full and we continue to lean in to meet our Navy commitments. We supported the construction and maintenance of 25 Navy ships from five different ship classes in 2021 alone – work we should all be proud of because it directly supports our nation’s defense. We were able to execute this work in part due to the wide-scale release of COVID-19 vaccines.

Looking ahead to 2022, the Navy and our nation need us to deliver high-quality, cost effective ships on time. To achieve this, our priorities are focused on safety and execution. Each of us must own these priorities to be successful, and you will soon hear more about what this means for our shipyard as a whole and for you and your teams.

Later this month, NNS will celebrate its 136th anniversary. We have inherited the shipyard’s rich history and legacy that have persisted through periods of triumph and hardship, through peace and war, and even through a global pandemic. We must uphold this legacy so it remains strong, if not stronger, when we leave it. If each of us commit to executing safely every day, I am confident we will do just that.

Respectfully,

Jennifer Boykin President Newport News Shipbuilding

4101 Washington Avenue ● Newport News, VA 23607 ● Telephone (757) 380-2000 ● www.huntingtoningalls.com