Homer L. Ferguson – one of the most influential leaders in the company’s history – became president of Newport News Shipbuilding on July 22,1915.

It was a turbulent time for NNS and for the world. In May 1915, then-NNS President Albert L. Hopkins was killed when a German submarine sank RMS Lusitania off the coast of Ireland.

Prior to his presidency, Ferguson served in the U.S. Navy as an assistant naval constructor and was stationed at NNS from 1902 to 1904. After leaving the Navy, he returned to the shipyard and served in several roles before becoming president.

During his tenure as president, Ferguson led the shipyard through two world wars and helped to strengthen NNS as a key figure in shipbuilding. When a hiring boom during World War I stretched the region’s housing supply, he advocated for the development of Hilton Village. Ferguson also led the charge to formally establish the NNS Apprentice School in 1919.

In 1937, the Homer L. Ferguson Award – which is still awarded to a graduating apprentice every year – was established. It recognizes the apprentice graduating with the highest average in combined required academic and craft grades.

After more than 30 years as president, Ferguson retired in July 1946. He died in 1953, but his legacy lives on at NNS and in the broader community.