Davie Defense Continues to Strengthen U.S. Leadership with Appointment of Bill Rebarick as President

GALVESTON, Texas, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Bill Rebarick has been appointed President, U.S. Operations, with responsibility for the day-to-day leadership of Davie Defense and Gulf Copper. He will report to Philip Burns-O'Brien, CEO of Davie Defense and Gulf Copper.

Rebarick brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across U.S. shipbuilding, defense and complex industrial programs, most recently with BAE Systems Maritime Solutions. Previously, he spent more than six years leading Supply Chain Management and Operations at Austal USA, with a team of more than 200 and over $650 million in annual strategic sourcing. He also held senior roles at Lockheed Martin and other leading defense corporations.

His appointment comes at a pivotal time for Davie Defense as the company advances major U.S. shipbuilding programs, including the U.S. Coast Guard's Arctic Security Cutter (ASC) program, and invests in the modernization and expansion of its Gulf Copper facilities in Galveston and Port Arthur.

Rebarick said: "I'm excited to join Davie Defense at such a critical time for American shipbuilding. My immediate priority will be to listen and learn from our team, customers and partners, while maintaining focus on disciplined execution and building the capabilities required for future growth."

Rebarick's appointment is the latest step in Davie Defense's continued build-out of its U.S. leadership team. The company recently welcomed Kim Salmi on assignment from Davie Defense's affiliate, Helsinki Shipyard, as Vice President and General Manager, New Builds.

Salmi is Managing Director of Helsinki Shipyard and is among Finland's leading shipbuilders, with deep expertise in icebreaker construction. In the United States, he will focus on two main priorities: 1.  building the shipbuilding team, capability and processes required to deliver Arctic Security Cutters at Gulf Copper; and 2. ensuring the successful on-time delivery of the first Texas-built ASC to the U.S. Coast Guard.

Salmi said: "Building Arctic Security Cutters in the United States is a major undertaking. My focus is on helping build the team, capability and processes needed for long-term success, while ensuring the first vessel gets off to the strongest possible start. That includes exchanging shipbuilding know-how and experience from Finland with our colleagues in Texas."

Other recent senior appointments include Nickolas Guertin as Vice President, Innovation; and Kevin Swanson as Head of U.S. Government Relations and Public Affairs.

Guertin has extensive experience in defense technology and acquisition leadership, most recently serving as Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition. Swanson brings extensive knowledge of U.S. transportation, infrastructure, maritime and Arctic policy, along with significant experience navigating these issues on Capitol Hill.

Philip Burns-O'Brien said: "Bill and Kim bring exceptional experience in U.S. shipbuilding and complex icebreaker construction. With major programs secured and significant investment planned in Texas, their full focus will be on execution. Overall, the team we are building here in Texas greatly strengthens our ability to deliver on our ambition of rejuvenating U.S. shipbuilding."

About Davie Defense

Davie Defense is a U.S. shipbuilder and part of Inocea, a British-owned marine industrial group with operations spanning the United States, Canada and Finland. Together, these facilities design, build and maintain mission-critical vessels, including icebreakers, crewed and autonomous naval ships and luxury passenger vessels. Davie Shipbuilding, based in Quebec, Canada, is building the world's largest orderbook of heavy icebreakers, and Finland's Helsinki Shipyard is the recognized global leader in icebreaker construction. Gulf Copper brings more than 75 years of ship repair and fabrication experience on the Texas Gulf Coast. www.daviedefense.com

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SOURCE Davie Defense