Newport News Shipbuilding President Jennifer Boykin urged thousands of employees who attended town hall events last week to exercise ownership over their work, embrace the company’s rich history and continue pushing for a culture change to ensure future success.

In the first shipyardwide town halls at NNS in six years, Boykin challenged shipbuilders to create an atmosphere where all are encouraged to speak up, where roles are clearly defined and continuous learning is central to the company’s operation.

She noted the many challenges NNS has faced in recent years, from working through the COVID-19 pandemic to a reduction in salaried force, all while striving to fulfill the Navy’s demand for nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines.

“Every day isn’t easy,” she said. “But as shipbuilders, easy isn’t something we expect. We are here not because it’s easy. We are here because what we do matters to our nation.”

She described the importance of the “Rickover principles,” championed by Adm. Hyman Rickover, the father of the nuclear Navy. Rickover stressed the need for personal ownership and responsibility, not handing off problems to someone else.

Boykin said she and others learned shipbuilding from giants such as Rickover, and it wasn’t necessarily smooth sailing.

“We did not always get it right the first time,” she said “But because continuous learning, improvement, and personal ownership are central to our culture, we all improved and grew in our capabilities. We got better.”

Apart from challenges facing NNS, she said there is plenty to celebrate.

NNS has hired more than 11,000 employees during the past six years as the workforce undergoes a generational change. It has covered more construction areas to improve the work environment. A new Construction Operating System has brought discipline to production teams, and NNS has a backlog of work that gives it stability for the next decade.

“You are the best shipbuilders in the world,” she said. “And the nation needs you.”

At a Wednesday town hall attended by nearly 4,000 shipbuilders, Greg Eby and others came away impressed.

“I’ve been here 43 years, and that was pretty much the best message I heard,” said Eby, a production planner and scheduler. “It’s important to engage younger shipbuilders in the mission of NNS, understanding they are part of a larger organization.”

Deborah Jordan, an X43 foreman, said some shipbuilders don’t often hear the company president speak directly to them. Boykin’s message of personal responsibility, challenges and optimism was “what they needed to hear,” Jordan said.

“If we do come together, we can achieve,” added Pipefitter Daisha Radcliffe (X42). “If we don’t speak up, the culture will never change.” She said Boykin “gave grace, gave courage and gave transparency.”

See photos from the town hall events here.