Colleen Graham Named Chief of AI and Digital Innovation at Newport News Shipbuilding

Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries and the nation’s sole designer, builder and refueler of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers, has named Colleen Graham as its inaugural Chief of AI and Digital Innovation. The new executive role highlights the 137-year-old shipyard’s commitment to accelerating its digital transformation through cutting-edge technologies like AI, machine learning, IoT and cloud computing.

An Accomplished Technology Leader

Graham is an accomplished technology leader with over two decades of experience driving strategic change across the energy and industrial sectors. She joins from Newport News Shipbuilding, where she most recently served as Business Technology Manager. In that role, Graham built a robust pipeline of over $400 million in performance improvement opportunities leveraging advanced data science and digital capabilities.

Proven Track Record of Value Delivery

Prior to Newport News, Graham spent over 15 years at Chevron in roles spanning data science, analytics, IoT and information architecture. She led the delivery of over $150 million in value through AI and digital initiatives focused on areas like deepwater asset optimization and workplace safety. Graham has a proven ability to chart clear digital roadmaps, secure executive buy-in, and deliver compelling business outcomes.

Flagship Digital Transformation Programs 

Among Graham’s top priorities are scaling three flagship digital initiatives she helped launch:

– A machine learning system to improve safety observation quantity and quality, expected to reduce injuries by over 10%  

– A shipyard IoT platform streaming real-time equipment data to drive smarter operational decisions and unlock over $100M in potential savings

– A cloud-based data fabric accelerating product development timelines by 50% through advanced data management

Fostering a Data-Driven DNA

Beyond technology implementation, Graham is tasked with democratizing data insights across the workforce and fostering a truly data-driven culture. Her goal is to bolster Newport News Shipbuilding’s legacy of “Always Good Ships” by seamlessly embedding AI, digital and advanced analytics into how the company operates at every level.