Weld America announces leadership transition

Weld America, a subsidiary of Colonna’s Shipyard, Inc., (CSI) announces the appointment of Jeff Bristow as Executive Director and Vice President, effective immediately. Bristow succeeds Ken Mebane, who retired recently after more than 46 years of dedicated service to the company.

Bristow brings more than 20 years of shipbuilding and leadership experience to Weld America in contract administration, estimating/pricing, and program management. Previously, he was Director of Contracts & Pricing at Huntington Ingalls Industries-Newport News Shipbuilding, where he managed a $25+ billion contract portfolio and led strategic initiatives for key Navy programs, including new construction aircraft carrier and submarine acquisitions. Throughout his career, he has successfully led complex projects, negotiated high-value agreements, optimized operational processes, and implemented data-driven strategies to enhance efficiency.  His proven ability to align program execution with strategic goals, deliver exceptional results, and develop strong customer relationships make him the ideal leader. 

“Jeff Bristow’s leadership and operational experience make him the ideal choice to lead Weld America into its next chapter,” said Randall Crutchfield, Chairman and CEO of Colonna’s Shipyard. “His strategic approach to business development, combined with his deep industry knowledge, will strengthen our ability to serve our customers with the highest standards of quality and efficiency.”

Bristow expressed his enthusiasm about the new role: “Weld America has a strong reputation for excellence in our industry, and I am honored to now lead this team. I look forward to building upon the company’s legacy and working alongside our talented workforce to drive innovation and operational excellence.”

Weld America remains committed to its core values of respect, pride, truth, and family. Under Bristow’s leadership, the company will continue to deliver high-quality solutions to its partners in the maritime, energy, and shipbuilding industries.

As part of this transition,  Colonna’s  also acknowledged the remarkable contributions of retiring Executive Vice President Ken Mebane, whose leadership, management skills and commitment to customer service have been integral to the company’s success for decades.      

“Ken Mebane’s impact on our shipyard and subsidiaries cannot be overstated,” added Crutchfield. “His dedication and strategic vision have left a lasting mark on CSI, Steel America, and most recently Weld America, and we are grateful for his years of service. We wish him the very best in his well-earned retirement.”

Jeff Bristow Executive Director/VP of Weld America