Mississippi State University News

Industry veteran Terry Samona has been named Vice President of Human Resources at Viega LLC.Samona oversees human resources management and development at Viega’s operations in the U.S., including headquarters and a seminar center in Broomfield, Colo.; a manufacturing plant and distribution hub in McPherson, Kan.; three additional distribution centers in Nevada, Georgia and Pennsylvania; and a seminar center in Nashua, N.H.Samona’s entire career has been in human resources. Prior to joining Viega, he was vice president of human resources at Hach Environmental.

The University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, MS, and the Mississippi Regional SeaPerch Committee in mid-May hosted the Fourth National SeaPerch Challenge on the campus of Southern Miss. It was here that 108 teams of 451 middle and high school students – students from 19 states, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and for a first time ever, and international team from New Zealand – convened at the University’s Payne Center and Johnson Natatorium for a weekend of competition and fun.

Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced today that its Ingalls Shipbuilding division has awarded nearly $108,000 in grants for 25 different projects from schools and educational organizations in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana. The grants, which were requested by all of the organizations, will be used for projects associated with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). This is the sixth year for Ingalls' STEM program. The company has awarded more than $500,000 for STEM-related projects during that period.

The City of Indianapolis and the Indiana SeaPerch regions were the ideal combination to host the Third National SeaPerch Challenge at the Natatorium on the campus of Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) on May 17 – 19, 2013. On Friday evening, May 17, 83 top robotic teams from middle and high schools, after school and out-of-school programs in 23 states and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico convened at the IUPUI Natatorium for a weekend of competition and fun-filled activities.

Jim Hannon is Chief, Operations and Regulatory Division for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). He also provides leadership and oversight for activities within the USACE Lakes and Rivers and North Atlantic Regional Integration Teams. Hannon is a member of the Society of American Military Engineers and the American Society of Civil Engineers and was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in July 2010. After earning a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Mississippi State University in 1980, he began his career with the U.S.

Offshore Logistics, Inc., announced that Robert W. Waldrup has been elected to its Board of Directors at the Company's recent Annual Shareholders' Meeting. Waldrup was elected to fill the position that was left vacant by the retirement of Harry C. Sager who served as a Director of Offshore Logistics, Inc. from 1994 to 2001. Waldrup served as Vice President-Operations of Newfield Exploration Company from 1991 to 2001 and also as a Director of Newfield from 1992 to 2001. He is employed on a contract part-time basis as advisor to the President of Newfield. From 1989 to 1991, Waldrup worked in Newfield's Drilling and Operations areas. Division Production Manager of the Eastern Gulf Division of Tenneco Oil Exploration and Production Company.

In a move designed to further strengthen its field survey staff, ABS has created a new divisional lead surveyor position in each of the classification society’s Divisional headquarters, serving the Americas, Europe and the Pacific region. Frank Drake, a 26- year-veteran of ABS, has been appointed ABS Americas Divisional Lead Surveyor. His vast field experience, combined with his most recent assignment to ABS Consulting’s SafeHull Condition Assessment Program or CAP, positions him to oversee and provide support to the more than 180 ABS field surveyors assigned to ports in the US, Canada, Mexico and Central and South America. Drake earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Engineering and Technology from Mississippi State University.

Danny R. Irby has joined Bollinger as executive vice-president, new construction responsible for all aspects of construction of new boats, barges and other specialized vessels and equipment, commercial and government. “Danny’s leadership and proven ability to successfully perform in all aspects of the new construction business makes him a great addition to our team as we continue our efforts to increase our business,” said Mike Ellis, Bollinger executive vice-president and chief operating officer.

Driven by decade-high oil prices, industry leader Baker Hughes Incorporated reported operating profit after tax from continuing operations for the third quarter of 2000, excluding non-operational items, was $70.6 million, up 456% compared with $12.7 million for the third quarter of 1999, and up 72% compared with $41 million for the second quarter of 2000. Net income for the third quarter of 2000 was $66.7 million compared to $13.2 million for the third quarter of 1999. Results for the third quarter of 2000 include the impact of losses, net of tax, totaling $3.9 million related to the company's holdings of Varco International, Inc. stock and the sale of the Norward product line of Baker Atlas. Michael E.

Duramax Marine, a world leader in water-lubricated rubber bearings, recently broke ground on a new facility that will streamline the company's current manufacturing operations. The facility, with approximately 65,000 sq. ft. of factory and office space will consolidate production and administration into one centralized location in Troy Township, Ohio, approximately 40 miles south east of Cleveland. The expected grand opening will be the first quarter of 2001. Watson Coatings Inc. said that Gordon Watson, founder and CEO, retired on Nov. 2, 2000. Gordon founded Watson Coatings in 1987 with his wife Carol, and sons, Tom and Gary. Carol Watson will continue as Office Manager…

Northrop Grumman Corporation has appointed Dave Williams sector vice president of engineering for its Ship Systems sector. Williams joined Northrop Grumman Ship Systems in 1988. technical director of DD 21 Gold Team. this new assignment. construction of various ship classes including LHD, SA'AR 5, and DDG. Landing Craft Air Cushion. for Sperry Vickers Marine Hydraulics. Mississippi State University in mechanical engineering. 47 class ships.

Senior naval officers and government officials will recognize the career of Dr. William B. Morgan in a 10:00 a.m. naming ceremony April 27 at the U.S. Navy's Large Cavitation Channel (LCC). This unique engineering test facility will bear the name of the former head of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division's Hydromechanics Directorate who retired in December after 50 years of service to the nation. The facility will be known as the William B. Morgan Large Cavitation Channel. The ceremony takes place ten years after the April 1991 dedication of the facility. Since that time, the LCC has provided almost 6,000 hours of advanced hydrodynamic and hydroacoustic testing. U.S.