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.