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
Operation Crush COVID Week 9: Operations
If you've visited Battleship IOWA, you've seen a mysterious gang of blue-coverall-clad personnel milling about, crawling in and out of odd spaces, appearing and disappearing seemingly at random, and doing a lot of mumbling and laughing. They're our Ops team, and we think they're pretty great. Maintaining all 887 feet and 45,000 some odd tons of Battleship IOWA is no easy task. This group is responsible for painting, electrical systems, welding, chasing rust, repairs, carpentry, even the...
Operation Crush COVID Week 8: Meet Tanya Acker
Ask any sailor: a ship is a community. Battleship IOWA has been creating her own community since the 1940s, so it was only natural that "community" should be one of our three core pillars. This ship has become a centerpiece of a thriving community in the Port of Los Angeles, and there are many ways in which she contributes to this one. We'll let our board trustee Tanya Acker talk about a couple to lead off today. [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGENAsotYuo[/embedyt] ...
Battleship USS Iowa Museum Update for September 14, 2020
Our attendance has further dropped after the summer season and Los Angeles remains closed to indoor museums. The museum industry continues to suffer, especially those on the west coast. We will persevere and survive, but we need your support to do so. Jonathan Williams, Battleship IOWA Museum CEO, highlights the challenges we are going through and how you can assist this important Los Angeles museum and memorial. If all of our followers gave a recurring donation of just $20 per month until the...
Battleship IOWA Virtual Film Screening: The Outpost
Today marks the nineteenth anniversary of the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. That day was a watershed for many young people. It motivated them to step up to serve their nation. The Outpost tells the story of a group of these heroes. In 2009 "...small unit of U.S. soldiers, alone at the remote Combat Outpost Keating, located deep in the valley of three mountains in Afghanistan, [battled] an overwhelming force of Taliban fighters in a coordinated attack. The...
Operation Crush COVID Week 7: National Museum of the Surface Navy
Operation Crush COVID has been flying by! We're already in Week 7. Only three weeks left to accomplish our goal of raising $50,000. We need your help to get there. If you've already donated, we thank you from the bottoms of our hearts. If you'd still like to help, all you have to do is share this email or any of our social media posts. Getting the word out is an important way to support the cause. Thank you for all you do. Now on to today's story. National Museum of the Surface Navy Earlier...
Week of 09/08/20 Battleship IOWA Update
Operation Crush COVID Week 6: 2 September 1945 – “VJ Day”
Seventy-five years ago today, the nation of Japan formally surrendered to Allied forces, officially ending World War II. We'll be marking the anniversary with three events: 8:15 AM - A live feed of a special ceremony hosted by our sister ship, USS MISSOURI, where the signing took place. (Time approximate.) 12:30 PM - A flyover by the Commemorative Air Force. (Time approximate.) 1:30 PM - A salute from USS IOWA's Mount 56 5" battery. To lead off the commemoration from Battleship IOWA...
This Date In USS IOWA History: 30 August, 1945
USS IOWA follows sister ship USS MISSOURI into Tokyo Bay, 29 Aug 1945 We continue to follow USS Iowa through 1945, moving toward the 75th commemoration of the signing of the instrument of surrender and the official end of World War II. Curator Dave Way is constantly updating and refining a timeline of the ship's life. Here are its entries for 27-30 August 1945. August 27 – An eventful day for Iowa. 0930 Commences entry into Sagami Wan, (an open bay 30 miles southwest of Tokyo),...
Week of September 2nd, 2020 Update
IOWA Family: We are entering the last week of what in past years would be considered our busy season. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, we would have hosted two significant event this coming week. We would have celebrated the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII during the fifth annual LA Fleet Week. Unfortunately we will be unable to celebrate in-person, but we refuse to forget the significance of this coming week. This week holds significant personal meaning for me. Prior to the ship opening in...
Battleship IOWA Tours: You Never Know Who You’ll Meet
Battleship IOWA is full of inspiring surprises. When our tour guides arrive to the ship every morning, they never know who they'll encounter during the day. And while each guest is special, every so often, one stands out. IOWA volunteer Christ Malburg had such an encounter. He shared it with us recently. He says it shows what it means to be an IOWA tour guide. “You’re an IOWA crew member, sir?” A smile big as the blue sky above spread across that parchment face. “What gave me...
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