Last week, DeVal Lifecycle Support was honored to host a collaborative event with the Women in Defense Liberty Chapter and the Women in Manufacturing Eastern Pennsylvania to celebrate the talented women who drive innovation across the defense industrial base.
We were proud to welcome Mayor Cherelle Parker, the first woman mayor of the City of Philadelphia, whose vision of “Safer, Cleaner, Greener Philadelphia, with Access to Economic Opportunity for All” aligns closely with our mission of community growth and workforce development.
Attendees enjoyed a tour of our Philadelphia facility, gaining a firsthand look at how our teams support the Department of Defense through advanced engineering, precision machining, welding, and quality assurance.
As a part of the tour, Welder & NDT apprentice Kayla Akinset shared her story and showed visitors our robust workforce development program first hand. Kayla began welding in high school at The Workshop School in West Philadelphia, choosing the trade to challenge herself through hands-on work. During her training at DeVal she is learning critical Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) processes and welding methods. She takes pride in striking the arc and watching a clean bead form, and she values the fast-paced, team-oriented culture at DeVal where people look out for one another.
Following the tour, a Women in Advanced Manufacturing panel discussion was held with team members, reflecting decades of experience and leadership across manufacturing, quality, human resources, contracts, welding, and accounting. The session was moderated by our Vice President of Business Development, Jeannie Whitfield, and featured the following panelists:
Por Por Chhuor: Quality Assurance Manager at DeVal. With ten years of hands-on experience as a quality inspector, Por Por joined DeVal on January 2, 2024. Over recent years, she advanced from Quality Inspector to Lead Inspector and now manages workflow planning, process consistency, and corrective action across the production floor. She champions structured task planning and rigorous inspection methodology to ensure every step aligns with customer requirements and military quality standards.
Denisia Washington‑McCray: Welder. Denisia’s welding journey began in 10th grade at Randolph Technical School under mentor Joe Williams. After graduation she entered SEPTA’s TDL program and gained early industry experience before joining our team in September 2024. Since then, she has passed certifications in Stick Level 1, TIG, Steel Level 1, and Level 3 Aluminum welding. With support from Welding Instructor Moses DeHart, she has rapidly built proficiency in aluminum welding and is already producing consistent, high-quality work. As a mother of four, she values being part of a workplace where precision, personal growth, and family balance go hand in hand.
Maureen Hettel: Contracts Manager. Maureen joined the team part-time 37 years ago through a workforce development program while studying at St. Huberts Catholic High School for Girls, located up the street from DeVal. Through the years, Maureen has grown into her role where she coordinates contract activity and ensures compliance with customer requirements. With decades of experience, her leadership ensures DeVal meets its commitments across government and prime contractor customers.
Melissa Tarte: SHRM‑CP – HR Manager. Melissa started in human resources seven years ago and now leads workforce development initiatives at DeVal. She builds strategic partnerships with the Navy Talent Pipeline, local schools, and Philadelphia Works to strengthen the next generation of skilled professionals. She is passionate about helping people grow and creating an environment where individuals can reach their full potential both professionally and personally.
Zhané Bennett: HR Coordinator & Marine Reservist. Zhané served full-time in the U.S. Marine Corps until 2023 and continues her service as a reservist. At DeVal she supports employee relations, onboarding, performance, and benefits for our DoD-manufacturing workforce, and she leads culture initiatives across the company. In addition, Zhané leads our Care Team, a cross-functional employee led team devoted to nuturing the spiritual, emotional, and physical well being of our employees, community, suppliers, and beyond.
Deanna Earle: Accounting Manager. Deanna has dedicated 43 years to our organization, beginning her career in data-entry for Accounts Payable and pioneering our department’s transition to digital financial processes. She now manages financial reporting, billing, collections, and payroll, and she lends mentorship to her team by sharing technical expertise and a commitment to precision and integrity.
Together these panelists offered insights spanning from shop floor craft to senior management strategy, reflecting a combined experience of more than forty years at DeVal and a shared goal of creating meaningful careers for women across all sectors of advanced manufacturing.
We extend heartfelt thanks to Mayor Parker, our attendees, and all our colleagues for making this event a success. At DeVal, we’re committed to building careers, supporting our workforce, and advancing mission readiness throughout the defense industrial base.
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