GROTON, CT – Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Groton recognized ten military and civilian employees last month during its sixth annual Employee Excellence Awards observance.
The SUPSHIP Groton Employee Excellence Award Board selected 10 winners, one for each award category, out of over 35 nominations from peers, supervisors and customers this year.
Director of Corporate Business Operations, SUPSHIP, Groton, Sonja Smilinich said this sixth year that SUPSHIP Groton has presented the Employee Excellence awards was “a star studded event much like the Oscars.”
The awards and winners are as follows:
Business Administration Excellence Award - Amy Ryan (Mello), C421
Customer Service Excellence Award - Chris Hagen, C810
Environmental and Safety Awareness Award - K. Ryan Lafluer, C140
Project Management Excellence Award - Kimberly Jenkinson, C160A
Fleet Support Excellence Award - Kevin Wagner, C157D
Logistics Excellence Award - Swilla Moore, C413
Quality Assurance Excellence Award - Todd Grace, C341
Engineering Excellence Award - David Bratton, C272
Employee of the Year Award - Chris Hagen, C810
Supervisor of the Year Award - David Foret, C154U
Descriptions of the Awards and words from the winners:
Business Administration Excellence Award - Amy Ryan (Mello), SSGR C421
This award is given to an individual or group for outstanding efforts in the area of contracting, budgeting, contracts accounting or financial management. Outstanding efforts may be in the following areas: local procurement for Navy ship repair efforts, execution of assigned Contract Administration functions, budgeting, contracts accounting, financial management or business administration.
Ms. Mello received this award for her outstanding efforts in the area of contracting and recognized for her enthusiasm and tireless work ethic and it was noted “She works hard to understand all the elements within the process and respond accurately and in a timely manner”.
Customer Service Excellence Award - Chris Hagen, SSGR C810
This award recognizes the individual or group who has exhibited commitment to service; sustained high level of productivity and consistent quality of work; demonstrated high degree of initiative in the performance of responsibilities; displayed exceptional dependability; maintains, demonstrates and exhibits effective relationships with other.
Mr. Hagen demonstrated consistent commitment to the success of our Command with regards to technical support. Since his onboarding with SSGR in June 2019, he has established effective relationships with all and dependably fulfills all requests with urgency and completeness. It is noted from his nomination that “Mr. Hagen's attitude and willingness to help others is a genuinely admirable trait and is undoubtedly recognizable to our workforce, the customers he serves.” When asked what was the most meaningful for being recognized with multiple nominations in this category, Chris said “Customer support is very important to me. When I first arrived here about two years ago, I was lost and confused trying to find my way through the maze of partitions, not to mention the different things I had to learn to do on the computer… So my thought is, that if I can concentrate on helping users learn about and help them with the issues they run into on their computers, new employees as well as those who have been in the organization, I can help make life easier for everyone. It seems like every time we figure out and learn one solution there is another/different issue near behind.”
Environmental and Safety Awareness Award - K. Ryan Lafluer, SSGR C140
This award recognizes the individual or group who, by their own actions identified or modified unsafe acts or practices and demonstrated the highest level of Environmental and Safety Awareness in the command. Such actions may include the following: Identify a serious Safety Hazard for correction; reduce the risk of a hazardous job by using an alternate method; eliminated a Safety or Health Hazard on their own; research and recommend an alternative and less Hazardous Material; leadership in improving Environmental Safety and Health (ESH) at the Command; informing a coworker of their potential unsafe act thereby avoiding an injury; modify a work process on own initiative to reduce hazards; or any other action which improved ESH at SSGR.
Mr. Lafleur’s was hired just before the COVID pandemic and was quickly recognized as an indispensable asset to the Safety Department by implementing twice weekly environmental tours at Groton and once monthly at Quonset Point. He has kept leadership informed at all levels of the Environmental Safety and Health (ESH) status at the Command and demonstrated the highest level of Environmental and Safety Awareness. When asked about the first reaction to being nominated and receiving the award, Ryan said “It was a complete surprise and a huge honor to be recognized.” He hopes that this acknowledgement “motivates everyone to up their environmental and safety game for the betterment of all.”
Project Management Excellence Award - Kimberly Jenkinson, SSGR C160A
This award recognizes the individual or group who has exhibited excellence in project management; sustained a high level of productivity and consistent quality of work; demonstrated high degree of initiative in the performance of responsibilities; displayed exceptional dependability; maintains, demonstrates and exhibits effective relationship with others.
Ms. Jenkinson was recognized for her excellence in project management and her consistent high quality work. Her nomination noted she “briefs project managers, NAVSEA08, and the PEO’s directly. All of her analysis and products are provided in reports that are generated and viewed by the most senior level of the programs we support.” Her reputation and level of work brings the highest credibility to herself and to SSGR.
Fleet Support Excellence Award - Kevin Wagner, SSGR C157D
This award recognizes an individual or group for outstanding solutions or contributions that directly support the Fleet in areas of in-service engineering, logistics support, training, test evaluation, or acquisition processes. Outstanding fleet support may include: consistent timeliness in response to emergent requests from the Fleet for support; strives to provide Fleet Support at the best value; demonstrated skills in the identification of process improvements or technical solutions that have provided the Fleet significant return on investment or improved operational capabilities.
Mr. Wagner was recognized for outstanding contributions in support of the architecture and negotiation of the HARTFORD EOH Planning Contract valued at, in excess, of $120 million dollars currently in place and spans 18 months. He observed shortfalls and took a leadership role among all stakeholders (PMS392, SEA02, SEA04, SEA08, TYCOM, Electric Boat (EB) and SSGR) providing recommendations for the EOH contract structure and identified technical solutions to minimize the loss of operational time for HARTFORD. It was noted in his nomination that “Kevin is a dedicated, passionate person whom takes his responsibilities seriously. His primary objective in accomplishing his responsibilities is to place the US Government in the best possible position while seeking the best value both for the NAVY and EB.”
Logistics Excellence Award - Swilla Moore, SSGR C413
This award recognizes an individual or group for outstanding contributions and efforts in the logistics area of configuration development, supply support, government furnished equipment/material, government property administration, transportation, and special nuclear material.
Ms. Moore was recognized for outstanding contributions and efforts in the logistics area through her established contacts in multiple geographically-separated locations and ensured mission success within her cognizance. Swillia provided in-depth property management insight during the 2020 remote Property Management System Audit. She coordinated with Defense Contract Audit Agency personnel, training them remotely on property management receipt processes, ultimately ensuring GDEB’s property receipt process was in accordance with FAR 52.245-1 Government Property.
Quality Assurance Excellence Award - Todd Grace, SSGR C341
This award recognizes the individual or group who through personal/team initiative has incorporated or significantly contributed to quality assurance in either SSGR or Electric Boat processes/programs. The identified quality improvement has led to increased customer satisfaction or positively impacted Command goals.
Mr. Grace was recognized for his personal initiative and significant contributions to quality assurance and development of the NDT Quality Assurance Team. His continuous presence in the shipyard providing the necessary oversight of critical processes during the COVID-19 work restrictions, helped ensure that these areas were properly surveilled and deficiencies were identified. He continues to provide direct feedback to QAS’s on how to improve their observations and ensures their input is effective and meaningful. When asked about a teacher or mentor who made an impact on Todd’s Career here at SUPSHIP Groton, Grace said “Eric Ramsey (C300 Department Head); He leads by example and balances mission and quality of life extremely well for his team.” Having mentors and leaders setting the example and being recognized for quality improvements has led to increased customer satisfaction and positively impacted SSGR Command goals. When asked in his own words what specific contribution to Quality Assurance excellence is most meaningful, Grace answered “My shipyard presence during quarantine. As locked down as things got, oversight of the shipbuilder needed to happen. Our warfighters’ lives depend on it...”
Engineering Excellence Award - David Bratton, SSGR C272
This award recognizes the individual or group judged to have made the most significant contribution in the areas of technical/engineering breakthroughs, program management, cost reduction, or achievement/maintenance of a total quality technical environment.
Mr. David Bratton made significant contributions and exceeded all expectations as the SSGR Engineering Department Lead for coordination of the test effort of the COLUMBIA Class Integrated Propulsion System (IPS) at the Compatibility Test Facility (CTF) at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Dave also worked on an important loss of throttle control issue for the command. Dave provides exceptional technical support in whatever he engages in, and his contributions are putting SSGR on the map for COLUMBIA testing at CTF Philly.
Employee of the Year Award - CHRIS HAGEN, SSGR C810
This award recognizes an individual bargaining unit member or enlisted military member who demonstrated excellence in achieving customer satisfaction; improving processes; empowering, encouraging, or assisting co-workers; promoting effective communications and teamwork. The achievement will be of significant scope and have brought credit to the Command or its employees, and have lasting benefit to the entire command and its personnel as a whole.
Mr. Hagen is the 2021 SUPSHIP Groton Employee of the Year and was recognized for demonstrated excellence in achieving customer satisfaction, improving processes, empowering, encouraging, or assisting co-workers and promoting effective communications and teamwork. The following comments were provided in his nominations; “there is no one more deserving for employee of the year than Chris!” With a massive shift to a remote environment due to COVID, Chris stands ready… and he goes above and beyond everyday – answers calls after hours, calls NMCI to tackle issues for people, etc. He has gone as far as meeting employees in parking lots to assist in solving IT issues as some high risk employees are not able to enter the office.” When asked of his first reaction to winning both awards Chris was “SURPRISED - I did not expect to get an award for doing my job on a regular basis; however, it was quickly followed by pride. It was an honor to be recognized by my peers. Not just the IT Department but the whole SSGR organization. Truly an honor.” As for a teacher/mentor who made an impact on your career here at SUPSHIP Groton, or along your career path thus far. Chris said, “That is a tough question. My first thought is Mike Fernald. He has more than helped me get acclimated here, but the entire 800 Team has been a great deal of support. I can name if I have to, Juan, Eddie, Dave, Chappie, AJ, Dan, Jay, Jen, Karen, Chris, Chris and Sam. When something I don’t know or understand, there is always someone in our 800 team that has the answer… If they don’t know we can’t find the answer there is always someone to work through the issue with me until the answer is found, and if I were to thank the team, I have to thank the entire SSGR team, all departments, I cannot think of a single person who wasn’t polite and courteous while I worked with them. Some people actually require patience as some solutions take time. Great peers make great customers and make customer support better.
This is the best place I have worked so far in my career. I have 10 years working for Army MWR in South Korea, and 6 years in the USAF… Prior to coming here to SSGR I worked for AMF Bowling for 10 years and ran my own business for 4 years… This is by far the best… Best people to work with… Although I can’t say this is always true, I do not feel like I am going to work because I enjoy what I do… “
Supervisor of the Year Award - David Foret SSGR C154U
This award recognizes the achievements by an outstanding supervisor. An outstanding supervisor may have the following attributes: knowledgeable of the work, tasks, operations; is approachable; exhibits fair and consistent treatment; listens, consults, and is open-minded; communicates well; works alongside with, and respects and trusts subordinates; is able to maintain control of a situation; rewards and gives credit to subordinates.
Mr. Foret is recognized as the 2021 Supervisor of the Year and has consistently demonstrated the following attributes: knowledgeable of the work, tasks, operations; is approachable; exhibits fair and consistent treatment; listens, consults, and is open-minded; communicates well; works alongside with, and respects and trusts subordinates; is able to maintain control of a situation; rewards and gives credit to subordinates. His nomination stated “He is recognized as the expert in matters regarding material turnover to the United Kingdom. Sets the standard for quality in all deliverables, ensuring that the UK customer’s needs are satisfied and all requirements are met. Regularly consulted by program stakeholders for input on process improvements and changes prior to implementation, allowing for alignment between SSGR and UK processes and priorities.” Dave’s first reaction when he heard he received the Supervisor of the Year Award was “Very surprised! There are some really great supervisors at SSGR, and I certainly didn’t expect to get an award, much less this one”. When asked what it means personally to be nominated by his peers in this category, he said “It’s very humbling. I work with a great team, and we all pull together to accomplish the mission every day. It’s really nice to be nominated for something like this by people that you have a lot of respect for and who could’ve easily won it themselves.” For Dave, the most meaningful contribution as Supervisor of the Year was “to be able to understand the need, incorporate the requirements, and build a team from scratch to meet it, and to have the team excel the way that it has, especially in the COVID environment, has been a lot of fun and a lot of hard work to pull off”. As a Supervisor at SUPSHIP Groton, we all have a teacher and or mentor who has helped them along the way and Dave said “From day one, Bryan Blanton has been my “unofficial” mentor. He was the one who originally encouraged me to put in for the job as production controller, and he taught me everything about being a government employee and how to excel at SSGR. Whenever, I have a problem or question, he’s my first stop. I’ve also learned a lot about how we do our job as professionals from CDR Levine. He’s an awesome example of how to be an effective leader, and one of the best officers I’ve ever served with.”
“Our Leadership Team at SUPSHIP Groton continues to grow, and it’s important to recognize those who have demonstrated Employee Excellence,” Smilinich said. “We need to encourage and empower all our people from the newest employees to the most seasoned supervisor to take on new challenges and grow as individuals stated Captain Andrew Gillespy, Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Groton.” The SUPSHIP Groton Employee Excellence Awards program has been held for many years and build esprit de corps across the entire command.
SUPSHIP Groton is the liaison between the Department of the Navy and Electric Boat Corporation who is engaged in the design and construction of new OHIO Replacement and VIRGINIA Class nuclear powered submarines, as well as the repair and modernization of LOS ANGELES, SEAWOLF and VIRGINIA Class nuclear submarines in the Fleet.
It is the Supervisor's responsibility to administer all contracts, outfit the ships, assure that the technical and quality assurance requirements of the contracts are fully met, ascertain that satisfactory production schedules are maintained, and ensure that the final product delivered to the Fleet is ready to sail "in harm’s way."
Today, SUPSHIP Groton has approximately 368 civilians and 23 military in three locations: Groton and New London, Connecticut, and Quonset Point, Rhode Island.