The Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing (ATDM) program celebrated its 15th and largest graduating cohort with a ceremony held at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research (IALR) on March 14. The event honored 98 graduates who completed four months of intensive manufacturing training on the IALR campus in Additive Manufacturing, CNC Machining, Non-destructive Testing and Welding.
The ceremony featured a keynote address by Captain James P. “JIP” Mosman, Commander of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard, and student remarks by Jonathan Rada, who completed the Additive Manufacturing program.
“The Maritime Industrial Base is the foundation of both our national security and global supply chain… Whether you are ensuring the structural integrity of a vessel, contributing to cutting edge innovation or supporting mission critical operations, you are playing a role in something much larger than yourself. You are joining a workforce in a legacy of service, resilience and innovation.” – Captain James P. “JIP” Mosman, Commander of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard
“I’ve learned invaluable skills, made lifelong friends and found a sense of a sense of purpose that has eluded me for years. It’s never too late to reinvent yourself, take risks, and when opportunity knocks, show up.” – Jonathan Rada, Additive Manufacturing Graduate, incoming CNC Machinist with General Dynamics
The ATDM program equips adult learners with critical skills and credentials to succeed in careers within the maritime industrial base (MIB), which produces and maintains essential parts and equipment for ships and submarines. ATDM participants receive full scholarships covering tuition and housing.
The curriculum is guided by direct input from industry partners, ensuring graduates meet the immediate workforce needs of defense manufacturers. Throughout their training, students complete 600 hours of hands-on instruction and earn multiple industry-recognized credentials. Many participants secure employment offers even before graduation.
Participants in the ATDM program come from across the United States, representing diverse backgrounds including veterans transitioning from military service, professionals changing industries and individuals new to manufacturing. With the Navy’s National Training Center that opened earlier in 2025, the program is set to train between 800 and 1,000 students annually.
Graduates of the 15th ATDM Cohort:
Additive Manufacturing: Vincent Corbo, Joshua Davis, Talbert Dunn, Aaron Garcia, David Goree, Jim-Nicholas James, Michael McFadden, Lisa Parrotta, Alexander Peabody, Jonathan Rada, Sean Verrando
CNC Machining (1st Shift): Natasha Barnes, David Heil, Kevin Holodak, William Perry, Caleb Polasik, Rodrigo Van Rooy, James Wilson, Kamry Wilson
CNC Machining (2nd Shift): Nahid Bakhtari, Isaiah Booker, GianCarlo De La Paz, Majeed Ebrahimi, Chrday Fields, Julian Litlv, Daniel Pearce, Darcy Souza, Desmond Steele, Dustin Tatro, Xavier Thomas, Mace Tyrsdottir, Christopher Tucker
CNC Machining (3rd Shift): Carlos Bueno, William Cadwalader, Roberto Corona-Rodriguez, Claudio Gutierrez, Joshua Hjelle, Abuobaida Elamin, Padraic Noonan, Ryan Sanders, John Soltis, James Tyson
Non-destructive Testing: Edward Bakshis, Nathaniel Brown, Dustin Byrum, Zachery Carmean, DeAndre DeScott, Aquiles Guedes Rapassi, Nicole Hillstrom, Shawn Kizzee, Brandon Lay, Julian Littman-van Hoek, Trinidad Magdaleno, Kalief Manuel, Herbert McClain, Owen McNeill, Jessica Roy, Nicholas Sacharko, Zachary Snyder, Anna Stone, Mathew Walter, Aaron Watt
Welding (1st Shift): Ian Barba, Nicholas Barron, Jennifer Baumgartner, Thomas Cluchey, Michael Jenrich, Spencer Long, Anthony Mazzucca, Corey McWhorter, Anna Mikulec, Brandon Robinson
Welding (2nd Shift): Shonteniece Brown, Faith Chandler, Bethany Fairchild, Aiden Ferrell, Candace Green, Gracen Haught, J Nicholas Leppo, Peyton Phillips, Shaboo Reid, Santiago Rizo Lomeli, Ian Tamez, Rolando Velasco, Devin Walker
Welding (3rd Shift): Valdemarr Davis, Clayton Dierks, Emanuel Flores, Isaiah Forbes, Angel Gomez, Clay Hopper, Damien Jamison, James Kelly, Marquise Parker, Tyreek Robb, Britton Shover, Josue Sinico Velazquez, Carlos Walker
About ATDM
Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing was developed as a public-private consortium between the Department of Defense, IALR, Danville Community College (DCC), Phillips Corporation, and The SPECTRUM Group in consultation with the defense industry. IALR leads the multi-year pilot project funded by the National Imperative for Industrial Skills initiative of the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program Office in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment.
About the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research
The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research serves Virginia as a regional catalyst for economic transformation with applied research, advanced learning, manufacturing advancement, conference center services and economic development efforts. IALR’s major footprint focuses within Southern Virginia, including the counties of Patrick, Henry, Franklin, Pittsylvania, Halifax and Mecklenburg, along with the cities of Martinsville and Danville.
