Austal USA names Chris Young VP of Production Operations

Mobile, Ala. – Austal USA announced the promotion of Chris Young to Vice President of Production Operations. Young, formerly Senior Director of Production, is a 26-year veteran of Austal with 19 of those years spent at Austal USA’s new construction manufacturing facilities in Mobile.

Young’s tenure with Austal began immediately following school in Perth, Australia, when he joined the company as a structural engineering apprentice. Young was soon asked to travel to the US to join the Austal USA team as it stood up operations in Mobile, Ala. After a brief return to Australia, Young came back to Mobile in 2004 to assist in production management roles overseeing the construction of two Hawaii Super Ferry vessels. Young also played an instrumental role in hiring and training the production workforce as the company underwent a major growth period. 

“I’m excited for Chris and our entire Austal USA team – he has lived and breathed shipbuilding his entire career. His experience, combined with his passion for shipbuilding, will keep our team squarely focused on continuing production excellence in all of our new construction programs,” said Austal USA President Rusty Murdaugh.  

From the conception of the Navy’s Independence-variant Littoral Combat Ship and Expeditionary Fast Transport, Young has been intimately involved in the design and build strategies of each new construction program. Young also spent considerable time in his former role as Senior Director of Production overseeing the design and construction of Austal USA’s steel panel line expansion.

Mike Bell, formerly Senior Vice President of Production Operations, was named Senior Vice President of Infrastructure, Austal West Campus and Site Services where he will oversee the company’s continued infrastructure expansion. Taken together, the restructure ensures Austal USA is positioned to support its increasing workload and complex facility expansion projects.