Join Xavier Beale as he discusses workforce development opportunities and challenges in the manufacturing industry. Beale will provide perspective as vice president of Human Resources for Newport News Shipbuilding, Virginia’s largest industrial employer and builder of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines for the U.S. Navy. Hear from Beale as he addresses hiring and retention, job readiness and the use of technology to prepare the workforce of today and tomorrow.
About Xavier Beale
Xavier Beale is vice president of Human Resources for Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of HII, located in Newport News, Virginia, where he is responsible for talent acquisition, human resources operations, labor relations, leadership and professional development, ethics, engagement and Newport News Shipbuilding’s Apprentice School.
A second-generation shipbuilder, Beale is committed to advancing a highly skilled workforce and representing the interests of Newport News Shipbuilding employees. He began his shipbuilding career in 1991 as a pipefitter before leaving the shipyard for 10 years to work as a probation officer and program manager of a behavioral health treatment center. During this time, he also served in the Virginia Army National Guard. Since returning to the shipyard in 2004, Beale has held positions of increasing responsibility to include supervisor of employee relations, manager of human resources business partners, manager of EEO and diversity, and director of human resources. Prior to his current appointment, he served as vice president of Trades.
Beale earned a bachelor’s degree in governmental administration from Christopher Newport University and a master’s degree in human resources from Troy University. He is actively involved in Hampton Roads and serves on the Hampton Roads Community Action Program’s board of directors. Beale was appointed in 2023 by Governor Glenn Youngkin as vice chair of the Virginia Board of Workforce Development and also serves on the board of directors for the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education.
