Dugan Elected Chair of ASA

The American Shipbuilding Association (ASA) announced that Mr. John F. “Dugan” Shipway, President of Bath Iron Works, Bath, ME, has been elected Chairman of the Board of ASA for calendar years 2009 and 2010. Mr. Matthew J. Mulherin, Sector Vice President and General Manager of Newport News Shipbuilding, Newport News, VA, has been elected as the Association’s Vice Chairman.

Dugan Shipway joined Electric Boat in July of 2000 as a Special Assistant to the President and was appointed President of Bath Iron Works on April 28, 2003. Prior to joining Electric Boat, he was a career Navy officer, retiring as a Rear Admiral after 35 years of service.  He commanded a nuclear attack submarine for more than four years after previously serving on various other submarine platforms.  At BIW, Dugan has led the way in introducing larger module construction to reduce costs and has spearheaded facility investments to make possible the “Ultra Hall” module construction facility.

“His extensive shipbuilding experience, including the management of all facets of submarine and destroyer construction and manufacture, contracting and business development makes him extremely qualified to lead the American Shipbuilding Association at a time when the Nation needs to commit itself to rebuilding the naval fleet. His years of shipbuilding and program acquisition experience will be a tremendous asset to the industry association,” said Cynthia L. Brown, President of ASA.

The ASA Vice Chairman, Matthew Mulherin, began his career at Newport News in 1981 as a nuclear test engineer and has held positions of increasing responsibility, including nuclear manager for the Los Angeles-class submarine and most recently as Vice President of programs for Newport News Operations.  As Vice President and General Manager of Newport News Shipbuilding, his responsibilities include oversight of aircraft carrier construction programs and refueling, Virginia-class submarine construction, and other operations for the Navy and Department of Energy.  Mulherin also oversees design, engineering, planning and production control for programs at Newport News.

The American Shipbuilding Association is the national trade association of the shipbuilding industry. ASA members include the nation’s six largest shipyards and more than 93 companies engaged in the manufacture of ship systems and components.