Turning Over The Watch
Not many CEOs have the privilege and opportunity to serve in their “perfect” job of choice and celebrate a 150th anniversary! Back in 2011, one of my 100-day report goals was to take the Naval Institute from “survive to thrive.” With the support of the Board of Directors, the Foundation Trustees, engaged members, committed donors, and a dedicated staff, the Institute is on track to thrive well into the future. We have made tremendous progress in meeting successive strategic plan objectives, but there is always more to do. The Naval Institute’s critically important mission to “provide an independent forum for those who dare to read, think, speak, and write to advance the professional, literary, and scientific understanding of sea power and other issues critical to global security” must continue. The Sea Services needed a strong Naval Institute 150 years ago and still do today!
Last year, I informed the Board of Directors and our Trustees that I would make this special anniversary year my final year. We conducted a long and thorough search for a new CEO and Publisher, and I am excited to announce the Search Committee selected Rear Admiral Ray Spicer, U.S. Navy (Retired), to succeed me. Ray and I served together and deployed together at sea. Ray is a person of strong character, a charismatic leader, smart, hardworking, and selfless, and he gets things done—exactly the right person to build on our successes and lead the Naval Institute into the future. Ray will join the staff next month, and I will depart at the end of November.
It has been rewarding and fulfilling beyond measure to meet so many of you and work with you in this most worthy endeavor. Getting to know our diverse and talented membership has been one of the best parts of my time here. I am most grateful for all the friendship, advice, and support I have received over the years. I look forward to interacting with many of you in my last few months on board and hope to see many of you at our 150th Anniversary Celebration on 9 October.
Sesquicentennial Celebration On 9 October
Join us on 9 October, as we celebrate our 150th anniversary in style at the Jack C. Taylor Conference Center! You will not want to miss this event. Since our humble first meeting in the Naval Academy’s physics and chemistry building on 9 October 1873, the Naval Institute’s home always has been the Naval Academy Yard. Buy your ticket now by going to www.150celebration.usni.org.
