In a shipyard that welcomes inclusivity, Sunny Rasavong is proud to echo that spirit of togetherness. As vice chair of the Asian & Pacific Islander Shipbuilding Association (APSA) employee resource group (ERG), Sunny is proud to be in a position that supports our service members and builds strong relationships with people in the community.
“I take pleasure in contributing value to our APSA members and facilitating the sharing of cultural backgrounds,” said Sunny. “I’m grateful ERGs are here because they are a great tool for both personal and professional development.”
Starting at Ingalls as an electrical engineer in the Planning Yard, Sunny supported ship alterations across multiple platforms and served as an on-site technical representative. He later transferred to the Research & Development team, where he focused on shipboard cybersecurity and combat systems for vessels such as LHA and DDG(X).
“I work on cybersecurity collaboration initiatives across each division, which includes Ingalls Shipbuilding, Newport News Shipbuilding and Mission Technologies,” said Sunny. “This allows us to share tools and collectively address knowledge gaps.”
Sunny’s role contributes to the constant evolution of HII, and he takes pride in supporting our service members as they protect the nation.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of my job includes being able to contribute to the emergence of cutting-edge technology,” said Sunny. “It’s exciting to have a role in the shipyard’s advancements.”
Striving to represent his culture through work, Sunny wants to inspire Asian & Pacific Islander shipbuilders. However, his motivation doesn’t stop inside the shipyard.
“My biggest motivations are my wife and family,” said Sunny. “As I prepare to become a father soon, I want to be a positive example of dedication and success for my loved ones.”
Ingalls is committed to attracting diverse talent and strives to develop every shipbuilder to help them be successful. When we feel respected and supported, we are able to do our best work. By celebrating diversity in the workplace, spreading awareness about things that matter to you and encouraging advocacy, we ensure that every shipbuilder’s voice is heard and that we all have a place to BELONG.