Outstanding Service and Contribution in the Development of Systems and Planning Applying to Shipbuilding and Ship Repair
The William M. Kennedy Award
James F. Hughes
Jim Hughes is the retired vice president of Submarines and Fleet Support at Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries in Newport News, Va. Named to that position in 2011, Hughes was responsible for all aspects of the Virginia-class submarine construction program, Ohio replacement support program, as well as submarine fleet maintenance in Newport News and ongoing fleet support activities conducted world-wide.
From 2008 until 2011, Hughes served as vice president for In-Service Aircraft Carriers and was responsible for planning and executing aircraft carrier overhaul programs and fleet support work. He began his career at Newport News Shipbuilding in 1981, as an engineer in Aircraft Carrier Engineering. Subsequently, he worked in various positions of increasing responsibility including engineering supervisor, engineering manager, design manager, trades manager and director of Aircraft Carrier Engineering. He also served as program director for the USS Carl Vinson refueling and complex overhaul and oversaw the cost, schedule and work performance for the project.
Hughes earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from Virginia Tech and a master’s degree in business administration from the College of William and Mary. He is a member of the American Society of Naval Engineers, the Navy League, the Naval Submarine League, the Naval Institute and the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers.