Shipbuilder Spotlight | Interns Turn Ideas into Improvements
Above: Pictured, from left, are the 2026 industrial engineer interns: Nathan Hoffman, Sarakshi Kandel, Nilda Gibbons, Briggs Menendez, and Chloe Smith.
Shipbuilder Spotlight | Darrell Johnson, Paint Foreman
Paint foreman Darrell Johnson still comes to the shipyard each day with the same philosophy he’s had since he was a high school athlete years ago: lead by example, pay attention to the details and never cut corners.
Shipbuilder Spotlight | Wendy Dickson, Store Lead
Anchor Apparel has grown into a meaningful part of daily life at Ingalls. It has given shipbuilders a place to get gear that makes them feel not only seen but supported. Running the show is store lead Wendy Dickson, whose passion for helping shipbuilders guides every decision she makes.
Shipbuilder Spotlight | Donald Ashford, Pipe Insulator
For half a century, pipe insulator Donald Ashford has walked through the gates of Ingalls Shipbuilding with the same purpose he carried as a young Army veteran in 1974: work hard, take pride in the craft and help build the ships that protect our nation.
Shipbuilder Spotlight | Tucker Paulk, Student Intern, HR&A
For Tucker Paulk, this summer's internship at Ingalls is more than a chance to gain experience. It's an opportunity to continue a family legacy that spans five generations.
Shipbuilder Spotlight | Jamario Cole, Pipe Foreman
With eight years behind him as a shipbuilder, Pipe foreman Jamario Cole is already helping shape culture and leadership in the shipyard.
Shipbuilder Spotlight | The Team Behind Every Move
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.
Shipbuilder Spotlight | Roderick Little
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.
Shipbuilder Spotlight | Julie McDonald, Manager, Design Engineering
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.
Shipbuilder Spotlight | Cory Dillon, Philadelphia (LPD 32) Keel Welder
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.
For the Warfighter | Monica McCann, Shipfitter
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.
Shipbuilder Spotlight | Lorenzo Fuller, Ship Superintendent
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).
Anchors of Excellence | Ingalls Security Team
The Big Picture: The Ingalls Security team earned a “SUPERIOR” rating during a recent Defense Counterintelligence & Security Agency (DCSA) vulnerability assessment.
Shipbuilder Spotlight | James “J.O.” Putman, Welder
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.
Shipbuilder Spotlight | Stephen Harris, Quality Analyst
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.
Shipbuilder Spotlight | Colby Ward, Rust Machine Operator
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.
Shipbuilders in the Spotlight | GIVE Award
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.
Shipbuilder Spotlight | Lanetta Fantroy, Test Engineer
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!
Shipbuilders in the Spotlight | Fatina Brave & Jay Lindsey
Read time: 2 minutes
Shipbuilder Spotlight | Ronald Hammler, Procurement Planning Control
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.
Shipbuilders in the Spotlight | Jakavious Pickett, manager, Shipbuilder Engagement
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!
Shipbuilder Spotlight | Marvin Eubanks, ORC coordinator
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.
Shipbuilder Spotlight | Shawana McArthur, Boat Foreman
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.
Shipbuilder Spotlight | LHA 9 Structural Drawing Team
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.