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A weekly publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
Taking Aim at the Flu Newport News Shipbuilding and United Steelworkers Local 8888 sponsored a drive-thru flu shot event Sunday and Monday that will resume next week, an effort that takes on greater urgency this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Flu shots were offered in the parking lot behind the union hall at 4306 Huntington Ave. The event continues Nov. 9 and 10 in the same location. Flu shots will be offered from 8 until 10 p.m. on Nov. 9 with two opportunities on Nov. 10: from 4:30 until 7 a.m. and from 2 until 5 p.m. These events are open only to represented employees. Shipbuilders must remain in their vehicles and wear a mask throughout the vaccine process. “Getting a flu vaccine is always important as we head into colder weather,” said Xavier Beale, vice president of Trades. “But with COVID-19 remaining a persistent threat, employees must be especially careful to guard their health in every way possible moving forward.”
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Photo by Matt Hildreth
STEM Career Fair, the nation’s largest conference and career fair for Asian Americans. Engineer Vinod Mathur (E17) received the ERG Leadership award. The award recognizes his involvement and leadership in advancing the mission of the Asian Shipbuilders Including All Nationalities (ASIAN) employee resource group and influencing the company’s support for Asian and Pacific Islander employees.
Vivian Hsieh and Vinod Mathur
Shipbuilders Honored at Conference Two Newport News Shipbuilding employees received achievement awards during the 2020 Society of Asian Scientists and Engineers National Conference and
“I am honored to be recognized nationwide for the work that I am privileged to do with the ASIAN ERG. I hope I have made an impact in the lives of younger shipbuilders and am driven to do more for the ERG,” Mathur said. “I am passionate about diversity in STEM as it welcomes diversity of thought and ultimately more creative solutions.” Software Engineer Vivian Hsieh (T55) received a Promising Professional award. The award recognizes early career professionals who demonstrate tremendous potential for future contributions to the fields of science and engineering. SASE was founded in 2007 to help Asian heritage scientific and engineering professionals achieve their full potential. The society’s achievement awards recognize Asian and Pacific Islander American students and professionals for work they are doing in their respective fields.
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Foundry Celebrates 250th Safety Improvement Douglas Boyd (A572), a chipper specialist, recently was honored for his role in developing a new safety improvement in Newport News Shipbuilding’s Foundry. It was the 250th such improvement implemented in the Foundry since NNS’ Safety Improvement Program began in 2017. In the Foundry, shipbuilders often work on large castings at elevations above chest height. Boyd worked with his management team to obtain several ladders with platformed top steps and safety rails on three sides to allow shipbuilders to work safely at slight elevations. The improvement also put the Foundry over its goal of 60 in 2020. Bob Schatzel, director of Component Fabrication and Assembly, and other leaders met with Boyd in October to present him with the Safety Improvement Award. “Mechanics partnering with management is essential to the generation of deckplate ideas that actually make
Pictured from left are Bob Schatzel, Douglas Boyd and George Riefler. Photo by Matt Hildreth
a difference in day-to-day operations,” Schatzel said. “It also shows that the team inside the Foundry truly operates as a team and that their real focus is on furthering safety for the entire organization.” Boyd, who has been involved in a number of other Foundry process improvements, also has been nominated for the 2020 CFA Director’s Safety Award.
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Health experts have warned about the danger of an active flu season coupled with rising cases of COVID-19. While a flu vaccine doesn’t prevent COVID-19, it does protect against the flu, and people who get the flu can be more susceptible to contracting COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the vaccine for everyone 6 months of age or older, with rare exceptions. As a reminder, parking will be impacted for the Nov. 9 and 10 drive-thru events. A total of 88 parking spaces between 43rd and 44th streets behind the union hall will be secured at 4 a.m. on Nov. 7, and the parking spaces will reopen beginning at 9 p.m.
Parking Office to Move Temporarily The location for Parking Solutions hangtag and Hampton Roads Transit 365GoPass distribution will temporarily move to Bldg. 103-1, which is across from Dry Dock 2, beginning Nov. 3. Shipbuilders should follow posted signs. Email Parkingsolutions@hii-nns.com for more information. All parking and HRT passes will be handed out at Bldg. 103-1 until further notice.
on Nov. 10. If you don’t wish to get a flu shot at this event, other options are available for represented NNS employees. They can log into www.anthem.com/ca to find an in-network provider. Salaried employees can find in-network providers by logging into www.engage-wellbeing.com or use Anthem’s Engage Wellbeing app. The HII Family Health Center is holding walk-in flu shot events from 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays until Dec. 19. Flu shot appointments also are available at the health center. Visit www.myquadmedical.com/hii/flu for details and appointment instructions.
Parking and Transportation Updates Newport News Shipbuilding parking lots remain open to employees on a first-come, firstserved basis. As a reminder, NNS’ open parking policy excludes parking spaces identified as 24-hour reserved, spaces used by government and U.S. Navy personnel, HII Family Health Center parking, privately owned and leased lots (including retail), expectant mother, visitor, and handicap spaces. Additionally, the policy does not apply to parking spaces inside shipyard gates. Illegally parked vehicles or vehicles parked in unauthorized spaces will result in towing at the owner’s expense Employees who cannot find a parking space, are encouraged to check the Bldg. 902 and 903 parking garages or Hidens – recently these parking areas have not been filled to capacity. Shuttles are available to transport employees to shipyard gates from these locations. Frequently asked questions about NNS’ open parking policy are listed on the NNS parking and transportation website.
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“Shipbuilder University” Engagement Expo is Nov. 11-30 Newport News Shipbuilding’s Engagement Office is hosting the last Enable our Workforce virtual expo of the year this month. The expo, themed “Shipbuilder University,” begins Nov. 11. The theme was chosen based on feedback from attendees of the first virtual expo, “Back to the Future.” Shipbuilders suggested a focus on personal development opportunities and the shipyard overall.
Holiday Food Drive Underway Newport News Shipbuilding’s 2020 virtual holiday food drive continues through Nov. 30. The Virginia Peninsula Foodbank is serving even more families as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Food requests grew by 88%, and the number of people in the community facing hunger daily could grow from 70,000 to 89,000 – including 28,000 children. Hunger is an issue across the region. To meet the consistent need for healthy meals, the Foodbank partners with over 200 member agencies and feeding programs to distribute food. Shipbuilders can visit yougivegoods.com/nns-holidayfooddrive to donate tangible items and Newport News Shipbuilding Gives or the Virginia Peninsula Foodbank for monetary donations. Information about how to access NNS Gives, as well as fundraising protocols are available on MyNNS. Send fundraising questions and requests for approval to CorporateCitizenship@hii-nns.com.
The virtual event will allow shipbuilders to explore NNS’ footprint and see how each division impacts the overall business, in addition to experiencing a real-life university feel. Attendees also will be able to provide feedback by participating in a survey at the end of the expo. Those who participate by Nov. 25 will have a chance to win prizes. All shipbuilders are invited to attend. For more information visit the Engagement website on MyNNS.
“I Build, We Build”: Master Open Board Positions for Shipbuilders NNS Employee Resource Newport News Shipbuilding employees Groups earn the title of Master Shipbuilder after 40 years of continuous service. The latest “I Build, We Build” video features some of the company’s longest-serving Master Shipbuilders.
In the video, Joenell Beaty, L.D. Joyner, Henry Deese Jr., Milton Holloway and Sandra Richardson share their experiences. The five shipbuilders represent a combined 278 years of service to NNS. Watch the video on MyNNS or on the NNS to Go app.
Night School Accepting Applications for Winter 2021 The Night School is accepting applications through Nov. 25 for winter classes. All classes are online, and students will need a computer and webcam for access. Completed applications should be sent to Sherry Morgan (O22) via email. Night School and Thomas Nelson Community College classes will begin the week of Jan. 4. Cengage Cards are available for books for TNCC classes. New TNCC students should contact Sherry Morgan (O22) for instructions on how to enroll as well as filling out the Ed Assist application before starting the new program. Books will be available for pickup prior to shutdown or during the first week of classes on the third floor of The Apprentice School. Bookstore hours of operation will be 2 until 5 p.m. The Night School administrator’s office is only open on Mondays until 4 p.m.
Employee resource groups (ERGs) are a key part of the Newport News Shipbuilding’s engagement, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) strategy and framework. They are formed around common communities of interest in support of business objectives and facilitate networking, professional and personal development, recruiting, mentoring, knowledge sharing and community outreach. All ERGs feature leadership and professional development opportunities, including board positions. Several ERGs currently have open board positions, which allow shipbuilders to showcase leadership skills, gain experience and play a role in shaping NNS’ culture. Positions are available in Shipbuilders Together Realizing Inclusion, Diversity and Equality (STRIDE), the Generational Integration Focus Team (GIFT), the Veteran Employee Resource Group (VERG) and FitNNS. More information is available on MyNNS about these ERGs and the roles and responsibilities of the open board positions.
Confirmed Cases of COVID-19 at NNS Cases reported Oct. 26-Nov. 1: 30 Total cases at NNS: 904
Total number of NNS employees medically cleared to return to work: 657 See case details at nns.huntingtoningalls.com/411.
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DATEBOOK NOVEMBER 3
Tuesday, Nov. 3 is Election Day. Newport News Shipbuilding encourages all employees to make their voice heard in this important election. To learn more, visit the website of your local voter registrar or go to usa.gov/election-office and select your state.
NOVEMBER 4 AND 11
Get support for managing holiday stress. BeWell for Life and HERO are hosting a two-part virtual “Holidaze” workshop designed to help you de-stress and maximize fun this holiday season. Workshops will take place via Zoom at noon on Nov. 4 and Nov. 11. Visit www.myquadmedical.com/hii for registration details.
NOVEMBER 11
Are you less than 10 years away from retirement and feeling nervous about whether or not you’re ready? Attend SmartPath’s webinar at noon to learn how to prepare for retirement. Register at www.joinsmartpath.com/hii/classes. If you can’t participate in the live webinar, register anyway, and SmartPath will email you a recording of the session.
NOVEMBER 12
The L.E.A.R.N. Program and the Hispanic Outreach and Leadership Alliance (HOLA) will host an after-work presentation with Newport News Shipbuilding President Jennifer Boykin from 3:30 until 4:30 p.m. via WebEx. The event is open to all employees by reservation only. Sign up on the L.E.A.R.N. website. For questions, contact Tanika Vasquez (E08) at 688-7916, Chris Porro (E70) at 534-0332, or email LEARN@hii-nns.com. No charge is provided.
NOVEMBER 14
The 2020 Hampton Roads Heart Walk will be virtual. For more information and to sign up, visit the Heart Walk website on MyNNS. Those who sign up will receive a free mask. The event is open to shipbuilders and their families and friends.
NOVEMBER 29
Newport News Shipbuilding Talent Acquisition is accepting applications for 2021 summer internship programs through Nov. 29. Direct interested students to buildyourcareer.com to job No. 3041 or to job No. 183 for the ABILITY internship program for students with documented disabilities.
Celebrating National Native American Heritage Month As we observe National Native American Heritage Month in November, take time to recognize the great achievements and innovations of Native Americans throughout our nation’s history and their significant impact at Newport News Shipbuilding. Additional coverage is available in the Inclusion and Diversity section of the NNS to Go app.
Check Out NNS’ Technical Library Newport News Shipbuilding’s on-site Technical Library, located in Bldg. 903, serves as a resource for all employees. It houses books on myriad subjects, including employee engagement, quality, and engineering/technical topics. Check the latest Library Bulletin on MyNNS for a list of books and resources available for checkout.
UPCOMING BLOOD DRIVES
Newport News Shipbuilding is hosting the following blood drives in support of the American Red Cross. A time charge will be provided for employees who donate. Thursday, Nov. 5 Bldg. 520-6 (James River Room) 7:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 3 Bldg. 520-6 (James River Room) 7:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 18 Bldg. 520-6 (James River Room) 7:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 9 Bldg. 520-6 (James River Room) 7:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.
To schedule an appointment, contact Natasha Eck at 688-7196 or via email, Sunny Lee at 380-4745 or via email, or Christina Charnock at 380-2863 or via email.
SEEKING SHIPBUILDERS
REMINDER: DON’T FLUSH SANITIZING WIPES
Newport News Shipbuilding’s Facilities Maintenance Department reminds employees that sanitizing wipes are not flushable. They should be disposed of in waste baskets and not flushed. Wipes can get stuck in pipes and cause backups and overflows, which can cause restrooms to be out of service for extended periods of time. Remember to only dispose of single seat covers and toilet paper down the toilets.
Visit www.buildyourcareer.com to search for the latest NNS job openings.
Job Title
Req Number
Dept.
Location
Computer Systems Security Analyst 4 Engineer Metrology 3 Engineer Software 3 Engineer Software 3 Engineer Structural 4 Engineer Welding 3 Nuclear Quality Inspector 4 Quality Control Technician 3 Systems Administrator 2 Website Designer 2
798 848 801 804 2091 3543 1359 2804 2487 3368
E44 O68 E44 E44 O41 E37 O96 K46 E25 O29
Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Newport News Ballston Spa, NY Newport News Newport News Newport News
Employees are encouraged to use MyHR or the “Current HII Employees Job Search” button at www.buildyourcareer.com to apply. The company continues to offer cash bonus awards for referrals to select positions, visit www.huntingtoningalls.com/hii-careers/refer-a-friend for more information.
LONG SERVICE MASTER SHIPBUILDERS
OCTOBER
Anne Butcher 40 years
Crystal Deans 40 years
Tony Fowler 40 years
Carl Freeman 40 years
Jimmy Gardner 40 years
George Gilbert III 40 years
Kevin Hefner 40 years
Tracy Hildebrand 40 years
Ricky Lee Jenkins 40 years
Stan Johnston 40 years
D.R. Jones 40 years
Ed Luther 40 years
Greg Miller 40 years
James Ponsonby 40 years
Trent Richardson 40 years
Bob Robichaud 40 years
Barry Russell 40 years
Brenda Sechrist 40 years
Carol Sisti 40 years
Andre Smith 40 years
James Taylor Jr. 40 years
JacQueline Tynes 40 years
David Wright 40 years
LONG SERVICE 45 YEARS Lawrence Baranowski O61 Michael Bonelli K47 Randolph Chapman O53 Danni Clark E13 Irvin Coleman E37 Ronnie Eley X36 Danny Engle O44 Jessie Godwin Jr. X33 Wise Hudgins X31 Alvin Jones X36 Thomas Liakos X67 Jack Mulligan Jr. X32 Speros Rerras O68 40 YEARS Gregory Adams Anne Butcher Crystal Deans
O46 O59 X33
Christopher Denson X42 John Forrest Jr. X32 Tony Fowler X42 Carl Freeman X36 James Gardner O67 George Gilbert III X33 Kevin Hefner O39 Tracy Hildebrand X46 Ricky Jenkins X11 Stanford Johnston O63 David Jones E84 Edward Luther X47 Richard Miller O03 James Ponsonby O31 Dennis Query M53 Trent Richardson O52 Robert Robichaud X71 Barry Russell X73 Brenda Sechrist X84
OCTOBER Carol Sisti Andre Smith James Taylor Jr. Steven Terry Jacqueline Tynes Joseph Wilson Jr. Charles Wood David Wright
X47 K46 O04 M53 X42 E85 X67 O43
35 YEARS Lloyd Booth O26 David Brinkley III O61 Deborah Campbell T54 Michael Chapman E85 Dennis Dancy E17 Donald Eriksen Jr. O19 Brian Grubbs E25 Ralph Hanes E84 Derek Jenkins N357
Leo King Jr. Dwight Kinter Timothy Lauth Todd Lawrence Angel Mccoy John Payne Kevin Spivey Michael Thomas Scott Wertz
X47 E83 X57 E86 X44 E85 X76 T56 X57
30 YEARS Stephen Gilliland II O45 Cynthia Gray N905 Darryl Gupton X21 Elizabeth Hines X22 Rodney Jessee O39 Kim Krzeski O51 Willard Moger O51 Kendall Morgan K47
RETIREMENTS Frederick Allen Jack Allen Ralph Ashburn Timothy Brame Colin Chambers John Childs Lowell Cramer Stanley Dixon
E83 O43 X44 O67 O53 E25 X36 X11
Bonnie Douglas X42 Hazel Eley O46 Joseph Fochesato X31 Michael Gadaleta E84 Dale Gregory X32 Kenneth Hall X36 Robert Hansford X43 Reginald Jackson X18
Lynn Palmer X36 Douglas Pettigrew K47 25 YEARS Rickie Spruiell X63 Robert Szukelewicz O60 20 YEARS Marcus Artis Christopher Belter Patricia Brodersen Kathleen Burke Troy Butler Arthur Correll Juan Cruz Chauncey Dildy Timothy Dodd William Drewry Nicole Golden
E91 O67 T55 O64 E59 E46 T56 E82 X47 E83 X43
William Hankins O48 Todd Harris X31 Thomas Henderson Jr. X36 Gregory Hildebrandt E85 Charles Hill E84 Joshua Holcomb X67 Joshua Jackson E84 Jeffery Jenkins E25 Robert Jennings E12 Terry Johnson X71 Ronald Lee E26 Leroy Mask E70 Amy Patterson X64 William Rankins E25 Timothy Taylor E01 Tu Trinh O52 Nelson Vecchione Jr. O39 Andre Walters X11
SEPTEMBER Steven Knoblauch O63 Joseph Kosloski E84 Ricky Landock E83 Stacey Lilly X32 Mary Losik O17 Antony Mann O15 Mary Mcclees Baker X36 Richard Messick X36
Reginald Moore Steve Moton Ronald Nelson Kurt Neumann Edward Pritchett James Rose Willie Rumble Annette Saunders
X33 X36 X47 E22 K46 O15 X33 X76
William Scarlett X73 Clifton Scott K48 Cynthia Serrano A572 Dwight Solomon X33 Pamela Stevenson X33 Robert Szymkowski X42 Gregory Taylor X32 Lindell Toombs X33
Robert Waters E35 Stephen White O41 Carlton White X18 Marvin Williams X11 Kelvin Wilson O46 Gary Wuenschell E26
40 Years Ago Shipbuilders show off a new safety improvement idea in October 1980. NNS photo archive