News

On March 15th, the ASNE Tidewater Section was privileged to have Virginia USCG Sector Commander CAPT Jennifer Stockwell join us as our guest speaker for the monthly dinner.  CAPT Stockwell addressed her authorities and responsibilities as the Captain of the Port and as Sector Commander, and highlighted her priorities and biggest challenges. 

Additionally, CDR Jeff Zamarin, USCG, who came with CAPT Stockwell, was able to provide details behind the engineering challenges that the USCG Virginia sector had to overcome and provided an overview of the USCG's newest shipbuilding plan.

The Captain's presentation is available to view HERE. 

For February's monthly dinner, CAPT Jay Young, the Commanding Officer of Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center (MARMC), discussed specific examples of MARMC work performed on Atlantic Fleet ships, emphasized the importance of TSRAs in assessing ships, and highlighted that USS GETTYSBURG was finally underway the week of the dinner, for the first time in 8 years. 

On a more sobering note, CAPT Young addressed the recent rash of MARMC suicides and the efforts his command and the Navy are making to bolster in-house counseling.  It was a great opportunity for attendees involved in ship repair to hear from our local RMC leadership.

The Captain's presentation is linked here.

At the January 18 dinner, we had the privilege of having RADM Brendan McLane, Commander, Naval Surface Force Atlantic Fleet, as our guest speaker. 

In what was the largest dinner turnout in the last several years, we received an update on Naval Surface Forces, what missions our ships are executing, and a look into the future of the fleet. Additionally, RADM McLane addressed specific maintenance areas where we are doing well and those where we are falling short as a maintenance team. 

It was a tremendous opportunity for our Section to meet and have discussions with our Navy's Surface leadership. 

ASNE Tidewater's November dinner/meeting guest speaker was Elspeth McMahon, ODU Associate Vice President for Maritime Initiatives.  Ms. McMahon discussed ODU’s future establishment of the School of Supply Chain, Logistics, and Maritime Operations and her role coordinating ODU's programs, outreach, and services that engage with the region's maritime enterprises. These include port logistics and supply chain; shipbuilding and repair; naval sustainment; offshore wind energy; and coastal resilience. Following her presentation there was an excellent Q&A period with the dinner attendees. 

RADM Chris Engdahl, USN, was guest speaker at the October 19, 2022 ASNE Tidewater Section dinner. The Admiral gave an informative and engaging presentation on the history and recent CNO directed restructuring of the Naval Safety Center into the Naval Safety Command -- now serving as the naval enterprise lead for non-nuclear safety standards, expertise and oversight of the Navy and Marine Corps Safety Management System (SMS).

In addition to discussing several high-profile accidents in the fleet, the Admiral’s presentation also included Naval Safety Command’s mission and responsibilities, his perspective on the recent TYCOM assessments, and Q&A with the dinner attendees.

ASNE's FMMS 2022 is around the corner and we hope to see many of our members and friends there!  The Symposium is September 19-21 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.  If you're not registered yet, here is a LINK to the website for registration, and additional information.  Some of the Symposium highlights include:

• Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Michael M. Gilday invited for the keynote address
• Exceptional speakers and panelists
• Innovation Theater speakers and town hall question sessions 
• Technical Papers presented 
• Sponsorship opportunities (still a couple of slots open!) 
• MSC and U.S. Navy Port Engineers engaging with attendees and exhibitors
• Many exhibiting companies but room for more!  Early Bird rates end August 19!

 Check out the AGENDA on the website. 

ASNE Tidewater Section will have a booth there and we hope you will stop by and see us!

The ASNE-Sika Ultimate Build-A-Boat Challenge showcased June 11-12, 2022 at Norfolk Harborfest as we celebrated the 26th Anniversary of this great event!  

Due to the stormy weather Sunday afternoon, the Build-A-Boat race took place Saturday June 18, 2022, at the home of Charlie and Chris Ellin in Sandbridge (Back Bay area).  There were 17 teams who built boats and 13 of them rearranged their schedule to race on the alternate date. Around 50 people came out and everyone had a blast!

Please view our photo presentation of the entire event, and a video of race day. Special thanks to Mike D’Amato (ASNE Tidewater), John Mark Bessada (Sika Corp), and all the many volunteers who made this event possible!  Congratulations to all the participants and the winners!

ASNE TW was very excited to have Captain Dianna Wolfson, Commander, Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) as our special guest speaker at the Section’s May dinner.  The Captain outlined the Shipyard’s new Strategic Framework to communicate their path forward on achieving their vision.  The Strategic Framework is their “tool to communicate their updated mission and vision statements both with NNSY and externally, and shows how initiatives executed across the command tie together with why their command exists (warships). More importantly, the visual representation of the Strategic Framework combined with purposeful command-level strategic initiatives will align them as ONE TEAM on pillars that have the greatest impact on performance and achieving ONE MISSION.”

The Section was also thrilled to present another ASNE TW Engineer of the Quarter award. The award went to HT1(SW) David Weaver, USN, Mid-Atlantic Regional Maintenance Center, Hull Branch.  Petty Officer Weaver was recognized for consistently demonstrating superior high-quality performance in the execution of his duties.  His Commanding Officer, Captain Timothy A. Barney, said the Petty Officer “exceeds expectations and challenges to ensure 46 Naval Vessels are structurally sound and ready for critical Chief of Naval Operation tasking. He effectively led 134 Sailors and 17 civilians in the completion of 1,672 maintenance procedures through 19 Chief of Naval Operation Availabilities and saved the Navy $3,200,000 in contractor costs.” Congratulations HT1 Weaver!

The ASNE Tidewater Section was pleased and very grateful to have RDML Randall Peck, USN, President, Board of Inspection and Survey as our guest speaker at our April Dinner/Meeting.  The Admiral summarized the 2021 Insurv Annual Report of in-service material inspections, new construction trials, and end of life inspections. The Board made 26 comprehensive recommendations spanning PMS, technical issues, logistics, manning, and training.

If you were unable to attend the dinner, here is a link to the Admiral’s presentation.

The Tidewater ASNE Section was pleased to have RADM James P. Downey, USN, Program Executive Officer for Aircraft Carriers speak at our March 16 dinner/meeting. The Admiral updated the Section on the post construction and operational testing of the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier - USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78). Admiral Downey also talked about follow on construction of CVN-79 and CVN-80 as well maintenance and operational updates on the existing carrier fleet.

The meeting was well attended with almost 70 members and guests joining us in person or on-line.  The Admiral's presentation is available to view here.