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
USS HORNET: A Visit with Staff from the Legendary Carrier
Recently staff from USS Hornet stopped by for a visit. COO Laura Fies and Marketing & Outreach Manager Russell Moore were kind enough to sit down for a fun chat about the challenges we share and the innovations we make to keep our vessels relevant for years to come.* * * *Want to- Support the ship? http://pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online- Come aboard for a tour? http://pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit- Volunteer with us? http://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteerYou...
CEO Update 29 June 2022
Marann Fengler: Figure Skating to a Battleship…?
Executive assistant and podcast producer Marann Fengler has had a unique journey. First figure skating, then sailing square riggers, and now she's found a home working on Battleship IOWA. What was that progression like? She tells us in this week's episode.* * * * *Want to- Support the ship? http://pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online- Come aboard for a tour? http://pacificbattleship.com/museum_visit- Volunteer with us? http://pacificbattleship.com/get-involved/volunteerYou can also-...
Bruce DD MacRae: UPS Vice President of Government Affairs
There is no shortage of stand-out characters around Battleship IOWA, and for this episode we rounded up one of the most larger-than-life: Vice President of Government Affairs for UPS and Battleship IOWA board member Bruce D.D. MacRae. We talked to Bruce about how he got involved with the ship, his role in the recent presidential visit, and more... but mostly we laughed a lot, which seems to happen frequently in this man's presence. We think that's a good thing.Enjoy.* * * *Want to- Support...
CEO Update 15 June 2022
Kristen Burns-Agria: SkillBridge Intern on Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life
Since early January we've been fortunate to have Kristen Burns-Agria with us. She's active Navy and a participant in SkillBridge - an internship program from the Department of Defense, designed to help service members transition from the military to civilian worlds. In this week's episode Kristen talks about her experience both with SkillBridge and with Battleship IOWA. * * * *Want to- Support the ship? http://pacificbattleship.com/donate/donate-online- Come aboard for a tour?...
Museum Update 7 June 2022
Captain Tyler O’Connor: US Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey Pilot
We managed to sneak two podcast recording sessions in during #LAFleetWeek. Here's the second.Meet US Marine Corps captain Tyler O'Connor. Tyler and his crew brought in the star of our mini-airshow: the mighty MV-22 Osprey.Quite the spectacle to watch an aircraft that doesn't look like it should even be able to fly land and take off from our parking lot. In this episode Tyler discusses what it takes to learn to pilot one and why he loves it.BONUS!For footage of Tyler showing off his Osprey -...
CEO Update 31 May 2022
Brian O’Rourke: Navy Region Southwest Media Relations Officer
This episode finds our team sleep-deprived, sun-burned, and hours away from the finish of LA Fleet Week 2022. Despite the lack of coherence, they managed to coordinate a visit with Brian O'Rourke. Since 2017, as media relations officer for Navy Region Southwest, Brian has been heavily involved in the planning of LA Fleet Week from the Navy side of the equation.Get more of the behind-the-scenes details that happen both before and during this annual celebration of the sea services.* * * *Want...
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