In honor of Black History Month (BHM), we will be introducing you to Black Engagement Council (BEC) Executive Board members throughout the month of February. More information about Black History Month and the 2021 BEC BHM Celebration is included at the end of the Member Profile.
Name: Ivania Garcia
Heritage (Nationality or Ethnicity): Dominican American
Favorite Black Historical Figure: Cecilia Cruz
Years at EB: 12.5
Department: 460
Title/Position at EB: Program Representative, Specialist
Title/Position in BEC: Director of Public Relations
Who is Ivania Garcia?
I started my career in Program Finance as a Finance Analyst in 2008. I’ve worked in several areas of increased responsibility which included Planning Yard and Engineering organizations. I am currently a Program Rep. Specialist in Waterfront Engineering managing the organization’s financial performance.
Throughout my career, I have served on the boards of several EB employee organizations, like Electric Boat Management Association (EBMA), Hispanic Shipbuilders Association (HSA), and Black Engagement Council (BEC). I have a Bachelor of Science in Financial Services Management and I am currently in the MBA Accounting program at Johnson & Wales University. I am also a participant and class of 2021 co-President of the 2021 Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut Leadership Program. In my free time I enjoy baking and volunteering at my church through “I Heart My City” in Providence. My husband Joe and I have three young sons: Sebastian (6), Ruben (5), and Julian (3). We enjoy doing outdoor activities together.
Why do you like working at Electric Boat?
There are several reasons I like working at EB. First, there is a special sense of pride and joy that I feel as a part of a workforce that designs and builds nuclear submarines for the Navy. There are different job opportunities and special assignments, sometimes at sites outside of CT. No matter what department I am assigned to, I’m a contributor and a shipbuilder—it’s a rewarding feeling.
Also, EB is a family-oriented workplace with many different generations of the same household all working here—job security for the whole family!
Why does the BEC matter to you?
The BEC matters to me because the organization promotes unity through bringing awareness to our diverse community at EB. The BEC helps create positive and inclusive culture in the workplace with their events and initiatives. Everyone is welcomed as a member and at their events. The hospitality that has been passed on from the boards throughout the years is incredible.
As a member of the BEC, I get to meet a diverse group of talented employees that I don’t get to meet within my day-to-day at Electric Boat.
Black History Month is an annual celebration, originating in the United States, where a specific time is set aside to recognize and acknowledge the many accomplishments and contributions African Americans have made to the scientific, educational and social justice fabric of our country. Globally, it is a way of remembering important people and events in the history of the African diaspora.
Black History Month began in 1926 as a week-long event encouraging the coordinated teaching of the history of Black Americans in the nation’s public schools. A specific week in February was chosen because it coincided with the birthday of Abraham Lincoln on February 12 and of Frederick Douglass on February 14; both of which are dates Black communities had celebrated together since the late 19th century. After initial lukewarm response, the celebration grew to a month-long celebration in February–44 years later. The first celebration of Black History Month took place at Kent State University in Kent, Ohio in 1970.
The Black Engagement Council (BEC) is celebrating BHM with a series of events and information posted to Homeport. Check the Homeport Calendar and EB Community News to learn more about Black History and upcoming events. For more information, contact EB_BEC@gdeb.com.
