Vigor - Experts & Thought Leaders

Vigor announced Mark Norris has joined the company as Vice President of Marine Fabrication. Norris will oversee one of the pioneering and most innovative marine vessel fabricators in the U.S., which is currently in production on the Maneuver Support Vehicle (Light), or MSVL, the U.S. Army’s new generation landing craft. He will be responsible for growing and maintaining an experienced, skilled team, while leading Vigor’s defence and commercial marine fabrication projects. Vigor’s Marine Fabrication division Mark has nearly four decades of experience heading major defence programs “We are fortunate to have someone with Mark’s wealth of experience and knowledge joining at a critical time for Vigor’s Marine Fabrication division,” said Francesco Valente, CEO and President of Vigor, adding “This is an exciting time for Vigor, as we double down on our core strengths and look toward long-term growth opportunities in this market.” A veteran of the defence and marine industries, Mark has nearly four decades of experience heading major defence programs. He spent 25 years at Lockheed Martin across multiple programs, rising to Vice President of Joint Programs for the Army and Navy. Vision for future growth Mark Norris then joined Fincantieri and most recently led strategy and business development for BAE Systems Inc.’s F-35 Lightening II program, a critical skill he will bring to Vigor. “I couldn’t be more excited to join Vigor at this moment, when the company is already doing such important work and has a great vision for future growth,” said Mark Norris, adding “The talent and expertise within this company are well-known, and this is a great opportunity to help elevate our work to new heights.”  Mark Norris will be based at Vigor’s Vancouver, Washington facility.

Vigor, a Titan company, has completed a docking selected restricted available (DSRA) on USS John Paul Jones (DDG 53), an Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer, at the company’s Harbor Island shipyard in Seattle. The ship departed Harbor Island earlier this year and has been undergoing sea trials prior to returning to full service. Originally a $131-million contract, the 18-month project supported more than 600 family wage jobs. Underwater hull preservation “Our skilled employees showcased their excellence at completing long, complex availabilities throughout the life of this project,” said Adam Beck, EVP of Ship Repair for Vigor. “The successful conclusion of the DSRA reaffirms Vigor’s position as a trusted partner and we are proud to support the U.S. Navy and its critical mission.” Vigor’s team completed this work in early 2024 and has been supported the Navy at Naval Station Everett The DSRA consisted of a comprehensive body of work, including underwater hull preservation, propulsion overhaul, structural work, valve overhaul, deck preservation and significant modifications and alterations. Vigor’s team completed this work in early 2024 and has been supported the Navy at Naval Station Everett as it conducted sea trials and prepared to put the vessel back into active service. Significant modifications and alterations In addition to USS John Paul Jones, Vigor is continuing multiple other U.S. Navy projects. Those include USS Barry (DDG 52) and USS Cape St. George (CG 71) at Harbor Island, where additional Washington State Ferries vessels are also under maintenance. These major projects in Seattle, alongside others in Portland, OR and Ketchikan, AK, support the national defense and transportation sectors, as well as hundreds of family wage jobs across the Pacific Northwest and Alaska.

Titan, a family of bicoastal leaders in ship repair, ship modernisation, marine, and complex fabrication services inclusive of Vigor, MHI Holdings, and Continental Maritime of San Diego (CSMD), announced Frank Collins will join the company as Senior Vice President, Government, and Public Affairs. New appointments  Collins will replace long-time Vigor Senior Vice President of Public Affairs, Jill Mackie, who has announced her retirement effective the end of June. Additionally, Benton Strong was recently named Director of Public Affairs, responsible for all communications, as well as state and local government affairs across all Titan companies. Communications and political experience Jill has been an integral partner in much of our company’s success and a valued member" “Jill has been an integral partner in much of our company’s success and a valued member of our leadership team for nearly a decade,” said Jim Marcotuli, Titan CEO. “We are grateful Frank, with his decades of experience on Capitol Hill and in the ship repair industry, will bring his expertise to Titan. With Frank leading our federal government affairs and Benton leveraging his communications and political experience, our government affairs and communications team will be strong contributors to our future success.” Frank Collins experience  Collins joins Titan from the Shipbuilders Council of America, where he served as Senior Defense Advisor. He has over 37 years of public and private sector experience in the ship repair industry. Collins was chief of staff for a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee and district director for a member who later chaired the House Armed Services Committee. He served as chief executive officer of United States Marine Preservation, as a principal government relations representative for BAE Systems Ship Repair, and as senior vice president at United States Marine Repair. Collins' comment  I have enormous respect for its leadership team, some of whom I have worked with previously"  “I am thrilled to be joining Titan,” Collins said. “I have enormous respect for its leadership team, some of whom I have worked with previously and known for decades." "The outstanding reputations of Vigor, MHI, and CMSD, and my lifelong commitment to our industry, makes this opportunity a stellar fit.” Benton Strong's work experience  Strong joined Vigor in October 2020 and was recently promoted to director of public affairs. He previously spent seven years as a leading political advocacy communications professional in Washington, D.C. as well as serving as communications director for the mayor of Seattle. He is also a veteran of nearly a dozen political campaigns, including for a former Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chair and Appropriations Committee chair. Jill Mackie's work experience  Mackie joined Vigor, a Titan company, in 2015, after 17 years as head of government relations and strategic communications at the Seattle Times. Mackie led Vigor’s government affairs support for the next generation of the Washington State Ferries During her tenure with Vigor/Titan, she led the company’s corporate communications and government relations through two acquisitions and significant company growth and change. Mackie led Vigor’s government affairs support for the next generation of the Washington State Ferries, as well as federal appropriations and defense policy efforts in ship repair, marine, and heavy complex fabrication. Local policy supports In Vigor’s local government affairs efforts, she has been a voice for ensuring local policy supports the critical, family-wage industrial jobs offered across all Titan companies. She has served on the boards of the Shipbuilders Council of America, the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce, the Portland Business Alliance, and the Washington Maritime Federation, and advisory committees for several local elected officials. Role changes  Mackie’s retirement will be effective June 30 and Collins will assume his role effective July 1. Strong is currently serving as director of public affairs, including as the main media contact for Titan.