Photo By Daniel DeAngelis |
Faith Kinnaird has worked in Code 135.1, Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), for 13 years.......read moreread more
Photo By Daniel DeAngelis | Faith Kinnaird has worked in Code 135.1, Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), for 13 years. She began her career at Norfolk Naval Shipyard (NNSY) as a Metals Inspector Apprentice, transitioned to training new NDT employees and is currently a Code 135.1 NDT Resource Manager, Apprentice Supervisor and Quality Insurance Instructor. Her apprentices can always depend on her for guidance, support, and advocacy. They state she’s the kind of leader who stands firmly in your corner and truly represents what makes Code 135.1, NDT exceptional. see less
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Faith Kinnaird has worked in Norfolk Naval Shipyard’s (NNSY) Code 135 Non-Destructive Test (NDT) Division for 13 years. She began her NNSY career as a Metals Inspector Apprentice, transitioned to training new NDT employees and is currently a Code 135 Resource Manager, Apprentice Supervisor and Quality Insurance Instructor. She has an adventurous spirit away from work and enjoys experiencing new foods, cultures, architecture and nature.
“I oversee training of apprentices, ensure competencies are met according to program standards, model professional behavior, safety culture, and work ethic,” said Kinnaird. “Also, I assign apprentices to crews or projects appropriately, balance training needs with production demands, help with workforce planning and future staffing needs, participate in hiring and assist with travel.”
“To many of us, she is the heart of the office, our unofficial ‘office mom,’” said NNSY C135.1 Ultrasonic Testing Engineering Technician Eric Debien. “Her thoughtfulness and generosity are a constant source of inspiration to everyone who has the pleasure of working with her.”
Debien continued, “Beyond her role as the team's biggest cheerleader, she is also an incredibly dedicated and organized professional. She handles all our code’s travel arrangements, a complex and often thankless task, with amazing efficiency. Furthermore, she has taken on the vital responsibility of our apprenticeship program, shaping the next generation of talent with her guidance and support.”
Kinnaird finds the most rewarding part of her job is to watch her apprentices as they successfully progress through their training program.
“It truly brings me great satisfaction to see my apprentices successfully complete the program and continue to thrive in their careers,” said Kinnaird.
She believes that communication is key to overcoming challenges at NNSY and being a good leader.
“Remain positive, find balance, learn, communicate and just be a genuinely nice human,” said Kinnaird. “A good leader holds themselves accountable, communicates effectively, and fully invests themselves in their team promoting growth, trust, respect and success.”
She feels that working at NNSY is a wonderful opportunity to learn a trade, and it is a very rewarding career.
“I genuinely love what I do at NNSY and take pride and joy in seeing apprentices grow, develop and succeed within our code,” said Kinnaird. “I work with amazing people with all different backgrounds, trades and skills, and I am very grateful for this career.
Kinnaird continued, “I value NNSY’s strong sense of teamwork, camaraderie, support, and the genuine investment of our people.”
Besides traveling, Kinnaird enjoys relaxing in her backyard, listening to jazz and, although she doesn’t have a favorite sports team, she loves the experience of watching games in-person.
NEWS INFO
Date Taken:
04.02.2026
Date Posted:
04.02.2026 11:53
Story ID:
561829
Location:
PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA, US
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