American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association News

The American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association (ASSA) recently held discussions at the United States Navy Memorial & Naval Heritage Center, Washington DC,  between member companies and ADM Jonathan Greenert, Chief of Naval Operations; Ms. Allison Stiller, DASN Ships; and Mr. John Thackrah, Military Sealift Command, Executive Director. The theme of this meeting, attended by over 100 defense and shipbuilding supplier industry decision makers, was “Federal Budget Impact to American Shipbuilding Suppliers”.

The American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association (ASSA) hosted a roundtable discussion between 29 representatives from member companies and Rear Admiral Richard Berkey, Deputy Chief of Staff, Fleet Maintenance U.S. Fleet Forces Command. Member companies raised concerns related to timely issues such as FY13 and FY14 budgets, foreign competition, batch procurement, fleet size outlook, loss of critical skilled resources, liquated damages, Multi-Ship Multi-Option (MSMO) outlook, counterfeit components…

On June 26, 2013, the American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association (ASSA) will host a roundtable discussion between member companies and Rear Admiral Richard D. Berkey, Deputy Chief of Staff, Fleet Maintenance, U.S. Fleet Forces Command. ASSA will discuss major issues affecting the entire shipbuilding supplier industry with RADM Berkey. This member’s only meeting is collocated (but unaffiliated) with the American Society of Naval Engineers Mega Rust 2013: Naval Corrosion Conference at the Newport News Marriott at City Center in Newport News, Virginia.

On April 10, 2013 the American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association (ASSA) hosted a roundtable discussion between 35 representatives from member companies; the Honorable Sean Stackley, assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development & acquisition (ASN RD&A); and Elliott Branch, deputy assistant secretary of the Navy for acquisition and procurement (DASN AP). Member companies raised concerns related to timely issues such as FY13 and FY14 budgets, foreign competition, contracting timeliness…

On April 10, 2013 the American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association (ASSA) is hosting a roundtable discussion between member companies and the Honorable Sean Stackley, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Research, Development & Acquisition (ASN RD&A). ASSA will discuss major issues affecting the entire shipbuilding supplier industry with Secretary Stackley. This members only meeting is collocated (but unaffiliated) with the United States Navy League Sea Air Space Expo 2013 at the Gaylord Hotel in National Harbor, Maryland.

On November 15, 2012 the American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association Board of Directors appointed Rick Hepburn, PE, CAPT, USN (Ret) as the second President of ASSA. Rick will work to achieve the ASSA vision to strengthen the capability within the United States for domestically producing the critical parts and equipment necessary for shipbuilding. Under Rick’s leadership, ASSA will continue to work closely with the US Congress, Navy, Coast Guard, Shipyards and other important maritime stakeholders. Rick will continue as President of Hepburn and Sons LLC, an engineering consulting firm offering support to Government and DoD Contractors in the fields of naval engineering, technology transition, system engineering, quality assessment, and ship design support.