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Boykin led state's largest industrial employer for 7 years
Josh Janney //March 4, 2025//
Armada Hoffler has appointed former Newport News Shipbuilding president Jennifer Boykin to the company’s board of directors. Photo Courtesy Armada Hoffler
Armada Hoffler has appointed former Newport News Shipbuilding president Jennifer Boykin to the company’s board of directors. Photo Courtesy Armada Hoffler
Boykin led state's largest industrial employer for 7 years
Josh Janney //March 4, 2025//
Virginia Beach-based real estate investment trust Armada Hoffler announced Monday that it has appointed former Newport News Shipbuilding President Jennifer Boykin to the company’s board of directors.
“We are excited to welcome Mrs. Boykin to our board of directors,” Armada Hoffler President and CEO Shawn Tibbetts said in a statement. “Her extensive leadership experience and strategic vision will significantly enhance our board’s ability to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of our industry. We look forward to benefiting from her insights as we continue to execute on our long-term goals and drive sustainable growth for the company.”
Boykin had worked for NNS for 37 years — starting as an engineer. She became the first woman president of the company in 2017 and led the business through a significant digital shipbuilding transformation with the adoption of digital shipbuilding tools replacing traditional drawings. NNS is the state’s largest industrial employer, with 26,000 shipbuilders.
She also served as construction superintendent during the building of the USS John C. Stennis and USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carriers.
Boykin retired from NNS at the end of 2024 and was succeeded by Kari Wilkinson.
According to Armada Hoffler, Boykin has advocated for STEM education and workforce development and has served on several boards, including the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the Women’s Initiative Network Board at Old Dominion University.
Boykin holds a bachelor’s degree in marine engineering from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and a master’s in engineering management from The George Washington University School of Engineering.
Founded in 1979, Armada Hoffler operates in eight mid-Atlantic states and has more than 160 employees. It is perhaps best known as the developer of Virginia Beach’s Town Center. As of summer 2024, Armada had 6.2 million rental square feet in its portfolio, which had an enterprise value of $2.6 billion, and had $630.5 million of projects in its development pipeline.
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