2020 Senior Tradesperson of the Year Winner Heng Hy
The 14th Annual Tradesperson of the Year Awards was held on December 4th, 2020. Each year, the Tradesperson of the Year Awards recognize the “best of the best” in Ship Repair. With a total of 29 outstanding nominations from both the Junior and Senior Tradesperson of the Year categories, a new record, the Judges Panel had the challenging task of selecting one awardee for both the Junior and Senior winners. As has been the case for several years, a Runner-Up for both the Junior and Senior Tradesperson of the Year was chosen, as well.
This year’s Junior Tradesperson of the Year Runner-Up is Michael Wayne Ledbetter of HII Fleet Support Group LLC. Michael Ledbetter has exemplified quality workmanship, stressing the importance of 1st time quality and attention to detail, and even won the 2020 Quality Workmanship Award for Refueling Complex Overhaul Group. Michael has earned a reputation as a compassionate mentor and leader not only at work but also within the community and local schools that he volunteers at.
This year’s Senior Tradesperson of the Year Runner-Up is Policarpio Calimbas of HII Fleet Support Group LLC. Policarpio Calimbas acquired his extensive technical background through both the U.S. Navy and marine repair industry. An emblem of effective leadership, Policarpio serves as a mentor to other electricians within the Elevator Support Unit (ESU) organization and instills safety into the organizational work practices. In his free time, he uses his musical talent and leadership to promote charitable initiatives within the local Filipino community.
This year’s Junior Tradesperson of the Year is Danual Pearce of Colonna’s Shipyard, Inc. In just four short years in the industry, Danual Pearce has worked his way up to the position of Lead Mechanic Supervisor for rigging. He entered the industry as an Apprentice and completely excelled, finishing the program an entire year earlier than the rest of his class. Following that apprenticeship, Danual became a first-class rigger and earned NCCCO rigging and signalperson certifications. He has proudly taken a leading role in ensuring team safety and continually reminds his team that “being prepared is half the victory” and everyone must always remain aware. Danual has been selected by the Colonna’s executive team to serve on the company’s leadership development group and has received several commendations from ship’s force. Beyond his work in the yard, Danual serves the community by coaching the Virginia Beach Vikings youth football league for boys and girls under age 12. Since 2008, he has served as a mentor to community youth, providing guidance to ensure those kids go on to graduate high school and, in some cases, even play football at the collegiate level. Through mentorship, Danual is helping raise a generation of young people who know that no matter what, they have a supporter in their lives who will never give up on them.
This year’s Senior Tradesperson of the Year is Heng Hy of BAE (BAE) Systems Norfolk Ship Repair. Heng Hy is a welder and crew leader with more than 37 years of experience. Hy lives by the creed that safety is priority one and can proudly state that no crew member has ever been injured under his watch. An expert aluminum welder, Hy is highly sought after for difficult jobs. He has received several commendations from ship’s force and service awards from within their company. He has never stopped learning, earning a long list of welding certifications and credentials from technical schools such as the New Horizons regional education center. Beyond that, though, Hy is family and community oriented, and deeply faith driven. He has a remarkable story, coming to the United States as a refugee from Cambodia at just 17 years old after his parents were killed in armed conflicts. A few months from turning 18, Hy was left to care for four younger brothers. He turned to welding as a means to provide for his family, and, when not at work, spent time cooking meals, helping with schoolwork, and navigating them all through the United States citizen naturalization process. The hard work paid off, as those younger brothers were able to go to college and now serve as mechanical, chemical, and nuclear engineers.
The 12 Junior Tradesperson Nominees were as following:
- Antoine Badger, BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair
- Christopher Connor, MHI Ship Repair & Services
- Ken Eiler, Bay Metals & Fabrication
- Robin Hall, Wartsila Defense
- LaWanda Harris, General Dynamics – NASSCO Norfolk
- Sarah Janes, Fairlead Boatworks
- Daniel Langston, Oceaneering International
- Michael Wayne Ledbetter, HII – Technical Solutions Division
- Christopher McAndrews, Tecnico Corporation
- Danual Pearce, Colonna’s Shipyard
- Carl Pierce, Q.E.D. Systems
- Ryan Stallard, Epsilon Systems Solutions
The 17 Senior Tradesperson Nominees were as following:
- William Blackwell, Valkyrie Enterprises
- Keith Bremer, Prism Maritime
- Robert Bristol, Marine Specialty Painting
- Clinton Brooks, MHI Ship Repair & Services
- Pearl Butler, Colonna’s Shipyard
- Policarpio Calimbas, HII – Technical Solutions Division
- Eric Grandy, Surface Technologies Corporation
- Ed Guilsano, Epsilon Systems Solutions
- Heng Hy, BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair
- David Scott Karl, Standard Calibrations
- William McAllister, Oceaneering International
- Carlos Phillips, Wartsila Defense
- Thomas Landon Sampsell, Fairlead Boatworks
- Harold Scott, Clean Way Services
- Nathaniel Williams, General Dynamics – NASSCO Norfolk
- Nicholas Wobser, Newport News Shipbuilding
- James Woods, Bay Metals & Fabrication
The winners were selected by a panel of industry-expert judges who read each nomination in a redacted format, so they didn’t know the individuals or companies represented. Please join us in thanking our judges:
- Event Chair & Lead Judge: Brian Daugherty, KSaria Corporation
- Captain Tim Barney, Commanding Officer, Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center
- Courtney Culpepper, Rapid Prep LLC
- Pam Martin, Stanley Black & Decker
- Leslie McAloose, Ameri-Force Craft Services
- Ron Ritter, On Point LLC
- David Spinazzolo, Metropolitan Solutions
- Terry Stead, Foundation Board
- Darrick Wickre, PNC Bank
Each 2020 Tradesperson of the Year Award nominee will receive a VSRA t-shirt, baseball cap, and challenge coin, along with a set of Irwin Vise Grips, Stanley Tool Bag, and Tape Measure.
Junior and Senior Runners-Up will each receive a DeWalt cooler and $150 dollar steakhouse gift certificate. Junior and Senior Award Winners will receive a DeWalt Drill & Driver Combo Kit, embroidered VSRA jacket, $200 steakhouse gift card, 1-year family membership to Nauticus, $250 Amazon gift card, and $750 cash prize.
The 2020 Tradesperson of the Year Awards are sponsored by PNC Bank. Awards are furnished by Surehand, a subsidiary of Stanley Black & Decker.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO RECOGNIZED EXCELLENCE IN THE SHIP REPAIR WORKFORCE BY NOMINATING AN EMPLOYEE FOR THIS DISTINGUISHED AWARD!
2020 Junior Tradesperson of the Year Danual Pearce, Colonna's Shipyard
2020 Senior Tradesperson of the Year Heng Hy, BAE Norfolk Ship Repair
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