Page 100 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2021

Legacy
BUILDING A
Ingalls Appoints
First Female President
story by Kimberly C. Rasmussen photo courtesy of Ingalls Shipbuilding
Ingalls Shipbuilding has been manufacturing world class warships in Jackson County for over 80 years. As the largest industrial enterprise in the state of Mississippi, Ingalls currently employs over 11,000 men and women who, day in and day out, work together in symphonic fashion producing monumental ships and building freedom. It is a legacy built
on sweat, determination and an interminable sense of pride for one’s work. At the helm of this incredible undertaking is Kari Wilkinson, executive vice president of Huntington Ingalls Industries and the newest president of Ingalls Shipbuilding, Pascagoula.
Wilkinson’s time at Ingalls has prepared her for a presidential role 25 years in the making. With a background in naval architecture and marine engineering, her various positions provided her with broad experiences and integral insights to the multifaceted world of shipbuilding. Wilkinson’s initial job as a naval architect spurred her adoration for the Ingalls community, a sentiment that she carried throughout the several decades.
As she progressed in her career, Wilkinson gained knowledge in the business development and operational sides of Ingalls. Through increased opportunities for coordinating with senior leadership, she was able to acquire additional skills needed to work with Ingalls customers and broaden her understanding of congressional awareness. Each step for Wilkinson has been one of growth and knowledge expansion, all driving her desire to
support those she viewed as the backbone of the shipbuilding industry.
Throughout Wilkinson’s shipbuilding career, a constant
that has remained is her passion for the industry and Ingalls’ shipbuilders. Wilkinson sees Ingalls’ workforce as more than 11,000 leaders whose efforts, time, and decisions impact the ins and outs of the shipyard every single day.
“The men and women of Ingalls are the fabric of the shipyard,” Wilkinson said when asked about the legacy she hopes to leave at the end of her tenure at Ingalls. “Our goal is to provide them with the necessary tools to perform their work so that they have the means to care for their families and support their personal goals. My legacy is a collection of their individual legacies. When our shipbuilders succeed, we all succeed.”
Wilkinson is excited to see what the future brings for Ingalls Shipbuilding and is honored to lead a business that so many people look to and depend on for economic stability. Wilkinson’s strategic approach looks at where Ingalls wants to be and examines each piece needed to arrive at that destination. Ingalls is on a trajectory for success and Wilkinson aims at making the shipyard more viable for growth and positioning it to be the
best it can be. Working in tandem with the employees, local community and everyone that supports Ingalls’ goals, Wilkinson is continuing to build her legacy, one ship at a time.
100 | September 2021
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