When Erika Brown (X11) began her Newport News Shipbuilding career nearly six years ago, she had no idea she would one day lead a crew of shipbuilders.

Brown came to the Columbia-Class Submarine Construction Program about two years ago. After spending most of her shipbuilding career cleaning, sweeping and working fire watch, she wanted to learn more. So she started asking questions.

“If you want to grow, show it. Don’t hide and just go with the flow,” said Brown, who is now a makeup foreman for a team working on weapons systems for District of Columbia (SSBN 826).

General Foreman Peatrov Goston said Brown took initiative to learn and lead by example. “That’s what we look for in up-and-coming leaders,” he said. “She wanted to learn more than what she was doing.”

Goston said he took Brown under his wing and thought of her when he was shorthanded and needed a makeup foreman to lead a team. “She ended up doing an excellent job,” Goston said. “She’s displaying the leadership that we look for in the Columbia-Class Program.”

Brown said she focuses on safety – one of the company’s foundational values – quality and cleanliness with her team. She also tries to make sure employees feel comfortable voicing questions or concerns.

“We set expectations on the job and make sure everyone is safe – including keeping our area clean – and doing quality work,” she said. “If there is an issue, I want the team to bring it up. Don’t just overlook it.”

Brown encourages other shipbuilders to ask questions and take advantage of opportunities at NNS. “You can always grow. Don’t count yourself out,” she said.