Executive Vice President
Huntington Ingalls Industries 

President
Newport News Shipbuilding

Ms. Jennifer Boykin is executive vice president of Huntington Ingalls Industries and president of Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia. Named to this position in 2017, she is the 20th person and the first woman to serve as president of the Newport News shipyard, which was founded in 1886. Trustee Boykin is a native of St. Louis and a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. In the community, she is a graduate of Lead Virginia and Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce leadership program. Boykin is vice chair of Blueprint Virginia and a member of Greater Peninsula NOW, Virginia Business Council, and Reinvent Hampton Roads.

Ms. Tina Morris is the chief executive officer of FLINTpro, a first-in-kind software system that integrates and analyzes the evolving and diverse range of data and innovative earth-sensing methodologies to measure and manage carbon and natural capital across all land uses including forests, agriculture, grasslands, coastal areas, and soils. Morris brings a powerful mix of corporate and military backgrounds to the Museum’s Board. She is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and served seven years as a Commander in the U.S. Army including, commanding the 25th Military Police in Hawaii. Trustee Morris is also a member of American Corporate Partners which mentors Veterans in transition.

Executive Chairman
W. M. Jordan Company

Mr. John Lawson is a native of Newport News, Virginia where his family has lived for generations. He began his career with W.M. Jordan Company as a field engineer after college graduation. Today, he is the executive chairman of W.M. Jordan Company, Inc. Trustee Lawson is also the Chairman for Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, Fort Monroe Authority, Christopher Newport University’s $42 million Comprehensive Campaign, and the Virginia Kappa Alumni Corporation, Virginia Tech Chapter of Sigma Phi Epsilon. He serves on the board of TowneBank, Myers-Lawson School of Construction at Virginia Tech, CEO Roundtable, and the Virginia Tech Foundation.

President
Crofton Diving Corporation

Mr. Kenneth Crofton is a native of Norfolk, Virginia. He was raised in the maritime community. His father, Juan F. Crofton, founded Crofton Diving Corporation in 1949. After graduating from high school, he began his career as a commercial diver. Now President of Crofton Diving Corporation, Trustee Crofton has worked with his family over the years to expand the company’s service capabilities beyond commercial diving to include marine construction as well as heavy lift and rigging services. Trustee Crofton is a staunch supporter of the maritime community and serves on many boards that promote the Port of Hampton Roads. He is presently Chairman of Norfolk Festevents, advisor to the Board of Directors of the Norfolk Propeller Club, board member of the Virginia Maritime Administration, and is a past board member for Nauticus in Norfolk, Virginia.

Former Director of Royal Museums Greenwich (RMG)

Dr. Kevin Fewster is a leading international figure in the fields of maritime museums and maritime heritage. He was Director of Royal Museums Greenwich, the world’s largest and most visited maritime museum precinct from 2007-2019. In 2001, Dr. Fewster was made a Member of the Order of Australia in recognition of his services to maritime heritage and in 2019 was recognized as a Life Fellow of the International Congress of Maritime Museums. He is a Younger Brother at Trinity House (the world’s oldest lighthouse organization), a liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights and a Freeman of the City of London.

Director
Jefferson Lab

Dr. Stuart Henderson has served as the Director of Jefferson Lab since April 2017. He also serves a Governor’s Distinguished CEBAF Professor at Old Dominion University. As laboratory director, Dr. Henderson provides the vision for the lab’s operations and future. He is an internationally recognized expert in particle accelerators. Trustee Henderson has served on advisory and review committees for many of the nation’s accelerator facilities, as well as for major facilities around the world. He also has served on various DOE advisory bodies, including the High Energy Physics Advisory Panel to the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation.

President & CEO
Hudgins Contracting Corporation

Ms. Marsha Hudgins became sole stockholder of Hudgins Contracting in 2011 and was appointed CEO in 2012 following her late husband, Lester L Hudgins, Jr.  Since being appointed CEO of Hudgins Contracting Corporation, she has worked daily to direct the growth and expansion of the company and successfully position it for the future. Trustee Hudgins and Hudgins Contracting Corporation are committed to giving back to the Hampton Roads community through donations of time, talent, and financial support. Currently, Trustee Hudgins sits on the Executive Advisory Council for Strome College of Business at Old Dominion University.

Tampa Bay Pilot

Captain Carolyn Kurtz was born and raised in the Kew Gardens neighborhood of Queens, New York. After graduating from the U.S. Merchant Marine Acdemy at Kings Point, New York, Trustee Captain Kurtz packed up her sea bag and took a third mate job on the very day of graduation. Over the years, Trustee Captain Kurtz earned her pilot’s license and was selected as a Tampa Bay Pilot. She was the very first female harbor pilot in the state of Florida and one of the first female pilots in the country by scoring highest on a competitive state exam. Still actively piloting vessels throughout Tampa Bay, Trustee Captain Kurtz is also a commissioner and current chair of the Florida Board of Pilot Commissioners, Coast Guard’s Navigation Safety Advisory Council, and helps oversee the pilot training program in Tampa.

Founder of Earl Industries
CEO of Fairlead

Mr. Jerry Miller has over 30 years’ experience in the maritime industry. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy, he also served seven years as a Surface Warfare Officer. Trustee Miller co-founded Earl Industries in 1985 and purchased the company outright in 1989. In 2012, he sold three ship repair divisions to General Dynamics. He organized the manufacturing and power and controls division of Earl Industries into Fairlead. Today, Trustee Miller serves as Chief Executive Officer of Fairlead.

President
MBP Consulting

Ms. Margaret Podlich is an experienced public-facing executive with a demonstrated history of working with associations, memberships, coalitions, and industry with a collaborative style. As the president of MBP Consulting, she works with industry and associations to bolster their productivity and sales, conduct strategic planning, evaluations, market research, write and edit, and mentor leaders. Trustee Podlich retired as the executive director of the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the ABYC. The ABYC focuses on providing resources that create educational and lifelong career opportunities to current and aspiring marine service technicians.

Dentist
Dental Care at Oyster Point

Dr. McKinley L. Price is a native of Newport News, Virginia. He is the
Immediate past Mayor of the City of Newport News, becoming the first African American to be elected as mayor of Newport News. Trustee Price has received numerous honors and awards from various professional associations. In addition to the commitment he makes to his professional activities and meeting the demands of a successful dental practice, Trustee Price devotes untiring energy and time to the community.

President, Virginia & Northeastern North Carolina
TowneBank

Mr. Brian Skinner joined TowneBank in 2007 after 16 years of senior leadership positions with a national bank. He is president and regional banking director for all markets in the state of Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina. Trustee Skinner is responsible for the executive oversight of the specialty banking lines of real estate finance, commercial real estate finance, and automotive dealer finance. He is a graduate of Christopher Newport University. His professional affiliations include Board of Directors of An Achievable Dream, United Way of the Virginia Peninsula, Hampton Roads Economic Development Alliance, and several other organizations.

Managing Partner
Carney Patterson Meade PLC

Ms. Lindsey Carney Smith has extensive experience as a commercial and residential real estate attorney and business attorney. A graduate of Christopher Newport University (CNU), she serves as the Rector of the CNU Board of Visitors, is chair of the CNU Athletic Advisory Council, is an adjunct professor at CNU in the Pre-Law Program, and advises students. Trustee Carney Smith participates on many Boards, including Habitat for Humanity Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg, United Way of the Virginia Peninsula, and Newport News Green Foundation. She is also a Commissioner on the Peninsula Airport Commission.

Senior Pastor
Ivy Baptist Church

Rev. Dr. Kevin Swann is the Senior Pastor of Ivy Baptist Church in Newport News, Virginia. He is an adjunct professor in the Religious Studies Department at Hampton University. Trustee Rev. Dr. Swann founded Kevin Swann Enterprises, a non faith-based organization that provides services to underprivileged youth and adults in the Southeastern Virginia area.

Senior Vice President East Region, Ferguson
Ferguson Enterprises

Mr. Kevin VanderVennet is the immediate past chair of the Board. Trustee Keith VanderVennet grew up in Newport News, Virginia, spending many days at the Museum and in the Park.  He is currently senior vice president of sales, East Region at Ferguson Enterprises. In this role, Trustee VanderVennet is responsible for further developing Ferguson’s sales strategy and talented group of sales associates while building upon the company’s foundation of world-class customer service. Trustee VanderVennet currently serves on the Boards of Hampton Roads Academy and Habitat for Humanity- Peninsula and Greater Williamsburg.