US military shipbuilding and engineering firm Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) announced the appointment of Kari Wilkinson as president of its shipbuilding business from Apr 1.
Wilkinson will succeed Brian Cuccias who will retire in April, HII said in a statement on Friday.
In her new role, Wilkinson will be responsible for all programs and operations at HII’s shipyards in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and will report to Chris Kastner, chief operating officer of the company. With over 25 years’ experience in the shipbuilding industry, Kastner said that Wilkinson was “well-positioned” for the role.
Wilkinson, who began her career as an associate naval architect with HII in 1996, has held various positions in the company’s engineering, business development, and design divisions, and served as the company’s vice president, program management before being promoted to her current role.