CEO Corner
Updates from Jonathan Williams
Jonathan Williams is the President & CEO of the Pacific Battleship Center, home of the Battleship IOWA, LA Fleet Week, and the National Museum of the Surface Navy. A purpose-driven leader and storyteller, he shares updates and insights from one of the nation’s most innovative nonprofit organizations. His writing explores leadership, community, and culture — connecting lessons from the deck plate to the boardroom while highlighting the people, progress, and purpose that continue to drive the mission forward.
Newest Updates
Jose Hernandez: Rigging USS CONSTITUTION and More – Part 2
Jose Hernandez continues his story of turning an interest in sailing into hands-on work aboard one of America’s most famous ships. Learn more about the skills, knowledge and experience behind traditional rigging and the work required to keep historic seamanship alive.
Jose Hernandez: Rigging USS CONSTITUTION and More – Part 1
Jose Hernandez started as a biologist, but a love of sailing eventually led him to a career working aboard traditional sailing ships and rigging USS CONSTITUTION. His story connects seamanship, knots, hands-on skills and historic ship maintenance with the unexpected places an interest in the water can lead.
Sal Mercogliano: What’s Going On in Shipping – Part 2
The conversation with retired merchant mariner Sal Mercogliano continues with a deeper look at shipping, maritime operations and freedom of the seas. Discover how decisions made aboard ships, at ports and across the maritime transportation system affect commerce far beyond the waterfront.
Sal Mercogliano: What’s Going On in Shipping – Part 1
Retired merchant mariner Dr. Sal Mercogliano takes listeners inside the world of commercial shipping and explains how ships, ports and global trade are connected. Using the MV Dali collision with Baltimore’s Key Bridge as a starting point, the conversation shows the complexity behind safely moving ships and cargo around the world.
Vice Admiral Nora Tyson: On Leadership and Life – Part 2
Vice Admiral Nora Tyson continues the story of a 38-year Navy career that took her from enlisted sailor to command at sea. Her journey shows how experience aboard ships, leadership and a willingness to take on new challenges can open opportunities that may never have seemed possible at the beginning.
Vice Admiral Nora Tyson: You Want To Be Navigator on a Carrier…?!
Vice Admiral Nora Tyson shares the path that took her from joining the Navy to becoming the first woman to serve as navigator aboard an aircraft carrier and later the first woman to command a carrier strike group. Hear how a career at sea can grow from learning the fundamentals of navigation and ship operations to leading sailors and ships around the world.
Preserving Battleship IOWA: Our 2026 Priorities
Every day, we fight deterioration, corrosion, and unauthorized intrusion. Our 2026 preservation priorities include securing the ship’s gangways, repairing damage from a pipe leak, preserving the hull, replacing deteriorated decking, and renewing critical mooring lines.
The Broadside – September 2026
The Broadside crew newsletter – September 2026
Maritime Defense and Security Careers: Engineering, Technology, Navy and Defense Industry Jobs
Maritime defense depends on far more than sailors. Explore careers in engineering, cybersecurity, sensors, communications, ship systems, logistics and the civilian organizations that support national security at sea.
Ocean and Environmental Science Careers: Marine Science, Weather, NOAA and Research
The maritime world is also scientific. Explore careers in oceanography, marine science, weather, environmental monitoring and research – on shore and at sea.
Limited time only beginning on September 5, 2026!
Kids Board Free
In the all-new Life of a Sailor experience, kids become sailor recruits, building their skills, following the story of a famous sailor, and joining Vicky the Dog on a scavenger hunt through Battleship IOWA.
Kids board free with a paid adult.