It takes a village to keep the workflow of the shipyard steady. From assisting with maintenance and management to supporting events, bay foremen serve as the Swiss Army knives of the shipyard.
“There's only nine of us, and we look at our responsibilities as if we each have a family to take care of,” said Austin Conerly, bay foreman. “That’s what it boils down to: getting involved in the shipbuilding process to keep this place rolling.”
If you can name it, there’s a chance bay foremen play a role in it. Not only do they help different departments in the shipyard, this team also assists with things like Family Day, christenings, milestones like translations and more.
“One minute we’ll be helping with shipyard tours and the next minute we can assist with storm prep,” said David Gardache, bay foreman. “We’re always busy, and that’s what I love the most about my job.”
A key element of this team's success is accountability. The bay foremen not only celebrate each other's achievements but also depend on mutual respect and trust to navigate challenges together.
“That makes us who we are,” said Melissa Kyles, bay foreman. “Everything we do is important and taking pride in our responsibilities keeps everyone satisfied with the quality of our work.”
Sustaining that quality of work makes the final product an incredible payoff. Seeing a ship transform from nothing into a completed vessel motivates the team and keeps the purpose of their work a top priority.
“The USS Cole is the perfect example of understanding the significance of what we do,” said Charles Decuir, bay foreman. “It really felt good knowing I had a part in repairing it and receiving praise from senators and even the president of the United States.”
For this team of bay foremen, producing quality ships is one thing, but ensuring that fellow shipbuilders return home to their loved ones at the end of each shift is the icing on the cake.
“My life’s calling is helping people,” said Bobby Nettles, bay foreman. “These people are like family to me, and you never leave your family hanging, so I support everyone in the shipyard to get the job done.”