- Helton will oversee infrastructure modernization, facilities, environmental health and safety, and security at the shipyard
- Helton arrives from HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division, where he played a key role in the yard’s recovery from Hurricane Katrina
- He begins his new role at NNS on Aug. 31
HII has appointed Chris Helton as vice president of infrastructure and sustainability efforts at its Newport News Shipbuilding, or NNS, division, the company announced. A 35-year shipbuilding veteran, Helton will take on oversight of infrastructure
modernization, facilities, environmental health and safety, and security at the shipyard.
Helton will perform his role under Karey Malyszko, vice president of quality, process excellence and plant operations at NNS.
Helton’s appointment reflects the broader industry push to modernize shipbuilding infrastructure as the Navy pursues a record fiscal 2027 budget to rebuild the fleet. Hear directly from Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao and other leaders on where that funding is headed at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Navy Summit on Aug. 27. Register today.
What Will Helton’s Role Entail at Newport News Shipbuilding?
In his new capacity, Helton will be responsible for driving infrastructure modernization improvements across the shipyard. The position encompasses a broad portfolio that spans physical facilities management, environmental health and safety operations, and security functions — all critical to keeping one of the nation’s foremost naval shipbuilding centers operating at peak readiness.
“Chris’ extensive educational background, strategic leadership and diverse shipbuilding experience will be critical to our success in making responsible investments that further power our drive to meet our commitments,” said Malyszko.
What Experience Does Helton Bring to the Role?
Helton joins NNS from HII’s Ingalls Shipbuilding division, where he held positions of increasing responsibility across engineering, facilities, maintenance and planning over the course of his career. Among his most notable contributions was his central role in Ingalls’ recovery efforts following Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Most recently, he served as director of post-launch electrical operations at Ingalls.
His academic credentials include a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering technology and a Master of Business Administration, both earned from the University of Southern Mississippi.
What Other Leadership Appointments Has HII Made at NNS Recently?
Helton’s appointment continues a period of active leadership development at Newport News Shipbuilding. In March 2026, HII named two additional vice presidents to the division.
Christie Miller was promoted to vice president of communications, taking on oversight of internal and executive communications, events, protocol and stakeholder engagement activities. Miller, who has been with HII since 2011, succeeds Jennifer Dunn, who retired after nearly three decades with NNS.
Christian Ortego joined as vice president and chief counsel, responsible for advising senior leadership and overseeing legal services supporting shipyard operations. Ortego came to NNS from HII’s Mission Technologies segment, where he had served as senior vice president and general counsel, and is also a retired U.S. Navy surface warfare officer.
In October 2025, Roger Kelly was named vice president of contracts and pricing at NNS, succeeding Matt Mulherin Jr., who moved to a vice president role overseeing supply chain and strategic sourcing. In his position, Kelly oversees contract negotiations, pricing strategy, and export and import compliance for the shipyard.
