IN THIS ISSUE Garage Team Keeps the Yard Running 2013 Model of Excellence Awards
Yardlines
Photo by Chris Oxley
USS Theodore Roosevelt Returns to Fleet
A Publication of Newport News Shipbuilding
October 2013
Theodore Roosevelt
CVN 71 Returns to Fleet When USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) departed Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) Aug. 25 for the carrier’s sea trials, it was the culmination of millions of man-hours worked. While at NNS for the past four years, the carrier underwent her refueling and complex overhaul, during which time the nuclear reactors were refueled, the island was reconfigured, and more than 2,300 compartments, 600 tanks and hundreds of systems were restored or modified. “The ship’s refueling and modernization was an enormous undertaking made successful by the joint efforts of the shipyard, Navy and government team,” said Chris Miner, NNS’ vice president of In-Service Aircraft Carrier Programs. “Her strong performance during sea trials is a source of pride for the more than 4,000 shipbuilders who worked tirelessly to return Roosevelt to the Navy’s operational fleet.” More than 300 NNS shipbuilders were onboard the ship in support of the sea trials. They included welders, fitters, sheet metal workers, painters, sprayers, cleaners, pumpers, electricians, pipe fitters, riggers, machinists, system engineers, test engineers, production control, vendors and project team representatives. “My primary job was the high-speed turns,” said Test Engineering Manager George Holmes. “We take the ship up to full power, and then a hard-over turn left and then right. This time around, a lot of new people were onboard. Stuff I’ve seen five or six times, they saw for the first time, which is pretty exciting.” Ashley Stevens, a member of the three-person NNS Bridge Watch Team, served as liaison between the trials center and the ship’s force bridge team. “Sea trials is a very rewarding and memorable experience. Having the opportunity to witness some of the more intense testing evolutions, such as the high-speed steering and the AFFF (aqueous film forming foam) activation on the flight deck, is something I’ll never forget.” After performing more than 100 test activities to prove system performance and demonstrate all the carrier’s capabilities at sea, USS Roosevelt was successfully delivered back to the Navy August 29. “This is a tremendous accomplishment we can all be proud of,” Miner said. “This ship is ready to go another 25 years, supporting the nation’s defense and demonstrating why we have the very best shipbuilders in the world.” | By Gina Chew-Holman
After completing its nearly four-year refueling and complex overhaul, USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) departs Newport News Shipbuilding for sea trials on Aug. 25. The aircraft carrier was delivered to the Navy Aug. 29. Photo by Chris Oxley
Congratulations to the 2013 Newport News Shipbuilding Model of Excellence Award Winners!
Committed to Excellence F
or more than 127 years, Newport News shipbuilders have planned, developed and manufactured the nation’s most remarkable submarines and aircraft carriers, always providing the highest quality products. The 79 men and women listed below are the recipients of the distinguished President’s Model of Excellence Award, as nominated and selected by a group of their peers and shipyard leaders. They have demonstrated their commitment to shipyard founder Collis P. Huntington’s legacy of “Always Good Ships.” LEADERSHIP Steven Torres CUSTOMER SATISFACTION
Reactor Plant Component Replacement Team Eugene Bennett John DeGregory Arthur Garrenton III Roland Greene David O’Donnell William Rowland Ronald Ruschak Ryan Van Booven Paul Zawistowski OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE
Radiation Safety Program and Cost Improvements Teams Palmer Albergottie Richard Bollinger Jr. Cain Carter Marvin Dalton Timothy Helmstetter Tom Jergenson Adam Jones Jeannie Pace Alex Ranger Ryan Vinson Al Wyatt
Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) First-Time Quality Initiative Team Eugene Creswell Jr. Jeffrey Hite Dale Jowers Kenneth Keeter George Riefler Yakong Wong
Most Highly-Engaged Program Crew Allen Blount Cecil Bunch Ronald Colbert Kerry Johnson Reginald Moore Gloria Roundtree Heinz Trulley Clyde Williams Jr.
Nuclear Pipe Shop Weld Team Bert Boone Carl Carro William Craig Billy Davis James Holland Roy Parker Johnnie Rainey Michael Taylor Billy Williams Park and Ride Shuttle Service Team Samuel Burton Michael Campbell II Tommy Cragg John Gies Jr. Michelle Mayo-Hines Steve McLamb Robert Raitto Don Sutton
Labor Cost Reduction for Virginia-Class Submarine Pipe Details Team Richard Ashworth Cecil Bryant Charles Davenport Jane Day David Dea Christopher Gilbert Scott Heading Leogie Hicks Renée Judd Damon Kindred Dan McElheney John Norris Jr. Mark Paine Roger Trent Larry Tatem Dennis Winger Steven Winslow Sandra Wooldridge
Steel Fabrication and Assembly Ring Module Shop Performance Improvements Team Darnell Hawkins Eddie Hogge Jr. Mike Isaksen Mike Lowers Chandra McCulley-Hooker Eddie Pritchett Jr. Darrell Smith William Smith Kevin Stewart
The HeART
NNS’ Communications division is responsible for developing communications products that highlight the shipyard’s employees, products and operations. Writer Lauren Ward, Graphic Designer LaMar Smith and Photographer Chris Oxley collaborate on a project. Photo by Ricky Thompson
of Communication While they may never touch a torch or turn a screw, the Communications division is integral to highlighting the operations of Newport News Shipbuilding. The team is responsible for developing communication products that are seen, read or experienced by people inside and outside the shipyard. Although communicating and collaborating across the yard is a constant part of their responsibility, sometimes one of the biggest challenges they face is communicating and collaborating with each other.
As part of their engagement action planning, the team met and decided to focus on ways to work better together as a team, ways to improve communication inside the group, and to think of new and innovative ideas. “It’s no simple task, especially when you have 16 creative minds off running in different directions, working on different projects,” said Graphic Designer LaMar Smith. The planning sessions have been beneficial in bringing the team closer together. In previous years the team would choose 10-15 items to focus on, but this year actions were limited to the few that made the most sense for their organization and had a direct correlation to improving teamwork. One idea was to hold team brainstorming sessions. While every project is truly a team effort, special events like ship christening ceremonies require a lot of planning, long hours and flexibility. Before each event, the team sits down to brainstorm every aspect of it, and after the event is over, they discuss lessons learned for the next one. “For the 125th shipyard anniversary celebration, one idea that came out of brainstorming was to use the many vacant glass display cases in buildings across the yard to promote the rich history of the shipyard,” said Public Relations Manager Bryan Moore. “People seem to like seeing historical and meaningful artifacts, and learning more about our legacy.” The business of communication can be stressful, and being able to come together and work as a team helps to meet strict deadlines, even when there is added pressure. As part of the company’s emergency response team, members of the Communications division must think on their feet and come up with solutions for communicating complex issues. “When faced with major projects, whether a publication deadline, a christening or a training drill, we have to trust that each teammate is up to the task and prepared to deal with whatever obstacles arise,” said Graphic Designer Troy Cooper. Margie Jones, the team’s engagement champion, is responsible for creating new opportunities that focus on bringing the team closer together. The team plans after-work socials and celebrates birthdays with lunch and humorous greeting cards. This spirit of engagement also trickles into their personal lives, and there’s support for one another in times of personal crisis. When Jones was diagnosed with breast cancer last year, she immediately shared it with the team. “I knew I needed that support and could count on them to keep me laughing and upbeat,” explained Jones. “If I didn’t have support from my team, I know my treatment process would have been much harder.” This camaraderie is the heartbeat of the Communications team. If there’s a torrential downpour the night before an event, they know they’ll all be out there facing it together. | By Jeremy Bustin
Keeping the Yard
RUNNING Tucked away in a corner of the north yard is the Maintenance Garage Team, responsible for maintaining Newport News Shipbuilding’s (NNS) 900 vehicles, boats and engines. That’s why their motto is so fitting: “We keep the yard running.” “Since we’re a small group, everybody on our team wears a lot of hats,” said Maintenance Foreman Al Scherrer. “This garage is special because of all the different types of vehicles we work on for the yard. You can work on a lawn mower one day and a transporter the next.” NNS’ garage team services practically everything in the shipyard with tires. They perform preventive maintenance, state inspections and emergency work on all vehicles and diesel engines, from scissor lifts and straddle carriers to tugboats and mule utility vehicles. They even have a tow truck for breakdowns in the yard. With a mix of new and seasoned machinists, the team works together to meet the yard’s demanding needs. “We try to get stuff done as fast as we can,” said Henry Johnson, a mechanic who’s been at the garage for almost a year and a half. “With most jobs we can get a vehicle in and out of the garage in a day or two.” But the garage’s main priority isn’t speed, it’s safety. “Our program goes above and beyond for safety and reliability,” said Maintenance Machinist Bud Eure. “When we sign off on a vehicle, we’re sure it’s working right and it’s safe for people to use.” Safety is also a top priority for Maintenance Machinist Katelyn Dillard. She is leading the garage’s research to modernize and improve their work environment. “We’re always looking at safety,” said Dillard. “I’m
trying to find innovative ideas for the whole garage team.” Dillard has been finding new tools to improve ergonomics for her teammates. By using new tire machines and power tools, they can avoid strain and injury. Dillard’s also in charge of all the tires in the yard, from little mule tires to massive tires for straddle carriers and tractors. Making sure every tire order goes to the right department is a big job, especially since some of the tires are taller than she is. Scissor lifts, aerial lifts, boom lifts—all play an integral role in the shipyard, making their reliability and safety key. Four of the eight garage team members attend certification classes at JLG Industries, the manufacturer of the different lifts used in the yard. With 79 lifts in their care, Bob Branch, Eure, Clinton Cofield and Mike Nelson keep these machines running smoothly for shipbuilders. “Since these lifts hold people, we make sure they’re right when they leave this garage,” Eure said. “We do regular quarterly inspections and an extensive yearly inspection of each lift to make sure they’re safe.” Cofield, who has been with NNS 33 years, has seen how these machines evolve. “Everything has complex computers in them,” Cofield explained. “Since they have thousands of wires to learn about, the more you work on them the better you get.” The lifts vary in use and height, with the tallest measuring 135 feet. “I used to be scared of heights,” Branch said. “But Bud took me up in the lifts when I started working at the garage 14 years ago and now I’m fine.” I By Phoebe Doty
NNS Garage Team Member Michael Nelson performs routine maintenance on one of the shipyard’s 900 vehicles, boats and engines. Photo by Ricky Thompson
Tougher
Than Steel What does it mean to be “Tougher Than Steel?” For Todd Gular, a foreman in Newport News Shipbuilding’s Foundry, the answer lies within his team. “They’re a tough bunch,” he said of his three-person crew. “They get up every morning, come to work, knowing that it’s gonna be hot, it could be cold, it’s gonna be hard work, it’s gonna be dirty. And they get up, and they come here every day with a smile, and they’re ready to do it. Every single day. … To me, that’s the definition of tough.” Gular is one of the employees featured in “Tougher Than Steel,” a new Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) advertising campaign that celebrates shipbuilders as being as tough as the products they build. A fullpage print ad in the Daily Press and the Virginian-Pilot newspapers kicked off the campaign in September. A “Tougher Than Steel” page on HII’s website also includes a short video of Gular and will feature other employees as the campaign matures, including fellow shipbuilders from HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division. Gular, 28 years old and a 2011 graduate of NNS’ Apprentice School, comes from a shipbuilding family. His father, John, is a manager in the Propulsion Steam Plant Engineering Department; his twin brother Kyle works in the Radiological Control Department, and his younger brother, Matt, is a coatings specialist apprentice.
“I always knew I would work here,” Gular said. “I just didn’t know what I would do.” He was selected for molding — the process of casting molten metal into shapes like ship anchors. It’s tough work, especially in the summer, when temperatures in NNS’ worldrenowned Foundry often reach over 100 degrees. “Little air movement … dusty and dirty,” Gular explained. “It’s not a glamorous place to work.” Another tough aspect of the job is navigating the shipyard. “Not just physically navigating the shipyard,” he said, “but the ins and outs of working with the different departments.” Gular said he loves his job, but it’s hard to explain to people what he does. “Honestly,” he said, “I just joke with ’em and tell ’em I build boats. … You tell people you’re a shipbuilder, and they all assume that you weld steel to other steel. … I think that’s why people who do work here really like communicating with other people who do because they speak the same language. So talking to someone from the outside is sometimes difficult because they really don’t understand the grand scale of what it takes to build an aircraft carrier.” For Gular, it always comes back to the team: “I guess I’d just like to say that the people that I work with and the team that I have truly love what they do.” For more “Tougher Than Steel” profiles, visit: www.huntingtoningalls.com/tougherthansteel.
What’s an ERG and Why Does Membership Matter
?
Members of the newly-formed HOLA got together after work to hear a local Latin band and taught salsa dancing. During Hispanic Heritage Month, Dr. Carlos Campo, former president of Regent University, was a guest speaker. “I wanted to meet other Hispanics from around the yard to share our experience, and become a resource and support for each other,” said Debi Cross, HOLA chairwoman and founding member. “I believe everyone, even if you’re not Hispanic, can benefit from being exposed to our culture. Our professional development plans include English workshops to help shipbuilders whose primary language is Spanish, and they will be open to anyone who wants to improve their English skills. And, if you’re interested in learning Spanish, please join us.”
Among all the abbreviations used at the shipyard, ERG (Employee Resource Group) is probably one of the least known. Recently, Newport News Shipbuilding’s (NNS) five ERGs hosted a joint networking event to encourage participation. ERGs are employee-run networks that connect employees who share common interests and want to become more engaged with their colleagues and the company. They provide opportunities for personal and professional development, leadership, mentoring, volunteerism, cultural enrichment and community involvement. ERGs also support the company’s recruiting, retention, diversity and corporate citizenship programs.
Over the last decade, five ERGs have been formed by NNS employees. They are the African-American Shipbuilders Association (AASA), Hispanic Outreach and Leadership Alliance (HOLA), Shipbuilders of Huntington Ingalls Professionals (SHIPs), Veterans Employee Resource Group (VERG) and Women in Shipbuilding Enterprise (WiSE). Some of the activities ERGs host are social and cultural events, executive roundtables, résumé-writing workshops, shipyard tours, gamer tournaments and intramural sports. There’s even a Sci-Fi Fantasy book club. Community outreach is a highpriority for all the ERGs. Members give their time and support to raise funds and awareness for a variety of not-for-profit agencies, causes and events.
Now in its 10th year, SHIPs, the largest of the shipyard ERGs with 2,000 members, started as a social network to help new hires build connections and friendships. In the last few years, the organization has evolved and is now open to all NNS employees. “Although our main focus is on new hires, we have also branched into encouraging seasoned employees to join, too,” said SHIPs Co-chair Sharesse Gresham. “This way, new employees can be exposed to a wealth of knowledge and experience. We are also focused on retention and engagement. We want our new hires to stay at NNS and feel they have a friend or mentor here who will help when needed.” To learn more about the company’s ERGs, visit nns.huntingtoningalls. com/employees/erg
NNS Employee Resource Groups members (L-R) Joshua Rolon, Tonie Davis, Jesus Velazquez and Debi Cross prepare for the Aug. 29 joint-ERG open house. Photo by John Whalen
Making a Difference
Providing a Safe Haven for Dogs
For the past 16 years, Rachel Johnson, quality inspector, has spent her spare time at Hampton’s Animal Aid Society (AAS), a safe haven for homeless puppies and dogs. The Apprentice School graduate got involved with the shelter because of her grandmother. “My grandmother was the shelter manager for many years,” Johnson said. “I spent every summer and holiday – including Christmas – at the shelter with her. I did it all: scoop poop, fix food, change out water buckets and walk the dogs.” Johnson admits the shelter isn’t for everyone. “The dogs jump on you and get grime all over your clothes, but the gleam in their eyes and the wag of their tails is enough to make any human want to take them home.” Ann Knipple, administrative assistant, also volunteers at the shelter. “It’s such an energetic and fun place,” said
Knipple. “I’ve spent the last 14 years looking forward to each shelter visit, and I continue to be excited to spend my Saturdays with the dogs.” Engineer Stefani Parker has been volunteering for almost a year. “I participate in fundraising events as my schedule allows,” said Parker, who attends events to help spread awareness and raise funds for the AAS. “The shelter is a nonprofit organization, so even though I would much rather be at the shelter with the dogs, I also know how important money is for the shelter to be able to care for them.” Johnson, Knipple and Parker urge individuals who’d like a furry companion to consider adopting a rescue dog. | By Lauren Ward (L to R): NNS Shipbuilders Stefani Parker, Ann Knipple and Rachel Johnson groom puppies at Hampton’s Animal Aid Society, where they spend their free time as volunteers. Photo by Dar Deerfield Mook
Yardlines is published 10 times a year for the employees of Newport News Shipbuilding. This issue of Yardlines was produced by: Jeremy Bustin, Gina Chew-Holman, Troy Cooper, Mike Dillard, Phoebe Doty, Margie Jones, Christie Miller, Eugene Phillips, LaMar Smith, Peter Stern, Susan Sumner, Lauren Ward and Kimberly Zayakosky. Photographs by: Chris Oxley, Ricky Thompson and John Whalen. Send comments, questions and story ideas to Yardlines editor: gina.chewholman@hii-nns.com or call 757-380-2627. To stop receiving Yardlines, go to nns.huntingtoningalls.com/Yardlines to unsubscribe. Look for more news at nns.huntingtoningalls.com.
Long Service MASTER SHIPBUILDERS
Everett Browning 40 years
Ralph Fish 45 years
SEPTEMBER
Everett Jordan 40 years
Terry Nicollis 45 years
Lawrence “Flash” Offield 40 years
Willie Poyner 45 years
Chris Zambas 40 years
Long Service SEPTEMBER 45 YEARS Ralph R. Fish O15 William H. Nicolls III X73 Willie S. Poyner Jr. O43 40 YEARS Charles W. Boone X72 Everett F. Browning E60 Everett H. Jordan Jr. O61 Lawrence H. Offield Jr. X10 Chris S. Zambas O28 35 YEARS Wayne W. Barlow E81 Dirik B. Cooke X89 Daniel J. Destefano E25 Pamela M. Eley O97 Gary B. Herring M53 John E. Hunt Jr. O64 Sarah C. Jordan E12
Curtis E. Leggett X73 Daniel P. Rhodes E14 Verleta R. Richardson E68 Karl W. Ruhlin X74 Mark E. Smelser E79 BessieGaye Strunk M20 Robbin C. Vines X36 30 YEARS Michael S. Ambrose O39 Charlie C. Barnes III X32 Marcus F. Bass Jr. X31 Richard L. Belknap X88 Connie L. Beverly X88 Linwood C. Bond Jr. X33 Darryl Boykins X11 David B. Brabrand O19 Clayton K. Campbell X11 Stephen E. Campbell X67 Darlene G. Chisholm E85
Brian H. Duncan O58 Todd A. Eure X70 Christopher P. Evans E62 Geoffrey A. Gore E62 Bobby C. Gregory X89 Matthew W. Grizzard X70 James T. Hodge X67 Charles D. Jones X32 Alan B. Keithley X89 David A. Kramer M53 David MacLeod E74 Jimmy L. McQuillen X82 Loria L. Mooneyham X42 Tracy W. Moore X88 Gordon S. Murrell Jr. X89 Timothy P. Pastella X11 Kenneth E. Rainey X33 Billy R. Smith Jr. M53 Robert C. Spruill E30 Daniel R. Stewart X88
Kevin L. Stewart X82 David E. Stokes X88 Michael D. Stokes X70 Marcus T. Tate X10 Edward E. Taylor X11 Kermit P. Tiggle X11 Steven A. White X70 Sandra A. Wilkins E88 Clifton C. Wills Jr. O47 Glen Winnegan O46 Alan G. Wood X11 25 YEARS Alice F. Bell O41 James Calabrese X72 John D. Coats N930 Philip L. Delk X73 Kevin D. Ford X33 Jeffrey C. Fullen O39 James C. Fuller E89
Thomas A. Gency E24 Carolyn M. Gilliam O14 Phillip E. Gilreath X43 Victor L. Hardy E34 Christopher Higginbotham E85 Patrick W. Huffman X87 Steven C. Kressel O67 James A. Kwasny X36 Deborah B. Lassiter O53 Robin E. Lee O53 Louis C. Martin O14 Celia A. Parham O43 Robert R. Pelletier T54 Wendell B. Pernel E85 Monica L. Perry E86 Stephen C. Powell X87 Carl W. Reffo Jr. A572 Kenneth L. Reynolds E85 Anthony D. Satchell X11 Patricia B. Smith O51
Paul D. Smith X42 Stephen T. Smith O12 Terry D. Stanley X67 Kenny A. Terrell O43 Sherrod W. Thomas X31 Robert A. Thompson O39 Christopher W. Tonkavitch X33 James S. Turlington E25 Terri Wade-Stancil X18 Chester E. Wishon O19 20 YEARS Raymond A. Anderson X42 Stanton T. Craven X70 Joel A. Ricks E57 Matthew G. Shrieves X72 Donald L. Smith Jr. O45
Retirements AUGUST Earl C. Bennett E71 Michael Blunt X36 Lawnsie F. Brown X33 Moses Brown X11
Clement A. Browne X32 Larry D. Burnell X42 Theresa A. Coffey O20 James E. Drane X36
George W. Holloway X33 Vivian L. Lee X33 Daniel P. Paradiso X43 Isom L. Roulhac X33
Clifton W. Sexton A572 Milton B. Stanley O54 James B. Swall M53 Oscar M. White O53
Otis L. Wilks X36 Richard E. Withrow O43 James E. Witt M53
You’re Invited GER ALD R. FORD (CVN 78) Christening Ceremony
CONTACTS FOR EMPLOYEE TICKET DISTRIBUTION AMSEC Kathy Taylor 631-2287 Business Management Mary Ann Williams 380-2663 Contracts & Pricing Stephanie Cherry 688-0861 CVN 78 Construction Bev Ware 380-3064 CVN 79 Construction Rhonda Pearman 688-1417 HII - Corporate Sara Amman 688-9353
DC Office Marty Erdossy 202-264-7183
In-Service Aircraft Carrier Program Bernadette Reid 380-4464
Chris Check 202-264-7132
Law Carl Gray 380-4533
NNI Dana Lynn 380-3294 Energy & Integration Programs Nancy White 688-7771 Engineering & Design Daniel Abramson 688-7489 Heather Westmoreland 688-9088 Human Resources & Administration Krysti Filer 380-4687
Manufacturing Wanda Mills 688-8598
Nuclear Propulsion Denise Martin 688-5575 Operations Patty Johnson 534-4490 Apprentice School Judy Hester 688-2512
CFA Sharon Callahan 380-7829
Facilities & Waterfront Support Leann Jones 534-3310
SFA Daryl Cyrus 688-3940
Dimensional Control Margaret Rayfield 688-7334
ME&P Liz Westphal 380-3247
Quality & Process Excellence Laura Jonas 688-1861
Submarines & Fleet Support Rob Gies 688-6446 Supply Chain Management Dianne Murray 380-7196 Navy Programs Rob Spitzer 688-3376 Information Technology Rachel Gilpin 688-7036
Saturday, November 9, 11 a.m. Gates open at 8 a.m.
• Request tickets through your division contact.
• All guests must enter the shipyard by 9:30 a.m.
• Tickets required for all guests. Limit of four tickets per employee.
• General admission seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.
www.thefordclass.com
#fordcvn78
PRST STD U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
EAU CLAIRE WI PERMIT NO. 366
4101 Washington Ave. Newport News, VA 23607
Yardlines is printed on recycled paper with vegetable-based inks.
October 2013
Aug. Safety Report * Compared to figures from August 2012
Year-to-Date Injuries
1,031
is Commissioned
-18% Year-to-Date Injuries With Lost Time
322
-30% Year-to-Date Lost Work Days
13,337
-28
%
The 10th Virginia-class attack submarine, USS Minnesota (SSN 783), was commissioned September 7 during a ceremony at Naval Station Norfolk. Minnesota was christened at Newport News Shipbuilding October 27, 2012. The 377-foot-long ship is capable of submerged speeds of more than 29 mph and can stay submerged for up to three months at a time. Minnesota was delivered to the Navy in June, 11 months ahead of schedule. The ship will spend several months in Norfolk before moving to its designated homeport of Groton, Conn. Photo by U.S. Navy