Over 500 maritime industry professionals gathered on February 13th for the 2026 Newport News & Norfolk Propeller Club Valentine’s Ball. And what a night it was! This year marked the first time the two clubs joined forces, making it the largest Valentine’s Ball yet.

CROFTON was proud to sponsor the cocktail hour. Beyond the celebration, guests used the cocktail hour to make an impact. Together, we packed 250 “Ready Bags” for the Roc Solid Foundation in honor of America’s 250th year, supporting children and families facing pediatric cancer. It was a powerful reminder of the difference we make when our maritime community comes together.

A big thanks to the The Propeller Club, Port of Newport News and The Propeller Club, Port of Norfolk for a wonderful night!

 

We’re incredibly proud of our Talent Acquisition Specialist, Mary Martin, for speaking at the Maritime Institute’s recent graduation ceremony. 

Mary shared words of encouragement with graduates as they prepare for their next steps, reminding them to have faith when the path ahead feels uncertain and to lean on the relationships and resources they’ve built throughout the program.

Following the event, Maritime Institute Director Ronald J. McMiller shared:
“I truly don’t know where to begin with my thanks. Your words were powerful, welcoming, and deeply meaningful. Thank you so much for sharing them with us. Crofton has been working alongside the Maritime Institute for ten years, and this year also marks the tenth anniversary of our Bootcamp. To know that we are still strong together after all this time speaks volumes about the relationship we have built and that is what it is truly all about.”

We’re grateful for our partnership and proud to continue supporting the next generation of maritime professionals.

Maritime Day in Richmond is always a powerful reminder of how vital our maritime industry is to the Commonwealth. 

Earlier this year, volunteers with the Virginia Maritime Association met with legislators to share the story of what the VMA does and reinforce that the Port of Virginia is a critical economic engine for the state. Its success fuels growth far beyond the waterfront, supporting jobs, businesses, and industries across Virginia.

We were proud to have Kevin Crofton, Olga Mileyko and Camille Crofton Cherry representing CROFTON as part of the VMA team, helping advocate for an industry that keeps Virginia moving.

Thank you to the VMA for organizing another impactful day and for continuing to champion the maritime community at the state level. 

We enjoyed connecting with friends and industry partners at the Virginia Maritime Association mixer at Chix Oyster Bar in January.

We always appreciate opportunities to catch up with familiar faces and make new connections with the local maritime community. Thanks to VMA for bringing everyone together!

Members of the CROFTON team, Olga Mileyko, PMP and Kevin Crofton, are proud participants in the Virginia Maritime Association’s Maritime Leadership Certificate Program (MLCP).

Last month, the group spent an inspiring day mixed with learning, industry insight, and team building.

They started the day with a visit to Colonna’s Shipyard in Norfolk, the oldest family-owned and operated private shipyard in the United States.  

From there, the group headed to Push Comedy Theater in Norfolk’s NEON District for an improv session focused on communication, collaboration, and leadership skills in action.

We’re grateful for opportunities like this that strengthen our team and deepen our industry knowledge.