Jacqueline Rainey

Whether amid the roar of a stadium or din of an office, few sounds cut through whoops and white noise like a coach’s voice.

Just ask Kev Hays, a Northrop Grumman program manager, U.S. Navy veteran and longtime coach for youth gymnastics and cheerleading teams. All three roles depend on his capacity to support and empower others. 

Whether empowering employees or teaching teens to tumble, he strives to help his engineers and athletes achieve their full potential every step of the way. 

“Their victories and their disappointments become your victories and disappointments,” he said. “Sharing those daily opportunities is the ultimate gift for me as a leader.” 

Go, Team! 

Kev began coaching by instructing his daughters’ youth gymnastics teams. As a former gymnast, he was ecstatic to have his children share his interest. Although it was sometimes challenging due to his military schedule, he always prioritized making time for his girls and their teams. 

“I still get teary-eyed when I think about watching my daughters when they won the world championships in cheerleading,” he said. “There is no greater joy than having your child throw herself around you in a moment like that.”

Today, he is a co-head coach of the Eye of the Storm CheerAbilities team. Eye of the Storm is a competitive, co-ed team open to anyone designated by the state as having a physical or developmental disability. 

“They are true athletes. They work hard and they want to win,” said Kev. 

They are also the reigning National Champions in the CheerAbilities division, as crowned at the season’s final competition held in Orlando, Florida. Kev sees the same passion and competitive spirit on his program team. 

“My teams at Northrop Grumman always strive to excel. What we do is hard, but I see their motivation to make the best solutions to ultimately impact global defense.” 

Fighting for a Purpose 

Kev was introduced to the Eye of the Storm when they shared a gym with the competitive high-school-age girls’ team he coached. He would occasionally lend a hand and formed a deep connection with the team. 

One athlete, Jimmy, stood out — his passion and skill, even while battling leukemia, left a lasting impression on Kev. After Jimmy’s passing, Kev was asked to join the coaching staff, a role he took on in honor of the resilience he saw in the team. 

“I had a huge hole in my heart when Jimmy passed, and coaching the team helped fill it,” said Kev. “It’s a community free from judgment or doubt. They may feel underestimated or misunderstood outside of the gym, but when they step on the mat, all that goes away.” 

Just as his athletes find strength through community, Kev’s team at Northrop Grumman unites behind our mission. 

“I’ve been blessed with incredibly mission-driven teams. It’s easy to get lost in creating lines of code or a mechanical design,” said Kev. “We know it’s not about an individual piece of code, but the capability that’s created for our warfighter.” 

Win Together 

Kev believes it is as important to celebrate small victories as it is to find areas of improvement. Whether performing thorough engineering practices or executing tumbling drills, individual habits build up to the bigger picture. He also deeply appreciates the encouragement he receives from Northrop Grumman to be involved in community outreach. 

“I would not be able to coach without active support up and down my chain-of-command,” he said. “My athletes have quite the fan base here. People love to watch videos of our competitions, and several coworkers have supported them in person.” 

Kev has led many teams, but the Eye of the Storm holds a special place in his heart. 

“These athletes are no different than you or me – they have the same emotions and motivations, just with different challenges to overcome,” he said. “That kind of bravery and fortitude is an inspiration to us all.”