NEWPORT NEWS, Va., Jan. 25, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Huntington Ingalls Industries (NYSE:HII) announced today that Dawn Smith has been promoted to director, diversity and inclusion, effective immediately.

In this new position, Smith will provide leadership and serve as a resource and subject matter expert on diversity, inclusion and equality issues and initiatives across the HII enterprise. She will report to Corporate Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer Bill Ermatinger. She will also serve as principal advisor to the entire senior executive staff, as well as the corporate office Diversity & Inclusion Council.

“It’s absolutely critical for us as a company that we get diversity and inclusion right,” Ermatinger said. “I’m proud of the progress we’ve made so far but realize we have a long way to go to reach our full potential. Dawn will help us do just that. Her leadership and vast experience in many aspects of human resources will help us build a culture where all employees feel valued for what they bring to the table.”

Smith has held numerous positions of increasing responsibility in human resources since joining the company in 2003. These positions have included senior human resources representative, manager, human resources, and manager, Equal Employment Opportunity and diversity. She joined the corporate office as manager, EEO and diversity, in November 2014. Before coming to Newport News, she worked in customer service and human resources at ITT Industries. Smith earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration from the College of William and Mary.