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A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
Photo by Ashley Cowan
Art Imitates Life in Foundry The Mariners’ Museum and Park is exploring Newport News Shipbuilding’s Foundry in the latest edition of a monthly video series that delves into stories behind paintings in the museum’s collection. The February edition of “Beyond the Frame” focuses on a painting by Thomas Skinner of shipbuilders conducting a large pour in the Foundry in the 1930s. Skinner came to Newport News at the request of his brother-in-law, influential former NNS President Homer L. Ferguson, to serve as the staff artist for the newly established museum. At NNS, Skinner was responsible for paintings to document daily life and products at the shipyard. To draw a connection between Skinner’s art and the work shipbuilders do today in the Foundry, museum employees visited NNS in early January. They captured footage of
shipbuilders and a pour for Virginia-class submarines Tang (SSN 805), Wahoo (SSN 806), Silversides (SSN 807) and yetto-be-named SSN 808. “We talk a lot about how we are connected to each other through the world’s waters, and there’s no better magnitude to display that than here at the shipyard seeing these shipbuilders at work,” said Jenna Dill, marketing and digital content manager for The Mariners’ Museum and Park. The “Beyond the Frame” episode focused on Skinner’s Foundry painting is set to premiere Friday, Feb. 4. The episode will be available on The Mariners’ Museum and Park’s social media channels, including YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Watch a video of the pour and learn more about “Beyond the Frame” on MyNNS.
Pictured from left are Chris Kastner and Mike Petters.
HII Names New President and CEO Huntington Ingalls Industries’ board of directors last week elected Chief Operating Officer Chris Kastner to become HII president and chief executive officer, consistent with the company’s succession plan. The board also elected current President and CEO Mike Petters to become executive vice chairman of the board for a transition period. Both changes are effective March 1. CONTINUED ON PG 2
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Shipbuilders Create and Paint New Team Logo Brandon Carter and Phillip Ankenman – shipbuilders from the O43 South Yard Electrical Crane Maintenance Team – recently expressed pride for the work they do with an engaging logo for their team. Carter and Ankenman had spoken with their supervisor, Vernon Lewis, about improving their shop area. Lewis, who teaches his team to have courage and take pride in what they do, supported the engagement effort and provided the tools the team needed to install the logo on the shop floor. Shipbuilders from several different trades have come to check out the new logo. Brandon Carter, left, and Phillip Ankenman are pictured with the new logo they created for the South Yard Electrical Crane Maintenance Team. Photo by Ashley Cowan
HII Names New President and CEO CONTINUED FROM PG 1
Petters and Kastner, who has acted over the past decade as chief financial officer, head of corporate strategy and divisional financial officer, are credited with nurturing the company’s current $48 billion shipbuilding backlog. The pair also steered its recent technology-oriented acquisitions to strengthen and broaden the capabilities HII delivers to customers. “Mike started his shipbuilding career here and has remained a
shipbuilder at heart and champion for our shipbuilders and our community – even as his career and success grew well beyond our shipyard gates. He’s been a mentor, a friend, and an exceptional leader, and I wish him and his family the very best in their next chapter,” said NNS President Jennifer Boykin. “Congratulations Mike, and congratulations to Chris Kastner on his new role as Huntington Ingalls Industries’ president and CEO.”
Why Quality Matters The work of Newport News shipbuilders is vital for the defense of the United States and for the safety of the sailors and Marines who serve. That point was driven home last week when an F-35C Lightning II aircraft had a “landing mishap” on deck of NNS-built USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), which was conducting routine flight operations in the South China Sea. A senior Navy official brought up the Jan. 24 incident during a routine progress meeting with NNS officials about the ongoing refueling and complex overhaul of USS George Washington (CVN 73). CVN 73 Program Director Gary Graham said the Navy official credited the quality work of NNS shipbuilders who built and overhauled CVN 70. The ship was able to quickly recover and continue its mission following the incident, which injured seven sailors. “Because of how the shipbuilders build these ships – the quality and redundancy that we build into the systems – they were able to respond, tend to the injured and get back to launching and recovering
USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70), front, and USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), transit the Philippine Sea earlier this month. U.S. Navy photo
aircraft within hours to ultimately do what needs to be done in the South China Sea,” Graham said. “It really shows the importance of what we do every day.” The cause of the mishap is under investigation. Vinson, USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) and their carrier strike groups began dual carrier operations in the South China Sea on Jan. 23.
NNS and United Steelworkers Reach Tentative Agreement Newport News Shipbuilding and the United Steelworkers (USW) Local 8888 resumed negotiations the week of Jan. 17 following the union’s rejection of the November 2021 tentative agreement. The teams concluded negotiations and reached a new tentative agreement Jan. 28 that further balances company, union, and employee needs and expectations. Visit nns.huntingtoningalls.com/laborupdates for updates and more information.
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AROUND THE YARD Celebrating Black History Month As Newport News Shipbuilding and Huntington Ingalls Industries celebrate Black History Month in February, take time to recognize the great achievements and innovations of Black Americans throughout our nation’s history and their significant impact on the success of HII. The theme for 2022 focuses on the importance of Black Health and Wellness. Learn more at The Association for the Study of African American Life and History and at the HII Diversity and Inclusion website huntingtoningalls.com/employees/diversity.
REMINDER: Securing Company Laptops and Mobile Phones Security Compliance (O15) reminds Newport News Shipbuilding employees of their individual responsibility to secure company laptops and/or mobile phones while in transit. Recently, several NNS employees reported their company laptops and/or mobile phones were stolen during overnight storage in their vehicles.
to local police and then called into the Security Command Center at 380-4031. Stolen mobile phones must first be reported to local police and then reported to the Help Desk in accordance with Standard Shipbuilding Procedure S-1021 and Standard Shipbuilding Work Instruction IS-1001.10.
Do not store company laptops/mobile phones in vehicles overnight. Employees are only authorized to use this privilege for short stops. The preferred choice is to lock these assets in the trunk. Even if there is not a trunk, hide the assets and cover them in a locked vehicle. These privileges were never intended for employees to store company laptops/mobile phones in their vehicles overnight.
Further awareness, prevention and reporting guidelines are available on MyNNS:
Stolen laptops must first be reported
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Security News Flash: Securing company laptops or mobile phones while in transit.
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HII Corporate Security program guide: Protect yourself from crime.
For more information or questions, email NNSSecCompliancePrg@hii-nns.com.
COVID-19 Mitigation Policies Extended Newport News Shipbuilding continues to monitor the significant increase in COVID-19 cases in the shipyard and the Hampton Roads region. Given that Hampton Roads continues to be in a high-transmission category for COVID-19, supervisors should allow employees who have the ability to work remotely to do so through Feb. 14. Additionally, in-person meetings are to be kept at a minimum and only when WebEx is not an option. NNS is also extending its current mask policy until Feb. 14.
Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 Active cases: 578
NNS employees vaccinated: 78%
See case details at nns.huntingtoningalls.com/411.
EAS Team Structure This second article of the Enterprise Agility System (EAS) informational series, focuses on Business Transformation & Technology’s (BT&T) new EAS structure below. Structure is the expression of teams at scale; meaning the EAS teaming structure is the backbone for how the NNS Scaled Agile enterprise operates. The goal of the structure is cross-functional, collaborative participation at all levels of the organization for all functions. It is designed and aligned using a system of delivery that contains Investment, Portfolio, Product and Delivery/ Service teams. This new structure offers opportunities to minimize waste, and it provides a foundation for a cultural change, leading to long-term, sustainable transformation. Portfolios consist of a single portfolio team, multiple product teams, and many delivery teams, represented as a stack. The portfolio team, in collaboration with the business, seeks to understand the problem the business is trying to solve and the value it will bring to the company. This effort helps to prioritize the work in terms of value, and these items are called “epics.” The product teams begin developing solutions to those problems by identifying “features” and the delivery teams break down the features into “stories.” The delivery teams then execute the work to deliver value, and the portfolio team works with the business to measure the value against the investment. For more information, see the first EAS Currents article and visit the EAS website on MyNNS.
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DATEBOOK FEBRUARY 2
FEBRUARY 10
Join Engineering & Design and Simone Terry (O44) from noon until 12:30 p.m. for a Virtual Learning Session on Leader Standard Behaviors. Part of being an inspiring NNS leader is modeling people-centric behaviors that inspire others. Come and learn the five standard leader behaviors and how to apply them. Sign up on MyNNS to receive a calendar invite to attend. For more information, email E&D Connections.
The Spear and Gear Toastmasters Club invites shipbuilders to hear speech presentations, speech evaluations and participate in table topics to develop public speaking, listening and leadership skills from 6 until 7 p.m. via Zoom. Those interested in joining online should contact Jamar Skyles (E03), Paul Gee Jr. (O52) or Tammy Smith (N358) for Zoom meeting information.
FEBRUARY 8, 15 & 22
Although the first steps can be hard, finding your path to a smoke-free life is easier with the right help. Freedom from Smoking is a proven program that can help you quit for good in just eight weeks. Employees who complete the program can declare themselves “tobacco-free” and save $660 annually on their HII medical insurance through the HII Tobacco Free Incentive Program. As an added benefit, those who attend at least six classes will receive a prize. Register at myquadmed.com/BeWell.
Whether you spend your workday sitting at a desk or working in the shipyard, back health is of utmost importance. The HII Family Health Center’s physical therapists are here to support you in proper back health. The We’ve Got Your Back program is designed to help prevent and manage acute and chronic low back pain. In-person sessions will be held at noon Feb. 8 and 22. A virtual session will be held Feb. 15. Register at myquadmed.com/BeWell.
FEBRUARY 9
February is Heart Health Month, and it’s a great time to take steps to keep your heart healthy. Join a panel of HII Family Health Center health care providers at noon as they share information that will help you protect your heart now and in the future. You will learn about the risk factors for heart disease and walk away with steps you can take to lower your risk by changing the factors you can control. Register at myquadmed.com/BeWell.
FEBRUARY 9
Join Engineering & Design and Tia Benson-Bond (O13) from noon until 12:30 p.m. for a Virtual Learning Session on myHR Continuous Performance and Continuous Feedback. Did you know that MyHR has functionality that allows you to manage tasks, solicit feedback and link them to your performance agreement? These tools will help you showcase your accomplishments. Come and learn all about the myHR tools. Sign up on MyNNS to receive a calendar invite to attend. For more information, email E&D Connections.
HIRING IDEAS
Newport News Shipbuilding needs to hire more than 6,000 employees in 2022. The Talent Acquisition Department welcomes innovative ideas on how to support this effort. Employees are encouraged to send ideas to hiringideas@hii-nns.com.
FEBRUARY 14
FEBRUARY 23
ManPower is a new virtual program that provides dialogue around various men’s health maintenance and improvement topics. Join QuadMed professionals at noon as they discuss weight loss and how to approach it healthily. Register at myquadmed.com/BeWell.
FEBRUARY 23
Join the E&D Change Agent Team from noon until 12:30 p.m. for a Virtual Learning Session - Driving Engagement: Understanding Basic Needs. The four drivers of employee engagement are basic needs, individual needs, teamwork and growth, but what do those actually mean? This year, join us as we take a closer look at the meaning behind each driver and talk about ways to incorporate behaviors that leverage those drivers to build and sustain a more engaged workforce. Sign up on MyNNS to receive a calendar invite to attend. For more information, email E&D Connections.
FEBRUARY 24
The Spear and Gear Toastmasters Club invites shipbuilders to hear speech presentations, speech evaluations and participate in table topics to develop public speaking, listening and leadership skills from 6 until 7 p.m. via Zoom. Those interested in joining online should contact Jamar Skyles (E03), Paul Gee Jr. (O52) or Tammy Smith (N358) for Zoom meeting information.
MARCH 31
Salaried Newport News Shipbuilding employees and HII corporate employees enrolled in an HII Anthem medical plan must complete a Know Your Numbers health screening and a wellness profile by March 31 to secure savings of $600 on their medical premiums. Visit myquadmed.com/kyn for step-by-step instructions to complete the program.
Bolcar Named WiSE Executive Sponsor The Women in Shipbuilding Enterprise (WiSE) employee resource group welcomes Dave Bolcar, vice president of Engineering and Design, as its new executive sponsor. “I lead one of the largest divisions in the company and recognize that the diversity of our workforce is one of our most powerful assets,” Bolcar said. “I have been on a journey to improve the diversity of our teams and leadership and sponsoring this organization will help me connect with the talented women of our company and learn how to continue to leverage their talents while helping them achieve their vision and mission.”
SEEKING SHIPBUILDERS Job Title Req Number Dept. Burner 16064 X11 Designer 2 14725 E86 Engineering Planning Analyst 3 12624 E82 Engineer Systems 3 14376 X51 Fitter (Trainee, Entry-level & 16065, 16067, X11 Experienced) 16066 Shipwright 16052 X11 Summer 2022 Hourly 14168 K21 Trade/Craft Internship
Visit www.buildyourcareer.com to search for the latest NNS job openings.
Employee Referral Cash Bonus Eligible Not Eligible Not Eligible Eligible Eligible
Remote Work Considered No Yes Yes Yes No
Eligible Not Eligible
No No
All positions are located in Newport News unless otherwise noted.
Employees are encouraged to use MyHR or the "Current HII Employees Job Search" button at www.buildyourcareer.com to apply. Visit www.huntingtoningalls.com/careers/refer-a-friend to learn more about the cash bonus awards for referrals to select positions.