Leadership Team

George Lyon, Jr. has been the President of Lyon Shipyard for over 30 years. His areas of expertise include operations, project management, mergers and acquisitions, estimating, contracting and strategic planning. Under George’s leadership the company has grown 10 fold while diversifying its customer mix and increasing the yard’s production capabilities. George led the team in it’s acquisition of the Brambleton Yard of Norshipco and the purchase and construction of the company’s 2 floating dry docks. In addition, in the last 10 years George has developed a deeper management team and a strategic plan that will assist Lyon in it’s growth and profitability in the coming years. George is a member of the Virginia Ship Repair Association, the Virginia Maritime Association and the Propeller Club of the United States.

Ken Kimball has been with Lyon since January 2009. He has over 25 years experience in finance, operations, risk management, business development and mergers and acquisitions in various industries. Ken is responsible for all back office operations for the company, including; finance, human resources, information technology, risk management, purchasing and contracting. Ken is a board member of the Virginia Ship Repair Association and the Propeller Club of the United States. Prior to Lyon, Ken was CFO for Supreme Foods, Inc. in Suffolk, VA and Vice President of Finance at Eurpac Warehouse Sales in Virginia Beach, VA. Ken holds a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting/economics from the State University of New York at Oswego and a Masters of Business Administration from the College of William & Mary.

Don Everton joined the company in June 2014 and has over 45 years experience in the ship repair and maritime industry. Don oversees all government contracting and estimating, including contract management, quality assurance and business development for the company. He also directs the efforts of the company’s Downriver Services division and sits on the board of the Virginia Ship Repair Association, Propeller Club and Port of Norfolk. Don started his career at Norshipco where he graduated from the apprentice program and held numerous positions in production, estimating, contract management, marketing and business development. Don was also a contracting manager with Maersk Line Limited where he managed major acquisitions and sub contracts for MSC’s TAGOS, TAGS and MPF vessels as well as MARAD and commercial contracts. Don is also a graduate of Tidewater Community College, where he received an Associates in Science.

Doug Sparks became Vice President of Operations in September 2023, only after joining Lyon Downriver Services in late 2020. He brings with him, over 30 years of Maritime and Shipyard Experience in both domestic and international arenas responsible for strategic planning, personnel, operations, customer relations and development as well as overseeing Project Management and Execution of all jobs on the yard. A graduate of Texas Tech University as well as the Executive Project Management Program at Villanova University additional studies include The Center for Creative Leadership Creating High Impact Teams, Harvard University Negotiation and Decision Making, MIT Sloan Finance for Non-Financial Managers, TapRoot Cause Analysis, Currently a Member of the International Society for Process Improvement, The Project Management Institute.

Nikole L. Dunkley became Vice President of Human Resources in May, 2023. In this role she leads the human resources department and oversees all aspects of talent acquisition, career and organizational development, equitable compensation practices, performance enablement employee relations and diversity, equity, and inclusion. She also oversees the company's marketing, social media efforts, community engagement, as well as the security, and training departments. Ms. Dunkley joined Lyon Shipyard in April of 2015, bringing with her over 27 years of experience. Ms. Dunkley attended Canisius College and Erie Community College with a concentration in business administration and communication. She holds her SPHR, Senior Professional Human Resources certification from HRCI, MD-110 EEOC investigator certification, and is a member of the local and national (SHRM) Society of Human Resources Management organization. She is also on the board of directors for the Virginia Ship Repair Associations foundation, the Norfolk SPCA and the Elizabeth River Project.