Willie Fairley, director, Construction Services & Ship Completion, has been selected as one of Mississippi’s Most Influential African American Leaders for 2023-2024 by the magazine Our Mississippi. This award celebrates and recognizes outstanding African American Mississippians who have blazed a trail and impacted positive change in the state of Mississippi. 

Over the course of 20 years at Ingalls Shipbuilding, Willie has proven himself to be a leader and an inspiration to everyone he comes in contact with. Starting out as a carpenter apprentice in 2004, Willie has worked hard to be reliable and someone shipbuilders look up to. He has achieved great success throughout his career by earning top apprentice honors in 2008 and holding multiple positions in the company, including carpenter foreman, general foreman, superintendent and general superintendent.  

In addition to this honor, Willie has previously been recognized as Mississippi Business Journal’s Top 50 Under 40, received the Women in Shipbuilding Enterprise appreciation award, and completed the Legacy Builder mentor program. He was also selected to be a part of the Waterfront Co-Op Program. Willie holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of South Alabama.  

Willie’s time outside of the shipyard involves spending time with his wife Sophia and their two children Willie III and Willow. His hobbies include fishing, hunting, motorcycle riding and restoring antique cars. He is also the pastor of The Power of Deliverance in Magnolia, Mississippi. Willie enjoys preaching, teaching and making sure those around him reach their full potential in life. 

(Willlie Fairley, Pictured on the right)