New Board Leadership to Guide Battleship IOWA’s Next Chapter
New Pacific Battleship Center board chairman Bruce DD MacRae meets with scholarship winners at the National Museum of the Surface Navy’s annual awards dinner.
Photo Credit: Rick Stipa
SAN PEDRO, Calif. – Feb 10, 2026 – Pacific Battleship Center (PBC), the 501(c)3 non-profit that owns and operates Battleship IOWA, the National Museum of the Surface Navy, and Los Angeles Fleet Week, today announced a new slate of board leadership, including the appointment of Bruce D.D. MacRae as Chairman.
After 10 years of service as Chairman, retired Rear Admiral Mike Shatynski, USN (Ret.), has transitioned to the role of Chairman Emeritus. A Surface Navy veteran, Shatynski provided steady leadership and strategic guidance during a period of significant growth for the organization. Pacific Battleship Center expressed deep gratitude for his service and welcomed his continued involvement in an advisory capacity.
MacRae brings more than a decade of hands-on leadership experience with Pacific Battleship Center, having played key roles in leadership summits, scholarship initiatives, and community engagement efforts aboard Battleship IOWA. A Long Beach native, he recently retired from a 45-year career with UPS, where he rose from frontline operations to Vice President of U.S. Government Affairs for the company’s Western Region.
“Determined people working together can accomplish anything,” said MacRae. “That philosophy has guided my career and reflects the spirit and mission of Battleship IOWA.”
In addition to MacRae’s election as Chairman, the board announced the following officers: Vice Chairman Rear Admiral Jim Kirk, USN (Ret.), Secretary Becky Beach, and Treasurer Ross O’Brien. Newly elected trustees include Rear Admiral Nevin Clark, USN (Ret.), Phil Bloom, and Joshua Wexler, each bringing diverse experience across military service, business leadership, and community advocacy.
As Pacific Battleship Center enters a significant new growth phase, the organization is preparing to expand its public impact both aboard Battleship IOWA and along the Los Angeles waterfront. This summer, PBC plans to open the National Museum of the Surface Navy, a new immersive experience housed within the battleship that will showcase the history, innovation, and people of the U.S. Surface Navy. In parallel, the organization is moving toward groundbreaking on the Freedom of the Seas Park and Pavilion, a major landside development project that will enhance public access, education, and community engagement at the Port of Los Angeles. Together, these initiatives mark a transformative next chapter for Pacific Battleship Center and underscore the importance of strong, experienced board leadership during a period of rapid growth.
For more information on Battleship IOWA’s leadership team, please visit our board leadership page.
