Pay it forward. Those three words are imprinted on David Kinnaird’s heart. The Shop 89 Zone Manager illuminates those words as he walks around the sail loft looking for mentoring moments with his team.

"One of my biggest duties as a zone manager is to train my team so that they can take over my job one day," said Kinnaird.

Kinnaird joined Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s apprentice program in July 2005 to become a mechanic. Since then, he’s been picking up knowledge and wisdom not only to benefit himself, but also to benefit his team and incoming apprentices.

"I know what’s it like coming to the shipyard as an apprentice," said Kinnaird. "I am able to relate to their uncertainty and newness when they step onto the shipyard for the first time. With that, I am able to make the apprentices comfortable and know that they have someone on their side who came up through the ranks."

Kinnaird thinks it’s vital as a supervisor to communicate with the workforce. Not only does it show that he cares, but it’s a chance to take these opportunities to pass along his experiences to better the team.

LaShonda Dunston, sail loft refueling supervisor, praises Kinnaird for his leadership, constant help with troubleshooting and problem solving the everyday issues supervisors have to tackle. "He is always willing to share his skills, knowledge and expertise which has in return, made me a better supervisor under his guidance."

Kinnaird saw a chance to challenge and better himself by stepping outside the sail loft, the only place he worked since his first day. He started a new position as Nuclear Training Manager for Code 970. Little did he know at the time that this new position was preparing him for bigger and better things.

"Working in 970QA gave me a chance to grow," said Kinnaird. "I learned various computer programs that I still utilize today."

Nearly three years later, he found out that one of three zone manager positions became available at his old stomping grounds, the sail loft. With his newfound knowledge as training manager, plus his experience of working in the sail loft, he felt he was ready to challenge himself even more. He seized this new challenge with ambition and dedication.

"Through pushing for higher quality, David Kinnaird has benefited the sail loft," said Shop 89 Fabric Worker Supervisor Richard Breeding. "We have replaced old damaged sealing machines with new equipment, replaced a non-functioning cutting machine and doubled our automated cutting machine capacity, upgraded old and broken down sewing machines and other shop improvements that have enabled us to better support the shipyard’s mission."

Kinnaird’s team is responsible for making, packaging and assembling specialized personal protection equipment that is required for various tasks onboard submarines. Kinnaird and his crew also respond to shipyard emergencies.

"David Kinnaird often came to me for advice and mentorship. He’s thanked me multiple times for seeing the potential in him, however, I too am thankful for him," said Code 100PS’s Engineering Tech Mike Griffin. "He has the passion and drive to want to be successful and help others become successful too. I appreciate his desire to seek input, welcome perspectives, and help me think about the diversity of thought and how individual traits can lead to greatness."

Code 990’s Fabric Worker Supervisor Jacob Boyd stated that Kinnaird has strong and consistent leadership within the sail loft on all platforms. He is known for being strict and challenging, yet caring and nurturing to every member of Shop 89 regardless if they fall under his leadership or not.

"Expressing thankfulness to your coworkers lets them know that their efforts haven't gone unnoticed," said Dunston. "That's exactly what David does on a consistent basis with his employees."

The walls of the sail loft doesn’t keep the admiration that Kinnaird’s employees have for him inside. Employees are known to speak highly of him out and about the shipyard.

While not at work, Kinnaird loves to travel. They have been to places like Scotland, Italy, Costa Rica, Belize and Canada. Kinnaird’s dream vacation would be going to Australia. One of the many reasons that Kinnaird likes to travel is because it gives him a chance to recharge and come back to work ready to go full speed ahead.

"I love my job and I love my people. If I am not at my best, how do I expect my people to be at their best?" said Kinnaird. "Taking these trips gives me the energy boost I need to continue to be the kind of leader and mentor that my people deserve and need me to be."

Kinnaird will continue to gain wisdom and tricks of the trade, so that he can pass them off to his team, for every time his team completes a successful task on cost and on time, it is a win for the shipyard. The employees in Shop 89 will push forward with great strides, knowing confidently that Kinnaird will lead them to success and to be proud of their accomplishments.

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