Shipbuilders,

Each year, our talented workforce rises to face new challenges, displaying a level of excellence that inspires all of us to reach new heights. It is important that we pause from our hard work to acknowledge the best of the best. This year, 398 shipbuilders have earned the President’s Model of Excellence Award, which recognizes those at Newport News Shipbuilding whose dedication and accomplishments raised the bar for more than 25,000 talented women and men who rally each day in support of our nation’s defense.

I am proud to stand with them as we forge the way ahead.

Please join me in congratulating our 2021 Model of Excellence Award honorees on a job well done!

Jennifer Boykin
President, Newport News Shipbuilding

TRANSFORM BUSINESS OPERATIONS

Creative Approaches and Collaboration Support Entire Shipbuilding Value Stream

Tyler Bowman, O51; Jessica Boyd, O52; Lyndon Brown, O52; Joel Carroll, O58; Brett Cash, O52; Eric Chacon, O52; Paul Clear, E68; Ed Doherty, O52; Vinson Ellsworth, O52; Craig Garland, O52; Kristy Gaskins, O52; David Jenkins, O52; Ryan Jenkins, O52; Rusty Johnson, O52; William Jones, O52; Kevin Leigh, O52; Bob Marshall Jr., O52; David McGrain, O52; Ray Montgomery, O50;Greg Pike, E37; Ruth Riddle, E68; Kevin Roberson, O58; Jim Salavejus, O52; Ashley Shortt, O51; Bob Small, O52

Nominator: Bryan Caccavale, O11

Deckplate Camaraderie Improves Coatings on Virginia-Class Submarines

Kevin Arden, E02; David Baillio, X32; Lenora Baumeler, O31; Jason Binns, A572; Frankie Boothe, X32; James Brooks, E32; Jeremy Brown, K46; Mariana Cintron-Garcia, E33; Alicia Connelly, O31; Jason Haas, X32; Tyrone Harrison, X32; Darrell Hicks, X32; Matthew Allen Holding, X62; Richard Jackson, K46; Brody Lambaiso, E33; Haley Mitchell, E33; Ronnie Phillips, X32; Donna Pike, X32; Matt Shaffer, E41; Bryan Staha, A572; James Wallis Jr., O36; Randall Ware, O31

Nominator: Robert Staha, E41

Enhanced Inspection Reports and Training Revolutionize SUBSAFE Work

Carly Cole, E03; Steven Malsbury, E03

Nominator: Bailee Ewell, E41

John Glenn: Leading and Collaborating to Move NNS Forward

John Glenn, X44
Nominator: Melanie Young, O60

Real-Time Data Enables Increased Performance and Engagement for Welding Teams

Troy Butler, E59; Terry Campbell, X18; Michael Cunneen, X10; Howard Davis, T54, Tanya Dinsmore, T56; Ed Gretka, T56; Justin Harris, X18; Bruce Hufton, X44; Caleb Martinez, T54; David McKetney, T54; Dan Moniak, X18; James Pittelko II, T56; Matt Rinck, T56; Roger Seese, T56; Matt Serpa, T54; Erik Spencer, E59; Jayston Stamper, O43; Marisa Strickland, K17; John C. Vaughan IV, T56; Vadim Vinarov, T56; John Walker Jr., O43; Stefani Werner, E59; Chris West, E59; Matthew White, O63

Nominator: Walter Williams, O61

Successful First-Time Reconfiguration Achieves Key Columbia-Class Milestones

Ben Allen, X51; Justin Brock, X36; Russell Dawson, O43; My Do, X51;Corey Eutsler, X36; Dylan Fogleman, O43; Derrick Grant, O41; Thomas Henderson Jr., X36; Tom H. Herbert, O41; Jack Hull, X51;

Travis Hutcherson, O43; Aaron Moore, O48; Justin Mullins, O43; Lynn Palmer, X36; Patrick Peck, X36; Jennings Spease, X36; Dylan Swank, O43; Felicia Thorne, X43; Travis Tyler, X36; Jon Wallace, O43; Curtis Webb, O43

Nominator: Jim O’Brien, K97

Surface Ship Support Barge Project: A Hallmark Accomplishment for Efficiency

Daniel Barnes, X42; Gregory Barnes, X42; Tania Barzola, E81; Gene Bowman, E81; Kevin Butler, E85; William Capps, X42; Steven Clark Jr., X73; Fred Coleman, E82; Alicia Connelly, O31; Marquis Ellsworth, X73; Jim Erickson, O27; Patrick Lonberger, E81; Roneisha Moore, X42; Travis Moultrie, X73; Joey Piland, X73; Evan Rickerson, X42; Jim Sarvis, E84; Jonathan Sebrell, X42; Joseph Sharpless Jr., X42; Shaana Thomas, X42; Joshua Vernon, X42; Mark Wiatt, X73; Rickey Williams, X42

Nominator: Thresa Nelson, E81

Team Spearheads First-of-a-Kind Welding System on USS George Washington (CVN 73)

Brett Carson, E83; Bradford Cotton, K45; Todd Dinkel, O31; Mark Gresik, E37; Mark Hageman, O43; Rodney Harris, X32; Robert Heisler, E81; Joshua Horner, X71; David Jerkins, X18; Joshua Kole, E81;

Stephen Mallis, X71; Kristopher Manley, X32; Joshua Nelson, X18; Jacqueline Phillips, E37; Stanford Polonsky III, X18; Dennis Reynolds, X17; Michelle Rossingol, O31; Benjamin Ruga, E37; William Schleeper, M21; Nicholas Schneider, K45; Jayston Stamper, O43; Shaun Thomas, O39; Christopher Wicker, E81; Matthew Wright, E83; Nicholas Zaremba, E81

Nominator: Tony Davidson, X70

EXECUTE EFFICIENTLY

Dedication and Preparation Lead to Major Milestone in Virginia-Class Program

Charles Albright Jr., X18; Donte Anderson, X82; Dylan Ard, X18; Demonte Armstead, X18; Jacob Bialk, X18; Jasmine Bracey, E84; Stanley Britt, X18; Jeffrey Cantrell, X18; Octavian Davis, X18; Bobby Farmer, K46; Theodore Gundy Jr., X18; Cornelious Hawkins, K46; Evan Hoffman, X18; James King, K46; Gabriel Martinez, X18; Tony McKithen Jr., X18; Brandon Sandley, Jered Wright, K46

Nominator: Vernon Eason, K46

Leveraging Lessons Learned for Successful Installation on John F. Kennedy (CVN 79)

Jordan Banks, X36; Vincent Barone, X18; Justin Chavis, X36; Patrick Coffey, O68; Tyler Cook, X11; Benjamin Freeman, X11; Edward Garrett, X36; Reggienald Hall Jr., K47; Richard Henry, E22; James Holliman, K47; William Huff Jr., K47; Stephen Hux, O68; John Leigh III, X11; Michael Motisi, X11; Christina Munn, X18; Matthew Perry, X01; Adam Turner, X18; Alexis Turner, X18; Antoine Wilburn, O68

Nominator: Lucas Hicks, K70

Overcoming Complex Repair Challenges on USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77)

Michael Allen, K48; Oneal Artis, X42; Michael Balus, X42; David Berry, X42; Howard Blume Jr., X18; Brent Byrum, X42; Kelvin Coleman, X18; Ray Ray Collett, X18; Darius Farthing, X18; Kyle Flowers, X18; Emma Garner, X42; Kenny Hudson, K48; Jacob Humphrey, X18; Robert Mayfield III, X18; Nicholas Murray, K48; Andy Phillips, K48; Nathan Shrewsberry, X18; Joseph Stallings, X18; Travis Turbin, X18; Collin Vinson, X42; Earnest Wheeler, X42; Kelvin White, X42; Derrick Whitley Jr., X42

Nominator: Ian Carrillo, O87

Remarkable Execution Conquers Challenging Conditions on Montana (SSN 794)

Willie Bell II, X43; Carlos Benitez Garcia, E14; Kyle Benner, X43; Vernon Bray, X43; Brandon Brewster, X43; Vernon Christian, X43; James Gilliam Jr., K46; Taylor Herring, K46; Tatsuya Nakamura, E14; Steffon Savage, X43; Dominic Tribble, X43; Michael Upton, K46; Brian Vande Pol, E14; Tyler Walkup, X43; Taylor Weeks, X43; James Wigley, X82

Nominator: Rick Plumlee, K46

GROW THE BUSINESS BASE

Columbia Contract Award Sustains and Modernizes Our Nation’s Defense Force

Robert Austin Jr., X60; Jeffrey Bristow, O19; Jerry Campbell, X62; Chuck Dalrymple, O19; Ryan Duffy, O75; Nikki Fisher, N358; Marcus Freese, O19; Kimberly Hamlett, O19; Andre Jones, O19; Janine Jones, E70; Roger Kelly, O19; Heather Ray, K07; John Rice, O19; Christa Riley, K07; Brandi Smith, K07; Weston Tilley, O19; Kimberly Traugott, O59; Paul Tuzzolo, O59; Kevin Walker, O19; Brian Williams, O19; Travis Williams, O70

Nominator: Eric Wishon, O19

San Diego Team Raises the Bar for Ship Maintenance

Carl Aspinall, O87; Inez Ayala, O56; Tony Bogue, E25; Michele Cook, O51; Kimberley Corey, O56; Rick Dodd, O56; Barry Haskins, O27; Johnathon Hume, E83; Kevin Jones, O56; Penny Jones, O56; Burt Livingston, O87; Tamara Manson, O19; Justin Marquez, O87; Lee McKoy, O87; Paul Muehlenbeck, O56; Irina Munguia, O87; Camille Murray, O56; Leanne Nevil, O51; Joe Newhouse, O56; Kenneth Norwood, O56; Kenneth Peper, O56; Harlen Ralph, O56; Jeff Rigsby, O19; Mark Tamillo, O87

Nominator: Terry Brown, O87

LEAD THE WAY

Derek Briggs: Steadfast and Authentic Leadership

Derek Briggs, X01

Nominator: Lucas Hicks, K70

Initiative and Determination Influence a Culture of Safety

Ryan Augburn, O53; Gleen Barnes, O53; Yuvonda Barnes, O53; Jessika Foster, O53; Dale Fullwood, O53; Markita Gorham, O53; Amanda Jackson, O53; Michael Jennings, O53; Valerie Smith, O53; Brandon Spaulding, O53; Rodney Thornton Jr., O53

Nominator: Barry Fallon, O50

Innovation and Perseverance Guide Naval Nuclear Training Facility Repair

Brian Butler, X43; Matthew Butler, X73; Michael Deuell, E85; Christopher Dohse, E82; Sean Fitzpatrick, E82; William Fralich, X43; Stephen Graham, O96; Cheryl Hardcastle, X09; Matthew Jeffery, E82; James Johnson, X73; Joseph Johnson, X43; William Johnson, O96; Aaron Landry, X43; Nicholas McFatter, X43; Sean McGiveron, E85; Lacey Norcross, O96; Jacob Novak, E82; Robert Price, X73; Christopher Smith, X43; Christopher Vest, E85; Jason Weary, E82; Timothy Weisflog, E85; Benjamin Welch, E91; Marcus Woody, E82; Devon Zappolo, E82

Nominator: Paul LaRoche, E81

Presidential Award: Leading the Way Through a Pandemic

Carrie Allen, O20; Luke Alley, O46; Steve Apostoles, O12; Alan Bomar, O64; David Bowles, O44; Dru Branche, O50; Beth Bridges, O21; Jon Calma, E85; Liz Chandler, O44; Roy Gilbert Jr., K45; Amy Guerin, O21; Harold Hutchison, X74; Jason Lugo, O27; Bob Meyer, X80; Christie Miller, O29; Jim O’Brien, K97; Beth Silsdorf, O12; Emily Tavai, O20; Cindi Wolfe, O12; Ryan Woolridge, O48

Nominator: Jennifer Boykin, O11

Sonny Hershley and Christopher Murrell: Ring Module Shop Challengers of the Status Quo

Sonny Hershley, X18; Christopher Murrell, X18

Nominator: Mike Lowers, X10

Writing the Pandemic Playbook: COVID-19 Vaccine Task Team Begins the Journey Back to Normalcy

Brad Andersen, X52; Teresa Carnes, E70; Tom Cosgrove, O12; Amy Iveson, N354; DaShana Kemp-Garnett, X33; Scott Kezman, N358; Hugh Lessig, O29; Carol Lowe, K97; Bryan Moore, N355; Renae Myles, E01; Stephanie Neary, O27; Phoebe Richards, N355; Donta Sharpe, X82; Colin Smith, X52; Trent Sturgis, O15; Kimberly Zayakosky, O29

Nominator: Jon Arena, N358/O11

Writing the Pandemic Playbook: Digital Transformation Enables Large-Scale Work from Home Initiative

Will Adams, T54; Kevin Barrow, T54; Hank Blumreich, T51; Cindy Brown, T54; Jason Cawthorne, T54; Tammy Dogan, T51; Matt Downing, T54; Frank Harris, T54; Aaron Jessen, T54; Mike Lajoie, T54; Jason Larsen, T54; Doug Lawrence, T54; Rob Mackie, T54; Darren Murray, T54; Alan Noble, T54; Harvey Rawls III, T51; Cedrick Short, T51; Ryan Tiedemann, T54; Denesha Wallace, T54; Gary C. Webb, T54; Mickey Wilkins, T54

Nominator: Tom Jones, T50

Writing the Pandemic Playbook: Human Resources Team Provides Shipbuilders Flexibility and Stability During a Pandemic

Linda Bain, O28; Carlton Ballard Jr., O21; Geoffrey Coleman, O21; David Craig, O28; Shawn Flanagan, O28; Tammy Franks, O20; Jennifer Giampa, O28; Holly Hayslett, O28; Eric Herman, O21; Charlene Holloway, O28; Chris Hoyer, O21; Brittany Izzo, O20; Adrien Latta, O20; Clement Lodiong, O23; Maggie Monfalcone, K47; T.J. Nelson, O34; John SanGiovanni, O28; Porsha Valliant, O20; Natalie Webb, O28; James Williams Jr., O21

Nominator: Susan Jacobs, O11

Writing the Pandemic Playbook: Thought Leadership and Innovation Pioneer Virtual Shipbuilding Events

Susan Bacon, T54; Shay Brown, T54; Sekou Frye, O36; Robert Kello, O43; Heather Land, O29; Nicholas Langhorne, O29; David McKetney, T54; Gaylon Montgomery, O36; Bryan Moore, N355; Scott Presson, T54; Aaron Pritchett, O29; Earl Pruitt Jr., O43; Lauren Shuck, O29; Timothy Trulley, T51; Lena Wallace, O29; Gary R. Webb, T54; Mickey Wilkins, T54; Kimberly Zayakosky, O29

Nominator: Jennifer Dunn, O11