Executive Vice President & President of Ingalls Shipbuilding Division, Huntington Ingalls
Search every verified Kari Wilkinson interview, podcast appearance, and on-the-record quote — each transcript cross-checked by AI and human review to confirm speaker identity. Kari Wilkinson, president of Ingalls Shipbuilding, has been discussing the company's role in national defense and workforce development. She described amphibious warships as "part of our national defense strategy" and stated that "we can't build ships fast enough for our customer right now because they need them today." Wilkinson noted that the company secured a $9.6 billion contract to build ships for the military and said "we've got great line of sight, good backlog — but we just need to execute for our customers." She emphasized that "people are the most extraordinary element of our collective industry" and that "investing in developing and retaining people are the absolute lifeblood of this business." Wilkinson has also addressed the company's evolving workforce and technology. She stated that "today we have a more diverse workforce than ever" and that HII is "expanding and growing into digital and ISR solutions" including "big data and artificial intelligence, autonomy and unmanned systems." She described the company's culture as "whatever we want it to be" and said "it's how we treat one another." Wilkinson announced her transition to a new position at Newport News Shipbuilding, stating "I'm excited to join the Newport News team." Her successor at Ingalls, Brian Blanchette, was noted as taking over the role.
“Amphibious warships are part of our national defense strategy — they are supporting the United States Marine Corps and the United States Navy's ability to project power from sea to shore.”
“I'm excited to join the Newport News team — I've built family here, but I'm excited to join the Newport News Shipbuilding team and I think I'll find family there as well.”
“We've got great line of sight, good backlog — but we just need to execute for our customers.”
“Anytime you can secure a $9.6 billion contract to build ships for our military, that's pretty solid on the resume.”
“Apprenticeships — that's where that next wave of talent comes in; we're happy to teach them and incorporate people coming from other trades.”
“COVID was difficult, but the enterprise writ large — we really just focused on people and how we take care of shipbuilders.”
“Seeing what shipbuilders can do — that's probably the highlight; I've seen some extraordinary things happen in the shipyard.”
“My successor, Brian, is equally focused on that — I think it's going to be a good transition and he's going to bring some really great things.”
“Culture is whatever we want it to be ... it's how we treat one another. I very much view the shipyard as a family — I have people here that I've been very, very close to over the years ... the culture I look for is treating the people around me like they are part of my family and I want them to succeed and be safe.”
“When I first had the honor to come into the role ... the first word that came to my mind was extraordinary. We take raw materials — plate, raw pipe, cable — and our shipbuilders put that together and create things that go out and defend peace around the globe.”
“Our customers need us to do what we're doing — we can't build ships fast enough for our customer right now because they need them today. All of the things that we have in backlog and the ships we're trying to negotiate are really important to what's happening around the globe.”
“Shipbuilding is not for everyone — it is a commitment and not everybody can do it. I've had the honor to work with some extraordinary people along the way and they've really helped me define who I am.”
“Seeing our ships overseas doing the things that they do makes me really think about the privileges and the blessings that are in my life ... what we do here really does that at a global scale.”
“The thing that keeps most of us coming back is that sense of purpose and being connected to something bigger than ourselves — whether it's faith, family, community or the mission that we're helping to enable and fulfill.”
“Nothing in this amazing shipyard — nothing happens without people. The power behind Ingalls Shipbuilding is people.”
Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson looks back on her legacy before moving on to her new position at Newport News ...
No matter the role, the work of an Ingalls shipbuilder is both complex and inspiring. On the newest episode of the Inside Ingalls ...
Live Event | USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123) Commissioning 05.13.2023 09:45:00 AM Scheduled from May 13 2023 9:45 AM EDT to May 13 2023 11:30 AM EDT On May 13 in Key West Florida; the US Navy will commission DDG-123 the USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee. She is named for Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee a pioneering Navy Nurse. USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG 123) The Navy League Key West Council is the proud sponsor of the Commissioning Ceremony for USS Lenah Sutcliffe Higbee (DDG-123), a United States Navy Arleigh Burke-class Flight IIA guided missile destroyer, the 73rd overall for the class. She…
Welcome to Inside Ingalls! The first episode featuring Ingalls President Kari Wilkinson is available now. This brand-new monthly video podcast will provide an inside look at the people, community and legacy that make Ingalls Shipbuilding what it is. With more than eight decades of history, there are plenty of stories to tell. This series will feature guests each month who will give an inside glimpse at what makes their experience at Ingalls so unique.
Kari Wilkinson, president of Ingalls Shipbuilding, delivered the opening keynote at the Sea-Air-Space expo about the strength and ...
Kari Wilkinson, president of Ingalls Shipbuilding, delivered the opening keynote at the Sea-Air-Space expo about the strength and ...
Kari Wilkinson, president of Ingalls Shipbuilding, delivered the opening keynote at the Sea-Air-Space expo about the strength and ...
Kari Wilkinson, president of Ingalls Shipbuilding, delivered the opening keynote at the Sea-Air-Space expo about the strength and ...
As Ingalls Shipbuilding President Kari Wilkinson completes her first month on the job, she shares her thoughts on the company’s future in terms of our people, our community, and our legacy. Kari believes the time is now to leverage our collective creativity to build upon the achievements and progress of the last 83 years.
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