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Kevin Graney

President, General Dynamics Electric Boat

Kevin Graney became president of General Dynamics Electric Boat in October 2019.

Graney began his shipbuilding career with General Dynamics Electric Boat in 1995, as a senior engineer, working on the high-speed turbine generator set for the Virginia-class submarine. He was then assigned as a fluid systems supervisor, working with Newport News Shipbuilding to design the reactor plant fluid systems of the next-generation aircraft carrier – the CVN 78 program. He later managed a team of Electric Boat designers and engineers in the development of fluid systems for the British Astute-class submarine program. After working on the British submarine program, he became the program manager of capital projects and metrics in the Virginia-class submarine program office.

He joined NASSCO in January 2006 as director of quality assurance and was promoted to vice president of engineering in July 2007. In 2010, Graney assumed the post of vice president of Programs and in January 2013 was promoted to vice president of Operations. In November 2013, Graney was named vice president and general manager, a position he held until assuming the role of president.

Graney was born in Cheektowaga, New York, in January 1964. He earned a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering and nuclear science from State University of New York Maritime College in 1986. Upon graduation, he was commissioned as a naval officer and served aboard submarines and as an instructor at Nuclear Power Training Unit Ballston Spa in New York.

Graney is married to Cheryl Kidd Graney from Colchester, Connecticut. Together, they have a daughter, Katherine, a recent graduate of the University of California, Davis.

Nikki Stratton

Sponsor

Nikki Stratton is a 2007 graduate of Washington State University with a Bachelor of Education focusing on sport management. Nikki spent the first half of her professional career coaching college basketball at Washington State University and the University of Wyoming, before moving into the private sector. She is the youngest granddaughter of USS Arizona survivor Donald G. Stratton and his wife Velma Stratton.

While growing up, Ms. Stratton developed a strong love for her grandfather’s story through time spent with her grandparents. The highlight of every year was traveling to Hawaii for the Pearl Harbor Remembrance ceremonies and honoring the shipmates who died during the attack. During the 76th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, Nikki was the keynote speaker for the medal ceremony honoring Joseph L. George, who was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with “V” for his heroism. Nikki is passionate about sharing the story of how Mr. George saved six men, including her grandfather.

Nikki lives in Denver with her fiancé Mike. She works for a small marketing technology company. Nikki loves being the fun aunt to Emersyn, Bryce and Boden, and enjoys spoiling people with her love for baking cakes and sweet treats. She loves to travel and share the story of her grandfather’s survival in a moment that left a mark on the entire nation. Nikki works to honor the legacy of those that have come before and to prepare the way for those yet to come.

Bob Hobday

Welder, Electric Boat Quonset Point

Quonset Point welder Bob Hobday will co-weld sponsor Nikki Stratton’s initials on a plate that will be installed on Arizona. Bob grew up in North Kingstown, and Quonset Point was his playground for most of his life. He started his Electric Boat career as a welder in January of 1975 and quickly advanced to X-ray welding on various submarine components. In 1979, Bob transferred to the waterfront manufacturing building as an Automated Frame and Cylinder (AFC) Technician to help launch the new AFC area. In 2018 he became a Principal Manufacturing Representative for the Columbia AFC program. Bob and his wife Gail live in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. He is a car enthusiast and enjoys traveling, boating and fishing.