Born in industrial Pittsburgh, Del Wilkins grew up to join the ranks of Dravo Corporation as a 3rd-generation employee. We discuss the origins of his family connection to Dravo with his grandfather and great uncle in the late 1800s, his journey against the odds from deck to wheelhouse, and a jump to shoreside roles that led him to executive teams of some well-known barge lines, his involvement overseas in South America, Europe, China, and Africa bringing the American way abroad, and a passion for industry that carries on 43 years into an extraordinary career.