Leadership – Amphibious Warship Industrial Base Coalition

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 construction of amphibious warships.

CONTACT AWIBC

Questions?

Please reach out to info@amphibiouswarships.org with any questions.

OUR LEADERSHIP

Captain Paul J. Roden, USCG (Retired), Board Chairman
Fairbanks Morse Defense 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.

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, U.S. Navy (Retired), Board Member
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.

George Kampstra, Board Member
Vice President, Government Relations
Rolls-Royce North America, Inc.

George Kampstra is Vice President for Government Relations for Rolls-Royce North America. In this position, he is responsible for managing and supporting all aspects of the company’s relationship with the U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard and their naval marine programs.

Mr. Kampstra joined the company in 2003 with responsibility for contract development and management and pricing and proposal preparation. His responsibilities were later expanded to include Program Management of the Rolls-Royce Power Systems’ scope of supply for the United States Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship (Independence Class) and Expeditionary Fast Transport (EPF) Programs. Mr. Kampstra has represented Rolls-Royce’s Government Business Sector in the Washington, D.C. area since July 2010.

He attended Michigan State University as an undergraduate and later attended graduate school at the University of Chicago. In addition to an early career in banking, Mr. Kampstra worked in the manufacturing and service sectors, lived and worked in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and came to Rolls-Royce Power Systems (MTU) from Williams International, a producer of turbofan engines for the commercial and defense markets.

Ladd Wheeler, USN (Retired), Board Member
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.

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 Member
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.

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.

Lisa B. Smith, Board Member
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.

Angela Gillespie, Board Member
Vice President, Howell Laboratories Inc.

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.