Q&A with Dexter Magno Code 960 Superintendent

Where were you born and raised?

I grew up in the Nu’uanu / Pu’unui area in the 1980’s where we could leave the doors unlocked and explore the neighborhood.

I enlisted in the Hawaii Air National Guard upon graduating high school and was assigned to the 154th Civil Engineering Squadron at Hickam Air Force Base as a Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC/R) journeyman.

While working the night shift as Assistant Store Director, I attended University of Hawaii, initially majoring in engineering from 1994-1998. In 1999, I took a job with Diamond Parking as the City Manager for Honolulu and Waikiki, managing all the parking services, valet and garages for Diamond Parking on Oahu. I then took a break from college in 2002 and went active duty for the Air National Guard until January 2003.

What year did you enter PHNSY & IMF, and what was your first job?

I began my career at Pearl Harbor in 2003 as an apprentice in Code 960 Pipe Shop in the Air Conditioning and refrigeration section. I graduated from the apprenticeship program in 2007 and was promoted to mechanic, work leader and first line supervisor within a year. Then I was promoted to Code 960 Resource Manager, followed by a promotion to Shop 56 Inside Shop General Foreman, then eventually Shop 56 Senior General Foreman. In April of 2017 and in March of 2020, I was temporarily promoted to Code 960 Superintendent.

If you could have a do-over, what would you do differently?

If I could do it all over again, I would’ve looked for a career in the shipyard earlier in my life. I wasn’t aware of the shipyard opportunities until the year 2000 when many of my friends from Honolulu Community College began working in the shipyard as co-ops. However, I have no regrets as to how and when I came into the shipyard and where my career has taken me so far.

What motivates you to come to work every day?

My desire to learn and teach others is my motivation to come to work every day. Our work at Pearl Harbor is well defined by maintenance schedules and our shipyard organization, but it is the knowledge that I want to gain as well as the knowledge I already have that I can share with others which drives my daily cadence.

Who was a leader that you looked up to during your early career and why?

A leader that I looked up to during my earlier years in the shipyard was Mike Wong, who retired as Code 960 Superintendent. He was very knowledgeable in shipyard operations and actually was an electrician by trade. He served in many positions on project as well as superintendent of Code 950, Code 900T, as well as Code 960. His vast experiences in the shipyard, his cool and calming collectiveness during the most trying times, and his ability to lead and develop others, allowed me to diversify my knowledge without any pressure and with full reign over my career path.

What is the biggest change you’ve seen throughout your career?

The biggest change I have seen is the transition of work from 688 Los Angeles-class to Virginia-class (VACL) submarines. I grew up in the shipyard learning all about 688’s but I have a lot more to learn on VACL’s.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I enjoy golfing, hiking, biking, and spending time at home with the family.

If you retired tomorrow, what would be a personal message to the people of PHNSY & IMF?

Continue to work as one big ‘Ohana. Live each day at work with Aloha, doing so will forever perpetuate Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and IMF as the No Ka ‘Oi shipyard.

Can you tell me about your heritage? How does your cultural background play into your work ethic?

?I am 100% Filipino, born and raised in Honolulu, HI. My father is 2nd generation Filipino raised in Haleiwa and Kalinin and his father was a plantation worker.?My mother was born in the Philippines and came to Hawaii in 1974 after marrying my father in the Philippines. My cultural background is based on food, family, and friends and to this day is also a connection for others in the shipyard.?Food is a motivator, family is what motivates people, and friends are what we need in the work place to be successful as an organization.?

How do you feel the spirit of Aloha contributes to the success of the shipyard or sets us apart from other shipyards??

?The spirit of Aloha is unique to Hawaii not only in name but is also engrained in our culture through our upbringing. Personnel at other shipyards did not have the luxury of growing up with the spirit of Aloha. As part of our nature, and as widespread as it is, the Aloha spirit at PHNSY contributes to many of our successes. Although not perfect, the culture at our shipyard sets us apart.