10 | 26 | 2015
A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
NNS employees recognized at this year’s annual Women of Color STEM Conference. First row (L to R): Leah Colvin, Monica Pringle and Kiara Cammack. Second row (L to R): Christina Wong, Chelsey Owens and Haidee McKain.
NNS Employees Recognized for STEM Achievements
Front row (L to R): Paul Layne, Ernest Martin, Jay Blunt, Carroll Goodwyn, Foreman Rodney Huffman, Elston Copeland, Bradford Cotton and Edward Brown. Second row (L to R): Demetri Barnes, Derek Roberts, Nathanial West, Matthew Walker and Laron Hatchett. Photo by John Whalen
VCS Shipbuilders Recognized for Safety Efforts Thirteen Virginia-class submarine (VCS) mechanics were recently recognized for their continuous focus on safety. The crew works on VCS ballast tanks and plays a key role in the electrical installations inside the tanks. “I am so proud of this team,” said the crew’s Foreman Rodney Huffman. “The work environment they work in is challenging as far as safety goes. They are constantly climbing in and out of tanks and working in extremely tight spaces. If any of the mechanics inform me that they have an ache, I speak with them on the side and engage them on whether they would like to utilize the preventive care program or not. The preventive care team has unquestionably helped keep my mechanics in shipbuilding shape and alleviating aches by advising stretches pertaining to their area of responsibility before entering and exiting a ballast tank.” The crew has been accident-free for more than three years. “I think the biggest contributor to us remaining safe is that we look out for each other, remain aware of our surroundings and never become complacent,” said Derek Roberts.
Fourteen HII employees were recognized for achievements in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) during the 20th annual Women of Color STEM Conference in Detroit Oct. 15-18. Of the 14 award recipients, six were Newport News Shipbuilding employees. NNS Engineering Manager Leah Colvin received a Special Recognition Award at the conference. Colvin is responsible for overseeing new business opportunities in non-shipbuilding markets in the areas of instrumentation and controls, software development, cyber security, and modeling and simulation. She also chairs Newport News’ diversity advocates team and promotes STEM education for young girls. Kiara Cammack, nuclear engineer, Haidee McKain, nuclear engineer, Chelsey Owens, nuclear engineer, Monica Pringle, electrical engineer, and Christina Wong, electromechanical engineer, were recipients of the 2015 Technology Star Award, which recognizes women of color who have demonstrated excellence in the workplace and are helping to shape technology for the future. Visit newsroom.hungtingtoningalls.com to read the entire release and for additional information about each award recipient.
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