The CROFTON team enjoyed the opportunity to connect with students and job seekers at the Career Discovery Day & Maritime Welding Competition at TCC Skilled Trades Academy in Portsmouth.

We met individuals who were ready to take their next step into the skilled trades, as well as others who were just beginning to explore what a career in the maritime industry could look like. Having those one-on-one conversations is what makes events like this so meaningful to us.

We were proud to stand alongside other maritime employers and industry partners, and to see firsthand the excitement around skilled trades.

A big thank you to the US Navy Talent Pipeline Program, Tidewater Community College, Newport News Shipbuilding (HII), and Old Dominion University for creating an environment that supports career exploration and meaningful connections.

 

CROFTON is currently building a 450-foot timber walking bridge along Museum Parkway at The Mariners’ Museum and Park as part of Martha’s Way, a pedestrian trail designed to improve safety and access along the James River waterfront. The project includes a low boardwalk and two scenic overlooks, providing an alternative to congregating on rip rap while connecting guests to both the river’s natural beauty and the museum’s surrounding landscape.

For more than 400 years, the James River has played a vital role in shaping Virginia’s maritime history. We’re proud to help create a space that enhances safety, preserves history, and can be enjoyed for generations to come.

📸 Photo credit: Brian Townsend, The Mariners’ Museum

 

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.