Yardlines

A Publication of Newport News Shipbuilding October 2013

IN THIS ISSUE

Garage Team Keeps the Yard Running

2013 Model of Excellence Awards

USS Theodore Roosevelt Returns to Fleet

Phot

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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

CVN 71 Returns to Fleet

TheodoreRoosevelt

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 the2013 Newport NewsShipbuildingModel of ExcellenceAward Winners!

For 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.”

Committed to Excellence

LEADERSHIP

Steven Torres

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION

Reactor Plant ComponentReplacement Team

Eugene BennettJohn DeGregoryArthur Garrenton IIIRoland GreeneDavid O’DonnellWilliam RowlandRonald RuschakRyan Van BoovenPaul Zawistowski

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Radiation Safety Program and Cost Improvements Teams

Palmer AlbergottieRichard Bollinger Jr.Cain CarterMarvin DaltonTimothy HelmstetterTom JergensonAdam JonesJeannie PaceAlex RangerRyan VinsonAl Wyatt

Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)First-Time Quality Initiative Team

Eugene Creswell Jr.Jeffrey HiteDale JowersKenneth KeeterGeorge RieflerYakong Wong

Most Highly-EngagedProgram Crew

Allen BlountCecil BunchRonald ColbertKerry JohnsonReginald MooreGloria RoundtreeHeinz TrulleyClyde Williams Jr.

Nuclear Pipe Shop Weld Team

Bert BooneCarl CarroWilliam CraigBilly DavisJames HollandRoy ParkerJohnnie RaineyMichael TaylorBilly Williams

Park and Ride Shuttle Service Team

Samuel BurtonMichael Campbell IITommy CraggJohn Gies Jr.Michelle Mayo-HinesSteve McLambRobert RaittoDon Sutton

Labor Cost Reductionfor Virginia-Class SubmarinePipe Details Team

Richard AshworthCecil BryantCharles DavenportJane DayDavid DeaChristopher GilbertScott HeadingLeogie HicksRenée JuddDamon KindredDan McElheneyJohn Norris Jr.Mark PaineRoger TrentLarry TatemDennis WingerSteven WinslowSandra Wooldridge

Steel Fabrication and Assembly Ring Module Shop Performance Improvements Team

Darnell HawkinsEddie Hogge Jr.Mike IsaksenMike LowersChandra McCulley-HookerEddie Pritchett Jr.Darrell SmithWilliam SmithKevin Stewart

The HeART of Communication

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

The HeART of CommunicationWhile 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

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

RUNNINGKeeping the Yard

NNS Garage Team Member Michael Nelson performs routine maintenance on one of the shipyard’s 900 vehicles, boats and engines.Photo by Ricky Thompson

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 full-page 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.

TougherThan Steel

“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’ world-renowned 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.

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

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 high-priority 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.

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.”

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

What’s an ERGand Why Does Membership Matter?

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

Providing a Safe Haven for Dogs

Making a Difference

(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 ServiceSEPTEMBER

45 YEARS Ralph R. Fish O15William H. Nicolls III X73Willie S. Poyner Jr. O43 40 YEARS Charles W. Boone X72Everett F. Browning E60Everett H. Jordan Jr. O61Lawrence H. Offield Jr. X10Chris S. Zambas O28 35 YEARS Wayne W. Barlow E81Dirik B. Cooke X89Daniel J. Destefano E25Pamela M. Eley O97Gary B. Herring M53John E. Hunt Jr. O64Sarah C. Jordan E12

Curtis E. Leggett X73Daniel P. Rhodes E14Verleta R. Richardson E68Karl W. Ruhlin X74Mark E. Smelser E79BessieGaye Strunk M20Robbin C. Vines X36 30 YEARS Michael S. Ambrose O39Charlie C. Barnes III X32Marcus F. Bass Jr. X31Richard L. Belknap X88Connie L. Beverly X88Linwood C. Bond Jr. X33Darryl Boykins X11David B. Brabrand O19Clayton K. Campbell X11Stephen E. Campbell X67Darlene G. Chisholm E85

Brian H. Duncan O58Todd A. Eure X70Christopher P. Evans E62Geoffrey A. Gore E62Bobby C. Gregory X89Matthew W. Grizzard X70James T. Hodge X67Charles D. Jones X32Alan B. Keithley X89David A. Kramer M53David MacLeod E74Jimmy L. McQuillen X82Loria L. Mooneyham X42Tracy W. Moore X88Gordon S. Murrell Jr. X89Timothy P. Pastella X11Kenneth E. Rainey X33Billy R. Smith Jr. M53Robert C. Spruill E30Daniel R. Stewart X88

Kevin L. Stewart X82David E. Stokes X88Michael D. Stokes X70Marcus T. Tate X10Edward E. Taylor X11Kermit P. Tiggle X11Steven A. White X70Sandra A. Wilkins E88Clifton C. Wills Jr. O47Glen Winnegan O46Alan G. Wood X11 25 YEARS Alice F. Bell O41James Calabrese X72John D. Coats N930Philip L. Delk X73Kevin D. Ford X33Jeffrey C. Fullen O39James C. Fuller E89

Thomas A. Gency E24Carolyn M. Gilliam O14Phillip E. Gilreath X43Victor L. Hardy E34Christopher Higginbotham E85Patrick W. Huffman X87Steven C. Kressel O67James A. Kwasny X36Deborah B. Lassiter O53Robin E. Lee O53Louis C. Martin O14Celia A. Parham O43Robert R. Pelletier T54Wendell B. Pernel E85Monica L. Perry E86Stephen C. Powell X87Carl W. Reffo Jr. A572Kenneth L. Reynolds E85Anthony D. Satchell X11Patricia B. Smith O51

Paul D. Smith X42Stephen T. Smith O12Terry D. Stanley X67Kenny A. Terrell O43Sherrod W. Thomas X31Robert A. Thompson O39Christopher W. Tonkavitch X33James S. Turlington E25Terri Wade-Stancil X18Chester E. Wishon O19 20 YEARS Raymond A. Anderson X42Stanton T. Craven X70Joel A. Ricks E57Matthew G. Shrieves X72Donald L. Smith Jr. O45

RetirementsAUGUST

Earl C. Bennett E71Michael Blunt X36Lawnsie F. Brown X33Moses Brown X11

Clement A. Browne X32Larry D. Burnell X42Theresa A. Coffey O20James E. Drane X36

George W. Holloway X33Vivian L. Lee X33Daniel P. Paradiso X43Isom L. Roulhac X33

Clifton W. Sexton A572Milton B. Stanley O54James B. Swall M53Oscar M. White O53

Otis L. Wilks X36Richard E. Withrow O43James E. Witt M53

Terry Nicollis

45 years

Everett Browning

40 years

Everett Jordan

40 years

Long ServiceMASTER SHIPBUILDERS

Chris Zambas

40 years

Willie Poyner

45 years

Lawrence “Flash” Offield

40 years

SEPTEMBER

Ralph Fish

45 years

You’re InvitedChristening Ceremony

GER ALD R. FORD(CVN 78)

• Request tickets through your division contact.

• Tickets required for all guests. Limit of four tickets per employee.

• All guests must enter the shipyard by 9:30 a.m.

• General admission seating is on a first-come, first-served basis.

Saturday, November 9, 11 a.m.Gates open at 8 a.m.

#fordcvn78www.thefordclass.com

CONTACTS FOR EMPLOYEE TICKET DISTRIBUTION AMSECKathy Taylor631-2287

Business ManagementMary Ann Williams380-2663

Contracts & PricingStephanie Cherry688-0861

CVN 78 ConstructionBev Ware380-3064

CVN 79 ConstructionRhonda Pearman688-1417

HII - CorporateSara Amman688-9353

DC OfficeMarty Erdossy202-264-7183

Chris Check202-264-7132

NNIDana Lynn380-3294

Energy & Integration ProgramsNancy White688-7771

Engineering & DesignDaniel Abramson 688-7489

Heather Westmoreland688-9088

Human Resources & AdministrationKrysti Filer380-4687

In-Service Aircraft Carrier Program Bernadette Reid380-4464

LawCarl Gray380-4533

ManufacturingWanda Mills688-8598

CFASharon Callahan380-7829

SFADaryl Cyrus688-3940

ME&PLiz Westphal380-3247

Nuclear PropulsionDenise Martin688-5575

OperationsPatty Johnson534-4490

Apprentice SchoolJudy Hester688-2512

Facilities & Waterfront SupportLeann Jones534-3310

Dimensional ControlMargaret Rayfield688-7334

Quality & Process ExcellenceLaura Jonas688-1861

Submarines& Fleet SupportRob Gies688-6446

Supply Chain ManagementDianne Murray380-7196

Navy ProgramsRob Spitzer688-3376

Information TechnologyRachel Gilpin688-7036

Aug. Safety Report* Compared to figures from August 2012

-18%

-30%

-28%

Year-to-Date Injuries

1,031

Year-to-DateInjuries With

Lost Time

322

Year-to-DateLost

Work Days

13,337

4101 Washington Ave.

Newport News, VA 23607

PRST STD U.S. POSTAGE

PAID EAU CLAIRE WI PERMIT NO. 366

Yardlines is printed on recycled paper with vegetable-based inks.

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

is Commissioned

October 2013