AN AFTERNOON TO REMEMBER

In 1962 Vice Admiral Samuel L. Gravely, Jr. became the first African American to take command of a U.S. Navy combatant ship. He continued to break barriers throughout his career, becoming the first African American commander, captain, rear admiral, and then vice admiral of the Navy before he retired.

Each year, the vice admiral’s contributions are celebrated with a themed event honoring the trailblazers of today who exemplify Gravely’s motto:

Education, Motivation, and Perseverance

For more information, contact education@labattleship.com, or call 877-446-9261 x763.

FEATURED SPEAKERS

Panelists

I. LEE WILLIAMS | Harbor Commissioner, Port of Los Angeles

I. Lee Williams was appointed to the Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners by Mayor Karen Bass and confirmed by the Los Angeles City Council on May 2, 2023.

Williams has been in real estate, investments and banking since 1988 and owns and operates The Lee Williams Real Estate Group serving primarily the Los Angeles South Bay.

Prior to establishing his own real estate company, he worked as a senior lender for commercial and resort financing as well as a mortgage broker in several states. He also has a technology sales background working with large financial services companies throughout North America, including IBM.

Williams has long been active in the Harbor Area community, including serving on the board of directors for the Boys & Girls Club of Los Angeles Harbor, past board chair of the San Pedro Chamber of Commerce, and vice president of the Northwest San Pedro Neighborhood Council.

He has worked to fight poverty and homelessness with the Harbor Area Neighborhood Relief Fund, Harbor Connects and San Pedro Education Foundation. Williams studied international business at the University of Washington.

CAMRON YORK | Director of Rail & Gate Operations, APM Terminals, POrt of Los Angeles

Camron York is the Director of Rail & Gate Operations at APM Terminals in the Port of Los Angeles, where he oversees high-volume landside operations at one of the nation’s largest container terminals. He has extensive experience in terminal operations, planning and forecasting, and Lean process improvement, with a focus on efficiency, safety, and team  leadership.

A former Captain in the United States Marine Corps and Field Artillery Officer, he combines disciplined leadership, large-team management, and complex logistical planning with advanced business acumen. He holds an MBA from the University of California, Irvine, and is passionate about developing people and connecting leadership lessons across industries.

Event Host

TANYA ACKER – Attorney, Author, Podcast Host

TANYA M. ACKER is a co-host of Tribunal Justice on Amazon Freevee as well as host of The Tanya Acker Show podcast. She is also the author of Make Your Case – Finding Your Win in Civil Court (Diversion Books 2020).

Tanya is an experienced civil litigator who has represented a wide array of clients, from major automobile manufacturers in high stakes product liability litigation to media companies in hotly contested trade secret disputes.

In addition to serving as a Trustee of the Pacific Battleship Center, which operates the Battleship USS IOWA Museum, Tanya maintains an active involvement in various other philanthropic, civic and business organizations. A volunteer with Love Takes Root, she has traveled to Haiti to work in a clinic and orphanage founded by that organization. She is a member of the Beverly Hills West (CA) chapter of The Links, Incorporated and additionally serves on the boards of Public Counsel; the Western Justice Center; the Boy Scouts of America; and PacWest Bancorp. She is also a member of the Pacific Council on International Policy.

2026 GRAVELY STUDENT LUNCHEON SPONSORS

Gravely Scholarship Sponsors

Collier Walsh Nakazawa, LLP
Surface Navy Association
UPS