June 21, 2023

Dear friends,
I hope your summer is off to a fantastic start! It has been several weeks since my last note following LA Fleet Week. As many of you know, LA Fleet Week is the biggest event that we are heavily involved in throughout the year, requiring the collaboration of various agencies and organizations. The team is both mentally and physically exhausted after Fleet Week, and it usually takes about a week for everyone to reset and get back into their regular routines.

In the weeks following LA Fleet Week, the team has been diligently catching up with several outstanding tasks. We’ve also had a busy schedule with events rentals and catering, an increase in visitation, and hosting hundreds of youth in our summer education programming.

The Veterans Department is preparing for a significant expansion of services in Los Angeles, Technology is introducing several new features to our Salesforce and Quarterdeck of Honor, Operations is working on the turrets and waterline, Finance is wrapping up the audit, Development is focusing its efforts, and security volunteers have returned in full force! I apologize if I missed something or someone, as the organization is buzzing with activity and excitement.

Crew member Tyler Owens hard at work holding up a 16″ gun

During the past few weeks, I have been working on a strategic plan that will guide us over the next several years as we strive to establish the West Coast’s hub for freedom of the seas. I have revised the structure and content of the plan multiple times, incorporating feedback and reformulating my thoughts. Now, we are preparing to review the draft document and further refine it with input from the board(s), leadership and management team, crew, donors, and supporters.

The catalyst for creating this plan stems from the need to articulate our identity and future direction clearly. I have noticed some confusion among individuals regarding our objectives, and our management team is seeking clarity on how our growth will impact their respective departments. It has been refreshing and invigorating to work on this plan as I have traveled across the nation, engaging in various meetings.

Simultaneously, we have been making progress on the formulation of our experience design strategy. This marks the fifth step out of eight in the design and build process for the National Museum of the Surface Navy shipboard experience. Articulating the vision of this experience has been challenging, as we collaborate with world-renowned designers to create something inspirational, impactful, and centered around the people.

Here’s a draft summary that captures our intention:

“An immersive theatrical and in-situ experience designed to cater to the explorer within each of us, offering a range of engagement levels: from a surface-level skim for those seeking a quick overview, to a deeper swim for those desiring a more thorough exploration, and ultimately a deep dive for those craving a fully-immersive and in-depth adventure. This multi-layered experience allows visitors to tailor their exploration and engage at their desired level, ensuring a truly personalized and captivating journey through the world of the surface navy. The experience includes multiple shipboard improvements to enhance infrastructure and aesthetics.”

Over the next 90 days, we plan to host several sessions to gather feedback on both our strategic plan and the experience design. Initially, these sessions will involve our crew, boards, and donors. In the following months, we will reach out to our broader support base to gather input. Please stay tuned for invitations to these sessions, as we value your participation and feedback.

I had the opportunity to dedicate a significant portion of time to this plan during my recent trip to the East Coast for the christening of the new USS Iowa SSN-797. Accompanied by David Canfield (CIO and Iowa BB-61 veteran), I attended the festivities on behalf of our organization and the Veterans Association of the USS Iowa. We traveled across the country, arriving in Providence late Thursday, and immediately began our activities early Friday morning.

Before touring the new USS Iowa, we visited the USS Nautilus, which was a fascinating experience. It provided me with a boost in confidence regarding our decision-making process for accessibility and enhancing the visitor experience. These decisions are always challenging, but we must ensure that guests have meaningful opportunities to experience our museum.

Following our visit to the USS Nautilus, we enjoyed a quick breakfast/lunch at a local diner before heading to Electric Boat Groton. After a briefing and securing our phones, we had the privilege of seeing an almost completed Virginia-class submarine up close. It was truly impressive!

Members of the crew and shipbuilding team took us on a tour of the interior, where we witnessed firsthand the numerous improvements compared to earlier submarines like the Nautilus. We also saw the new upgrades made to accommodate the co-ed crew. Having previously toured a Los Angeles class submarine, I can confidently say that the Virginia class offers a higher level of crew comfort and advanced features.

In the evening, we were invited to a reception and the official launching of a USS Iowa SSN-797 beer at the Outer Light Brewing Company, hosted by the extraordinary team from the USS Iowa SSN-797 Commissioning Committee. The beer was delightful, but the company was even better.

On Saturday, we attended the christening of the boat by sponsor Christie Vilsack and had the chance to reconnect with several friends from the State of Iowa before and after the event. That evening, the Commissioning Committee organized a dinner at the Pequot Museum, where we celebrated the day’s events and the crew had an opportunity to enjoy themselves.

Throughout the entire weekend, the commitment of the Commissioning Committee for SSN-797 shone brightly. They made sure that everyone had a great time and a memorable visit.

Witnessing the dedication of the committee’s volunteers, all of whom are dedicated Americans and predominantly from Iowa, reminded me of the culture within our crew and the spirit of volunteerism that exists with BB-61. The legacy of service carries on from the BB-61 to the new SSN-797.

Battleship Cove, Fall River, MA

​On Sunday, after a brief visit to Battleship Cove in Fall River, MA, where we experienced their new exhibit featuring Vietnam helicopters and observed the several improvements made to the park since our last visit, we returned home. It was exciting to witness their progress!

By the end of this week, I will be heading to Astoria, OR with my family for our annual trip. I am looking forward to taking a few days off to recharge and prepare for my upcoming visits with many of you in the following month(s) to gather your feedback and thoughts on our plans.

I wish you and your family a blessed late June and hope you have the opportunity to enjoy the summer weather, wherever you may be.

Warm regards,

Jonathan Williams
President & CEO

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