Everyone in this world is born with a gift. Fortunately for Ingalls, carpenter general foreman Jerome Dedeaux is a gift that keeps on giving, inspiring others to reach their full potential in the shipyard.
“There’s so many talented shipbuilders here, and it’s my job to help them understand what they bring to the table.”
In his role, Jerome prioritizes safety, handles planning so tasks stay on schedule and makes sure his team has the necessary resources and support to do their job.
“I’m all about empowering people,” said Jerome. “Highlighting strengths and improving weaknesses is one of the many awesome things I appreciate about my job.”
Eleven years ago, the Pass Christian native joined the Ingalls team with a thirst for knowledge. Throughout his journey, Jerome excelled in his job by asking a lot of questions and learning his way around the shipyard.
“I’m fueled by the distinction of being a shipbuilder, it’s not just a job but a privilege,” said Jerome. “We have the pleasure to contribute to ships that serve as guardians of our nation.”
After earning his stripes as a shipbuilder and going through the Legacy Builders program, Jerome started to pursue manager roles with the main goal of leading others to finding a higher purpose at Ingalls.
“I have the opportunity to foster a developmental environment for individuals to recognize their own potential,” said Jerome. “I encourage others to embrace the notion they can also thrive in bigger roles.”
Each day, Jerome enters the shipyard’s gates, he’s reminded of the important work taking shape. He’s humbled to invest in the opportunity to coach and counsel shipbuilders to aid the mission.
“To this day, I’m still in awe of seeing a piece of steel transform into a product helping Sailors out on the water,” said Jerome. “We get to build something to protect them, so they can protect us.”