The annual Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) Executive Development Program (EDP) opens its doors to candidates with a common goal: to learn from senior leadership from across the enterprise.

It’s a competitive, corporate program across the four public shipyards, and for the 2018 program four candidates were selected to begin their journey alongside leadership from NNSY and across the United States.

“This program involves a lot of time and effort from the sponsors and candidates, putting in long hours of hard work in an effort to learn and appreciate what we do here at 'America’s Shipyard' and what our entire enterprise does as well,” said EDP Sponsor, Engineering and Planning Department Manager (Code 200) Michael Zydron. “It’s a very competitive program, and by being selected, this program shows just how much character and compassion for the job these four candidates have. They are always willing to learn and willing to go above and beyond the call of duty.”

The EDP is open annually to all NNSY civilian employees who are at a permanent GS-12 or GS-13 level, and who have been in their current position for at least one year. Each candidate goes through a rigorous application process, and their competitive drive and willingness to put forth the effort to learn and work hard are huge factors in who is selected.

“This program has been a rewarding opportunity for me to run for the past several years, and seeing each year’s candidates grow from these once-in-a-lifetime experiences makes the hard work worth it,” said EDP Manager Fred Salanitro. “This year’s candidates showed just how deserving and hard-working they were each day. I’m very thankful to have worked with them.”

This year’s candidates were Eric “Chops” Clarke, Todd Richard Fitzgerald, John Wayne Hooten, and Nicolas Puckette. The candidates spent six months working side-by-side with shipyard leadership and traveling across the country, shaping their future as leaders of "America’s Shipyard."

“Each candidate put in 13 full-day senior leader shadow events at NNSY and 35 hourlong interviews with managers across the shipyard,” said Zydron. “Not only that, but each candidate also traveled 13,000 miles to seven major regions, visiting 14 different commands and spending 41 days outside of NNSY and away from their families. During their travels, they conducted 139 interviews with leadership to learn how business is conducted outside of America’s Shipyard. The candidates spent time at the other naval shipyards, Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), Fleet Forces Command, the Pentagon, the Nuclear Propulsion Training Unit (NPTU), Naval Foundry and Propeller Center (NFPC), and the Nuclear Regional Maintenance Department (NRMD) Kings Bay. They met with various folks from various levels and even got to spend time speaking with Admiral James Caldwell, director of the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. This program is an awesome opportunity and they worked hard every day. A job well done.”

This EDP class held its graduation ceremony Sept. 21, welcoming family and friends to America’s Shipyard to witness the candidates receiving their diplomas in honor of six months of hard work and dedication.

“This is an important program and it successfully showcases the principles of our command philosophy – 'Care, Ownership, Respect, and Excellence.' This program works to develop our people, sending our candidates through a six-month crash course, providing them the opportunities and knowledge to succeed,” said Shipyard Commander Capt. Kai Torkelson. “These four candidates have been exposed to dedicated leadership and have learned what’s beyond their own career paths. They have learned what it takes to be a leader and I charge each of these graduates – and all graduates of the program – to become the leaders we know you can be and work hard so the world will know why we are America’s Shipyard.”

If you are interested in applying for the 2019 EDP Cadre #8, please contact Fred Salanitro at Alfred.salanitro@navy.mil or 757-651-7684 for an application. All applications are due no later than Nov. 30 at 4 p.m.

Eric “Chops” Clarke –

“My story showcases what’s most important to me – my family and service. I was born at the Naval Hospital at NAS Jacksonville, the same place my son Caleb was born 22 years later. I am a third generation Sailor and one of my earliest memories was as a child, I remember standing on the flight line with my mom at a hanger bay in Spain. I remember seeing my father walking down the flight line like he was Maverick from Top Gun. I was so proud of him and I took that pride to heart. Ever since then, I have been serving where I can – on shore, at sea, in the desert, wherever I was called.

Service is very important to me. Earlier this week, I saw my boss presented with a Meritorious Service Award from NAVSEA Commander, Vice Adm. Thomas Moore. It was amazing to see someone so usually prepared caught off-guard. He spoke about the people who worked for him and how it was the excellence of his team that led to overall success. Vice Adm. Moore commented on his humility and how that’s one of the most important traits of being a leader. I reflected on that statement because to me, one of the most important traits is pride in what you do. It was amazing to learn that various traits come together to build a leader. Not all leaders are the same and it’s what they do and what they commit to that sets them apart from others. They can have pride in what they do and show humility and take care of their people. That’s the kind of leader I want to be.

Thank you to everyone who supported me on this path, including my family who were there with me every step of the way. Thank you to the leaders who took the time to mentor us and provide us with the tools we need to succeed. And thank you to the members of Cadre #7 – we all brought our unique strengths to the table and worked hard to get things done.”

Todd Richard Fitzgerald –

“To the people who we were able to do the interviews with and allowed us to shadow them – thank you. These opportunities provided value added to me as an individual. I learned that there is no designated path as a leader. There are many paths one could follow and no matter how difficult the path may seem, you need to take a step back and see the big picture of it all. Whatever path you choose will lead you into the future. On the path I took with the EDP, I’ve done things I never knew I would do in my lifetime. And I’m very thankful for the opportunity.

One thing I want to stress is that we as candidates of the EDP were able to speak with a lot of people and learn from them one hour at a time through the program. I encourage everyone to have those same conversations with those leaders and others within the shipyard and across the enterprise. Don’t wait for programs like the EDP to help you get those opportunities. Ask questions, step out of your comfort zone, learn from each other, and take your future in your hands.”

John Wayne Hooten –

“Do you know what it’s like to get off a roller coaster? That feeling is what I’m feeling right now. This program was a rush. I got to meet so many folks and I’m honored to be part of this team and this program.

I’m thankful to 900T for supporting my desire to be part of the program and funding it, thankful for those on the interview program who saw something in me, my mentor Chrystal Brady, who allowed me to be part of her organization, Code 1200 which who is a family and welcomed me with open arms.

Thank you to Mr. Zydron who gave insight to us, Fred Salanitro who guided us all along the way, thank you to all the mentors and senior leadership who helped us along the way and for developing future shipyard leaders.

I am thankful to my family who encouraged me to go into this program and supported me through it all.

I learned so much in this program, about leadership, about the mission, I’ve even learned things about myself, some of which I don’t like and want to change.

Moving forward, I plan to use the leadership principles I’ve learned. Leadership is not a position, it’s an action. It’s not about the title you hold, it’s about the passion you have to do something and make a change. I intend to mentor others and to develop them into the leaders of the future. I intend to be fully engaged in support of my shipyard. I intend to reciprocate the leadership opportunity that have been afforded to me. As I have been given a golden ticket, I want to pass that along to others who desire to follow in the rich tradition and heritage of on-time delivery of ships and submarines to the fleet in support of the tactical and strategic mission of the Navy here at Norfolk Naval Shipyard.

I know there will be challenges ahead. I understand that but I’m excited for those opportunities and I believe this program has equipped me with the skills to meet those challenges. So I look forward to working with our leadership team and commanding officer to be the shipyard our Navy and our nation needs. I’m proud today to be part of your team and I’m proud to be part of America’s Shipyard.”

Nicolas Puckette –

“I want to thank everyone who motivated me and supported me through the program, and a special thank you to my wife, the mentors and all members of senior leadership who took the time to teach us during our six months in the program. Thank you for respecting us and allowing us to be part of the team. It’s truly been an honor to participate in the program, attend senior leadership meetings at various venues, and being part of the conversations. I look forward to attending these meetings as a senior leader in the future.

I was amazed by the conversations in those meetings because they were so much about the people instead of the mission. I didn’t expect that. It proved to me that shipyard leadership cares for its people. It fits right into our command philosophy – C.O.R.E.

Going forward, I want to bridge the gap between the people and our leadership and ensure the people know how much our leadership truly cares for them.

Leadership business is people business. Going into the EDP, I knew little about the NAVSEA corporation with the exception of my little corner in Shop 31. I hoped this program would take me out of that comfort zone and I would learn more about the mission and the shipyard – and I did.

Most people work their entire careers and don’t receive the wealth of knowledge and experience we received in just six months. I’m thankful for the opportunity and for what I’ve learned. I hope to continue to learn as I move forward on my journey at America’s Shipyard.

Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard (PHNSY) Commander, Capt. Gregory Burton told us something that resonates in me: ‘There’s no growth in the comfort zone and no comfort in the growth zone. Do not become satisfied or stagnant in your personal growth. We must continually challenge and improve ourselves and others around us.’ I look forward to doing just that.”

Get more information about the Navy from US Navy facebook or twitter.

For more news from Norfolk Naval Shipyard, visit www.navy.mil/.