Virginia Ship Repair Association

At this past Tuesday’s General Membership Luncheon, we had the distinct honor of recognizing Don Everton and announcing his retirement from our Board of Directors.

Don leaves behind an incredible legacy, bringing over 40 years of profound experience to the ship repair and maritime industry. Currently the Vice President of Government Programs for Lyon Shipyard, Inc., Don has masterfully overseen government contracting, estimating, quality assurance, and the Lyon Down River Program since joining the team in 2014.

His remarkable career journey is a testament to his dedication to our trade:
1976: Graduated from Tidewater Community College with an Associates in Science.
1982: Graduated from the Norshipco apprentice program, where he built his foundation and rose through the ranks in production, estimating, and contract management.
2005: Brought his expertise to Maersk Line Limited as a Contracting Manager, handling major acquisitions and subcontracts for MSC and MARAD vessels.

Don, thank you for your outstanding leadership on the Board of Directors and your lifelong, dedicated contributions to the ship repair industry. We wish you fair winds and following seas in your well-deserved retirement!

A heartfelt thank you to Laura Baxter from the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) for joining us at our recent VSRA General Membership Luncheon! Laura shared an incredible look into how the ASYMCA Hampton Roads supports our local military families, providing vital resources and helping to build resilience in military children through initiatives like the Patriots Pantry and Operation Hero.

VSRA is a proud, ongoing supporter of the ASYMCA and the critical work they do every day for those who serve. During the luncheon, it was our absolute privilege to present a special donation to the ASYMCA in honor of VADM Gumbleton. Sharing this meaningful moment with both VADM Gumbleton and Laura present was a profound honor for our association.

To see the powerful impact the ASYMCA is making in our community, we highly encourage you to watch the video Laura shared with us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUvBh0hrFrk

Yesterday, the Virginia Ship Repair Association had the distinct honor of hosting VADM John Gumbleton, Deputy Commander of U.S. Fleet Forces Command, at our General Membership Luncheon.

During his address, Vice Admiral Gumbleton delivered insights into the unprecedented demand for naval power, noting that operational requirements are currently "off the charts."

He openly acknowledged that budget caps and planning volatility remain major friction points, and he emphasized the Navy's push to award contracts earlier to provide better planning stability. This aligns perfectly with our primary mission: securing a predictable ship repair workload, which is the true driver for retaining our skilled workforce and revitalizing the American maritime trades. There must be stable schedule of ships to repair to keep a workforce.

Additionally, Vice Admiral Gumbleton highlighted the Navy's pivot toward "shorter, sharper" maintenance availabilities and the piloting of AI-driven engineering tools to reduce the planning burden on shipyards. This perfectly echoes VSRA's ongoing push to eliminate bureaucratic process friction and modernize our infrastructure.

Above all, he emphasized that the relationship between the Navy and the industrial repair base must be a true "partnership element" rather than a merely transactional one. Working closely together is the only way to meet these complex challenges, stabilize our yards, and maintain our national security. A strategic goal of VSRA is to foster that partnership as our members continue to try to better our industry.

We are incredibly grateful for his time, transparency, and steadfast support of our industry.

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Today, we celebrate the future of our industry by recognizing six future tradespeople who are the inaugural recipients of the VSRF Victor Figueroa Volunteer of the Year Scholarship!

Funded by the Bill Crow Memorial Endowment Fund, this $24,000 total scholarship honors Bill’s legacy by identifying students with incredible leadership and a commitment to excellence. These future tradespeople are committing to advancing their careers right here in the Virginia Ship Repair Community!

Let's recognize our incredible winners:
- Kaliel Sciotto is pursuing a career as a Deck Electrician through the Marine Trade Training program. He shared, “Being able to fix and build something as complex as a ship takes skills like teamwork, communication, and knowledge.”
- Dante Hunt is taking his next steps as a Pipefitter while advancing his career at BAE Systems. He noted, “I am the next generation for the shipyard. This scholarship will get me far in my career...”
- David Gourley is studying Civil Engineering Technology at Old Dominion University to become a Civil/Field Engineer. He stated, “My dream is to channel my lifelong passion and my renewed sense of purpose into a career within the Virginia maritime community.”
- Alexander Shrieves is heading to State University of New York Maritime College to become a Mechanical Engineer. He explained, “From a young age, I was surrounded by stories of dedication, craftsmanship, and the pride that comes from working on some of the most important vessels in the United States."

A massive shoutout to two phenomenal future tradespeople unable to attend today's luncheon, but equally celebrated for their achievements:
- Jazmine Johnson is transitioning from Firewatch to Welder at Tidewater Tech.
- Sulejman Fejzulla is a future Cyber Security Specialist graduating from Hampton High School's VSRA Maritime Academy.

Please join us in applauding these remarkable students as they step into the industry!

The shipyards and ship repair industry has many availabilities for blue-collar and white-collar workers to grow in one of the most important industries in keeping America safe.

Go to or send someone you know that needs a new job to: ShipRepairJobs.com

We have the jobs listed in the image and more available RIGHT NOW. With over 340 companies with VSRA able to post jobs to our board, there is a constant need for people joining the industry and actively pursuing career growth.

If you're looking for an AI job match tool we have available, go to the following Oplign, LLC link that matches your background:
- Veteran: https://app.oplign.com/Account/FeaturedJobKiosk?SelectedCompany=7412&Mode=ada6c031-6a43-4745-8a8c-a35be7e8355c

- Tradesperson: https://app.oplign.com/Account/FeaturedJobKioskTradelign?SelectedCompany=7412&Mode=ada6c031-6a43-4745-8a8c-a35be7e8355c

- Professional: https://app.oplign.com/Account/FeaturedJobKioskClear?SelectedCompany=7412&Mode=ada6c031-6a43-4745-8a8c-a35be7e8355c

- Student: https://app.oplign.com/Account/FeaturedJobKioskGradlign?SelectedCompany=7412&Mode=ada6c031-6a43-4745-8a8c-a35be7e8355c

For this , we are proud to feature Jose Leon, a Welder at Advanced Integrated Technologies (AIT), LLC and a standout nominee for the 2025 VSRF Senior Tradesperson of the Year award.

Jose consistently demonstrates a proactive approach to his craft, leading safety briefings and earning recognition from supervisors and the ship's force during critical repair projects. By introducing innovative welding techniques, he has successfully reduced rework by 20%, significantly improving efficiency and quality on the waterfront.

Beyond his impressive technical skills, Jose's impact extends far beyond the shipyard. Through his versatile mentorship and outreach efforts, he is an active community leader who inspires the next generation of tradespeople and shows a profound commitment to public engagement and workforce development.

To learn more about the Tradesperson of the Year Awards, go here: https://www.virginiashiprepair.org/VSRFProgram/4/19th-Annual-Tradesperson-of-the-Year-Awards

This Memorial Day, the Virginia Ship Repair Association remembers and honors the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Across our 320+ member companies, we are profoundly grateful for their legacy, and we remain dedicated to supporting the fleet and the service members who keep our country safe.

Help us welcome the newest member of the VSRA team, Kim Carroll!

Kim joined our staff and will be driving our workforce initiatives forward by supporting our training programs and educational partnerships. With her proven strengths in implementing strategic initiatives, leading teams, and managing resources, she is a tremendous asset to our Association and our member companies.

When she isn't on the clock, Kim enjoys photography, traveling, baking, and spending quality time with her husband and children. Welcome aboard, Kim!

For this , we are honored to recognize Lavell Glover, a Special Projects Team Lead at HII Fleet Support Group LLC and a distinguished nominee for the 2025 VSRF Senior Tradesperson of the Year award. With a strong commitment to professional growth, Lavell has earned an A.A.S. in Electrical Technology, is currently completing an A.S. in Business Administration with a 4.0 GPA, and finished his apprenticeship academic requirements two years ahead of schedule.

Lavell is a multi-trade leader who takes great pride in mentoring his diverse team of electricians, mechanics, welders, and laborers. Recently, he personally trained fifteen U.S. Navy Sailors to refurbish a ship's 1J telephone system, successfully restoring service to over 1,100 telephones. He also led his team in installing 37 water fountains and 14 washer/dryer sets, directly improving the morale and living conditions of shipboard personnel.

A steadfast advocate for safety, Lavell ensures every team member understands the "why" behind safety protocols so they can protect the entire crew. His dedication extends to his community as well; as a member of the Disabled American Veterans (DAV), he recently volunteered his time to help three U.S. military veterans navigate the complex process of successfully obtaining their VA benefits.

Welcome Home Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group!

After a historic 11-month deployment and successful operations across the 4th, 5th, and 6th Fleets, the sailors of the USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78), USS Bainbridge, and USS Mahan are returning to Naval Station Norfolk this Saturday.

We salute the nearly 4,500 sailors for their dedication and service during Operations Southern Spear, Absolute Resolve, and Epic Fury. Your safe return is a victory for our entire region.

Resetting the Force:
As these vessels return to homeport, the Virginia Ship Repair Association (VSRA) and our member companies stand ready. Our skilled workforce is prepared to begin the essential maintenance and modernization required to "reset the force," ensuring these high-tech assets remain the most capable in the world.

Welcome home, Shipmates!