Jennifer Boykin on operations
From Work Commences at Newport News Shipbuilding – Charleston Operations · · HII
“Welcome to our very first town hall as Newport News Shipbuilding Charleston operations and I can't tell you how excited I am to celebrate the official start of production here in Charleston.”
On , Jennifer Boykin, Executive Vice President & President of Newport News Shipbuilding at Huntington Ingalls Industries Inc, spoke about operations during Work Commences at Newport News Shipbuilding – Charleston Operations on HII.
About Jennifer Boykin
Jennifer Boykin, president of Newport News Shipbuilding, announced her retirement at the end of 2024. In a farewell message, she thanked shipbuilders for their commitment and highlighted the year's accomplishments, including the delivery of the submarine New Jersey, the redelivery of the submarine Montana, the launch of the submarine Massachusetts, and the christening of the submarine Arkansas. She also noted the delivery of the first Columbia-class stern unit, completion of dry dock work on USS John C. Stennis, and the transfer of CVN 80 Enterprise to begin assembly on Doris Miller. Boykin stated that she would transition into retirement knowing the company would continue under the leadership of Carrie Wilkinson. In February 2025, Boykin celebrated the start of production at the company's new Charleston Operations site in South Carolina)Skip. She stated that the site would produce high-quality, mission-ready ship components and that the company planned to ramp production to over a thousand shipbuilders in the next 24 to 36 months. Boykin emphasized the importance of instilling a strong safety culture and noted that work on a first aircraft carrier unit and a submarine module would begin within two weeks. She also acknowledged that in 2022, 26 warships had deficiencies with welds, and she expressed confidence that improved training and oversight would prevent the mistakes from recurring.