The document provides an overview of recent developments at Vigor shipyards. It summarizes the raising of a Tlingit totem pole at the Ketchikan shipyard to signify a new direction that bridges divisions and brings the community together. It also highlights leadership training programs for employees and updates on construction projects at various Vigor locations.

1. THE NEWSLETTER FOR VIGOR EMPLOYEES AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2015
TOTEM POLE SIGNIFIES POWERFUL
NEW DIRECTION FOR KETCHIKAN
Something truly powerful is taking hold
at Vigor’s Ketchikan shipyard. The Tlingit
(pronounced “Klink-it”) totem pole, raised
on August 1, is a sign of what’s happening:
it bridges the divide between native and
immigrant, industry and art, reality and
aspiration, the past and the future.
And just inside the entrance to the
shipyard, where the totem pole now greets
employees, visitors and passers-by, those
historic divisions are slowly but measurably
disappearing.
The pole’s four figures—Raven, Strongman,
Eagle and Aunty—provide hints to this
transformation happening at Vigor and in
the Ketchikan community.
The raven and eagle, considered “love
birds,” represent the two main Tlingit clans.
In Ketchikan, a random person you meet
on the street might tell you
about a shipyard that used to
have a lot of injuries, but now has hardly
any (see page 6). Where, before Vigor took
over, the workers didn’t have time for their
families, but now they do. You hear about
that shipyard where love is a value that the
company lives by.
Dukt’ootl’, the strongman, is shown ripping
a sea lion in two. Tlingit lore tells how the
sea lion had murdered Dukt’ootl’s uncle,
and how he trained to gain the strength to
avenge his uncle’s death. By accomplishing
this feat, the strongman set things right
again. In the Ketchikan community,
Vigor is helping to set things right again
through its support of WISH (Women In
Safe Homes)—a resource for domestic
abuse survivors—and by helping prepare
young members of the Ketchikan Indian
Community for family-wage careers as
shipbuilders. The strongman’s presence on
the pole reflects Vigor’s commitments to
both responsibility and evolution.
The Aunty, which traditionally represents
elder Tlingit women who guided the
younger women of the tribe, represents
Vigor’s determination to bring feminine
wisdom and energy to the workplace.
Although still a minority out on the deck
plates, women are counted among the
yard’s best welders, and the company
strives to support women in realizing their
potential. Putting Aunty at the foundation
of the totem pole reminds us of the truth:
that we’re not there yet—that we still have
a long way to go before women and their
contributions are fully realized at Vigor, in
Ketchikan and in the larger community.
When a totem pole goes up, the town
celebrates. Neighboring tribes and
dignitaries arrive. Native dance troops go all
night. Gifts are given out, a feast is served.
It’s a big deal. It’s big because it takes vision
and hard work on behalf of the carver,
because it takes a large group of men and
women to carry and raise it by hand, and
because it’s a constant, visual reminder,
over the course of generations, of what a
community stands for.
…more photos on page 2

2. …continued from page 1
TLINGIT TOTEM POLE
FOR KETCHIKAN
Cover photos: The crowd helps raise the totem pole.
Underneath the Raven, the strongman Dukt’ootl’ is
shown ripping his foe, the sea lion, in two.
1. Vigor’s business development manager
Doug Ward, tireless champion for the Ketchikan
community.
2. Sue Haley, Sr.VP, Human Resources was one of
many pole-bearers.
3 “I love the totems,” said night watchman
Rod Jaehnig. “I married into a Tlingit family so I’ve
been to a bunch of pole raisings and potlatches…
Vigor is attuned to working with the community,
doing good things. I know they’ve done a couple of
emergency roofing jobs when people needed help.
I think this is a real good means of bringing the
community together, and it’s a beautiful totem.”
4. Master carver Jon Rowan dances at the base of
the totem pole with his nephew, Ruben Hoppe.
5. “This is the first totem pole that I touched and
smelled the wood as it was raised alongside friends,
coworkers, and family,” said admin assistant Kristin
Reigard, pictured here with daughter Zoey. “The
Tlingit are my people and my heritage. It was great
to get back into the depths of my ancestry and
celebrate the connection between business and
culture. It is quite profound that Vigor has reached
out to connect with the Native peoples in this area.”
6. The dancing and celebration moved on to
Ted Ferry Civic Center and carried on into the
wee hours. Several local dance troops and
representatives from the neighboring Haida and
Tsimshian peoples participated in the festivities.
7. Adam Beck with the pedestal showing art from
all the Vigor sites.
8. Vigor Alaska general manager Mike Pearson
and supervisor Troy Tacker, leaders in Ketchikan’s
evolution.
Photo credits: Felix Wong, Hall Anderson and
Al Polito
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3. COFFEE BREAK WITH CARA KUHLMAN
Cara is a great example of someone
who’s parlayed a foot in the door into a
burgeoning career.
In 2012, she left her regular gig as a sailing
instructor to take a five-month placement
as receptionist/admin assistant in Ballard.
“I loved my time at Kvichak and was thrilled
when the permanent position opened up
last November,” she says. “The people here
are great and I found lots of fellow sailors!”
She’s also found opportunity. “Among
Cara’s many talents, she’s a published and
skilled writer,” says mentor and HR manager
Kirsten Petersen. “I’ve tapped into those
abilities to get her help on creative job
posters and various other projects.
“Cara has a hip, unique perspective on life,
and truly understands our boat-building world.”
We knew we had to put those skills to
work, too, and have enlisted Cara as a field
correspondent for Vibe, bringing us articles,
ideas and photos from the Kvichak team.
Want to keep us in the loop about what’s
going on at your site? We’re happy to have
you aboard. Not a writer? Not a problem!
You be the ears and we’ll do the legwork!
Email us at newsletter@vigor.net if you’re
interested.
BUILDING BETTER LEADERS
Congratulations to the “Cornerstone Tribe”—the first graduates from
Vigor’s six-month Evolution in Leadership (EIL) program, launched in January
(see the February Vibe).
The group had great feedback on the EIL program (see sidebar)—good news for the next
class forming now with members from all locations and businesses.
Vigor supervisors are also boosting their leadership skills with ongoing training
in communications, the role of the supervisor, performance management, and crucial
conversations. Seattle held classes in July and Portland and Clackamas will hold classes
starting in in September.
Managers in Ketchikan, Seattle and Portland also attended a coaching class in
August. All of these classes address your call for strong, consistent leadership in the
engagement survey. Supervisors and managers as coaches and mentors are key to creating
a culture that supports our values.
We also continue to develop our skilled worker base with new apprenticeship
programs in the works for machinists and electricians, in partnership with Clark Community
College and Portland Community College. For fitter welders, Local 104 in Portland has
created a training center specifically for an apprenticeship program. We will have six
apprentices starting in September. Craft training in July included crane classes for Ketchikan,
Seattle and Tacoma and valve training in Portland. After hours aluminum welding classes
commence later this month at the Harbor Island Training Center.
Shawn Steele (facilities
manager, Portland), Joel
Pilgrim (manager of
Manufacturing, Ketchikan),
Michael Mirick (logistics
manager, Seattle), Mark
Idzenga (GM, Tacoma),
Chad Niemeyer (craft
development manager,
Ship Repair Seattle),
Mike Nutter and Kellan
Lancaster (PMs, Ship
Repair Portland), Gil
Vizcarra (planning manager,
Vigor Fab Portland), Brian
Johnston (PM, Ship Repair
Portland), Robert Ekse
(ops manager, Ship Repair
Seattle), Norm Skan (ship
superintendent, Ketchikan),
Kale Kramer (director of
Manufacturing,Vigor Fab
Portland).
“EIL opened my eyes to what I’m truly
capable of, not only with work but also on
a personal level.” (Joel Pilgrim)
“I appreciated the chance for different
business units to get together and realize
we all have a lot to offer each other.
Meeting people from across the business
opened my eyes to see who we really are.”
(Brian Johnston)
“The focus was on who I am as a person
and how I want to relate to people. Aside
from giving me the tools to change, it
was a journey into my heart and mind,
one that has had a greater impact on my
ability to lead than all my previous years
of classroom leadership training combined.
Thank you Vigor!” (Shawn Steele)
“What started out as work turned into a
life experience. I made friends that I can
bounce ideas off and share successes and
failures with. These relationships will be
cherished for years to come.” (Ron Olson)
“I was able to identify my personal values
and connect that ‘real self’ to what I do at
work every day.” (Chad Niemeyer)
“I gained years of self exploration that I
may not have been able to accomplish
by myself, ever. This is a gift that goes
well beyond what I can give back to Vigor.
(Robert Ekse)
I have much more clarity in my work and
my confidence as a leader.” (Norm Skan)
3

4. 66%
12%
22%
Responsibility Average:
(Measured things like accountability, clarity in job
expectations, and nature of work environment.)
79%
7%
14%
Safety Opinion Average:
(Measured safety attitudes, level of training and
safety expectations at your site.)
“I enjoy always doing something
different and the challenge of
‘making it work’ when it shouldn’t.”
AND THE SURVEY SAYS…
Thanks to all 1,600 (70%) of you who took our employee survey. Here are the
overall results.Your leaders will be sharing location-specific info with your
team. Let them know if you want in on action planning!
2015 All questions:
Find comprehensive results on HR’s VigorNet page under Engagement.
We have work to do, but you had
LOTS of good things to say, too!
“I feel safe, like people are paying
attention to what they’re doing
and how it might adversely affect
those around them.”
“I learn new things each day. I get
to work at a job I love to come to.”
59%25%
16%
Compared to the 2013 survey,
results went down 5%. We expect
more and are more willing to say
what’s on our minds. That’s good—
it means truth and evolution are on
the rise! But you told us we’ve still
got work to do and these areas will
be a focus for action plans.
47%
25%
28%
Truth Average:
(Measured things like trust and honesty,
follow-through, feedback given and openness.)
49%
20%
31%
Evolution Average:
(Measured access to development opportunities,
training and how well we’re adapting and improving.)
63%
14%
23%
This is a great place to work:
(Measured satisfaction with work environment,Vigor
as an employer and your connection to the company.)
Love Average:
57%
16%
27%
(Measured recognition,Vigor’s stewardship of environment/
community and how you’re treated at work.)
o We do this well o Neutral o We need to do better
“I enjoy the ‘team’ aspect. We all
can pull together to work towards
a common goal and to get the job
done successfully and on time.”
“The people here make me want
to come to work. Being part of the
team that builds tugs and barges is
like being a kid again.”
“It’s a career, not a dead end job.
I can grow in this company.”
“My supervisors have faith in
my skills and I have a lot of
support from other people in my
department, corporate on down.”
I take responsibility for my safety
And the safety of others
I give my best every day at work
I’m responsible for/own my success
I’m expected to do things right the first time
Doing it safe all the time is expected/a priority
I know what I need to do today for success
I clearly see how what I do supports Vigor’s success
I get the right safety training
I have friends at work I can count on
Leaders follow through on promises
My ideas and opinions are heard
My manager speaks to me regularly about how I’m doing
I receive the right recognition and appreciation
I get the right training for excellence and mastery
I feel Vigor is an honest company
People at Vigor speak openly and truthfully
Poor performance is taken care of quickly
Ideas to improve are acted upon
Promotions are based on clear criteria
TOP10BOTTOM10
100%90%80%70%60%50%40%30%20%10%0%o We do this well o Neutral o We need to do better
4

5. WHAT’S ON THE WORK SCHEDULE? As of July 31.
AEROSPACE
PROJECT START END
CLACKAMAS
Launch Complex Dec 15/14 Aug 30/15
41 – Torque Tube and Swing Arm
Mobile Service Jun 27/14 Dec 15/15
Tower Maintenance Contract
BRIDGE & STRUCTURAL
CLACKAMAS
Fore River Bridge Nov 19/12 Sept 15/15
SR 520 Floating Sept 16/15 Dec 15/15
Bridge (9 signings)
Transbay Oct 1/13 Dec 17/15
Transit Center
Wittpenn Bridge Mar 18/15 Apr 15/17
Main Lift Span and Kearny Approach
USCG-Polar July 6/14 July 31/19
Hub Maintenance, Overhaul and Storage
HYDRO
CLACKAMAS
Midtown Sept 4/14 Aug 15/15
Floodgates
AMP-Smithland Jan 28/10 Sept 1/15
Hydro Project
Norway Dam July 14/14 Oct 1/15
Hydro Gates
Olmsted Dam Jan 4/13 Mar 1/17
Wicket Gates
MARINE CONSTRUCTION
BALLARD/KENT
Response Boat Jan 13/15 Oct 16/15
Medium - C
Cal Water Mar 24/14 Mar 3/16
Research Cat
US Navy Skimmers Oct 23/14 Apr 10/16
(12 boats)
Port of Duqm Feb 3/15 Apr 20/16
Pilot Boat #1
Port of Duqm Feb 3/15 Apr 20/16
Pilot Boat #2
King Co. May 7/15 May 20/16
Research Cat
WETA 400 Apr 16/15 May 15/17
PAX Ferry #1
WETA 400 Apr 16/15 May 15/17
PAX Ferry #2
MARINE CONSTRUCTION
PROJECT START END
CLACKAMAS
ACTUV Sept 20/12 Sept 1/15
Unmanned Vehicle
11 Meter Jun 4/14 Oct 1/15
Unmanned Vessel
Combatant Feb 25/14 Jun 12/24
Craft Production
HARBOR ISLAND
95’ Tug Mar 2015 Feb 2016
Fire Boat Aug 2014 Mar 2016
Chimicum WSF #3 Aug 2014 Mar 2017
KETCHIKAN
Day Boat ACF Oct 16/14 Apr 15/18
Ship No. 1
Day Boat ACF Oct 16/14 Oct 15/18
Ship No. 2
PORTLAND
River Tug #2 Q3 2014 Aug 15/19
River Tug #3 Q1 2015 Dec 20/15
ATB Tank Barge Q3 2014 Nov 30/15
Hull #23
Tank Barge Feb 1/15 Dec 15/15
Hull 137
Ammonia Barges Q1 2015 Q1 2018
MARINE REPAIR
EVERETT
Robbins 300’ Apr 10/15 Dec 1/15
tunnel boring machine
HARBOR ISLAND
Tug Vision Aug 24/15 Sept 17/15
Shauna Kay Sept 28/15 Oct 5/15
Coastal Progress Oct 5/15 Oct 30/15
Wenatchee Sept 24/15 Oct 30/15
MSRC 380 Barge Aug 3/15 Aug 19/15
Evergreen State Aug 10/15 Aug 21/15
Steilacoom II Aug 8/15 Sept 1/15
650-10 Aug 25/15 Sept 17/15
Puyallup Sept 21/15 Sept 23/15
Tacoma Aug 1/15 Sept 27/15
KETCHIKAN
F/V Ocean Explorer Aug 8/15 Aug 12/15
MV Oral Freeman July 25/15 Aug 21/15
MV Taku Jun 23/15 Aug 31/15
Alaska Victory July 16/15 Sept 9/15
Chcikamin Sept 15/15 Nov 2/15
Nakwasina Sept 15/15 Nov 2/15
MARINE REPAIR
PROJECT START END
PORT ANGELES
M/T Pegasus Vo Jun 17/15 Sept 5/15
Overseas Sept 14/15 Sept 24/15
Los Angeles
PORTLAND
MSRC Barge 404 8/12/2015 8/13/2015
SR Liberty Bay 8/5/2015 8/16/2015
USNS Waters 7/6/2015 8/21/2015
Barge Global Seattle 9/1/2015 9/8/2015
LSV-3 Army 6/8/2015 9/9/2015
USNS July 1/15 Sept 12/15
Charles Drew ROH
USNS July 13/15 Sept 17/15
John Glenn PSA
Barge Haliewa Sept 14/215 Sept 20/15
SS Petersburg Sept 1/15 Sept 30/15
RV Sea Venture Sept 29/15 Oct 12/15
Pacific Tracker (301) Sept 2/14 Nov 14/15
Pacific Collector Oct 1/15 Nov 14/15
SEWARD
Chahutna July 30/15 Aug 5/15
Fury Alaska July 31/15 Aug 7/15
TACOMA
Barge Snohomish July 22/01 Aug 14/15
Tug Henry Know May 26/15 Aug 31/15
(LT-802)
NUCLEAR/GMD
CLACKAMAS
Spent Fuel Dec 11/1 Sept 1/15
Canisters
CA20 Sub-Modules Nov 27/14 Sept 15/15
Shield Building Sept 12/14 Oct 15/15
Main Stream/Field Water Weldment
GE-Hitachi July 2/14 Dec 31/15
In-Pile Tubes
Rail Vehicle Design Feb 11/13 Mar 1/16
NG MF1 System Oct 25/14 Sept 30/16
Ground Based Mar 26/12 Nov 14/18
Mid-Course Defense DSC
BMPC In-Pile Tubes July 2/14 Dec 2/19
5

6. THE NEWSLETTER FOR VIGOR EMPLOYEES
Vibe is published every other month to keep
employees informed about company people, plans
and initiatives.
Send submissions or feedback to our
communications team at
newsletter@vigor.net
Vigor Industrial
5555 North Channel Avenue
Portland, OR 97217, USA
(503) 247-1777 • www.vigor.net
Did you know Vigor has a Facebook page
with up-to-date jobs feed? Friend us at
www.facebook.com/vigornet.
6
MATCHING FUNDS CAMPAIGN September 1 – 30
Portland Rescue Mission, Children’s Center of Clackamas, Union Gospel
Mission, Special Olympics Alaska… just a handful of the
organizations Vigor employees support with their giving
dollars—and ours. These charities do worthy work and
people in your community rely on their services and help.
So far in 2015, only $7,300 has been spent from Vigor’s $75,000 Matching Funds
account, so we’re ramping up awareness with a campaign encouraging you to open
your heart and your wallet in September. Vigor will match all donations of $25 or more
(up to $7,500 per year).
Every $5 in donations will earn you more tickets for random drawings featuring cool
Vigor gear and Visa gift cards!
Watch for the giving tables at your site and posters tracking giving locally and
company-wide. Learn more about Vigor Cares or print donation forms on Vigornet.
Is September tight for you? Vigor matches donations year-round.
PASSAGES
Thanks to our recent/upcoming retirees for
their years of service:
Portland: Alan Jones (11 years), Valeriy
Marmyshev (3 years)
Seattle: Gregory Rainbolt (36 years)
With heavy hearts, we also offer
condolences to friends and family of Chad
Lunt, Teddy Phillips, and Steve Perrone, from
Portland, and Mickey Dawley from Seattle,
who all recently passed away.
MARCH TO ZERO INJURIES
TURNAROUND IN KETCHIKAN
As Vibe headed to press, Ketchikan’s safety rate was 2.81. To put that achievement in
context, last year’s rate was double that and in 2013 it was a dismal 11.27.
To what do they attribute their remarkable
turnaround? Lofty ambitions—and love.
“We set a goal to be the safest shipyard in
the US,” says Russ Page, environmental,
safety and health manager. “We brought
everyone in the yard together to share that
vision and talk about what it would look
like. Setting an ambitious goal makes a lot
of other things fall into place. Being the
safest yard means we have to be the best in
communication, in our operating facility, in
our training and mastery of jobs.
“We put out posters and asked people
to write out reasons to stay safe—they
responded with photos of their families and
their coworkers.
“At every shift meeting we asked what can we do to be safer today? We didn’t worry
about tomorrow or a year from now. And we asked what can we do to bring light to others?”
Russ says employees deserve all the credit for the way they embraced the vision.
“Employees on the deck plates see it all, so when they start getting involved, asking
questions, making suggestions, pointing out hazards, that’s when huge change happens.
“I wish everyone could be here to experience the love our employees have for each
other and their sincere desire to make Ketchikan the safest yard. It’s tangible and a
source of pride for all.”
NEW CONTRACTOR/VISITOR SAFETY VIDEO DEBUTS
Vigor’s Safety Department is excited to announce our new Contractor/Visitor Safety
Orientation video. Similar to the employee video that you may have already seen, this
video conveys Vigor’s safety commitment specifically to contractors and visitors. As
you said was a need in the engagement survey, providing this training sets the same
expectations of safe conduct and environmental stewardship at any Vigor site. The
video will be paired with a verification sheet that contractors and visitors fill out and
sign prior to entering any Vigor site. Also, the Purchasing Department will forward
instructions for the video and verification sheet upon issuing subcontractor purchase
orders. Want to see the video? You can find it on Vigor’s YouTube site
(https://youtu.be/7njLgACIBpg). —Steve Vinson, safety director
“Overall Vigor is on the right path
towards improving its safety
culture with an overall company
recordable rate of 7.* The great
performance in Ketchikan and
the 5.3 injury rate for Ship Repair
in Portland—together a 35%
improvement over last year—
demonstrates that a change in
culture does indeed lead to safer
employees and fewer injuries and
that Target ZERO is achievable!
– Rene Doiron,VP Production Services
*Not including Kvichak.
August 2, roughly 2000 Portland-area employees and
their families attended the company picnic at Oaks
Amusement Park. Rides, food, fun and good weather—
what else do you need? Puget Sound-area families will
celebrate summer at Woodland Park Zoo August 22.