Family is the centerpiece of motivation for Juan Gracia. As an electrician, Juan sets an example not just for shipbuilders but also for those who look up to him as a provider in his household.

“I’m responsible for being the best that I can be in all aspects of my life,” said Juan. “I have no choice but to show up motivated as an electrician, coworker, husband and father.”

In need of a career change, Juan left Brownsville, Texas, and moved to Mississippi in 2013. Hesitant about the unknown, a job opportunity at Ingalls came at the perfect time.

“At that point in my life, I was struggling and my friend pushed me to give the shipyard a try,” said Juan. “I would tell him Mississippi was too far but it was going to be now or never, so I took a chance on Ingalls and haven’t looked back.”

Juan owes a lot of his success to his coworkers and the culture in the shipyard. He describes it as an inclusive community that comes together for a common purpose. 

“Everyone is friendly, professional and supportive of one another,” said Juan. “We respect each other and that’s one of the things I love about this place.”

As he progresses in his career, Juan hopes to continue meeting the standard when it comes to producing ships of great quality for the Navy and the Coast Guard. 

“When it comes to my scope of work, perfection is always the goal,” said Juan. “It’s not always easy but I have a responsibility. If I want to lead my family down the right path, I have to lead by example in order for them to be successful.” 

Ingalls is committed to attracting diverse talent and strives to develop every shipbuilder to help them be successful. When we feel respected and supported, we are able to do our best work. By celebrating diversity in the workplace, spreading awareness about things that matter to you and encouraging advocacy, we ensure that every shipbuilder’s voice is heard and that we all have a place to BELONG.