Captain Kai Torkelson is now the 108th Commander of Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY), relieving Captain Scott Brown in a ceremony in Building 163 June 29.

In the ceremony's keynote address, Portsmouth Mayor John Rowe discussed his father beginning his career at the shipyard as an electrician in 1940, eventually retiring from NNSY in 1975. "As a kid growing up in Portsmouth, whose Dad worked at the shipyard, this shipyard had a central role in our life. And Scott, my father would be so proud of you and bringing this shipyard to a new level of excellence. The city of Portsmouth and Norfolk Naval Shipyard have a long, rich and wonderful history that is so intertwined, and it goes back to almost the very spot we're sitting, on the banks of the southern branch of the Elizabeth River."

After reflecting on his guiding principles he's advocated as shipyard commander since September 2014, Brown said, "I'm turning over to an exceptional officer-Captain Kai Torkelson. I'm confident this shipyard will accelerate its focus on people and mission, while achieving great accomplishments under your leadership."

Torkelson takes command during a pivotal period for Norfolk Naval Shipyard, currently in the midst of expanding its workforce and integrating cutting-edge technologies in ship repair. During Brown's tenure, the shipyard hired more than 4,500 employees, worked to revitalize its waterfront infrastructure and overhauled its training and mentoring programs. NNSY's achievements during Brown's command include delivering USS Harry S Truman (CVN 75) to the Fleet two days early in July 2017; overseeing a record-setting refueling on USS Rhode Island (SSBN 740); and being honored with the 2017 Chief of Naval Operations Safety Award for a large industrial activity.

Torkelson is a native of Virginia and a third generation naval officer. He previously served at NNSY as Deputy Project Superintendent for USS Ronald Reagan's (CVN 76) Planned Incremental Availability from 2009 to 2010, and as the Submarine Repair Officer at the shipyard's satellite location at Naval Station Norfolk from 2010 to 2013. He returned to NNSY following assignments at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Activity as Production Resources Officer, Operations Officer, and Business and Strategic Planning Officer.

"As a third generation naval officer, serving the Navy is in my blood," said Torkelson. "It's an exciting time to take the helm of this historic command and I look forward to taking America's Shipyard--our shipyard!--to even greater heights of capability and service. The Navy has committed to improving Norfolk Naval Shipyard's employment levels, our training resources, and our facilities and infrastructure. The challenge is on to navigate through this period of great growth and transition while still providing the same quality service the Navy has come to expect of us."

During the ceremony, NAVSEA Commander, Vice Admiral Tom Moore, presented Brown with the Legion of Merit. Brown's next assignment will be at Naval Sea Systems Command at the Washington Navy Yard.

NNSY, a field activity of the Naval Sea Systems Command, is one of the oldest, largest and most multifaceted facilities belonging to the U.S. Navy, specializing in repairing, overhauling and modernizing ships and submarines. It is the fourth largest employer in the Hampton Roads area with more than 10,000 civilians and an annual payroll of approximately $700 million.

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