Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and Naval Support Activity Maine (NSA Maine) hosted Performing the Duties of Under Secretary of the Navy, Mr. William “Bill” Toti, Aug. 19.
Marking his first visit to the shipyard since assuming his position in May 2026, Toti met with shipyard leadership and civilian workers to discuss infrastructure modernization, advanced manufacturing capabilities and hands-on workforce training in support of the submarine industrial base. The tour included stops at the P-381 multi-mission dry dock construction site and featured discussions on future Shipyard Infrastructure Optimization Program projects. Toti visited several shops where he engaged with subject matter experts on ongoing innovations and advanced technological solutions such as cold spray and additive manufacturing.
Toti also participated in Quality of Service discussions and received briefings on the Sailor Campus Projects and the Child Development Center. These ongoing initiatives aim to provide a modern living environment for Sailors and their families, reflecting the Navy’s commitment to supporting the Sailors who are the lifeblood of the force.
“The work being done at Portsmouth directly strengthens our Navy’s ability to fight and win,” said Toti. “I saw a workforce focused on getting submarines back to the fleet faster by improving productivity and removing barriers that slow execution.”
Toti’s visit also provided an opportunity for PNSY to demonstrate how its workforce is translating those principles into action, strengthening the Navy’s mission at all levels.
“Our Portsmouth team is the driving force behind our mission success,” said Capt. Jesse Nice, shipyard commander. “By engaging directly with our workforce, we are eliminating the roadblocks that stand between them and excellence. We are placing the experts closest to the work at the helm of leading innovation, improving operations, and maximizing resources to expand capacity. Under Secretary Toti’s visit was a prime opportunity for our people to showcase how they are driving these operational improvements, accelerating schedules, and delivering greater capability to the fleet.”
As America’s leader for attack submarine maintenance, repair and modernization, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard delivers the decisive edge required to master an era of evolving threats. It stands at the forefront of America's commitment to peace through strength, delivering combat-ready submarines that are lethal, resilient, and prepared to win. The work performed at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard is a direct contribution to national security, ensuring the U.S. Navy remains the most dominant maritime force anywhere in the world.