HII Announces Vice President of Trades at Newport News Shipbuilding

HII, a global defense provider, has recently announced the promotion of David Horne to the position of vice president of trades at its Newport News Shipbuilding division. This promotion comes as part of a strategic restructuring within the organization, separating trades and human resources and administration into two standalone entities. Xavier Beale will continue to serve as vice president of human resources and administration, with both Horne and Beale reporting directly to NNS President Jennifer Boykin.

The decision to restructure the teams reflects the evolving dynamics of the organization, recognizing the distinct responsibilities and leadership requirements of each department. Boykin emphasized the critical role played by both the human resources and administration team, focusing on employee hiring, retention, and development, as well as the trades team, responsible for executing work volume safely and efficiently.

David Horne’s promotion is a testament to his exceptional leadership, extensive experience, and unwavering dedication to the organization. With a shipbuilding career spanning over four decades, Horne’s wealth of knowledge and expertise will contribute significantly to the strengthening of standards and principles across the entire organization. Having held various positions of increasing responsibility, including trade director and program trade director, Horne’s promotion is well-deserved recognition of his contributions.

Horne’s shipbuilding journey began in 1983 as a welder, and he later joined NNS’ Apprentice School as a pipefitter. He is a third-generation shipbuilder, deeply rooted in the industry. Horne’s educational background includes a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Christopher Newport University and a master’s degree in engineering management from Florida Institute of Technology.

HII, as the nation’s largest military shipbuilder, has a rich history of over 135 years in advancing U.S. national security. The company’s mission is to deliver powerful ships and all-domain solutions in service of the nation, enabling its customers to protect peace and freedom worldwide. HII’s capabilities extend beyond shipbuilding to encompass unmanned systems, cyber, ISR, AI/ML, and synthetic training, making it a comprehensive defense provider.

With its headquarters in Virginia, HII boasts a strong workforce of 43,000 dedicated professionals. The company’s commitment to delivering critical defense capabilities has positioned it as a trusted partner in safeguarding national security.

For more information about HII and its contributions to the defense industry, please visit their website.