Going Ashore
It was exciting to celebrate the Institute’s 150th on the exact anniversary date—right here in Annapolis, where the Institute was born on 9 October 1873! Celebrating this milestone with an impressive cross-section of members, donors, authors, Naval Institute staff, Editorial Board members, Trustees, Directors, and friends was wonderful and memorable.
My goal coming here 12 years ago was to set the conditions for the Naval Institute to thrive. That objective met, I decided last year to make this special anniversary year my last. The Institute has had a tremendous influence on the trajectory of my life. It has been rewarding and fulfilling beyond measure to work with all of you in this most worthy endeavor. I thank our members, authors, donors, staff, volunteers, and supporters for helping make the Naval Institute successful. The Directors and Trustees volunteer their time and support our efforts at every turn. The Editorial Board provides essential and invaluable peer review. People are often amazed that we produce 16 conferences and events per year, raise Foundation support, publish Proceedings and Naval History, generate podcasts, publish 70 to 80 books per year, manage a member organization, produce USNI News, manage archive assets, and much more with a small staff. Our dedicated staff executes our mission and vision every day to an impressively high standard. I never cease to be inspired by the trust and confidence donors and sponsors demonstrate with their generosity. They make the impossible possible.
After a thorough search, I am excited that retired Navy Rear Admiral Ray Spicer was selected to be my relief. Ray and I served together in the Navy, and we deployed together at sea. He is a smart, hardworking, and selfless person of strong character. And he gets things done—exactly the right person to build on our successes and lead the Naval Institute into the future. We are conducting turnover now, and Ray will become CEO and Publisher on 01 December.
Our world is increasingly divided and has become remarkably intolerant of differing views. That makes it more challenging to conduct an independent, nonpartisan, open forum that encourages debate and the competition of ideas. The combination of engaged authors and our talented editorial staff makes our forum work and work so well. I salute all those who dare to read, think, speak, and write and, through their discourse, help shape the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard!
Thanks again for your friendship, advice, support, and encouragement during my tenure as CEO and Publisher. I will remain engaged with the Institute as a member and advisor and look forward to seeing you at future Naval Institute events!
With deep gratitude and appreciation,
Peter H. Daly
VADM, USN (Ret.)
Life Member and Member since 1978
