MEET OUR LEADERSHIP
Please meet the leadership of the Battleship IOWA Museum and future National Museum of the Surface Navy, both operated by the Pacific Battleship Center – a 501c3 non-profit organization. These individuals provide the necessary guidance, knowledge, diversity, and leadership to successfully expand the organization to a National Museum by 2025. The Pacific Battleship Center does not receive government funding for daily operations with all museum programs being funded by admissions, programs, and contributions.
NATIONAL LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
Members of the National Leadership Council are a diverse group of ambassadors that represent our Nation’s interest in the future of Freedom of the Seas and the National Museum of the Surface Navy at the Battleship IOWA.
National Campaign Co-Chair
Ambassador Terry Branstad
Governor, State of Iowa
(1983-1999, 2011-2017)
Ambassador to China
(2017-2020)
Senator Chuck Grassley
State of Iowa
Admiral Vernon Clark
USN (Ret.)
H. Delano Roosevelt
Admiral John C. Harvey, Jr.
USN (Ret.)
Admiral James R. Hogg
USN (Ret.)
Admiral Michelle Howard
USN (Ret.)
Admiral Samuel J. Locklear
USN (Ret.)
Admiral Robert J. Natter
USN (Ret.)
Admiral J. Paul Reason
USN (Ret.)
Admiral James G. Stavridis
USN (Ret.)
Vice Admiral Richard Hunt
USN (Ret.)
Ambassador Robert C. O’Brien
Governor Kim Reynolds
State of Iowa
Supervisor Janice Hahn
L.A. County Supervisor
Councilman Joe Buscaino
L.A. City Council
CHAIRMAN’S FLAG COUNCIL
Members of the Chairman’s Flag Council serve as a resource, volunteering leadership, expertise, networking, and financial support to ensure the Museum becomes and continues to be a world class museum and memorial to those who served our nation. Members advocate for and increase public awareness of the Museum by cultivating strong, diverse, and sustainable sources of support for the institution.
VADM Thomas Rowden, USN (Ret.)
Kelcey Brown
President and CEO, MidAmerican Energy
RADM Nevin Carr Jr., USN (Ret.)
RADM Scott Jerabek, USN (Ret.)
RADM Jesse A. Wilson, Jr., USN (Ret.)
RDML Sandra Adams, USN (Ret.)
GOVERNANCE BOARD
The Board of Directors is responsible for governance and fiduciary oversight of the organization. Members are actively involved with a focus on strategic vision, transition to a National Museum, and representation from the diverse communities we serve.
Tanya Acker
Attorney, Television and Podcast Host
Los Angeles, California
Rebecca Beach, Secretary
Founder & CEO, Puppy Jake Foundation
Iowa
CDR Ken Hagihara, USN (Ret.)
Integrity Public Relations
Mission Viejo, California
Douglas Herman
The Strategy Group
Los Angeles, California
Craig Johnson
Chair, Crail-Johnson Foundation
San Pedro, California
Dan Kehl
CEO, Riverside Casino & Golf Resort, LLC
Iowa
Vanessa Lewis, CPA
Non-profit Financial Reporting Consultant
Dallas, Texas
Jeff Link
Link Strategies
Iowa
Bruce DD Mac Rae
State Public Affairs Vice President at UPS
Long Beach, California
Ross O’Brien, Treasurer & CFO
Partner, Servatius, O’Brien, & Fong, LLP
San Pedro, California
VADM John Morgan, USN (Ret.)
Arleigh Burke Foundation
Virginia
FLTCM JoAnn Ortloff, USN (Ret.)
Surface Navy Association
California
E. Scott Palmer
Partner, Law Firm of Palmer, Hunter & Hall
Los Angeles, California
Jonathan Williams, Pres. & CEO
Battleship IOWA, Surface Navy Museum, LA Fleet Week
California
PRESIDENT’S ADVISORY BOARD / SPECIAL ADVISORS
Members of the President’s Advisory Board are leaders and advisors from industry, labor, education, government, museum, philanthropy, and other sectors of importance. Advisory Board members serve as an important resource and knowledge base that advises leadership and supports the organization to achieve its strategic objectives.
Bruce DD Mac Rae, Chair
Special Advisor
State Public Affairs Vice President at UPS
Bill Anderson
Westrec Marinas
RDML Charles Brown, USN (ret.)
Special Advisor
Paul Carter
Estate Attorney
Simon Conway
Talk Show Host at WHO Radio
Kip Cyprus
Special Advisor
Developer
Mike Dowling
Veterans Advocate
CAPT Roger C. Easton Jr., USN (Ret.)
Special Advisor
President, Easton Advisors LLC &
USS Arleigh Burke Association
John Ek
National Co-Chair of Mercury Public Affairs
CAPT Bill Erickson, USN (Ret.)
Surface Navy Association
RADM G.E. Gneckow, USN (Ret.)
Commanding Officer, USS Iowa (1983-1985)
Amy Grat
CEO, EXP – The Opportunity Engine
Don Hall
President, Hall Towing, Inc.
Jane Johnson
Community Advocate
Nathan Jones
Founder, Kids, Hands, and Minds
Sinan Kanastiz
Special Advisor
IMA, KCOMM
Patrick Kohler
Co-Founder, Databolic, Inc.
Josh LaFarga
Laborer’s Union
Jeff Lamberti
Special Advisor
Attorney & Former Iowa Senator
Bobby MacDonald
Community Leader
Russ Matthews
Special Advisor
Documentary Producer
CAPT Richard McKenna, USN (Ret.)
Community Leader
Robert Nowakowski
Qualcomm
Wayne Ratkovich
President & CEO of the Ratkovich Company
CDR Steve Shatynski, USNR (Ret.)
John Shultz
Matt Sodl
Managing Director of Innovation Capital
Arlo Sorenson
Certified Public Accountant
Lars Reierson
Investment Professional
EXECUTIVE STAFF
Jonathan Williams
President & CEO
Pacific Battleship Center
President, LA Fleet Week Foundation
