The enthusiastic reaction to the Naval Institute’s Strategic Plan initiatives and the number of energized members present at the Annual Meeting on 11 April were unmistakable signs that the Institute is moving ahead with a bold new agenda.
The Annual Meeting was a very positive step forward, providing an important opportunity to meet and share views as we revitalize the Institute in the months and years to come. Original Good Morning America host David Hartman’s conversation with Vice Admiral Bob Harward riveted the lunch audience. Admiral Harward provided a thoughtful insider’s perspective on complex issues from Afghanistan to Iran, and from Syria to Pakistan, during this period of historic change.
In accordance with the Institute’s Constitution and By-Laws, we announced the election results. The following members were elected to the Naval Institute Board of Directors:
RADM Dan Bowler, USN (Ret.)
VADM Nancy Brown, USN (Ret.)
VADM Herb Browne, USN (Ret.)
CAPT Karl Hasslinger, USN (Ret.)
Dr. Jack London, CAPT, USN (Ret.)
CAPT Dave McFarland, USN
Mr. Ed Miller
VADM Norm Ray, USN (Ret.)
CAPT Gordan Van Hook, USN (Ret.)
The Institute owes its deep thanks to Mr. Stephen Waters, Mr. Al Cady, and Mr. Donald Brennan, whose terms on the Board have ended. Steve served for seven years in addition to four years serving the Foundation. In his last two years, he provided important leadership as our Chairman of the Board. Al Cady served seven years on the Board, Donald Brennan three. As uncompensated volunteers, they devoted countless hours, freely shared their substantial experience, and contributed their personal resources on behalf of our Naval Institute. We are immensely grateful for their dedicated service at a critical time for USNI.
The following members were elected to the Naval Institute Editorial Board:
CDR Steve Barnett, USN
FLTCM Scott Benning, USN
LCDR Claude Berube, USNR
LCDR Tom D’Arcy, USCG
LtCol Doug Douds, USMC
LCDR Rachael Gosnell, USN
Maj Marcus Mainz, USMC
LT Robert McFall, USN
LT John Walsh, USN
Special thanks are due to CAPT Doug Fears, USCG; Col John Abbatiello, USAF; SgtMaj Dave Devaney, USMC; Col Robert Lanham, USMC; BMCM Kevin Leask, USCG; CAPT Dave McFarland, USN; LTC John Mowchan, USA; CDR Jeff Novak, USCG; CDR John Patch, USN (Ret.); and, CMDCM Jacqueline DiRosa, USN (Ret.) whose terms on the Editorial Board are at an end. Each year, the Editorial Board reviews 80 to 100 submissions and engages in lively discussions with our staff and editors to make Proceedings the best product we can deliver. We especially thank Captain Fears for his two-year stint as Chairman of the Editorial Board and service on the Board of Directors.
One of the highlights of the Annual Meeting was the introduction of one of USNI’s most powerful new initiatives aimed at increasing the Institute’s relevance for young Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard professionals. A series of open discussions with a cross-section of junior officers and enlisted personnel told us a self-evolving Naval Wiki resonates strongly with them. The Naval Wiki, now a reality, will drastically improve access to the critical information junior naval professionals need to keep up with the increasing demands of their jobs in environments far from traditional support and mentors. Naval Wiki is intended to provide a “go-to” source for naval professionals with content shaped by naval professionals.
We delivered on another “promise made” prior to the Annual Meeting: the launch of a completely redesigned Institute website that captures member feedback. The new design features cleaner navigation, improved transaction functionality, and powerful new search capabilities.
USNI has one of the largest, most complex websites of any comparable nonprofit organization because of the variety of business we conduct online. Consider the issues of Proceedings, Naval History, and their back issues; the ability to buy traditional print books, eBooks, photos, and insignia products; the need to promote and register for USNI events such as conferences and the Annual Meeting; and, importantly, the need to register new members and renew existing ones. Add in daily online updates on top stories, the USNI Blog, the micro-sites that house special content, and plans to do even more, and you can begin to appreciate the complexities. It all has to work flawlessly and intuitively. Among the powerful new functions is the ability for members to manage and update or correct all of their information. This alone will have an enormous impact in helping us serve members more effectively and efficiently. We have also just established a new LinkedIn Group for the U.S. Naval Institute, and we encourage you to join!
I look forward to seeing many of you at our Joint Warfighting Conference (JWC), sponsored with our partner AFCEA, in Virginia Beach 15-17 May. We have a terrific program that includes Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Martin Dempsey and former Vice Chairman General James Cartwright. View the program and register at http://www.usni.org/events.
We are excited to host a second Member Event in Virginia Beach in an effort to continue to connect with our members on a national level. USNI will host an evening reception on Tuesday, 15 May at the Virginia Aquarium. You can register and find directions and general information at www.usni.org/memberevent.