A former STLer is riding a big wave back east.
University City High grad Jennifer Boykin (Class of '82) now is president of Newport News Shipbuilding, the largest such company in the U.S.
Boykin is the first woman to hold that position in the Virginia company's 131-year history. She will oversee about 20,000 shipbuilders who build nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and submarines.
Boykin is the daughter of STLers Bob Roman and Judy Roman and graduated from the United States Merchant Marine Academy as an engineer.
"St. Louis really helped shape the person I am today. It's a city of spirit and diversity and offered me many opportunities," she said in a statement. "I continue to love it."
Jennifer Boykin (Courtesy of Huntington Ingalls Industries; © 2011 Aaron Clamage All Rights Reserved.)