Newport News Names Dunn VP of Communications

Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Newport News Shipbuilding division has promoted Jennifer Dunn to vice president, communications, effective immediately. She will report directly to HII Executive Vice President and Newport News Shipbuilding President Matt Mulherin and align all external communications with Jerri Dickseski, HII’s executive vice president, communications.

Previously serving as director, communications, for Newport News, in this new role Dunn will continue leading the development and execution of the shipyard’s communications strategy to include special events, employee communications, executive communications and thought leadership, local and community public relations and advertising, employee recognition programs and shipyard crisis communications. Dunn also oversees a team of creative professionals who provide graphic design, photography and videography services across the enterprise.

A third-generation shipbuilder with a bachelor’s degree in communications from Christopher Newport University, Dunn joined Newport News in 1997 as an operations coordinator in the submarine program. In 2000 she joined what was then the Newport News’ corporate communications team and has held positions of increasing responsibility, including director of communications for Savannah River Nuclear Solutions. Dunn was named director of communications for Newport News Shipbuilding in 2008. She also supported the spin-off and formulation of Huntington Ingalls Industries in 2011.