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
Jesse Mendoza and VPAN: Making a Difference for Veterans aboard Battleship IOWA
If you follow this podcast, you know that veterans are a priority at Battleship IOWA. To that end, for over a year, we have been home to the Los Angeles branch of Veterans Peer Access Network (VPAN). VPAN is a veterans-helping-veterans program that connects retired members of our armed forces and their families with services, resources, and other veterans to help with everything from the transition from military to civilian life to navigating the complexities of the VA system.We invited...
National Museum of the Surface Navy Announces 2022 Freedom of the Seas Award Recipients
National Museum of the Surface Navy announces Freedom of the Seas award recipients
Assemblymember Mike Gipson Secures $6.7 Million for the National Museum of the Surface Navy
Taking a break from our usual fare to bring you some incredible news: Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson, 64th District stopped by this morning to officially deliver a check for $6.7 million to the National Museum Of The Surface Navy at Battleship IOWA to build the Freedom of the Seas Park Pavilion. Here is the check presentation ceremony in its entirety. It was a great event hosted by Battleship IOWA board of trustees chairman Bruce DD Mac Rae and featuring speeches from Senator Steven Bradford,...
Battleship IOWA Launches “Escape The Mothball Fleet” Experience
Pacific Battleship Center Launches Unique Escape Room / Scavenger Hunt Experience
Ben Poucher: Warrior Sailing Program
Warrior Sailing director Ben Poucher explains how sailing combines seamanship, teamwork and practical skills while creating new opportunities for wounded and injured veterans. The conversation provides an approachable introduction to learning to sail and the communities and careers that can grow from time on the water.
Dave Way & Jim Kurrasch: A Curatorial Conversation Part II – “Artifact #1”
The second half of our conversation with Dave Way (Battleship IOWA historian and curator) and Jim Kurrasch centers on "Artifact Number 1" - which is the ship itself.When you have a ship that has served during three different eras, what ethos do you choose when deciding how to preserve it? How do you keep it relevant and interesting to future generations?Find out what we did in the beginning and where we're going now.* * * *Want to- Support the ship?...
Dave Way & Jim Kurrasch: A Curatorial Conversation (Part I)
Battleship IOWA is home to thousands of artifacts. From the ship herself to a chair from NAGATO - the last Japanese battleship, from physical objects to digital images, all of these artifacts must be cataloged and stored.Dave Way is the ship's historian and curator, and ten-year volunteer Jim Kurrasch is his "hands and feet." These two are the core of the team that minds our collection. They are walking encyclopedias who can spout amazing episodes from the ship's storied past at will.Join us...
Dave Badgett & Kent Coble: Fire Chiefs Remember 9/11 Twenty-One Years Later
Battleship IOWA volunteers Dave Badgett and Kent Coble are retired fire chiefs - Dave finished his career as an assistant chief in charge of training with LA City Fire Department, Kent as a battalion/division chief for Santa Monica Fire Department.Dave was also a task force leader for LA City Fire's FEMA Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team. On 9/11/01 he got the call to deploy even before the second plane hit the south tower of the World Trade Center and was on scene in New York hours after...
VJ Alcomindras: From Tour Guide in Oahu to Guest Services Manager in LA
VJ Alcomindras is a battleship kid. He's been working on Iowa Class BBs since he was 16. He started as the youngest tour guide ever hired (at that point) by our sister ship, USS Missouri, joined Battleship IOWA in 2015, and was recently promoted to Guest Services Manager.In this podcast we get to know him - from growing up on Oahu to college in California - and learn how he's turned a part-time job that appealed to the WWII history-lover in him into a permanent career he loves.We also get a...
Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach: A Visit With Lt. Adam Tellez and MNC Brian Chickering From The Mine Shop
Lt. Adam Tellez and Mineman Chief Brian Chickering take listeners inside Naval Weapons Station Seal Beach and the specialized world of Navy mine warfare. Discover the people, technology and technical skills behind a field most civilians rarely get to see.
Limited time only!
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.