EDP Highlight: Matt DeLong

For as long as he could remember, Nuclear Engineering Planning Department (NEPD) Training Branch Head Matt DeLong has considered himself a leader – someone who works well with others and can bring out the best in people. For fourteen years, DeLong had dedicated his efforts to the Reactor Servicing Division (Code 2370) at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY), developing the future engineers as leaders within their field. However, as he aimed to pursue further leadership opportunities in his own career, he found he had hit a roadblock.

“Though I loved my time in my division, I found I was having issues being selected for higher positions,” said DeLong. “I took a hard look at myself and I found that I didn’t have a good grasp at what the rest of the shipyard does beyond my division, how each position works to benefit the Navy, or even how the other shipyards and Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) plays a part in our day-to-day operations. I was missing the bigger picture and I wanted to find ways to expand my learning in order to help benefit my career path.”

He had spent years developing the growing workforce of NNSY. Now, with the support of mentors like Nuclear Engineering and Planning Department Head Curt Hart or former NEPD Training Branch Head Stephanie Walz, DeLong decided to apply for the Executive Development Program (EDP). He was selected as one of the four candidates as part of Cadre 9.

“I had heard about the EDP years ago when one of my colleagues, Andrew Kirby, was accepted into the program. I saw firsthand what he was able to accomplish with the program,” said DeLong. “In this program, we get the opportunity to meet some of the most influential people throughout the enterprise and build relationships with them. Being in Code 2370 all of my career, I was sheltered from interactions with a good population of the shipyard. In this program, I’m finally breaking out of that shell and learning firsthand how the shipyard works from all angles. I get to speak to folks directly and learn from them what work they do, how they got to where they’re at today, what advice they can provide. I get to sit down with high profile leaders and pick their brains about their personal and professional journeys, really diving into the leadership aspect with some of the most influential leaders in our business.”

DeLong is excited to learn from shipyard and NAVSEA leaders and to explore the world of naval operations.

Getting to Know Matt DeLong

Q. What Brought you to NNSY?

A. My father worked at NNSY for 42 years. Growing up in this area, I always knew about the shipyard and how I could play a part in it. After I graduated from Old Dominion University with an engineering degree, I had several job offers. Knowing how my dad was able to provide for my family growing up and the pride he felt working here, I decided to take a position in NEPD.

Q. What are some things that you excel at? What are some things that you struggle with?

A. I’m a very honest person and don’t like to sugarcoat anything. I’m not going to try and be something I’m not. Being genuine is very important to me. I’m also very good at building relationships with my people and truly being invested in them. I never use the term "supervisor" when describing myself because I don’t feel that I am one. I would much rather surround myself with people who want to work with me and we can build each other up, developing one another to our full potential.

Sometimes I’m not the best listener and I definitely have to work on that. I’m the type of person who is a perfectionist. I like things a certain way to the point that I’ll do the majority of the work just to ensure it gets done the way I like it. I realize that I can’t do things on my own. I have to trust in my team. I need to give them the vision and let them get the job done. I have to provide them the tools they need to succeed and give up some of that control. It’s difficult but it’s important to see those flaws and adjust to better yourself.

Q. What mark do you hope to leave at the shipyard?

A. For me, it’s always been about developing leaders at the shipyard. I’ve been here for fourteen years, and for six years I’ve been directly involved in Code 2370's Training Branch. There’s a lot of engineers that come through the pipeline every year and I’ve had an involvement with their development and progression through their careers. Just as my mentors have helped provide for me, I want to give back as much as possible to the shipyard workforce. I hope that my legacy here is for us to continue to build each other up and develop each other. Continue to push each other to be the very best they can be. No matter where I end up in the future, knowing that I’ve helped play a part here is huge for me and I’m so thankful to have been given the chance to help others succeed.

Q. What’s some advice you’d give to employees looking to step out of their comfort zone?

A. One of the biggest issues I believe we face right now in our workforce is not building relationships with one another. Take my journey for example, I remained in my division for many years in my career without stepping out of that comfort zone. In order to do the work we do at the shipyard everyday, there needs to be mutual trust across the board with our employees. However, many of them don’t know each other so it’s hard to have that trust instilled in them. We need to take those steps to speak with people, learn from them, get out of our comfort zones. Find ways to network with others you normally wouldn’t interact with, such as joining an organization or attending group events.

Q. In your own words, what does America’s Shipyard mean to you?

A. Security. I recruit a lot for the shipyard, going to schools across the country and speaking with students interested in a career at NNSY. The question that gets asked a lot is why do you work at the shipyard. The work I’ve done over my 14 year career here so far has been extraordinary. I’ve personally overseen work on three different submarines. The work our shipyard did breathed new life into those assets, delivering them back to the fleet to perform their mission to our country. Those ships are out there now doing just that and just knowing that we’re an extremely vital part in upholding the mission is so important to me. We’re vital in helping ensure our country and the world is a safer place to be.

Q. What’s life like outside of the shipyard?

A. I’m happily married to my wife, Carrie, who is a school teacher. We have a nine-year-old daughter and a six-year-old son. I’m very family-oriented and love to spend time with my wife and kids. I coach my son’s soccer team and I’m currently reading the Harry Potter series with my daughter.

I enjoy the beach and boating. In addition, I’m a big fan of amusement parks so my family is often at Busch Gardens Williamsburg riding the roller coasters. Whenever we get the chance, we love being outdoors.