What a night to remember. Thank you to everyone who joined The Propeller Club, Port of Norfolk and The Propeller Club of the United States, Port of Newport News for an unforgettable Valentine’s Day Ball. It was an evening filled with connection, celebration, and a shared commitment to giving back.

Thanks to your generosity, we packed 250 bags in support of the Roc Solid Foundation, bringing hope to children and families battling childhood cancer. We were also proud to stand alongside the Newport News Club as they presented their annual donation of $2,000 to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, a nonprofit with deep personal connections to both clubs. Being welcomed into this event was an incredible honor, one we hold with deep gratitude and respect.

From cocktail hour conversations to dancing the night away, the evening was a beautiful reminder of the strength of our maritime community and a meaningful salute to the people, industries, and traditions that strengthen our region and our country, as well as the 250th commemorations of our Nation, the U.S. Navy, and the U.S. Marine Corps.

A big thanks to all our sponsors, Collins Machine Works, CROFTON, In-Place Machining Company, CTR Group, Riggins Company, Colonna's Shipyard, Steel America, Avoler Group, LLC, Main Industries, Sunbelt Rentals, Inc., McAllister Towing, MES - Nationwide Blast & Paint Rentals & Supplies, Advex Corporation, Técnico Corporation, Arc3 Gases, EMS Industrial, Inc., Solomon Shipyard, NORFOLK COATING SERVICES LLC, CMP Global, Fairlead, Hot and Cold Supply, Allstream Services & Rental, Hampton Roads Shipping Association, Trade Team, Greener Blast Technologies, Kelly Gish Floral Design, Marine Machinery Association

We love celebrating leaders who are truly shaping the future of our maritime community, and this one hits especially close to home. 

Please join us in congratulating Elspeth McMahon, Ph.D., on being named one of CoVaBIZ Magazine’s “Women on the Leading Edge.” This recognition is so well deserved.

Dr. McMahon serves as the Associate Vice President of Maritime Initiatives at Old Dominion University and is involved with the Propeller Club – Port of Old Dominion University, where she plays a pivotal role in mentoring and guiding the next generation of maritime leaders. She was also honored in 2025 as a recipient of the Propeller Club Port of Norfolk’s Women’s Wavemaker Award, recognizing her impact, leadership, and commitment to our industry.

As Dr. McMahon shared in her interview:

“What motivates me most are the people I work with, including students, faculty, and maritime professionals, whose dedication and curiosity drive progress and innovation in our field.”

That people-first mindset is exactly why her influence is felt so deeply across our port, our university partners, and the broader maritime community.

Read her full interview here:
https://online.fliphtml5.com/uthw/COVABIZMAG-2026-02-03-VBOOK/#p=37

Congratulations, Dr. McMahon! 

Thank you to everyone who joined us for ODU Industry Night! ⚓

It was a great evening of basketball, networking, and support for ODU Student Scholarships. Thanks to your participation, we were proud to donate $5000 to benefit ODU students. We’re grateful to our members, guests, and sponsors who helped make the night a success and continue to invest in the next generation of industry leaders.

Industry Night is all about collaboration! It was inspiring to see companies from across industries come together in one space to connect, share ideas, and engage with ODU’s soon-to-be graduates. These collective efforts create meaningful pathways for students while strengthening relationships between the university and our industry partners.

A special thank you to our presenting sponsor, Bay Power Solutions
Their generous support made this night possible and, more importantly, helped turn a fun evening into meaningful impact for ODU students.

Thank you for showing up, investing in our students, and helping build a stronger future together. 

The Annual Membership Meeting & Holiday Party was a wonderful celebration of community, collaboration, and the impact we create together. Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make the event such a success! ✨

One of the highlights of the evening was welcoming our new board members, who were officially sworn in. We’re excited for the vision they’ll help guide in the coming year!

We’re also proud to share that, thanks to the generosity and commitment of our members, we donated $42,500 to local non-profit organizations. These funds will support vital programs that strengthen our community and make a real difference for those who need it most.

In the words of our now Past President,Terrell Moses, it was a night — reflective of the year — built on gathering, growing, and giving; a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together.

THANK YOU to all who have supported us in 2025, here’s to an inspiring 2026 ahead!

Check out this article highlighting our recent event where we honored two ladies as "Women's Wavemakers"!

View The Article Here!

Take a look at what our Past President has been up to lately! Congrats Jeanne, The Norfolk Propeller Club is proud of all that you continue to accomplish!

Navigating Greatness, Celebrating Women in Maritime ⚓ was everything we hoped it would be, and more! ✨

From our inspiring guest speaker, Ann Phillips, to our outstanding featured students, Finley Stoops and Shivani Patel, the program was engaging and enlightening for everyone in the room. We were privileged to highlight some of the best leaders we’ve had the honor of working with — Dana Truxell, Judy Barrett, and Camille Crofton Cherry — whose dedication continues to shape our industry. Rounding out the celebration were our Women’s Wavemaker Award winners, Dr. Elspeth McMahon and Amanda Ahlemeyer Robinson, who have defined what it means to Navigate Greatness throughout their careers thus far.

A heartfelt thank you to our Leadership Lighthouse Sponsors, Avoler Group and Hampton Roads Shipping Association, along with our partners at WISTA and the Virginia Maritime Association whose steadfast support made the night possible. You’ve once again helped create a space where relationships flourish and our industry continues to thrive.

From start to finish, we witnessed women uplifting one another and men standing proudly beside the many ceiling breakers in the room. Here’s to continued progress, partnership, and the powerful wave of women shaping the maritime future! ⚓

Recently, our immediate Past-President, Camille Crofton Cherry, was honored with a place on Inside Business' Top 40 Under 40. Congratulations Camille, we are proud to have experienced your leadership and benefited from your business knowledge!

Over the weekend, The Propeller Club, Port of Norfolk, had the pleasure of hosting some of our favorite guests— the next generation of mariners! Nearly 200 visitors joined us at The Mariners' Museum and Park for an afternoon filled with learning, fun, and community.

Our youngest attendees arrived dressed as pirates and princesses, eager to “commandeer” our vessels and claim their treasure. Families enjoyed face painting, kettle corn, and plenty of opportunities to connect with potential maritime employers, all while children played and explored hands-on educational activities.

As always, The Propeller Club is proud to provide educational experiences that spark curiosity about the maritime industry and highlight the many opportunities it offers. Thank you to everyone who joined us— we can’t wait to see “boo” again next year!

The 2025 Fall Oyster Roast was a tremendous success! Over the years, the event has continued to grow, consistently drawing crowds of more than 500 attendees— and 2025 was no exception. The audience only expanded as the evening progressed, bringing together professionals from every corner of the maritime industry. Thanks to the support of ODU ROTC and the ODU Student Propeller Club, the event ran seamlessly. Sponsors were well cared for, and students enjoyed valuable opportunities to network and make meaningful industry connections. We can't wait to host everyone again in the Spring!