SSI is proud to announce that Patrick Roberts, Vice President of Sales & Operations, has been named the 2025 recipient of the William M. Kennedy Award by the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (SNAME). This award recognizes “Outstanding Service and Contribution in the Development of Systems and Planning Applying to Shipbuilding and Ship Repair.”
The recognition highlights Patrick’s remarkable career and his decades-long contributions to advancing shipbuilding through improved systems, collaborative research, and forward-looking leadership.
A Career Dedicated to Shipbuilding Excellence
Patrick Roberts has spent more than 30 years in the shipbuilding industry, building a career defined by innovation, collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to progress.
Before joining SSI, Patrick held a variety of key roles across Gulf Coast shipyards, including Industrial and Project Engineer, Production Control Manager, and Engineering Process Control Manager. In these positions, he worked hands-on with the complex challenges of shipbuilding — managing schedules, optimizing workflows, and driving production efficiency. This early experience provided him with a deep understanding of the intricacies of shipyard operations, grounding his later contributions in practical knowledge.
Since joining SSI nearly two decades ago, Patrick has played a pivotal role in helping shipyards adopt advanced technologies that make them more agile, data-driven, and collaborative. As Vice President of Sales & Operations, he leads initiatives that connect shipbuilders with software solutions designed specifically for their needs. He has been instrumental in aligning SSI’s products and strategies with the realities of modern shipbuilding, ensuring that digital transformation isn’t just a concept but a measurable improvement in day-to-day operations.
Driving Innovation Through NSRP
Patrick’s contributions extend well beyond his work at SSI. For more than 20 years, he has been a leader within the National Shipbuilding Research Program (NSRP), serving as Vice Chairman across three different technology panels and currently holding his fifth consecutive term on the Business Technologies panel.
Through NSRP, Patrick has helped guide numerous collaborative research and development initiatives that tackle some of the industry’s most pressing challenges. Among these are:
- CAR W Scanning and Multi Robot Enhancement: Pioneering work to integrate robotics and advanced scanning technology into shipyard workflows.
- LiftShip automation workflows: Streamlining material handling and lifting processes to increase efficiency and safety.
- Knowledge Provisioning systems: Developing tools to improve first time design quality and reduce costly rework.
- ShipScan remote scanning innovations: Advancing remote collaboration capabilities through cutting-edge scanning and visualization technologies.
- Weld Qualification automation: Improving the consistency, traceability, and speed of weld qualification processes across shipyards.
These projects reflect Patrick’s dedication to collaboration across shipyards, technology providers, and research institutions — ensuring that advancements benefit the entire shipbuilding ecosystem.
Recognizing Leadership and Impact
Patrick’s recognition with the William M. Kennedy Award builds upon his 2022 designation as a SNAME Fellow, further underscoring his leadership and sustained contributions to the shipbuilding industry.
The Kennedy Award, established in 1980, honors individuals who have made significant advancements in systems and planning for shipbuilding and ship repair. Past recipients include some of the industry’s most forward-thinking leaders, making this award one of the most prestigious forms of peer recognition within the field.
For Patrick, receiving this award reflects not only his personal achievements but also his ability to bring people and organizations together to solve complex problems. His collaborative approach has helped bridge the gap between technology providers and shipyards, enabling practical solutions that improve efficiency and competitiveness.
A Leader Who Builds the Big Picture
Patrick’s colleagues, including fellow SNAME member and SSI CEO Denis Morais, describe him as a visionary who expertly balances attention to detail with a strategic outlook — a rare and valuable combination in any industry.
“I’ve had the privilege of working alongside Patrick Roberts and can say without hesitation that his leadership, insight, and drive are second to none. Patrick is the kind of person who doesn’t just see the big picture — he builds it. Whether navigating strategic decisions, fostering client relationships, or mentoring those around him, Patrick operates with clarity, integrity, and a relentless commitment to excellence. His ability to turn challenges into opportunities makes him an invaluable asset both to the shipbuilding community and to SSI. SSI would not be the great company it is without his unwavering commitment and dedication.”
– Denis Morais, CEO, SSI
This combination of vision and action has defined Patrick’s leadership throughout his career. Whether advising shipyards on new technology implementation, leading collaborative research, or mentoring future industry leaders, Patrick approaches every challenge with a consistent goal: to create lasting, meaningful improvements that make shipbuilding smarter, more efficient, and more effective.
A Reflection of SSI’s Mission
Patrick’s recognition with the Kennedy Award reflects SSI’s broader commitment to empowering shipyards with the tools and strategies they need to thrive in a rapidly changing industry.
At SSI, we understand that true innovation in shipbuilding requires both cutting-edge technology and deep industry expertise. Patrick embodies this philosophy, ensuring that our solutions are grounded in the practical realities of shipyard operations and informed by decades of experience.
This achievement also reinforces SSI’s role as a trusted partner for shipyards worldwide — one that is committed to collaboration, continuous improvement, and delivering value at every stage of the shipbuilding process.
Looking Ahead: Building the Future of Shipbuilding
Patrick Roberts’ recognition is more than a personal milestone. It is a testament to the power of collaboration, innovation, and leadership in driving the shipbuilding industry forward. From his early days on the Gulf Coast to his work shaping the future of digital shipbuilding at SSI, Patrick’s career reflects the very best of what our industry can achieve.
We are proud to congratulate him on this well-deserved honor and look forward to seeing how his leadership will continue to influence shipbuilding for years to come.