Photo Release — Huntington Ingalls Industries Announces the election of Kari Wilkinson as Ingalls Shipbuilding President as Brian Cuccias Plans for Retirement

Rhea-AI Summary

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has announced the election of Kari Wilkinson as executive vice president and president of Ingalls Shipbuilding, effective April 1. She will succeed Brian Cuccias, who is retiring on the same date. Cuccias has led Ingalls Shipbuilding since 2014, enhancing production and customer service amidst challenges. Wilkinson brings 25 years of experience at Ingalls, having previously served as vice president of program management and ship program manager. She has a background in naval architecture and marine engineering, with a strong focus on operational excellence.

Positive

• Kari Wilkinson's appointment is expected to enhance leadership stability at Ingalls Shipbuilding.
• Wilkinson's extensive experience, including her 25 years in various roles, boosts confidence in her leadership capabilities.

Negative

• Brian Cuccias' retirement may create a transitional period that could disrupt ongoing operations.

NEWPORT NEWS, Va., March 05, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE: HII) announced today that its Board of Directors has elected Kari Wilkinson to serve as executive vice president of HII and president of HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division, effective April 1. She will succeed Brian Cuccias, who announced that he will retire April 1.

Cuccias was named Ingalls Shipbuilding president in 2014 and is responsible for all programs and operations at the shipyard in Pascagoula, Mississippi. His career began in 1979 when he joined Litton Data Systems as a financial analyst on several Navy programs. Prior to becoming president of Ingalls, Cuccias held various positions of increasing responsibility at the division including vice president, amphibious ship programs and vice president, program management.

“Under Brian’s leadership, Ingalls Shipbuilding optimized production, improved performance and continued meeting or exceeding customer commitments through many significant and unforeseen challenges,” said HII Executive Vice President and COO Chris Kastner. “His shipbuilding expertise brought immeasurable value, and his contributions to this business have positioned Ingalls for lasting success.”

Photos accompanying this release are available at: https://newsroom.huntingtoningalls.com/releases/wilkinson-cuccias-ingalls.

Kari Wilkinson, who will report to Kastner, currently serves as Ingalls’ vice president, program management.

“Kari is a respected leader with an impressive 25-year record of success managing programs and overseeing major shipbuilding initiatives at Ingalls,” Kastner said. “Her focus on operational excellence, exemplary leadership skills and ability to build effective customer relationships well positions her for this new role, and I look forward to working with her to continue the Ingalls Shipbuilding legacy of success.”

Wilkinson began her career with Ingalls as an associate naval architect in 1996. Since that time, she has supported major shipbuilding production events and milestones from positions in Engineering, has worked closely with Business Development on requirements and preliminary ship designs for both domestic and international customers, and also coordinated the prioritization of equipment and processes in Operations during the Hurricane Katrina recovery effort.

Wilkinson transitioned into Program Management in 2007 as a ship program manager for the San Antonio-class LPD program, assuming the position of vice president, program management in 2016. In this current role, she has profit and loss responsibility for all elements of program execution and serves as the principal liaison to the Navy and Coast Guard for all platforms in the Ingalls portfolio.

Originally from Jenison, Michigan, Wilkinson earned a bachelor of science in naval architecture and marine engineering from the University of Michigan, and an MBA from Temple University.

Huntington Ingalls Industries is America’s largest military shipbuilding company and a provider of professional services to partners in government and industry. For more than a century, HII’s Newport News and Ingalls shipbuilding divisions in Virginia and Mississippi have built more ships in more ship classes than any other U.S. naval shipbuilder. HII’s Technical Solutions division supports national security missions around the globe with unmanned systems, defense and federal solutions, and nuclear and environmental services. Headquartered in Newport News, Virginia, HII employs more than 42,000 people operating both domestically and internationally. For more information, visit:

• HII on the web: www.huntingtoningalls.com
• HII on Facebook: facebook.com/HuntingtonIngallsIndustries
• HII on Twitter: twitter.com/hiindustries
• HII on YouTube: www.youtube.com/huntingtoningalls
• HII on Instagram: instagram.com/huntingtoningalls
  

Contact:

Beci Brenton
beci.brenton@hii-co.com 
(202) 264-7143

FAQ

Who has been appointed as the new president of Huntington Ingalls Industries' Ingalls Shipbuilding division?

Kari Wilkinson has been elected as the new president of Ingalls Shipbuilding, effective April 1.

What is the role of Kari Wilkinson at Huntington Ingalls Industries before her promotion?

Before her promotion, Kari Wilkinson served as vice president of program management at Ingalls.

When is Brian Cuccias retiring from Huntington Ingalls Industries?

Brian Cuccias is set to retire on April 1.

How long did Brian Cuccias serve in his role at Ingalls Shipbuilding?

Brian Cuccias served as president of Ingalls Shipbuilding since 2014.

What is Kari Wilkinson's background in the shipbuilding industry?

Kari Wilkinson has 25 years of experience in shipbuilding, having started as an associate naval architect at Ingalls.