Landmark Merger Creates Virginia Digital Maritime Center: A Hub for Maritime Excellence

Suffolk, VA. (March 14, 2024) – The ODU Office of Enterprise Research and Innovation (OERI) is excited to announce the creation of the Virginia Digital Maritime Center (VDMC), a merger of the Maritime Industrial Base Ecosystem (MIBE) and the Virginia Digital Ship Program. VDMC is set to support Virginia’s maritime enterprise by leveraging applied research and cutting-edge technology, to advance the maritime workforce, foster collaborative partnerships, and drive economic growth in Hampton Roads.

“I was already familiar with MIBE, but less so with Digital Ship when I came on board, so I did what I always do, which is learn and understand what makes the organizations work. I looked at the mission and vision for both organizations and since they were similar, it just seemed to me that was an opportunity to align synergies and be more focused,” said VDMC Executive Director RADM Mark Whitney, USN, ret. “we took the best parts from both organizations, came up with a new vision and mission. I am very pleased with how we as one group now have aligned.”

With over 35 years of leadership experience in the Naval and maritime industry, where he served in a multitude of leadership positions, Whitney is the perfect person to take the helm of VDMC.

VDMC aims to bolster Virginia’s maritime enterprise, address naval sustainment challenges, and position Hampton Roads as the standard in maritime excellence. VDMC will do this by focusing on technology insertion, digital analytics, and workforce development. “These areas and our people is what sets us apart. Our team’s expertise is in data analytics, modeling and simulation, learning science, technology insertion, and understanding the Navy. With all that together, we can bring solutions to the table that no one else can,” said Whitney.

Hampton Roads hosts the nation’s largest maritime industry concentration, including several world-renowned shipyards and the largest shipbuilder in the U.S. But for the industry to continue to thrive, it’s imperative that the youth in this area get opportunities to explore the industry and cultivate a future generation of maritime enthusiasts and professionals. With key partners such as the Hampton Roads Workforce Council (HRWC) and the Virginia Ship Repair Association (VSRA), two critically important organizations that are heavily involved in the maritime industry, VDMC will contribute making these opportunities available.

“This is what we’re bringing to middle and high schools, to spark their interest in maritime, maintain that interest, and then lead them to a decision point for a career in the maritime trades,” said Whitney. “But we can’t do that alone, so we are aiming to foster collaborative partnerships and to ultimately drive economic growth to our region.”

VDMC will be supported by the ODU Office of Enterprise Research and Innovation. To learn more about VDMC, visit digitalmaritime.org.

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About OERI: The Office of Enterprise Research and Innovation (OER) is Virginia’s premier university research center of Old Dominion University focusing on applied research leading to digital transformation. Staffed by over one hundred faculty, scientists, and support staff, OERI provides modeling and simulation, analytic research, and technological support for partners across various industry, government, and community sectors. Building upon years of success, OERI was developed and oversees five research enterprises.

About VDMC: The Virginia Digital Maritime Center (VDMC) supports Virginia’s maritime enterprise by leveraging applied research & cutting-edge technology to advance the maritime workforce, foster collaborative partnerships, and drive economic growth in Hampton Roads.