MGBW E-News

At May’s Maritime Day yard lunch, we had the pleasure of celebrating 10-year veteran Edwin Bautista and 20 Year veterans Electrical Supervisor Ricky Ontivares and Mechanic Richard Hickman.  With 20 years on their tool belts, we took some time to interview Ricky and Richard. Here’s what we learned!

20 Years with Electrical Supervisor, Ricky Ontiveros

An army veteran of five years, Ricky spent much of his early career learning the fundamentals of electrical knowledge that have shaped him into a skilled Electrical Supervisor that he is today. He also spent eight years for the Space and Naval Warfare Department, primarily focusing on submarine electrical systems. He arrived at MGBW (South Bay Boat Yard back then) in 2005 and has since helped build and train his team of nine electricians. When asked about his favorite project, Ricky remembers the yacht LEIGHTSTAR, which involved an extensive electrical repower. Ricky found this project interesting because when the vessel was delivered to MGBW from San Francisco, it had been gutted and arrived with only bilge pumps intact. He then spent three years working on LEIGHTSTAR, providing insight into solving problems and provided direction to complete the work more efficiently. When he’s not mentoring younger electricians, Ricky enjoys taking road trips with his wife—his favorite so far being his trip to Arizona—and loves gardening and landscaping more than 300 plants that he owns!

20 Years with Mechanic, Richard Hickman

Richard began his first role as a mechanic helper in 1978, working under well-experienced mechanics with high standards for their work and a low tolerance for mistakes. Here he learned most of the important introductory knowledge that made him into the successful mechanic he is today.  Richard held a wide-range of jobs including being a tuna seiner mechanic, heavy equipment mechanic and 19-year fabrication machinist prior to joining South Bay Boat Yard as an all-purpose mechanic and certified welder in 2005. His well-rounded knowledge across a variety of industries has proven highly valuable to the ever-evolving MGBW departments. Although he’s completed extensive mechanical work for well-known vessels such as 193’ superyacht RONIN (owned by CEO Larry Ellison of Oracle), his favorite project was working on the MARCO V diesel-to-electric repower. Richard enjoys these specialty projects that allow him to demonstrate hands-on knowledge of the engineering behind engine repowers. Outside of work, Richard can be found in the desert or working on a variety of carpentry, boat, and car projects. He even used to build hot-rods featured in local magazines.

Photo (Left to Right): Ricky and Richard accepts a 20 year anniversary gift from Operations Director Eric Lundeen at the Maritime Day yard lunch.

Looking Back on Lunch & Learns: Mindfulness with Jean Frazier

Through our Sharp plan, MGBW offers FREE lunch and learns throughout the year based on topics chosen by you through a survey taken at the beginning of the year.  We recently concluded an insightful Mindfulness Lunch & Learn session with Registered Nurse and Certified Mindfulness Coach, Jean Frazier. Jean shared practical tools and thoughtful reflections to help MGBW employees practice mindfulness, which is the ability to take a moment to be present. She emphasized the importance of slowing down and truly being in the moment by introducing a technique called the “Feel Rest” method. This method encourages you to slow down, take a moment to locate where you feel rest in your body, and allow yourself to rest in that awareness to help manage stress in the workplace. She also discussed the value of equanimity—staying calm, cool and collected by learning to let things be. She reminded us that while we can’t shut our brains off, we can choose where to place our attention, and that even a few mindful breaths during the day can make the biggest difference. This interactive session equipped MGBW employees with effective strategies to bring mindfulness into their daily routines and reduce overall stress.

Photo (Left to Right): Jean instructs a workshop on Mindfulness and poses with HR Manager Delia Lozoya and Facilities Manager Tommy Oman.

 *MGBW Closed for Fourth of July*

Friday, July 4, 2025

*AEU Award Lunch*

Thursday, August 14, 2025

11:30-12:00

Chula Vista Yard