Brian Penny

Brian Penny was born in Hampton, Virginia, and raised in Halifax County, Virginia. After graduating high school, he attended Person Community College (PCC) in Roxboro, NC, where he earned a welding certification in 1988. In 1990, he accepted a welding position at Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia. Penny accepted a position as an apprentice through their Apprentice School as a welder and graduated in 2006 as a welding journeyman. He welded aircraft carriers and submarines in new construction and repair and overhaul welding. After 20 years there, he was given the role of welding supervisor at Newport News Industrial, a subsidiary of Newport News Shipbuilding, where he worked for seven years as a welding foreman. After being in the Hampton Roads area for thirty years, he longed to return to his hometown and take what he learned and teach it to the next generation of welders. Brian has always loved working with his hands and developing his craft as a welder. He feels the best way to give back to all those who helped him in his education and career path was to show the defense manufacturing community that their efforts were not in vain and that the ATDM welding program will produce the best entry-level welders possible. He spends his free time with friends and family and enjoys the outdoors.