Newsletter: September/October 2008 Newsletter

There was no general membership meeting in August. We are pleased to welcome Rear Admiral Joseph F. Campbell, Director, Fleet Maintenance, Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command (N43), as our guest speaker at the September General Membership Meeting. 

 

Rear Admiral Joseph F. Campbell is a native of Lancaster, Pa., and was raised in Newark, Del. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1980, and later earned a Naval engineer’s degree and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He is a registered professional engineer in the state of Delaware.

Rear Admiral Campbell was commissioned as an engineering duty officer in May 1980, via the NROTC program and reported for duty on board the USS Holland (AS 32) in Holy Loch, Scotland. Follow-on waterfront assignments were at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard; Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Newport News; Trident Refit Facility, Kings Bay, Ga.; and Norfolk Naval Shipyard. He also completed two staff tours at Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. In November 2003 he returned to Norfolk Naval Shipyard as the 101st shipyard commander. In May 2006, Rear Admiral Campbell was selected for appointment to flag rank, and in July 2006 reported for duty as deputy director, Fleet Readiness Division (OPNAV N43B) in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations at Washington. In May 2008, he reported to his current assignment as the director, Fleet Maintenance on the staff of Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command.

Rear Admiral Campbell has been awarded the Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal in addition to numerous campaign and unit awards.

VSRA is pleased to spotlight BAE Systems.

 

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

A. BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair was formerly known as Norshipco.  The former Norshipco Chief Operating Officer, Charles Eure, saw the need for an association in the port, worked to establish the association and signed the original STASR Articles of Incorporation in 1984.  

 

Q. What is your number of employees—locally?  Nationally?

A. Norfolk – 1,100 employees

Nationally (including Hawaii) – 3,100 employees

 

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

A. VSRA has allowed the ship repair industry as a whole to have a common voice all in the best interests of shipyards, subcontractors, vendors as well as our number one customer, the US Navy. It does this by providing our common concerns to government agencies, sharing information that affects the entire ship repair industry and helps coordinate work force and training course development. In fact VSRA was originally intended (in the form of TMTI) to attract more personnel to the ship repair business and that continues today with its support of the Virginia Ship Repair Foundation (VSRF). Over the later years, it has expanded its role to focus on issues, challenges and opportunities facing the ship repair industry.

 

Q. Your company locations

A. Norfolk, San Diego, San Francisco and Hawaii

 

Q. Company slogan/ motto

A. People are Important; our employees are our #1 asset

Safety Slogan:  Anchored in Safety

 

BAE Systems would like to spotlight one outstanding employee:

 

Q. Name      

A. Thomas (Tommy) M. Seitz Jr.

 

Q. Title

A. Vice President Contracts and Commercial Sales

 

Q. Hometown

A. Born in Portsmouth, Virginia. My father was in the US Coast Guard, so I resided in several different areas outside of Hampton Roads but returned to the area in 1972. I have lived in Virginia Beach since 1975 with my wife of 33 years, Nancy.

 

Q. Hobbies

A. Golf, enjoying vacations with family/friends and watching/participating in sporting events

 

Q. What brought you into the ship repair industry?

A. Originally, the money as a summer job between school years of college. Then I decided I would rather work than continue college. That was 35 years ago. Fortunately, it worked out.

 

Q. One interesting fact no one knows about you

A. If I let you know then everybody will know!

If you missed the 22^nd Annual VSRF Golf Tournament this year, you really missed a great time - starting with the play over the water on the first tee throughout the entire day!  As expected, all 144 golfer slots sold out.  The impeccable service provided by Bayville and the quality of the food was superb, not to mention the golf course was in great condition.  This year, we had some terrific raffle items and door prize drawings. Congratulations if you were one of the lucky ones!  Congratulations to:

 

First Place: Frank Wagner’s team of Davis Boat Works, Inc.

Second Place:  Accurate Marine, winning the etched glasses

Third Place: International Flooring, winning the leather briefs

High Score: Auxiliary Systems, winning the Eagles CD

 

With your continued support and level of sponsorship of this great event, we were able to execute a successful tournament, which will assist in our mission of providing workforce training, development, and career outreach to the ship repair industry.  Again, thank you for making this the “in demand” tournament year after year.  Mark your calendar and save the date for next year - August 18, 2009.

 

This tournament would not have been possible without the hard work of many volunteers and the generosity of numerous sponsors.   Many thanks to Leigh Kennedy, Chairperson and her many volunteers: Josephine Anderson, Michelle Carrera, Georgie Creecy, Ann Howell, Trudy Moneyhan, Laura Stopper, Caroline Taylor, Alicia Tillman, and Dana Truxell. 

 

We’d also like to thank our many sponsors:

Platinum: Earl Industries, LLC

 

Gold: Accurate Marine Environmental; BB&T; L-3 Communication/Pacord, Inc.; Marine Hydraulics International; and Tecnico Corporation

 

Silver: Auxiliary Systems, Inc.; BAE Systems, Norfolk Ship Repair; Integrity Staffing Services; Main Industries; and McPhillips, Roberts & Deans, PLC.

 

Hole Sponsors:

Hole #1 – Earl Industries, LLC

Hole #3 – Jo-Kell, Inc.

Hole #5– QED Systems, Inc.

Hole #7 – Metro Machine Corp.

Hole #8 – Troutman Sanders, LLP

Hole #9 – Standard Calibrations, Inc.

Hole #10 – Epsilon Systems Solutions, Inc.

Hole #11 – VT Milcom

Hole #12 – Thomas-Carrera Consulting Corp.

Hole #14 – Applied Technical Services, Inc.

Hole #17 – Davis Boat Works, Inc.

Hole #18 – IMS Environmental Services

 

Beverage Cart: Colonna’s Shipyard and Main Industries

 

Longest Drive: 

Hole #6 – Vandeventer Black, LLP

Hole #15 – International Flooring

 

Closest to the Pin:

Hole #2 – Signal Mutual

Hold #13 – Arise Waco

Student outreach is a very important component of the ASNE mission and VSRA’s future work force. If you are interested in a very rewarding experience and can donate an hour or two a month, please contact DeWitt Davis. Mentoring for SOL preparation and "homework help" is scheduled at both Bayside Middle School in Virginia Beach and Lake Taylor Middle School in Norfolk. There will be AM and PM sessions.

 

Please contact DeWitt for specific times and locations.  Phone    (757) 495-3524

E-mail    ddavis@pinn.net

From http://www.history.navy.mil/trivia/trivia03.htm

This widely used term has its origins in the document issued to a ship showing that the port it sailed from suffered from no epidemic or infection at the time of departure.

VSRA congratulates Jose Mercado of Crofton Diving on receiving the 2^nd Quarter Safety Suggestion Award for his bottle carrier design. The idea for the bottle carrier came out of the necessity of having to transport the bottles down the pier and onto the barges. The bottles stand almost 5’ tall and weigh about 90 lbs. The problem was to develop a way to transport the bottle(s) using two people and be able to go up and down either stairs or uneven surfaces. Crofton Diving brought up the problem in a Monday Morning Safety Meeting and asked for ideas. They had about five entries in the competition, and Jose’s design was the best. Crofton took the idea to Ace Marine and asked them to develop a prototype. About four weeks later, Crofton had their prototype, and they hope to be using it in the field soon.

 

Jose came to work with Crofton Diving about six years ago when they were working in Puerto Rico, on a Hydro-electric Project. He is a commercial diver with many years of experience. Once the job in Puerto Rico was complete, he came to the United States to work with Crofton Diving locally in the Tidewater area. Jose has conducted work in all of the Shipyards and is currently working in Lyons Shipyard on the railway. Jose is a very hard worker. He and his wife have four children.  

VSRA would like to thank Mike Dunn and Ed Hinson for their years of service as chairmen of the QA and Security Committees, respectively. 

 

Mike Dunn is the President and principal owner of Atlantic Fabrication & Boiler Services, Inc., which was formed in June 2003. Atlantic Fabrication is a contracting firm specializing in sheet metal, structural, mechanical, piping, boiler repairs and other related trades. Mike was previously employed by Holmes Brothers Enterprises as Vice President/Quality Assurance for 16 years. Mike’s community involvement includes his church, Valley Community Church in Roanoke Rapids, North Carolina; Virginia Ship Repair Association; and Pregnancy Support Center.  Mike also serves on the Board of Directors of four other businesses in Virginia and North Carolina. Mike is married to Elaine Dunn (33 years), and they reside in Franklin, VA. They have two children and three grandchildren.  His interests include hunting, gardening, ATVing and trying to keep up with his grandchildren.

 

Ed Hinson is currently the Senior Project Manager for Earl Industries' LPD/LSD program. Prior to joining Earl Industries in 2003, he was a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy serving in a variety of engineering, combat systems and operational billets. Ed holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University, a Master of Science degree in Operations Research (Operations Analysis) from the Naval Postgraduate School, and has recently completed an MBA from the College of William and Mary.

 

VSRA would like to welcome Ken Edwards and Leigh Kennedy as the new chairmen of the QA and Security Committees, respectively.

 

Ken Edwards has worked in ship repair for thirty-four years and has served in a management capacity for thirty years. As a Supervisor, he has coordinated ship repair work on multi-million dollar contracts utilizing in excess of one hundred mechanics to accomplish those repairs on both Navy and commercial contracts. Ken is the Quality Manager at BAE Systems Norfolk Ship Repair and has a staff of approximately 30 inspectors that assist in the oversight and management of production processes to validate that the company maintains a level of quality that meets their customer requirements. As a member of VSRA and as Chair of the QA committee he looks forward to continuing the same proactive dialogue that members experienced under Mike Dunn’s chairmanship.     He looks forward to continuing VSRA’s success so that VSRA can ensure a positive impact is afforded to all member companies.

 

Leigh Kennedy joined the ship repair firm of Moon Engineering Company, Inc. in 1987 as a secretary.   During the next seventeen years, Leigh has held increasingly responsible duties where she excelled and quickly assumed the position of Executive Assistant.  Upon the acquisition of Moon Engineering by Earl Industries, LLC in January 2004, Leigh assumed the position of Facility Security Officer, where she leads a staff and provides dedicated leadership and guidance for all aspects relating to industrial security and personnel security clearances for Earl Virginia, UCC and Earl Florida operations.  For twenty-two years in the ship repair industry, she has served as Membership Chair for Virginia Ship Repair Association and has been instrumental in organizing the annual golf tournament, making her membership ambassador and golf chair for VSRA.

The committee discussed the contents of the July/August newsletter.

 

The Cost Contracting 101 course was well attended and a great success. The committee decided to hold follow-on courses in the future on specific topics of interest to the membership. Members discussed the Industry Day held at Nauticus in Norfolk, VA. The committee thanked Ms. Vanessa Nemara, USCG, for her service on the committee and wished her well in her retirement.

 

Missy Thomas gave a presentation on the Maritime Task Force. Their membership is open to any associated companies, and they meet at 2:00 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Portsmouth campus of TCC. Buck Hodges shared information on the initiatives the VSRF is currently working on and what programs have been established. 

 

The committee did not meet in August.

 

Northrop Grumman Newport News is unable to have an open forum/meeting to discuss the facility’s procedures. For any questions/concerns, go to their website. Federal law now requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

 

Public hearings have been scheduled to discuss OSHA’s proposed rule to improve safety in shipyards. The hearings are scheduled for September 9 in Washington, D.C. and October 21 in Seattle. 

 

The proposed rule, General Working Conditions in Shipyard Employment, would include requirements for minimum lighting, motor vehicle safety, and sanitation. Additional information is available in the June 30 Federal Register.

Sponsored by VSRA and Shipbuilders Council of America

DATE: October 1, 2008, 8:00 am – 4:00 pm

LOCATION:  Ted Constant Convocation Center

 

Don't miss this opportunity to train your supervisors in our innovative seminar Changing the Culture--Changing the Mindset!  This year's lunch featured speaker will be Mr. Jim Brice, Assistant Deputy Commander for Maintenance, Modernization, Environment, & Safety NAVSEA.   

 

Registration Deadline

Aug 22 to Sept 15         VSRA Member $75; Non-member $125

Sept 16 to Sept 30        VSRA Member $80; Non-member $135

At the Door                    VSRA Member $85; Non-member $150

 

REGISTER 5 OR MORE FROM THE SAME COMPANY & RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT

 

To receive a discount, DO NOT register on-line. Please e-mail info@VirginiaShipRepair.org or call VSRA office at (757) 233-7034. To view the Safety Seminar agenda and register, go to http://www.virginiashiprepair.org/vsraspecialevents.asp.

SPONSORED BY: VSRA Contracts Committee

COST: $50.00 VSRA Members; $125.00 Non-VSRA Members

DATE: October 20, 2008, 8:00 am – 11:00 am, Registration begins at 7:30 am

LOCATION:  Nauticus, The Living Sea Theatre (3^rd Floor)

 

FAR 3.1002 Provides:

(a) Government contractors must conduct themselves with the highest degree of integrity and honesty.

(b) Contractors should have a written code of business ethics and conduct. To promote compliance with such code of business ethics and conduct, contractors should have an employee business ethics and compliance training program and an internal control system. 

 

This seminar includes a distinguished panel of experts who will answer questions after their presentation. This training provided is appropriate for all contractor employees, especially senior management, buyers, negotiators, foremen, program managers, and project managers.

 

Please register on the VSRA website www.virginiashiprepair.org for above seminars. Phone registrations are not preferred, however, can be accommodated. For questions/help registering please call our office at 757-233-7034.

We are pleased to offer the following courses:

 

Blueprint Reading

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.

 

 

First Aid/CPR/AED/Emergency First Responder ½-Day Refresher Training

Location Sponsored by Tecnico Corp.

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

DATE: September 25, November 12, 8:00am – noon

LOCATION: Tecnico Corp., 831 Industrial Ave., Chesapeake, VA 23324

 

Location Sponsored by United Coatings Corp.

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

DATE: October 23, 8:00am – noon

LOCATION: United Coatings Corp., 650 Chautauqua Ave., Portsmouth, VA 23707

 

This refresher course is appropriate for those certified in 2006.

 

 

First Aid/CPR/AED/Emergency First Responder Certification

Location Sponsored by United Coatings Corp.

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

DATES: October 22, 7:30am - 4:30pm

LOCATION: United Coatings Corp., 650 Chautauqua Ave., Portsmouth, VA 23707

 

Location Sponsored by Tecnico Corp.

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

DATES: November 13, 7:30am - 4:30pm

LOCATION: Tecnico Corp., 831 Industrial Ave., Chesapeake, VA 23324

 

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.

 

 

NAVSEA Basic Paint Inspector Prep Course

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

DATES: September 9 & 10, and November 18 & 19, 2008, 8:00am-4:30pm both days

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

This course will review coating documents such as SSPC PA-2, NSTM Chapter 631 and NSTM Chapter 634 for non-skid and others. It will also provide a thorough review of SI 009-32 and applicable sections of 009-04. Recent changes to the NAVSEA NBPI Exam have resulted in lower pass rates. 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).

 

 

NAVSEA Basic Paint Inspector Training (NBPI)

Sponsored by VSRA and course approved by NAVSEA

Location sponsored by MARMC

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

DATES: 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.

 

 

NAVSEA Cableway Training and Certification Training

Instructional Partnership by VSRA and AMSEC

This training is certified by NAVSEA

Location sponsored by Colonna’s Shipyard, Inc.

COST: $595.00 VSRA Members; $745.00 Non-VSRA Members

DATE: November 3-7, 2008, 8:00am – 4:00pm

LOCATION: Colonna’s Shipyard, 400 E. Indian River Rd, Norfolk, VA 23523

 

Attendance is limited to 20 applicants. This course delivers 35+ hours of lecture, video, hands-on lab work and text-based assignments over a five day period. A score of 70% or higher on the comprehensive exam is required for successful completion. The course covers all NAVSEA requirements and skill sets in depth. Upon successful completion of this course, the attendee will receive a NAVSEA Cableway Certification Card.

 

 

Senior Supervisor’s Leadership Course

Location Sponsored by Earl Industries LLC

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

DATES: October 16-17, 7:30am - 3:30pm

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 and text-based assignments over a two-day period. Students spend four hours developing leadership communication patterns using job safety analysis, inspection and investigation scenarios to apply what they learned to real world examples.

 

 

Please register on the VSRA website www.virginiashiprepair.org for above seminars. 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 courses 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. If VSRA has to reschedule or cancel a course, we will work with your company to place employees in a future training course.