HII Announces New Vice President of Columbia-Class Program
May 26 2022 - 12:15PM
Global defense and technologies partner HII (NYSE:HII) announced
today that Brandi Smith has been named vice president of the
Columbia-class program at the company’s Newport News Shipbuilding
division. Smith will succeed Charles Southall, who will retire July
1 after more than 35 years of distinguished service.
The U.S. Navy has identified the Columbia class as
its No. 1 acquisition priority. Twelve
Columbia-class boats will replace the fleet of Ohio-class nuclear
ballistic submarines and take over the role of the nation’s
sea-based strategic deterrent; these submarines will provide the
most survivable leg of the nation’s strategic triad.
Southall began his Newport News Shipbuilding career in 1986 as
an engineering intern in the submarine program and has served in
various roles of increasing responsibility. During his tenure as
director of advanced submarine programs, he established the
Columbia-class submarine program office. Southall also served as
the division’s chief engineer and engineering vice president,
responsible for leading engineering efforts across all Navy
programs.
“Since the very beginning of his career, Charles has
demonstrated deep commitment and ownership for every program, every
assignment and every ship he has supported,” said Jennifer Boykin,
president of Newport News Shipbuilding. “His leadership and
technical acumen have shaped the design and construction of our
nuclear fleet for more than three decades, and his impact will
endure for generations to come.”
On June 1, Smith will assume her new role leading company-wide
management, leadership, cost, schedule and technical performance of
the Columbia-class program. Smith will report to Matt Needy, vice
president of Navy programs.
“Brandi’s experiences encompass a breadth of service on every
ship class in our portfolio from ‘design-build’ through
‘in-service’ maintenance,” Boykin said. “Her academic, technical,
industrial and proven leadership has uniquely prepared her for this
role.”
Photos accompanying this release are available at:
https://newsroom.hii.com/releases/hii-columbia-class-program-smith-southall.
Smith began her career at Newport News in 2002 as an engineer in
the carrier overhaul program. She has held positions of increasing
responsibility throughout her career, including interim director of
construction engineering for the Ford class, engineering lead for
Integrated Digital Shipbuilding, director of quality control
responsible for all nuclear, non-nuclear, and non-destructive
testing inspectors and most recently serves as Columbia-class
construction program director.
She earned a mechanical engineering degree from
North Carolina State University and an MBA degree from The College
of William and Mary.
HII is an all-domain defense and technologies
partner, recognized worldwide as America’s largest shipbuilder.
With a 135-year history of trusted partnerships in advancing U.S.
national security, HII delivers critical capabilities ranging from
the most powerful and survivable naval ships ever built, to
unmanned systems, ISR and AI/ML analytics. HII leads the industry
in mission-driven solutions that support and enable an all-domain
force. Headquartered in Virginia, HII’s skilled workforce is 44,000
strong. For more information please visit:
- HII on the
web: https://www.hii.com/
- HII on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamHII
- HII on
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/wearehii
- HII on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearehii
Contact:
Todd CorilloTodd.T.Corillo@hii-co.com (757) 688-3220
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