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A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
Strength at Sea F/A-18E Super Hornets attached to Carrier Air Wing 1 and Belgian air force F-16s fly in formation over the Mediterranean Sea and Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), which was built at Newport News Shipbuilding. The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations.
U.S. Navy photo
HII Scholarship Fund Provides Opportunity for Employees’ Children The HII Scholarship Fund, now in its seventh year, has awarded 190 scholarships to dependent children of HII employees for the 20222023 school year. HII’s scholarship fund has awarded more than $3 million in 1,170 scholarships over the life of the program, providing educational opportunities to more than 600 children of employees across the HII enterprise. “This program is an important reflection of who we are,” said Chris Kastner, HII’s president and CEO. “Through these scholarships we are supporting our employees and their families, with benefits longterm for our communities and ultimately the nation. I am committed to supporting this program and the educational opportunities it brings to students.” The HII Scholarship Fund was formed to provide financial assistance to dependent children of HII employees who are pursuing
a post-secondary college or technical/vocation degree and to dependent children who are enrolled in qualifying pre-kindergarten school readiness programs. Of the scholarships awarded, 30 were granted to students in fouryear college education programs, 20 were granted to students in two-year degree or vocational programs, and 50 were granted to students in early childhood school-readiness programs. Individual award amounts ranged from $3,000 for selected students enrolled in a four-year college program to $1,500 for selected students enrolled in two-year programs; the post-secondary awards are renewable for recipients who remain in good academic standing. The fund also awards scholarships of up to $3,000 for pre-school education costs. CONTINUED ON PG 2
School Tools Drive Ends Friday Time is running out to support Newport News Shipbuilding’s annual School Tools Drive, which wraps up Friday, Aug. 5. The drive provides school supplies for thousands of students across the area. Shipbuilders are asked to donate new school supplies in support of the drive. See a list of most-needed items and frequently asked questions on MyNNS. Containers are located inside shipyard gates at turnstiles for supply drop off. Employees can also donate online at YouGiveGoods.com/nns-schooltools-2022. Online donations are not taxed and supplies are shipped directly to the selected agency. Purchases are tax deductible. Shipbuilders from T54 with their department’s school supply collection to date.
Email CorporateCitizenship@hii-nns.com for more information.
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Shipbuilder Has Deep Ties to NNS and Enterprise Enterprise (CVN 65) has always been important to fourthgeneration shipbuilder Kelly Lawrence (E86) and his family. His grandfathers, father and mother all played a role in the construction of the U.S. Navy’s first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. Lawrence was on hand as his parents attended the ship’s Sept. 24, 1960, christening at Newport News Shipbuilding – just not in a traditional sense. “Technically, I was there with my mom and dad,” he said. “I was born four days later at the old Riverside Hospital.” CVN 65 has the fingerprints of Lawrence’s family members throughout. One grandfather was a pipefitter, another was one of the first shipbuilders in the nuclear Quality Inspection Department (QID). His father, T.K. “Kenny” Lawrence, was an Apprentice School graduate who worked on the ship during his entire apprenticeship. And Lawrence’s mother, Carolyn Greene Lawrence, was employed by Westinghouse – which designed the ship’s reactors – and worked onsite at NNS. Despite that history, Lawrence initially had no plans to continue the family legacy of shipbuilding. “It was not my goal to work here. I remember standing in the front yard of our house in Denbigh saying, ‘I will never work at the shipyard,’ and this year will be 37 years I’ve been working here,” he said. “It’s probably the best decision I ever made.” In 1985, Lawrence was hired as the offensive line coach for The Apprentice School football team. That led to an opportunity in Radiological Control. At NNS, Lawrence had the opportunity to do work on CVN 65. “It was pretty awesome to be able to work on the same boat that my grandfathers and my parents worked on,” he said.
Kelly Lawrence with photos of his family members and a coin from the christening ceremony for Enterprise (CVN 65). He plans to donate the coin for the island landing ceremony for CVN 80. Photo by Nicholas Langhorne
When the Navy inactivated CVN 65 during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk, Lawrence and his mother attended. That’s where it was first announced that CVN 80 would carry on the Enterprise name. “We were both really excited. We knew there was going to be another Enterprise, but we didn’t know it was going to be this soon,” he said. As he moves toward the end of his career as a shipbuilder, Lawrence – whose team is involved with the ship’s propulsion system – looks forward to the possibility of contributing to the construction of the next Enterprise. “I think it would be amazing. My plan is to be here for a couple more years. I would like to still be here for the christening of Enterprise.”
HII Scholarship Fund Provides Opportunity for Employees’ Children CONTINUED FROM PG 1
Children of all HII employees are eligible to apply for the scholarship fund, with the exception of children of senior executives and those employees who have been with the company for less than two years.
Confirmed Cases of COVID-19
The HII Scholarship Fund is administered through Scholarship America. The selection process for awards is independent of HII and based on both academic scholarship and financial need. No employee or officer of HII plays a part in the selection process. To view testimonies from this year’s receipients, learn more about how to make a tax-deductible donation to the fund, or for more details on how to apply for 2023, visit hii.com/hii-scholarship-fund. Through the decades, HII has made numerous investments in education programs; partnerships with local high schools, community colleges and technical schools to develop trade-based curriculum; summer internships for both students and teachers, and industry-leading apprentice schools at the company’s two shipyards. Additionally this year, HII provided scholarships to Aerospace Industry Association’s 2022 American Rocketry Challenge graduating seniors and Wings of America Naval aviation families to help the aerospace and defense industry provide opportunities for the next generation of technology providers.
Cases reported at NNS from July 18-31: 340 See updates at
nns.huntingtoningalls.com/411
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AROUND THE YARD Shipbuilders Get Surprise Recognition Longtime shipbuilders Jerry “J. Rob” Robinson (X36) and Mark L. Taylor (X36) recently got a surprise recognition from their supervisor for outstanding service. Robinson and Taylor both work on the only X36 Lifting Pad in the shipyard and they are responsible for creating lifting pad arrangements and installing temporary lifting pads to support crane lifts for Carrier New Construction, Overhaul and Virginia- and Columbia-class assemblies. Foreman William Watson III presented both men with appreciation plaques. “It feels good to know that my work is appreciated,” Robinson said. He said recognition helps motivate employees to “keep going, doing a good job and staying safe.” As more senior members of their crew, both Robinson and Taylor take their roles as mentors for newer shipbuilders seriously. “We want them to be like us and better,” Taylor said. “I always tell them to learn the old way and the new way. Put it together, and it will help you perfect your job.” Watson congratulated both shipbuilders. “These two men have worked with
Pictured from left are General Foreman Karon Bazemore, Jerry Robinson, Mark Taylor and Foreman William Watson III. Photo by Nicholas Langhorne
me and now work for me and have always given their best. From calculating centers of gravity (CGs), grinding, tack welding, burning, creating lift plans and so forth, they have proven to be two of the best Lifting Pad Team members since I’ve been in the shipyard,” he said.
NNS Hires More Than 1,200 Trades Employees in Seven Months Newport News Shipbuilding Talent Acquisition has hired more than 1,200 new trades employees this year. To meet the company’s trades hiring needs, Talent Acquisition has supported more than 240 hiring and recruiting events – including in-person hiring events at the NNS Employment Office at NetCenter; events at local high schools, community colleges and trade schools; veteran and military spouse hiring events; as well as in-person and virtual job fairs. “We’re in a tough labor market. It seems like everyone is hiring,” said Cindi Wolfe, director of HRIS and Talent Acquisition. “This truly has been a team effort from all shipbuilders to make this happen.” “We’ve had to get creative,” said Ryan Sparks, manager of trades recruiting (K21). “In April, we started hosting
UPCOMING BLOOD DRIVE
Newport News Shipbuilding is hosting a blood drive in support of the American Red Cross from 7:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 10, in Bldg. 520-6 (James River Room). A time charge is provided for employees who donate. To schedule an appointment, contact Natasha Eck.
open interview hiring events for X11 fitters and X18 welders every few weeks at the Employment Office. We’ve seen tremendous success with these events, with nearly 900 job offers accepted in just three months.” NNS currently has larger hiring needs for X11 fitters and X18 welders. Pay is $21+ per hour, with $500 sign-on bonuses and up to $1,500 to relocate for trainee and entry-level positions. Pay increases with experience. NNS employees are encouraged to share hiring opportunities. NNS employees who refer a trades job seeker who is hired could receive a $1,000 cash bonus. For more information on the REFER program, visit huntingtoningalls.com/hii-careers/refer-afriend.
Enterprise (CVN 80) Keel Laying Ceremony is Aug. 27 Newport News Shipbuilding will host a keel laying ceremony for Enterprise (CVN 80) at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 27. The Communications Division is also seeking employees to support the event in the following roles: •
Event staff – bus escorts, parking attendants, site staff and ushers
•
National anthem singer
Employees interested in volunteering at the event or singing the national anthem should email ShipbuildingEvents@hii-nns.com. Employees who would like to attend the event may request up to two tickets. Requests should be sent to ShipbuildingEvents@hii-nns.com.
LEARNING EXCHANGE ( LX ) UPGRADE
The Learning Exchange (LX) is Newport News Shipbuilding’s current learning management system that tracks training and certifications. It directly supports the business of building aircraft carriers and submarines. LX will soon be upgraded to enhance system functionality. The tentative “go live” date for the improved software is Sept. 19, which will be preceded by a one-week blackout period from Sept. 9-18. As the go live date approaches, additional information on what to expect and how to prepare will be available. Check the communications section of the LX Resources page on MyNNS for updates regarding the upgrade. Stakeholders and advanced role users will receive additional updates via email.
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DATEBOOK AUGUST 3
Newport News Shipbuilding Talent Acquisition is hosting open interviews for entry-level and trainee fitter (X11) positions between 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the NNS Employment Office, located at NetCenter (Suite 176, Entrance 3). Job seekers may also apply in advance to reqs 22406 or 22424 at buildyourcareer.com.
AUGUST 8
Join the third HII courageous conversation event under the theme “Today’s Decisions Set the Stage for Tomorrow’s Realities” from 4:30-5:30 p.m. The Corporate Culture and Ethics and the NNS Engagement, Diversity and Inclusion Offices will host a discussion on Personal Accountability: The Key to Building Diverse & Inclusive Cultures. Participants will explore why accountability at both the organizational and individual level is key to building a diverse and inclusive culture. Panelists include Edmond Hughes, executive vice president and chief human resources officer (HII Corporate); Nicole Goldman, director, Talent Acquisition (Mission Technologies): Dave Long, director, Maritime Services (Mission Technologies); Oliver Aguilar (E83); and Meta Danzey (HII Corporate). This WebEx event is open to all HII employees. No charge will be provided. For more information, email DiversityAndInclusion@hii-nns.com. View the flier for login information.
AUGUST 10
Newport News Shipbuilding Talent Acquisition is hosting open interviews for entry-level and trainee fitter (X11) and welder (X18) positions between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the NNS Employment Office, located at NetCenter (Suite 176, Entrance 3). Job seekers may also apply in advance at buildyourcareer.com to reqs 22406, 22424, 22524 or 22944.
AUGUST 12-14
Join shipbuilders and vehicle enthusiasts as they ride the “Back of the Dragon” to cure cancer and help those affected in our community. Accommodations are available at a local mansion on a first come, first served basis. The event supports the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Contact Eric Olsen to RSVP or if you have questions.
AUGUST 15
The Apprentice School is applying for reaffirmation of accreditation with the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education. Persons wishing to make comments should write to the Executive Director, Commission of the Council on Occupational Education, 7840 Roswell Rd., Bldg. 300, Suite 325, Atlanta, GA 30350, or submit their comments via the Council website (www.council.org). Persons making comments must provide their names and mailing addresses.
AUGUST 18
Learn more about emotional intelligence (EQ) from 4:30 until 6 p.m. at Bldg 903 (CR 129 A&B). EQ is the ability to understand your own emotions, the emotions of others, and how they drive behavior, and how to use that knowledge to maintain and improve your relationships. A lack of emotional intelligence can be devastating to your entire workforce. The good news is you can improve your emotional intelligence, if you’re willing to work at it, gain the tools needed to improve their personal and social EQ competencies. This event is sponsored by the African American Shipbuilders Association (AASA) ERG. For more information, email AASACommunityNews@hii-nns.com.
AUGUST 20
Women in Shipbuilding Enterprise (WiSE) will host a Rosie the Riveter Rally from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Huntington Park (Shelter 3). Dr. Latitia McCane, director of Education at The Apprentice School, and Julia Jones, vice president of Manufacturing, will speak. WiSE will collect school supplies to contribute to the TATOO program (NNS Tutoring). This event is open to all NNS employees, and no charge number will be provided for attending. Register on MyNNS. Email WiSEhamptonroads@hii-nns.com for more information.
AUGUST 30
The L.E.A.R.N. Program will host a lunch presentation with Matt Mulherin Jr., vice president of Contracts, from 12 to 12:30 p.m. via WebEx. The event topic is “History of NNS Through My Eyes,” and it is open to all employees by reservation only. Sign up on the L.E.A.R.N. website on MyNNS. For questions, contact Christina Hayden (K51) or email LEARN@hii-nns.com. No charge is provided.
AUGUST 26
The African American Shipbuilders Association’s (AASA) next membership event will be held from 12 until 12:30pm outside of MOF/SMOF (Mid-Yard). In an effort to thank the tradespersons building these phenomenal warships, ERG members will hand out free freeze pops. While you are visiting with us, please join our cause and consider signing up as a member. Registration is not required. Email AASACommunityNews@hii-nns.com for more information.
AUGUST 28
Join Shipbuilders Together Realizing Inclusion, Diversity and Equality (STRIDE) for a trip to the Williamsburg Winery. Guests will enjoy an educational tour and wine tasting while networking with other shipbuilders. Cost is $25 per person ($50 value). The tour will begin at 12 p.m. All participants must be 21 or older. Register on MyNNS before Aug. 19. Contact Jacob Warner via email for more information. The rain date is Sept. 11.
Networking Social is Aug. 3 The Newport News Shipbuilding Women in Manufacturing (WiM) Community of Practice is hosting a networking social from 4 until 5 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 3, between tugboat Dorothy and Bldg. 520. Shipbuilders are invited to learn more about WiM and how it supports and empowers women in the shipbuilding industry.
SEEKING SHIPBUILDERS Job Title Req Number Dept. Compensation Manager 24084 O23 Engineer Electrical 2 22879 E86 Engineer Lead Test 2 19286 E84 Engineer Mechanical 2 21942, 20568, E81, E92, 22292 E61 Engineer Structural 2 18953 E92 ET² Essential Trades Training 23104 X31 Program – Deck Electricians ET² Essential Trades Training 22875 X43 Program – Outside Machinists ET² Essential Trades Training 22874 X42 Program – Pipefitters ET² Essential Trades Training 22873 X32 Program – Sheet Metal Workers Fitters 22406, 22424, X11 22426, 22425 International Export 22455 O17 Compliance Analyst 2 Production Planner & 22890 X22 Scheduler 2 Senior Compensation Analyst 23784 O23 Structural Engineer 4 21246 E83 Welders 22525, 22524, X18 22484, 22464
Visit www.buildyourcareer.com to search for the latest NNS job openings.
Employee Referral Cash Bonus Not Eligible Eligible Not Eligible Eligible
Remote Work Considered Yes Yes No No, Yes, No
Eligible Not Eligible
Yes No
Not Eligible
No
Not Eligible
No
Not Eligible
No
Eligible
No
Not Eligible
Yes
Not Eligible
No
Not Eligible Eligible Eligible
Yes Yes 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.
LONG SERVICE Master Shipbuilders with 40 years of dedicated service JUNE • 2022
Henry Beale Bruce Beers Rodger Bennett Kenneth Bethea Glenn Bonney
Kevin Bull Donald Carawan Carl Christensen Michael Claude Dave Cowley
Charles Davenport Vincent Dixon Joe Domday Lee Gibboney Donald Grogan
Michael Hathaway Richard Jenkins Brian Jones Michael Kearney Dean Lilley
Reggie Love O.C. Lupton Kenneth McBurney Jim Meadows Duke Mitchell
Paul Moore Quintin “Q” Owens Aaron Park Charles Pierce Brian Pollard
Lisa Ricciardi Travis Robinson Fred Saalbach Frank Saloka John Schultz
Edward Schweiger Troy Shanholtz John Slade Jr. Paul Soule Curtis Stephens
Joey Stickle Ben Talbott Mark Twine Mike Upton Michael Veit
Randall “Wad” Wadford Suzette Walker David Waltrip Kelly Werner
JUNE • LONG SERVICE 55 YEARS Charles Epps Jr. O53 50 YEARS Steven Moody M21 David Thompson X11 45 YEARS Jack Ammons X18 Jeffrey Asby E68 Patrick Blackmon K47 Gerald Bruso Jr. O67 Kevin Charity X36 Larry Deaver K47 Jeffery Dent O43 Ralph Grogins X11 James Hall X67 Joseph Harrell X11 Stanley Jones X18 Ray Lane X10 Scotty Leggett X18 Paul Porter X18 Andra Pryear O43 Carlton Sessoms X18 Larry Trantham O67 Mary Wilson E83 40 YEARS Calvin Atkins X36 Henry Beale K48
Bruce Beers E12 Rodger Bennett E83 Kenneth Bethea E02 Andrew Bonney X36 John Brock Jr. E25 Kevin Bull E82 Donald Carawan M40 Robert Carmine X18 Carl Christensen O31 Michael Claude X11 Tony Cooper X42 John Cowley III E86 Charles Davenport X42 Vincent Dixon X73 Joseph Domday E83 Calvin Farthing Jr. K46 Lee Gibboney E86 Robert Gibson III K48 Marcia Gilliam X73 Donald Grogan X18 Morris Harrell X36 Michael Hathaway E51 David Hayes X18 David Holloway O53 Benjamin Hulvey X43 Richard Jenkins O54 Spencer Jenkins K46 Mark Jones M53 Robert Jones O41 Paul Kania E51
Michael Kearney X43 John Knemeyer E83 Stacey Lilley X10 Reginald Love O39 Oliver Lupton III O43 Kenneth Mcburney X09 James Meadows E70 Harold Mitchell Jr. X10 Paul Moore X42 Eldridge Northstein M53 Quintin Owens X18 Aaron Park E24 Dennis Perkins X42 Charles Pierce O39 Brian Pollard E46 Lisa Ricciardi E92 Travis Robinson X10 Thomas Rowe X42 George Ryalls X67 Frederick Saalbach O46 Francis Saloka Jr. K47 John Schultz X24 Edward Schweiger E84 Troy Shanholtz O46 John Slade Jr. E86 Robert Small O52 Paul Soule X24 Curtis Stephens E15 Joseph Stickle Jr. E81 Ben Talbott E83
Paul Toth O48 Mark Twine K46 Michael Upton K46 Michael Veit X83 Randall Wadford X10 Suzette Walker E82 David Waltrip X01 Bruce Watson X32 Kelly Werner E83 Junious Wilkerson K47 35 YEARS Samuel Barnett E92 Allen Cason E92 Sophia Delk T53 John Figg X24 Michael Gannon E70 Nathaniel Gilbert E13 Roderick Hall X40 Jeffrey Hammack O41 Mark Irving K72 Gerald Johnson X82 Thomas Jones N352 Robert Packard E22 Clement Petters N350 Zach Quidley E84 Michael Wallace E81 James Watt X24 John Zecher E70
30 YEARS John Loch X02 Amy Porter X42 Michael Sheldon X24 Donald Willard X44 25 YEARS Jamie Beale E81 Michelle Diggs X64 Anthony Duck X32 Charles Eason X24 William Freeman E46 Daniel Icayan E13 Kristie Lundy O58 Kenneth Mcclellan X76 William Norton K46 George Pittman Jr. X24 Adam Read K07 Robert Santa Maria E92 John Schnautz O59 John Sharp X11 Stephanie Simmons O50 Liem Ta E70 Previn Taylor E83 Douglas Turner X32 Timothy Vaughan O35 20 YEARS Stewart Antis E70 Corey Beddingfield X10
Adam Berry X41 Jose Bonito E70 Mark Brookman X36 Melissa Cooley E42 Harry Dittrick X18 Craig Eichfeld E63 Linda Engram X18 Roderick Everett O46 Jesus Gonzales X67 David Goodman Jr. X35 Jacob Johnston X01 Dennis Knutson Jr. X23 David Lawless Jr. O26 Sean Maloon E68 Harry Mcclain Jr. M53 Duane Newman K46 Emeri Owens O48 Stephanie Poole O14 Joshua Ramsey X47 Rhonda Scipione T56 Garrett Sonnenberg E32 Mark Spruill M53 Michael Taylor X18 Jo Townley X22 Eric Tucker Jr. X82 Jon Vallet K72 Mark Vance E21 Robert Winn M53 Jason Witcher E83
RETIREMENTS Hassan Ahmed X32 Barry Babb E63 Curtis Babcock X42 Jose Baltazar E70 Aaron Beckett X18 Walter Bele E13 Calvin Ceaser E83 Angelina Chale O43 Gina Chew Holman O44
Andre Cotton X18 Conrad Doskey E85 Joseph Dvorak O61 Robert Fortson O36 Richard Frank X42 Linwood Fulgham X31 Musline George X42 David Johnson X32 Dean Johnson E37
Willie Jones X33 Alfred Joyner N960 Thomas Lange E91 Joseph Leland O46 Susanne Leonard E20 Donna Little O53 Alan Madison K47 George Marshall X42 David Martin O43
Charles Meador O85 Robert Morris O53 Wayne Morris X32 Udell Onley X42 Major Pierce O43 Iris Rawles E08 Patti Richardson K46 Robert Rilee E25 Michael Robinson X18
Willis Robinson O96 Ronnie Savage M53 Gary Schuler X43 Wayne Sellers X31 Michael Smith K71 Willard Stanley X83 Donald Sutton X36 John Taylor X36 Joseph Trimble O53
Paul Tuzzolo O59 Robert Vitek O31 Randy Winn X31 Robert Wynn X42
40 YEARS AGO
Houston (SSN 713), the eighth Los Angeles-class submarine built at Newport News Shipbuilding, is shown during sea trials in summer 1982. NNS Photo Archive