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
KABC report on the Dream Foundation and the Battleship IOWA making John Bock’s dream come true
KABC report on the Red Cross Veterans History Project on the Battleship IOWA
Battleship IOWA to appear in Japanese Magazine
お元気ですか？ The Battleship IOWA alongside many great ships around the San Pedro and Long Beach area are set to make an appearance in SHIPS OF THE WORLD magazine! The magazine hails from the Land of the Rising Sun, and is an extremely popular publication covering maritime affairs in Japan. We are excited and honored to be featured on the March issue!
Aboard the USS Iowa searching for a charming mutt named Vicky
This mighty battleship, commissioned in the midst of World War II, ferried President Franklin D. Roosevelt across the Atlantic Ocean and back, fought in the Pacific, served as a missile carrier during the Cold War and is now a museum, docked in Los Angeles Harbor. But the story of its mascot, a little dog named Vicky, charms visitors of all ages.
USS Iowa in San Pedro hosts last black survivor of Pearl Harbor attack
The attack at Pearl Harbor sent flames flying all around the USS Jarvis as it bobbed alongside a dock in the shadow of a large warehouse, undamaged by the barrage of torpedoes and bombs descending on the harbor.
As 350 Imperial Japanese Navy aircraft unleashed their fury from above and left smoke, fire and broken ships in their wake, Petty Officer 1st Class Nelson Mitchell sprang to action. His duty, as a black man, was to serve white officers.
Student Organizes Christmas Card Signing for Troops
While many Americans will be spending time with family and enjoying a meal together, the holidays for U.S. troops overseas will be spent away from home.
That fact inspired college student Cesar Olvera, 19, to do something to bring the holiday season to servicemembers across the world. Last year, Olvera was able to get 700 Christmas cards signed by the community and sent to troops overseas.
This year, Olvera is on board the USS Iowa, docked in the LA harbor in San Pedro, and he’s got about 1600 cards signed and ready to be sent to to military men and women.
USS Iowa celebrates Veterans Day, but plans to further expand entertainment value
It’s been nearly quarter of a century since the USS Iowa last saw active duty.
In the battleship’s long tour of duty, it played a crucial role in World War II, carried President Franklin D. Roosevelt across the Atlantic and undertook several humanitarian missions.
Now in retirement, it has a new mission: to double the amount of public events taking place on board and on its grounds and to eventually draw hundreds of thousands more visitors to the Los Angeles waterfront.
Battleship IOWA featured in National Tour Association (NTA) Magazine Courier
Battleship IOWA Named “Business of the Year” by San Pedro Chamber
TripAdvisor also Lauds Battleship Museum for Strong Consumer Reviews L.A. WATERFRONT, CA (June 10, 2014) – Pacific Battleship Center, the nonprofit that operates Battleship IOWA, was recognized as the 2014 “Business of the Year” in an announcement by the region’s leading business association. According to Elise Swanson, President/CEO of the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce, the historic naval ship museum was recognized for its “…successful launch of a major tourist attraction and its...
South Bay, Harbor Area communities work to attract more filming
With its 1920s masonry buildings and waterfront warehouse district, San Pedro is something of a chameleon for Hollywood film crews.
The port community on screen has doubled for places like San Francisco, New York and Washington, D.C.
“I’ve had more than one location manager say to me, ‘San Pedro is great. As long as you can hide the palm trees, it could be anywhere,’ ” said Stephen Robbins who heads up the downtown business improvement district.
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