Justin Kennedy - BEYA Recognition
Updated 2/10/2323
https://bloqs.s3.amazonaws.com/2127-8361/723109_IMG_0394.mp4 Accepting BEYA
https://bloqs.s3.amazonaws.com/2127-8361/723111_IMG_0841.mp4 Thank you from Justin Kennedy
Kennedy, is a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) Class, Independence Variant in-service ship design manager (SDM) and assigned technical warrant holder. As the ship design manager, he serves as chief systems engineer and lead systems integrator for his platform, coordinating inputs from those who maintain individual technical domains into holistic, balanced solutions. Technical warrant holders are chosen based on their expertise and certify within their subject area that a design is safe, affordable, and technically feasible. “A model engineer, Mr. Kennedy was the Integrated Project Team lead over nearly a dozen Navy stakeholder organizations in delivering key warfighting capability in improving the operability, reliability, and availability of our Littoral Combat (Independence variant) Class of ships,” Perotti said. “For the variant, the team extended the frequency of Chief of Naval Operations availabilities from every 32 months out to 72 months. This change more than doubled the savings to the U.S. Navy on expenses that would otherwise be incurred.” A key factor in Kennedy’s award nomination was the fact that he also mentors his project team of junior-level engineers and leads them by example. “He schedules an ‘SDM Team Huddle’ at the beginning and end of the work week to prepare the team for the week ahead and have open forum discussions of technical issues,” Perotti said. “This results in his team being well-aligned and integrated, and fosters highly efficient workload outputs with minimum disruptions.” After graduating from Alabama A&M University with a degree in mechanical engineering, Kennedy started his professional career as a middle school math teacher and tutored students struggling with the subject. This experience shaped Kennedy’s belief in the power of science, technology, engineering, and math education. “I give honor to my parents and the legacy of the many trailblazing Black engineers who have come before me,” said Kennedy. “May this award be a reminder to students pursuing careers in STEM education that with faith, perseverance, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to excellence, their goals are within reach.” Prior to coming to NAVSEA Headquarters in 2014, Kennedy worked within engineering roles at Supervisor of Shipbuilding (SUPSHIP) Gulf Coast. His other significant awards include: EEOHiring/Promotion Action Team Award; On-theSpot cash award; NAVSEA Team Excellence Award; and USNS Spearhead (JHSV 1) Acceptance Trial Team Excellence Award. The BEYA conference is hosted by the Career Communications Group’s U.S. Black Engineer and Information Technology magazine, the 15 -member Council of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Engineering Deans, and Lockheed Martin Corp.
10 The Observer Feb. 2, 2023
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Good morning all,
It is my great pleasure to notify you that I will be receiving an Outstanding Achievement Award at the 37th BEYA STEM Conference. I will be recognized as a 2023 Science Spectrum Trailblazer during the Technology Recognition Event honoring Modern-Day Technology Leaders and Science Spectrum Trailblazers on Friday, February 10th. This year’s conference is fast approaching, February 9-11, 2023, and will be held both online and in person at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, MD.
I’d love to share in this moment with you as much as possible, because I would not be here without any of you all’s support along the way. BEYA has made that possible to family, friends, and colleagues by allowing you to submit a congratulatory video if you’d like. I’d also like to invite you to attend the awards ceremony virtually via this YouTube livestream link of the Technology Recognition Event from 11:45am – 2:15pm EST, February 10th. Please allow me to share the attached article from my Command as well detailing the award.
Lastly, I’d like to take this time to recognize and honor you in receiving this award. Every day I strive to make you proud of being my relative, friend, or teammate. I am blessed with the opportunity to serve our country, and I know that without God and you as my foundation that is not possible. Please share with anyone you feel obliged to send to. Thank you.
V/r,
Justin P. Kennedy
Ship Design Manager
LCS Independence Variant
NAVSEA 05D5 - In-Service Ship Design and Engineering Division

