Dugan Shipway Retires March 31, 2009 - Bath Iron Works

From the HelmDugan Shipway, President, Bath Iron WorksIdepart next week after being the president of BIW forthe past six years. A lot can happen in six years. A childdevelops from a newborn and heads to first grade. WorldWar II was fought in less time and we just marked the sixthyear of our involvement in Iraq. In six years, because of yourcommitment and hard work, the way naval surface combatantsare designed and built in Bath, Maine has been foreverchanged.When I became your president, I knew that this companywas facing enormous challenges which we would not get asecond chance to overcome. I quickly learned this place had arich heritage; that Maine shipbuilders were a proud and savvylot; and I knew in my heart that, if we could come together, wecould accomplish great things. We have certainly done that.As you continue this shipbuilding journey under JeffGeiger’s capable leadership, I’d like to remind you of the goalswe set six years ago—I believe they have served us all well. Asour world still continues to change at a never-before-seen rate,competition will become increasingly intense. So, we can neverstop looking for innovative ways to build ships more efficientlyand affordably.Until every employee goes home to his or her family everyday in the same condition in which they left them to cometo work, our work on safety must continue. Everyone mustaccept personal responsibility for their own safety and forthose around them. We’ve made great progress but we’vegot a long way to go. Never let down your guard.There are few things in life, if any, that can be truly accomplishedby a single individual. Every person has worth; everyonehas something to contribute; and everyone has a right toexpect to be treated fairly. Only by treating each other withdignity, acting with integrity and using our Maine commonsense will we be able to continue to release the vast potentialenergy that exists in us as a team.In six years I have learned much from you and I hopeyou’ve learned a thing or two from me. I’ve sincerely enjoyedgetting to know you and, in many cases, your families. I’vegrieved alongside you at the loss of two and the son of a thirdof our family members who went to war on our behalf but didnot return. I’ve celebrated alongside you each time we sentanother magnificent Bath-built destroyer down the Kennebecto the Fleet. I’ve personally appreciated the support you havegiven me and I ask that you give that same level of support toJeff as he assumes the watch.Russell “Festus” Estes II, (D32), 2003. See note below.Thank you for all that you have done and will continue to doeach day. I’m sure we’ll see each other around town. On mylast days as your president I must once again say as I have donenumerous times during the past six years, “I am proud to beyour president.”Some time ago, it was suggested that I should change my“Together We Can Make A Difference” motto. I said no at thetime but now it seems appropriate to say it once.“TOGETHER WE HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE”Note: The first issue of BIW News following Dugan's arrival at BIWincluded a photo of him with Russell “Festus” Estes on page 2, Fromthe Helm. We used the same photo for over a year before retiring it infavor of a changing view of Dugan with other employees. In considerationof Dugan’s departure this month, the original photo is brought outof retirement, while a 2009 view of the two of them is shown on thismonth’s cover.2 | March 2009 | BIW NEWS