Moving thousands of tons of steel across land may look effortless from the outside, but for the Translation Team, it’s a precise, high‑stakes evolution that depends on preparation, communication and trust.
Surrounded by family who have worn the uniform and family who have built the ships that protect them, Roderick found his place in a craft that ties all those pieces together. He’s built a path defined by pride, purpose and caring for the people he works with every day. During this conversation, Roderick shares what led him to the shipyard and why the mission means so much to him.
Shipbuilding is ever evolving, and Julie McDonald is at the forefront of that transformation. By introducing advanced 3D scanning and pushing for digital innovation, she’s redefining how Ingalls supports the Navy fleet.
For 28-year structural welder Cory Dillon, tracing the keel sponsor’s initials into the steel of Philadelphia (LPD 32) wasn’t just another job task. In fact, it was a milestone he’d quietly hoped for. It’s a role he watched friends take on in the past, and one he’d always hoped to experience himself.
At Ingalls, we build ships as though our sons and daughters may one day sail on it—because they may. For shipfitter apprentice Monica McCann, they do. With two of her children currently serving on ships built by Ingalls shipbuilders, the saying is more than just a reminder - it’s the soundtrack to her life.
With a family history in both the military and the shipyard, Lorenzo Fuller was destined to help protect our freedom in some shape or form. Using his military background, Lorenzo’s experience comes in handy in his role as ship superintendent of the future USS Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129).
The Big Picture: The Ingalls Security team earned a “SUPERIOR” rating during a recent Defense Counterintelligence & Security Agency (DCSA) vulnerability assessment.
Soft spoken and humble, James “J.O.” Putman, welder, has dedicated his life to Ingalls for 59 years. For nearly six decades, J.O. has been a steady heartbeat of this shipyard.
With over seven years of shipbuilding experience, Stephen Harris, quality analyst, helps deliver vital, quality-focused data aimed at reducing potential situations that may arise during ship construction.
When Operations functional support representative Barbara Watkins first learned her son Colby Ward was autistic, she was told he wouldn’t be able to talk or handle day-to-day life on his own. Now, Colby is a proud shipbuilder who uses his voice to break the barriers of autism.
Ingalls Shipbuilding was recognized Thursday with a 2025 Governor’s Initiative for Volunteer Excellence (GIVE) award presented by Volunteer Mississippi in partnership with the Office of the Mississippi Governor.
In 2010, Lanetta Fantroy, test engineer, was a single mother of four, part of a family with a deep tradition in shipbuilding. Fast forward 15 years, not only did she follow in her family’s footsteps, two of her children now work in the shipyard and another one serving on an Ingalls built ship in the Navy!
Read time: 2 minutes
When people reflect on different chapters of their lives, especially on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, they typically refer to events as pre- or post-Katrina. Take New Orleans native Ronald Hammler, for example. Before the historic hurricane, Ronald worked at Avondale for 17 years. Little did he know, moving to Mississippi in 2004 to work in Supply Chain Management at Ingalls would be more than just a change of scenery.
Congratulations to Jakavious Pickett, manager, Shipbuilder Engagement, on his recent appointment as president of the Mississippi Gulf Coast Chamber of Commerce board of directors for 2025!
Have you noticed the vibrant, graffiti-style conex boxes out in the shipyard? Operations Resource Centers (ORCs) serve as a place where foremen can get support as they take on the elements of their job. Inside each of the ORCs are shipbuilders who welcome all questions to the production forefront. Marvin Eubanks, production planning and scheduler, uses his experience to assist foremen where needed.
With her hand over her heart, boat foreman Shawana McArthur gazed at the American flag and recited the Pledge of Allegiance, her voice cutting through the cold morning air as dignitaries and guests gathered on the waterfront for the christening of Harrisburg (LPD 30). For Shawana, being chosen for this honor was one of the highlights of her career thus far.
Photo Caption: Pictured, top row, from left: Jason McAlpin, structural engineer; Logan Brown. designer; Maurice Hudson, designer; Frank Anderson, designer; bottom row: Randy Saucier, manager, Design Engineering, Michael Smith, manager, Design Engineering; Mark Roberts, designer. Not pictured: Jeremy Champagne, project manager; Dionne Conrad, designer; Mark Culpepper, designer; Nilmo Hernandez, designer; Christian Jolicouer, designer; and Chris Miscenich, structural engineer.
Sara Tuite, procurement planning control representative in Supply Chain Management (SCM), is deeply rooted in the principle of first-time quality. One of her main responsibilities is serving as SCM’s lead advocate for the Quality Management System (QMS), where she validates the accuracy of over 250 departmental documents.
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.
The Ingalls Apprentice School is one of the key ways Ingalls invests in the future of shipbuilding. In honor of National Apprenticeship Week, which was November 17-23, we sat down with electrical apprentice Brandon House and pipe insulator apprentice Gatric Thompson. Both are currently progressing through the program, and their passion, drive and commitment are a testament to the strength of our workforce. Here's a look at their journeys and what inspires them to build the future of our industry.
Congratulations to Joel Myers, manager, Engineering, and Stephanie Dambrino, manager, Trade Shows & Special Events, on graduating as part of the Leadership Jackson County Class of 2024.
Congratulations to Ingalls engineers Yu-Ping Yang and Steven Scholler on being presented the 2024 Elmer L. Hann Award by the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME).
Since walking through the gates of the shipyard, Vivian Nguyen has been determined to grow as a welder and earn a leadership role. She joined Ingalls as an entry-level pipe welder in June 2023. Less than a year later, her hard work and dedication helped her reach first-class just one year after hiring on.
