WHO WE ARE
We are the Amphibious Warship Industrial Base Coalition (AWIBC), a coalition of companies that supply parts to build and maintain amphibious warships for the United States Navy. We are comprised of more than 650 companies in 39 states and over 249 Congressional Districts nationwide that provide parts worth over $1.7 billion for the constriction of amphibious warships.
OUR LEADERSHIP
Captain Paul J. Roden
Board Chairman
USCG (Retired)
Lighthouse Point Government Relations
Since his retirement from the US Coast Guard in 2011, Captain Paul Roden has performed government relations services in Washington, DC for Fairbanks Morse Engine, now Fairbanks Morse Defense (FMD).
Fairbanks Morse’s engines and electric power generation systems are critical components of amphibious warships.
From July of 2008 to July of 2011, Captain Roden served as the Coast Guard’s Chief of Naval Engineering (CG-45), where he was responsible for policy development and budget management in support of sustaining the readiness of all U.S. Coast Guard cutters and boats. His previous assignment was as Commanding Officer of the U.S. Coast Guard Engineering Logistics Center (ELC).
He earned a Master of Science in Naval Architecture & Marine Engineering and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan. Additionally, Captain Roden obtained a Master of Business Administration degree from Indiana University.
Captain Roden has played a significant role in AWIBC since the Coalition was founded in 2013.
Mark Haller
Board Member
President
Tri-Tec Manufacturing
Mark Haller is the President of Tri-Tec Manufacturing. He began his role in 2006 after purchasing the company with two other employees. Mr. Haller oversees all Tri-Tec operations and drives strategic business and product development. Mr. Haller has more than 43 years of valving and automation experience in the commercial, nuclear and defense markets.
Tri-Tec was the first electric actuator manufacture to develop, First Article test and manufacture for production to the DOD-V-24657 U.S. Navy standard established in 1985. Since then, Tri-Tec has delivered over 9,000 fully First Article qualified units across all classes of surface combatants including the Sea Wolf and Virginia Class submarines.Â
Tri-Tec also manufactures Fire Safe Ventilation Closure valves to a NAVSEA drawing as well as hydraulic actuators to Mil-P-18111A. The newest addition to the Tri-Tec family is the contract manufacturing and license agreement with Flux Drive, Inc. Flux Drive designs and manufactures permanent magnet adjustable speed drives and couplings that increase the life and performance of rotating equipment.
Rear Admiral Thomas J. Eccles
 Board Member
U.S. Navy (Retired)
Chief Executive Officer
Trident Maritime Systems, LLC
Rear Admiral Thomas Eccles became Chief Executive Officer of Trident Maritime Systems, LLC in January 2014 after serving over 32 years in the U. S. Navy and retiring in 2013. In the Navy, he led teams in design, shipbuilding and engineering. Trident Maritime Systems designs, builds and delivers solutions for the global shipbuilding and ship industries, including marine interiors, distributed ship systems from HVAC to electrical power, automation and control, and electromechanical equipment including underway replenishment systems.
RADM Eccles was the U.S. Navy’s Chief Engineer for ships, submarines and aircraft carriers from 2008 through 2013, and he held other commands in ship design and construction. RADM Eccles’ education includes four degrees from MIT in engineering, naval architecture and management. He serves on the Marine Board of the National Research Council and on the board of Let’s Go Boys and Girls, a group that inspires and supports underserved students to become STEM professionals. He has filled leadership roles with the American Society of Naval Engineers (ASNE) and the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME), was awarded ASNE’s Gold Medal in 2012 and is a Fellow of SNAME.
He led the U.S. team in the joint investigation into the loss of the Korean warship Cheonan and was a member of the National Academies’ investigation into the Deepwater Horizon disaster. RADM Eccles serves on Australia’s Naval Shipbuilding Advisory Board. Among his awards is the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the National Intelligence Exceptional Achievement Medal and the Meritorious Unit Citation. In 2019, he was elected a Member of the National Academy of Engineering.
Dave Hebert
Board Member
Vice President, Business Development
The Entwistle Co.
Dave Hebert is Entwistle’s Vice President of Business Development. He brings a depth of amphibious warfare acumen as a retired Navy Commander with over 20 years as a Surface Warfare Officer. He served on many ships including two amphibious warships.  Once as Chief Engineer of the USS Gunston Hall (LSD44) and later as Navigator of USS Kearsarge (LHD 3). His shore tours included Command of a Naval Operations Center and as a Branch Head within OPNAV N95, Expeditionary Warfare Directorate.Â
After retiring from the Navy, he served with NAVSEA as a civilian supporting shipbuilding programs.
Entwistle manufactures and fabricates complex systems used across the Amphib fleet. Entwistle provides all Amphibs and Destroyers with sliding pad eyes, kingposts, and retractable systems used during Underway Replenishment (UNREP). They provide Jet Blast Deflectors, and aircraft launch and recovery equipment used on Aircraft Carriers.  All the big deck Amphibs (LHDs and LHAs) and aircraft carriers are protected from deck fires by their P-25 Fire Fighting trucks. On Submarines, Entwistle manufactures and assembles numerous safety devices, emergency valves, and hull penetrations. Additionally, they manufacture munition components used in bombs, rockets, and torpedoes.
Dave hails from Detroit Mi. He has a Master of Science in Applied Physics from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a BS in General Engineering from the United States Naval Academy. Â
Ladd Wheeler
Board Member
USN (Retired)
Argo Turboserve Corporation (ATC) Government Sales
Ladd Wheeler brings a wealth of experience, having served as Commanding Officer of USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), where he led the strategic and operational planning and execution required to manage all aspects of this capital warship. He has held significant roles such as Senior Manager at Lockheed Martin, Chief of Staff at US Naval Air Forces Atlantic Fleet, and various other leadership positions within the U.S. Navy.
ATC (Argo Turboserve Corporation) supplies a myriad of spare parts for US Navy aircraft carriers and various other platforms. ATC is a global, fourth-party logistics provider of original equipment supply chain and repair management services for Aerospace, Turbine, and Government customers.Â
Ladd holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering from The University of Kansas. He is also a Leadership Council member of the National Small Business Association, focusing on the critical issues facing small businesses.
Mike Barrett
Board MemberÂ
President
Ellwood National Forge
Mike Barrett brings a breadth of quality and operations management experience, having served for twelve years at the ELLWOOD Crankshaft Group (ECG) in various roles including ECG Vice President of Operations, ELLWOOD National Crankshaft General Manager, Director of Quality, Director of Sales & Marketing, and as Controller. Â
Ellwood National Forge specializes in manufacturing finish machined products with a high length to width ratio, and components used in high-speed rotating applications. Ellwood supplies several mission-critical components for defense shipbuilding applications, and partners with shipyards, propulsion system integrators, and original equipment manufacturers to deliver high-quality products.
Mike holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Accounting and Business Administration from Thiel College in Greenville, PA. He is actively involved in his community including leadership roles in the Boys Scouts of America, Family Services, and the Warren Rotary Club. He also serves as a board member in the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry and the Warren United Fund.
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Lisa B. Smith
Board MemberÂ
President
JA Moody
Lisa Smith is a transformational leader who has been driving growth and innovation at JA Moody since joining the company in 2012. She spearheads initiatives in sales and service, introducing cutting-edge technical products and expanding operations across the USA. Under her leadership, JA Moody has solidified its position as a top supplier to the defense industry, specializing in fluid control solutions for the US Navy.
Smith also oversees Moody Marine Service, a sister company renowned as the premier Navy Actuator Authorized repair center. Her tenure at JA Moody has been marked by achievements, including bringing the Next Generation Hardened Seat Vanessa TOTS Valve to market.
Lisa holds a bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University. In her spare time, she enjoys mountaineering and is a member of the Custer County Colorado’s Search & Rescue Board & Operations Team. Smith’s multifaceted approach, combining business acumen, technical expertise, and a commitment to service has positioned the company as a leader in the amphibious warfare supplier industry.
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Angela Gillespie
Board Member
Vice President
Howell Laboratories Inc.Â
Angela Gillespie is a Vice President at Howell Laboratories Inc., overseeing government contracts, customer support, business development, and human resources. She has been with Howell for 22 years. She started at HLI in the drafting and design department and moved to international sales for ten years in the Shivley Broadcast division of HLI. She eventually moved back into government contracts and became the Vice President five years ago.
HLI engineers, manufacturers, assembles, and tests fluid processing equipment for the US Navy. It has been in business for over 60 years. HLI has recently acquired two divisions, GDL Power Coating, which specializes in MIL-spec coatings, and ODAT Machine, which is Level 1, SUBSAFE certified to supply critical parts to the submarine fleet. HLI is a 100% employee owned company.
Angela earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees in leadership and organizational studies from the University of Southern Maine. She is a current mentor for the Olympia Snowe Women’s Leadership Institute and is on the Board of Directors for Howell CleanTech.
CONTACT AWIBC
Questions?
Please reach out to info@amphibiouswarships.org with any questions.
AWIBC COMPANIES
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