A Note from the President
Tracy Gregorio, President, WIDGHR
As we enter December and the final stretch of 2025, many of us are shifting focus, from meeting goals to finishing strong. This time of year has a way of sharpening priorities. It’s when we take stock of what we’ve accomplished and ask what still needs our attention before the year closes.
For some, that means preparing for audits, wrapping up contracts, or mapping out next year’s strategy. For others, it’s about deepening relationships, recognizing team achievements, or stepping into new leadership roles. Wherever you are professionally, now is the time to move with intention.
This season is not a wind down but a final push. A chance to close gaps, offer support, and stay focused on what matters most, whether that’s delivering excellence, mentoring a colleague, or preparing your business for growth in the new year.
Let’s be the leaders who finish with focus, not fatigue. Let’s elevate others even while pushing toward our own finish lines. And let’s remind ourselves that how we end the year sets the tone for how we begin the next.
AI Tip of the Month
As the federal government increases investment in naval shipbuilding, defense contractors and small businesses in Hampton Roads are preparing to respond to complex requests for proposals (RFPs). Writing compelling, compliant, and technically accurate proposals can be time-consuming—but AI tools like ChatGPT can help streamline the process.
Use AI to generate first drafts, summarize technical language, and format sections for compliance. You can even feed previous contract language into your prompt to tailor responses more precisely to a specific agency or opportunity. This saves hours and gives your team more time to focus on strategy and pricing.
2025 Year-in-Review
Thank you to every member, leader, attendee, sponsor, partner, and volunteer who made our 2025 programming successful. Your engagement, expertise, and enthusiasm allowed us to empower the Hampton Roads defense community like never before.
Women’s History Month Speed Mentoring
In partnership with The Mustard Seed Place Women’s Business Center and the ODU Women’s Business Center, this rapid-fire mentoring event connected attendees with leaders from government, industry, and the small business community. Participants received practical guidance on career growth, leadership, communication, and professional development from mentors representing federal agencies, local government, women-owned businesses, nonprofits, and entrepreneurial organizations.
Industry Day 2025
Industry Day provided direct access to leaders in federal procurement and government contracting. Attendees learned how to navigate acquisition processes, identify opportunities, understand government buyer expectations, and build strategic partnerships. Program contributors included Ferguson Enterprises and the SBA.
Lunch & Learn Series
PDD Innovating for Impact: Tech & Trends
Professional Development Day delivered a high-energy program focused on innovation, leadership development, and technology-driven change across the defense landscape. Attendees gained insights into how emerging technologies are transforming defense capabilities, explored best practices for leading in evolving technical environments, learned strategies for personal and professional growth, and examined real-world applications of innovation in today’s workforce—all supported by valuable perspectives from both industry and government leaders.
Mistress of Ceremonies: Dr. Barbara H. Smith, BHS & Associates
Thank You Sponsors
- Foundation: Bank of America
- Corporate: ASJ Solutions
- Gold: Qantm Creative
- Silver: Blue Ridge Bank | Fulton Bank
- Bronze: Reed Integration, Inc.
- Lunch Table: Atlantic Union Bank | Studio Center
- Lanyard: Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of HII
- Media: CoVaBIZ
- Technology: G2 Ops, Inc.
Membership Soirée
Our Membership Soirée brought members and guests together for an upbeat evening of networking, raffles, music, and celebration. Attendees reconnected with peers, welcomed new members, and celebrated community contributions in a fun, relaxing environment.
Modernizing the U.S. Navy & The Office of Shipbuilding
Digital twin technology and wireframe modeling are transforming naval construction.
As of December 2025, the White House Office of Shipbuilding continues to drive a strategic commitment to modernizing the U.S. Navy and strengthening the nation’s maritime industrial base, building on its establishment last month. Recent progress, including negotiations for a historic deal with Finland to construct 11 new arctic cutters, highlights the initiative's momentum in streamlining shipbuilding efforts, enhancing procurement efficiency, and supporting long-term investment in naval readiness. As global maritime competition intensifies, this moves underscores the importance of a resilient domestic shipbuilding capability.
Impact on Hampton Roads
For Hampton Roads, these developments present significant opportunities. With its deep-rooted ties to naval operations and ship construction, the region stands at the forefront of this national priority. Newport News Shipbuilding remains the only U.S. shipyard capable of producing nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and one of only two that build nuclear submarines. Meanwhile, Naval Station Norfolk continues to serve as a hub for Atlantic Fleet operations, logistics, and innovation.
The White House initiative is accelerating investment in new ship designs, sustainment programs, and supply chain capacity. In Hampton Roads, this could translate into expanded work for existing contractors and increased demand for support services. Sectors including metal fabrication, engineering, logistics, cybersecurity, and workforce development may see significant growth. Additionally, the multiplier effect of defense spending is likely to stimulate broader economic activity throughout the region.
Federal emphasis on supply chain resilience and diversified sourcing is expected to create new opportunities for small businesses. The initiative encourages engagement from veteran-owned, women-owned, and minority-owned firms, as well as those offering innovative or cost-effective solutions. Hampton Roads businesses specializing in ship systems integration, training, manufacturing, or digital tools could become essential partners in this evolving ecosystem.
Infrastructure and Technological Leadership
As shipbuilding demand increases, so does the need for robust infrastructure and emerging technologies. Investments may include upgrades to dry docks, ports, and transportation networks that support naval operations. At the same time, local institutions such as Old Dominion University and regional research centers are well-positioned to lead in areas like AI-driven ship design, digital twins, and predictive maintenance tools. These technologies are critical to improving the speed, safety, and cost-effectiveness of naval construction and sustainment.
Preparing for Long-Term Impact
The Office of Shipbuilding is not a short-term program. It represents a multi-year, strategic effort to ensure the U.S. Navy can meet evolving challenges. For Hampton Roads, this is an opportunity to align regional capabilities with national needs, attract new investment, and grow a future-ready workforce. By leveraging its unique assets and staying closely engaged with policymakers and industry leaders, Hampton Roads can continue to serve as a national leader in maritime strength and innovation.
Heard at the Congressional Water Cooler…
As the fiscal year came to a close, Congress returned from its August recess, facing a familiar deadline: avoiding a government shutdown. A shutdown occurs when appropriations to fund the U.S. government for the next fiscal year are not ratified into law. When a funding gap is expected to last beyond one full working day, a shutdown for “non-expected services” begins, and associated federal employees are furloughed.
Unfortunately, a short-term funding patch was not approved, forcing the government to shut down on October 1, 2025. Lawmakers remained at a stalemate for 43 days, but a resolution was reached on November 12, 2025, when the President signed legislation ending the shutdown. This impasse had significant implications for military personnel, the Department of Defense (DoD), and military families. Active-duty troops were required to continue reporting for duty, but they did not receive paychecks on time. Civilian defense staff and contractors, however, are not uniformly required to work. DoD civilian personnel who were deemed not essential were furloughed.
Contract work continues only on projects that were fully funded prior to October 1. If a contract or contract option was awarded before the shutdown, performance could proceed regardless of whether it supports an expected activity. However, new contract awards, renewals, modifications, extensions, task orders, and contract options were paused during the shutdown. Additional funding could not be added to incrementally funded contracts or used to cover cost overruns. The DoD retains authority to award new contracts or place task orders under existing ones only to support expected activities, and only in cases involving imminent risk to human life, property protection, or serious national security threats.
As for next steps, contractors were advised to consult with their contracting officers for guidance until Congress passed an appropriations measure. With the shutdown now resolved, DoD operations are resuming, though some recovery efforts may take additional time.
Legislative Update: NDAA
On October 9, the Senate voted to approve its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) by a 77-20 vote. This bill includes $925 billion in defense spending. The House approved its version earlier. With the passage of this bill, House and Senate armed service committees have begun the conference process, where lawmakers meet to compromise between each chamber’s versions. As of November 17, negotiators are addressing final unresolved matters, aiming to reconcile the bill before December.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Thank you again to everyone who attended, spoke, sponsored, volunteered, and supported WIDGHR this year. Your engagement fuels our mission and strengthens the defense community across Hampton Roads. We look forward to an even more impactful 2026 filled with new programs, deeper connections, and expanded opportunities for women in defense.
Upcoming Events
TASC/WID/AFCEA Holiday Party
Join us for a festive evening of networking and celebration with our partners at TASC and AFCEA.
Register hereBizTools Workshop: Ditch the Pitch
This hands-on, three-hour workshop led by Marcia Futterman Brodie equips participants with tools to deliver a clear and compelling business introduction.
Register herePMI Hampton Roads Chapter Meeting
Kick off 2026 with project professionals from across the region. Featured speaker Martin White will present “The 60-Second Rule,” a framework for making critical decisions under pressure.
Register hereSAME Mid-Atlantic Small Business Outreach + Industry Day
A two-and-a-half-day federal contracting event with sessions, exhibits, and matchmaking. Connect with defense agencies, primes, and small business advocates in the A/E/C and government markets.
Register now
Katina Adams
Supply Chain Manager, Newport News Shipbuilding (a division of HII)
Katina Adams is a Supply Chain Manager at Newport News Shipbuilding (a division of HII), where she also serves as the Small Business Liaison Officer and Socio-Economic Small Business Programs Officer. She manages compliance on federal contracts valued at more than $40B and leads initiatives that have earned HII national recognition for supporting small and minority-owned businesses.
Katina began her career in the defense community 25 years ago through what she describes as divine intervention and has continued to build an impactful path ever since. Since joining WIDGHR in 2017, she has been an active board member and corporate partner, valuing the organization’s camaraderie, connections, and commitment to personal as well as professional growth and development. She encourages others to join WIDGHR, get involved in its programs, and stay engaged in the chapter, believing that the Hampton Roads defense community is strongest when built on civility, collaboration, education, and innovation. Connect with Katina to discuss cybersecurity or WID!