Newsletter: May/June 2008 Newsletter

At the April meeting, we welcomed two new members: Thermal Spray Solutions, Inc. and Thermal Spray & Machine, Inc. This brings our total membership to 178 companies. We were pleased to have CAPT Ed Boorda, Commander, DDGRON as our April speaker.  He discussed the DDGRON, which has been in existence roughly one year. He works with a small staff of 50, which includes chaplains, divers, a lawyer and a career counselor. The main focus of the DDGRON is to find the most efficient and cost effective way to put a ship into the fleet.  The DDGRON looks at the life cycle of a Navy DDG.  The topics of focus include requirements, processes, efficiency, and effectiveness. CAPT Boorda asked VSRA members, “How can industry help the Navy?” referring to the challenge of combining all focus elements while maintaining a ship’s schedule. The DDGRON compares costs on the east coast with those on the west coast, and if there is significant variance, they determine why. Questions from VSRA members focused on the lack of ship’s force training in ship maintenance, compared to training in years past.  CAPT Boorda concurred and mentioned that is an issue he plans to address with Admiral Orzalli in the near future.  Members expressed an interest in a Navy/Industry partnership regarding training and proper maintenance.

 

Our guest speaker for the May meeting will be Mr. Jerry A. Bridges, Executive Director, Virginia Port Authority. In November 2006, Jerry A. Bridges, then director of the Port of Oakland, was named as the Virginia Port Authority’s Executive Director. Mr. Bridges took over as Executive Director Feb. 5, 2007. The Virginia Port Authority (VPA) is an agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia, reporting to the state Secretary of Transportation. The VPA owns and operates four general cargo facilities on behalf of the state: Norfolk International Terminals, Portsmouth Marine Terminal, Newport News Marine Terminal and the Virginia Inland Port in Warren County. The terminals are operated by Virginia International Terminals, Inc. (VIT), the non-stock, non-profit operating company. The VPA, through terminal earnings generated by VIT, is operationally self-sufficient.

 

Virginia's strategic mid-Atlantic location and unparalleled transportation infrastructure offer steamship lines and shippers unbeatable access to two-thirds of the U.S. population with more than 75 international shipping lines and one of the most frequent direct sailing schedules of any port. Virginia has the best natural deepwater harbor on the U.S. East Coast. Fifty-foot-deep, unobstructed channels provide easy access and maneuvering room for the largest of today's container ships. Virginia ports are located just 18 miles from the open sea on a year-round, ice-free harbor. Virginia ports have long maintained a reputation for efficient and uncongested intermodal service. The bottom line is in the numbers: The Port of Virginia transports more intermodal containers to more cities faster and more efficiently than any other port in the United States. As the largest intermodal facility on the U.S. East Coast, Virginia offers six direct-service trains to 28 major cities each day. More than 50 motor-carrier companies offer full freight-handling and load-consolidation services. A modern network of interstate and local highways permits fast, direct inland motor-freight transportation to any point in the United States. The website for the Virginia Port Authority is www.vaports.com.

 

Our guest speaker for the June meeting will be Ms. Marjorie Mayfield Jackson, Executive Director, Elizabeth River Project. The website for the Elizabeth River Project is www.elizabethriver.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next year, the Virginia Ship Repair Association will celebrate its 25^th anniversary.  The association was founded in 1984 as the South Tidewater Association of Ship Repairers (STASR) when the leaders of our industry joined forces to craft a coalition to “raise the tide” for the entire ship repair industry in Hampton Roads.  Their vision charted a course that brings us into 2008 larger and stronger than anytime in our history.

 

In commemoration of this significant event, the newsletter began a new feature called “In the Spotlight,” which provides information on our member companies and their outstanding employees.  This month, we are highlighting WR Systems. 

 

Q. How long have you been a member of VSRA?

A.  WR Systems, Ltd. (WRSystems), has been an active member of VSRA since December 2005.

 

Q. What is your number of employees—locally and nationally?

A.  We have 185 employees in our Norfolk office and a total of 300 employees within the company.

 

Q. Your business focus (highlight what VSRA membership has meant to your business).

 

Q. Your company locations:

A.  WRSystems has offices located in Norfolk, VA, and Fairfax, VA.

 

Q. Company slogan/motto:

A.  Our company’s slogan is “Excellence Thru Innovation.”

 

WRSystems would like to spotlight our employee, Jeremy Walter, for the VSRA newsletter. Jeremy is the Project Manager for our Navigation System Sensor Interface (NAVSSI) project, portable HF/IP equipment task, and SRC-40 projects. NAVSSI is a US Navy system that distributes highly accurate navigation data to shipboard systems and provides an electronic display of digital nautical charts for use by the ship’s navigation team. Jeremy is also the Program Manager for WRSystems’ contracts with General Dynamics, MILCOM, Metro Machine, and BAE. And, he also provides training support for the Command Display and Control (COMDAC) System. 

 

Q.  Name: 

A.  Jeremy Walter

 

Q.  Hometown: 

A.   Toledo, Ohio

 

Q.   Hobbies: 

A.  Hobbies include tennis, running, and hanging out at the beach.

 

Q. What brought Jeremy into the ship repair industry?

A. As a radioman in the Navy, Jeremy was very interested in the communication systems aboard ships. He also became quite knowledgeable about navigation systems during his naval experience. Upon leaving the Navy, Jeremy joined the government contracting world. Jeremy has received numerous awards and letters of recognition during his time with WRSystems and has earned the respect of customers as well as fellow employees.

 

Q. One interesting fact no one knows about Jeremy:

A. Jeremy loves to travel. He likes to get on the road and go places where he’s never been!

 

CAPT Stanton briefed the committee on current events. He described some efforts underway to reduce the current time required to award MS/MO prime contracts. He also said some of the ways we conduct business will change as a result of a recent Inspector General audit of the RMCs. The Fleet is working with industry to find solutions. CAPT Stanton described some of the key components of the CLASSRON strategy and the effort underway with the Contract Governing Council to control the proliferation of Navy maintenance contracts.

 

The results of the VSRA “Tri-Annual Survey on Workforce, Compensation & Training” and the Ship Repair Economic Impact Study conducted by ODU are now on the website. You need to log in to access the results. Nominations are being accepted for Junior and Senior Tradesmen of the Year. The committee discussed the details of the May 14 seminar.

 

The subcontractor QA audit list is being updated, and audits are ongoing. The new website development company is making the subcontractor QA audit list program their top priority. The next SSRAC meeting will be in Jacksonville, FL July 31-August 1. The deadline for submissions to the QA subcommittee is May 30.   The FY09 standard items require a paperless QA. The SOMS, electronic tag out process, is moving to the entire fleet.

 

VSRA will not be using TMG to produce the shipyard safety and environmental orientation. The safety seminar will be held October 1 at the Ted Constant Center, and the theme will be “Changing the Culture – Changing the Mindset.” The deadline for the second quarter safety suggestion is June 5. The form can be found on the VSRA website, www.virginiashiprepair.org. A VSRA Hot Work/Cold Work standardization committee has been formed and is open for to all who are interested. The employee Safety Handbook will be sent to the printer by the end of April.

 

Continuing the efforts of the maritime industry to revitalize the recognition of our industry’s contribution to our Nation, another eventful National Maritime Day luncheon is planned for Friday, May 23, 2008 at the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center.  Along with other industry leaders, like yourself, we have invited federal, state, and local elected officials to participate in this significant event and help raise awareness of this vital industry and the sacrifice of our Merchant Mariners.

 

Again, a partnership of maritime organizations including the Virginia Maritime Association, Hampton Roads Shipping Association, The Propeller Club, Port of Norfolk, Nauticus, the ODU Maritime Institute, and your Virginia Ship Repair Association have organized this year’s luncheon which will commence at 11:30 a.m.

 

We would very much appreciate your consideration of the following sponsorship opportunities.  Please consider an Admiral level of $2,000, which includes sixteen luncheon tickets; a Commodore level of $1,000, which includes eight luncheon tickets; a Captain level of $500, which includes four tickets; or a Mate level of $250, which includes two tickets. Individual tickets are $40.

 

Recognition of all sponsors will be noted in the program and sign display at the event.  Your registration and sponsorship choices can be accommodated at www.vamaritime.com then click on the National Maritime Day link.

The pocket sized guidebook was developed by the VSRA Safety Guide subcommittee to give all of our ship repair workers a quick guide to standards, tips and regulations. The cost is $3.75 for VSRA members and $4.50 for non-VSRA members. A ten percent discount will be given for orders of 100 or more placed at the same time. Please order by e-mail to infor@virginiashiprepair.org. For questions/help ordering, please call the VSRA office at 757-233-7034. 

This essential seminar will cover cost contracting from the basics to the complex and is recommended for company treasurers, contracts professionals, and program managers. We are pleased to have two distinguished industry experts as our guest speakers. Mr. Ed Amorosso, CPA, is the Managing Partner of McPhillips, Roberts & Deans, PLC.  Mr. Ken Bricker, CPA, is a Partner at Goodman & Company. 

 

We are pleased to offer the following classes:

 

Location Sponsored by Earl Industries LLC

COST: $375.00 VSRA members; $465.00 Non VSRA members

DATES: June 4-5, 7:30am - 11:30am for Session 1 and 12:30pm - 4:30pm for Session 2

LOCATION: Earl Industries, 3128 Victory Blvd., Portsmouth, VA 23702

This course is designed for supervisors with more than five years of experience. Course learning centers on leadership demands, behavioral management, tracking professional goals, and developing stronger workers through career development and goal setting. The course delivers 16+ hours of lecture, video, hand-on activities, the Kouzes & Posner Leadership Challenge System of the Five Practices of Exemplary Leadership and text-based assignments over a two-day period.

 

                                        

Location Sponsored by United Coatings Corp.

COST: $75.00 VSRA members; $110.00 Non VSRA members

SESSION 1 DATES: May 22, 7:30am – 11:30am and 12:30pm - 4:30pm

LOCATION: UCC, 650 Chatauqua Ave.., Portsmouth, VA 23707

 

 

Location Sponsored by Earl Industries LLC

COST: $105.00 VSRA members; $140.00 Non VSRA members

DATES: May 21, 7:30am - 4:30pm

LOCATION: Earl Industries LLC, 3128 Victory Blvd., Portsmouth, VA 23702

Emergency First Responders ~ OSHA Approved/Internationally Accepted

*This certification is OSHA-approved/internationally accepted and is a step beyond the Red Cross certification and is more oriented to industrial environments.* This course provides comprehensive instruction in CPR and First Aid, as well as Automated External Defibrillator (AED) use, emergency oxygen administration and conscious choking management skills. Upon successful completion of this course, attendees receive a Certification Card.

 

 

Location Sponsored by Metropolitan Laboratories

COST: $140.00 VSRA members; $175.00 Non VSRA members

DATES: May 27 & 28, September 9 & 10, and November 18 & 19, 2008, 8:00am-4:30pm day one and 8:00am-noon day two

LOCATION: Metropolitan Laboratories, 330 County Street, Suite 200, Portsmouth, VA 23704

 

Recent changes to the NAVSEA NBPI Exam have resulted in lower pass rats. In order to better prepare your workers, VSRA is offering a 1-1/2-day pre-course specifically to address exam standards and increase inspector-level knowledge. Each attendee must bring a current copy of NAVSEA Standard Items 009-32 and 009-04 (FY08).

 

 

Sponsored by VSRA and course approved by NAVSEA

Location sponsored by MARMC

COST: $550.00 VSRA members; $675.00 Non VSRA members

DATES: May 19-23, June 16-20, September 22-26, and December 1-5, 2008, 7:00am - 5:00pm

LOCATION: MARMC Building LF-18, Norfolk Naval Base

Attendance is limited to 20 applicants. A score of 80% or higher is required to be eligible for the certification. Students passing the exam will receive a four-year certification and a laminated wallet card from SSPC. Test results will come directly from SSPC. 

 

Due to changes with the SSPC, all documents related to this course need to be submitted to the SSPC representative, Jeannine Bodack. Her email address is: bodack@sspc.org, phone: 877-281-7772 x 2204, fax: 412-281-9995. These documents must be submitted two weeks before the first day of class. Please go to the SSPC website http://www.sspc.org/training/nbpi_prereq.html to view the current required documents.

 

 

Location sponsored by Earl Industries, LLC

COST: $325.00 VSRA Members; $399.00 Non-VSRA Members

DATE: November 4-7, 2008, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

LOCATION:  Earl Industries, 3128 Victory Blvd., Portsmouth, VA 23702

This course is directed to rising welders and shipfitters, or workers who need a familiarity with blueprint terminology, symbols and design features specific to ships. The course provides 28 hours of instruction with take-home activities, 3 quizzes and a final exam.  Attendees will receive critical drawing analysis experience, as well as hands-on blueprint activities.  For a complete course outline please contact the VSRA office.

 

 

Please register on the VSRA website www.virginiashiprepair.org for above educational opportunities. If you experience an error when registering on line, please contact the VSRA office immediately. DO NOT register again.

 

Phone registrations are not preferred, however, can be accommodated. For questions/help registering please call our office at 757-233-7034, we want to make this transition process easy for our members.

 

**Please note, you must be logged in to receive the discounted VSRA price for seminars.**

 

Refund & Cancellation Policy: VSRA offers seminars at a greatly reduced rate to our members. Cancellations must be made within 4 business days of the course date to receive full credit contingent on slots being filled. Late cancellations will be given a 50% credit towards future training or 100% if open slot is filled. No-shows WILL BE CHARGED the course fee, and no refunds will be made. Substitutions are welcome; however, please contact the VSRA office as soon as possible.