News

From flight simulation, digital senses immersion, a look into the deep past, diving into a bulkhead on an aircraft carrier, and experiencing the echolocation of a bat in a first-person view, ASNE Tidewater members and friends visited multiple simulation labs at ODU’s Virginia Modeling Analysis and Simulation Center in Suffolk. Guests learned about various research projects happening throughout ODU-VMASC and were able to experience first-hand some of the virtual reality simulations! As an entity of ODU’s modeling and simulation pipeline, VMASC is grounded in the utilitarian principle of improving the human condition and mankind’s understanding of the word through innovation and transdisciplinary research and development. Senior Project Scientist and Lab Director Hector Garcia explained various ways researchers at VMASC use models, simulations, and visualizations to help create/formulate answers to complex problems, design experiments, analyze data, and interpret results. Guests also visited and learned about ODU-VMASC’s Digital Shipbuilding program from Program Manager, Joe Kosteczko, and Curriculum Coordinator, Jessica Johnson. In the Digital Shipbuilding Lab, guests learned about innovative practices to enhance workforce development, STEM curriculum K-12, and research/development within the maritime industry through an engineering design challenge with virtual reality, augmented reality, and 3D modeling. ODU-VMASC’s Digital Shipbuilding team are proud members of the ASNE Tidewater chapter.

Many thanks to our members and guests who attended ASNE TW’s January dinner/meeting program. The evening began with recognition and presentation of a citation to the ASNE TW Engineer of the Quarter (4th quarter 2019) to Hull Technician First Class (SW/EX) Jeffrey Crebs, USN. HT1’s Commanding Officer, USS McFaul (DDG 74) Rusty Williamson, was on hand to support his sailor.  HT1 Crebs was very excited and honored to receive the award. He and his wife Michelle greatly appreciated the recognition by ASNE TW and for the recommendation of award from HT1 Crebs’ Commanding Officer.

Our guest speaker for the evening was RDML Paul Spedero, USFFC Fleet Readiness Officer (N02R). The Fleet Integrated Readiness and Analysis (FIRA) Office was established in November 2019 by ADM Grady with the intent to develop readiness metrics that integrate resourcing inputs to readiness outputs. The newly formed FIRA office is tasked to drive Navy-wide, centrally managed data governance and develop USFFC staff analysis and analytic skills. RDML Spedero serves as the Force Readiness authority to define, analyze, integrate, and articulate readiness through one set of Fleet readiness and material condition policies and standards.

RDML Spedero’s remarks centered on ADM Grady's Revolutionize Readiness Campaign Plan. “The goal is to ‘bend the curve’ on Readiness ... with urgency - work on the problem, not in the problem ... keep a steady strain avoiding boom or bust cycles and lastly - ‘stop talking and start doing.’ To responsibly grow and dynamically operate the Fleet, we must have effective and predictable sustainability. We must squeeze every ounce of Readiness out of every dollar we get. We must revolutionize how we identify, analyze, and visualize not only current readiness concerns, but also articulate barriers to readiness generation across all echelons and work toward expressing the resources required for the readiness output.”

The December 18 dinner/meeting program featured guest speaker Dan Spagone, CNRMC Director of Intermediate Maintenance. Dan addressed the criticality and progress made towards improving sailor self-sufficiency, the ability to maintain their systems at sea without an over-reliance on shore support. The holiday crowd of 65 guests was festive and everyone enjoyed closing out the year socializing with business friends and colleagues.

ASNE Tidewater sponsored a guided tour at the Hampton Roads Naval Museum on December 14, 2019.  Special thanks to John Pentangelo (Museum Director), who led ASNE members and friends through the museum and special exhibit, “The Ten Thousand-Day War at Sea, The U.S. Navy in Vietnam, 1950 - 1975.”  Thanks also to ASNE members Charlie Pfeifer and Ray Weber (Vietnam vets) who shared from their experiences during the tour. ASNE Tidewater also took this opportunity to have Pam Schools (Section Chair) present Mr. Pentangelo a STEM Grant for the Hampton Roads Naval Historical Foundation’s STEM-based LEGO® Shipbuilding Program.  Congratulations!  Link to Event Photos

The November 20 ASNE Tidewater Dinner/Meeting Program was a resounding success, with a terrific guest speaker Ms. Stephanie Douglas and a capacity turnout of 110 guests! Ms. Douglas is well-known in the Tidewater community, having served in key leadership positions locally at US Fleet Forces Command and most recently as the Executive Director for SEA-21/CNRMC.  She currently serves as the Director for Industrial Operations (SEA-04) at NAVSEA, and addressed the audience in that capacity.  Special guests in the audience included the new DASN Sustainment Mr. Sean Burke, Director Fleet Maintenance, RDML Bill Greene, and ASNE President RADM (Ret) Mark Hugel.  We’re also very pleased to see the positive trend continue with more Naval officers and Enlisted attending, as well as students from ODU and the Maritime Academy at Hampton High School. 

At the dinner/meeting program on October 16th, we had the pleasure of a full house of 90+ guests enjoying professional fellowship and a guest speaker presentation by the new Fleet Maintenance Officer, RDML Bill Greene (USFF N43). Admiral Greene shared his perspective on some of his top priorities and concerns four months into the position, notably the demand signal for maintenance outpacing capacity, aligning contracting strategy to support future investment and surge, and on-time delivery out of both public and private yards. 

Also, during the evening, we recognized and honored our Tidewater Section Chair of 2018-2019, Jessica Galassie, and the 3rd Quarter CY 2019 Engineer of the Quarter (EOQ) recipient, Damage Control Chief Petty Officer (Surface Warfare/Air Warfare) Anthony R. Pagliarini from USS VICKSBURG.  Anthony had his CO, XO and Chief Engineer joining him in a prideful show of support!

ASNE Tidewater membership and friends were invited to the South Eastern Virginia Live Steamers (SEVALS) event at the home of Retired Vice Admiral Dave Architzel in Suffolk, Virginia on Saturday, October 19.

There were several ride-on locomotives, and over a mile of train track around the property. The SEVALS group invited ASNE to get a good feel for steam engineering by providing an opportunity to learn about steam propulsion, and a chance to ride the railroad!  They highlighted a gas motor powered Engine, two electric battery powered engines, two-foot powered carts, and two hand powered carts to ride around the scenic property.

Additionally, there was a decorated sixteen by twenty-foot O Gauge train layout to enjoy for those who preferred to “run the railroad” instead of “ride the railroad.”

It was an enjoyable autumn day and we appreciate all those who came out to participate!

ASNE President Mark Hugel, RADM, USN (Ret), kicked off the 2019-2020 dinner/meeting program on September 18, providing an update on the state of the Society, as well as his major priorities and challenges for his two-year term and beyond. He made an impassioned plea for a focus on membership, young professionals and   student outreach, driven principally through engagement at the local Section level.  Executive Director Dale “Kid” Lumme was also in attendance, making a special trip from ASNE headquarters in Washington, DC for this event. Thank you both for helping us kick-start the season!

Before President Hugel spoke, Mr. Paul Siebeking was presented a special certificate of recognition.  One of the four (4) ASNE TW scholarships was named for Mr. Siebeking.  Additionally, Paul was acknowledged for 50 years of membership within ASNE!  Paul was deeply humbled to be honored and recognized for his achievements.

Mike D’Amato, ASNE TW Programs Committee Co-Chair, gave a brief presentation of the ASNE-Sika 25th    Annual Build-A-Boat Challenge held in June 2019.  He thanked all those involved who helped make it a success.  The net proceeds from the event (over $7,000!) went toward ASNE scholarship funds and STEM grants.

ASNE Tidewater provides financial support to schools and clubs in the Tidewater area of Virginia for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs.

The 2019-2020 Dewitt Davis STEM Award Application will be accepted up to October 1, 2019 (for dispersion in the Fall semester), and February 1, 2020 (for dispersion in the Spring semester). 

The application form is available for download here.

ASNE's mission is to advance the knowledge and practice of naval engineering in public and private applications and operations, to enhance the  professionalism and well-being of members, and to promote naval engineering as a career field. The field of naval engineering can encompass naval architecture (marine, ocean, mechanical, structural, civil, environmental, aeronautical, electrical and electronic engineering), and the physical sciences.

The 2019 ASNE-Sikaflex Ultimate Build-A-Boat Challenge took place June 8-9 at the Norfolk Harborfest at Town Point Park. We celebrated our 25th Anniversary! Special thanks to our corporate and personal sponsors. 100% of net proceeds go to fund ASNE Scholarship and STEM Programs.  Here are some photos of the boat building & race and presentation of the event!