Horne is a third generation shipbuilder and began his shipbuilding career in 1983 as a welder prior to entering The Apprentice School as a pipefitter. He served as a nuclear quality inspector and refueling engineer after graduating from his apprenticeship and has held numerous positions of increasing responsibility, including production department refueling manager, superintendent, trade director and program trade director. He most recently served as senior director of Trades.

A 1989 honors graduate of The Apprentice School, Horne holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from Christopher Newport University and a master’s degree in engineering management from Florida Institute of Technology.