SUPSHIP Newport News Coffee with the CAPT and ED
NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (Sept. 23, 2026) — Just five days after assuming command of Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair (SUPSHIP), USN, Newport News, Capt. Michael A. Sammataro joined Executive Director Todd Bockwoldt to host the command’s open-forum program, "Coffee with the CAPT and ED."
The informal, all-hands discussion provided military and civilian personnel across the command direct access to executive leadership to discuss a wide spectrum of topics, ranging from waterfront strategic vision and commander’s intent to personal wellness and work-life balance. For Sammataro, holding the forum within his first week was a priority. It followed the formal promulgation of his Command Philosophy on Sept. 21—his first full workday at the helm—which sets the operational standard and cultural foundation for the Navy’s resident shipbuilding and repair authority.
A Personal Standard for Deckplate Culture
Addressing the assembled workforce, Sammataro emphasized that the philosophy is not a routine administrative requirement, but a deeply personal blueprint shaped by more than two decades of sea-duty tours and heavy industrial waterfront experience.
"A command philosophy is used to establish, or in this case, maintain a culture that drives mission success," Sammataro told the team. "SUPSHIP is an amazing team with a great culture of trust, teamwork, and excellence. I see the values in this philosophy executed every day by everyone at this command, so nothing should be new or unfamiliar. It is important for us to periodically recenter on our values and for you to hear directly from me that you are trusted and empowered to operate this way."
The philosophy centers on six core tenets designed to guide how the command conducts business with the Fleet and industry partner Huntington Ingalls Industries–Newport News Shipbuilding:
- Ownership: Taking bold, decisive action to the limits of authority while taking responsibility for cost, schedule, and quality.
- Integrity: Maintaining transparency and honest, data-driven communication across all levels of the chain of command.
- Life Balance: Recognizing that mental, physical, and personal resilience are essential preconditions for operational success.
- Partnership: Unifying military, civilian, and private industry efforts to deliver combat power.
- Innovation: Challenging the status quo and eliminating outdated processes to deliver capability at speed.
- Deckplate Leadership: Being present where the work occurs, walking the ship floor, and supporting project teams on the waterfront.
The Imperative of Intentional 'Life Balance'
While much of the command’s daily mission centers on high-tempo, multi-billion-dollar aircraft carrier and submarine construction, Sammataro spent significant time during the session focusing on the human element: how individuals manage demanding schedules while remaining ready for the mission.
He explained that long, challenging hours on the waterfront are inevitable when delivering capital warships to the Fleet, but that sustaining high performance requires intentional personal habits.
"Everything is a part of life," Sammataro shared with the workforce. "If you have to work a long day, what is your recharge? Do you read a book, be with family, or take in a show? Everyone has to have a way to recharge so they are ready for the next day."
Leading by example, Sammataro shared his personal routines for decompressing and establishing boundaries between high-stakes waterfront responsibilities and family life. He described how he uses his daily commute to listen to music as a mental transition, allowing him to arrive home present and focused on his wife and children. On particularly demanding days when an additional mental reset is required, he noted that stepping into the garage for a workout provides the physical and mental separation needed to recharge.
"Life Balance is the key to readiness and resilience," the philosophy outlines. "Our command's success hinges on intentionally maintaining this balance. Understand your personal 'why' behind what you do. Find time for your mental, physical, and spiritual health and growth. Take care of your family, friends, and colleagues. Be ready when you are called to use your talents for the mission."
Charting the Horizon: The SUPSHIP Campaign Plan
Looking toward the near future, leadership noted that the command is actively adapting to updated organizational authorities and guiding principles designed to empower waterfront supervisors.
Sammataro reiterated that the command’s leadership team is finalizing the forthcoming SUPSHIP Campaign Plan, scheduled for release within the next month, which will detail actionable short- and long-term milestones to sharpen execution and accelerate ship deliveries to the Fleet.
"Culture is maintained through intentional effort," Sammataro noted, encouraging personnel at all levels to discuss command values in their daily operations. "Help everyone at all levels understand the 'why.' When we empower our people and ensure they have the tools, trust, and resilience they need, we ensure our Fleet receives the warfighting capability our nation depends on."
About SUPSHIP Newport News:
Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, USN, Newport News (SUPSHIPNN) is the Department of the Navy’s on-site technical, contractual, and quality authority embedded at Huntington Ingalls Industries–Newport News Shipbuilding. SUPSHIPNN ensures the Navy’s capital warships—including Ford-class aircraft carriers and nuclear-powered submarines—are engineered, built, overhauled, and tested to uncompromising standards of combat lethality before joining the fleet.
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