LEONARDTOWN, Md. – November 15, 2021 – On November 4, 2021, the Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) Class of 2022 participated in the third of nine educational sessions for the 2021-22 LSM Executive Program – Defense and Industry. This session was led by Becky D’Ambrosio LSM’17, director of public and congressional affairs, Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD).
Class members began their day at the Indian Head Pavilion where they were welcomed by Indian Head Mayor Brandon Paulin who shared details of the town’s revitalization efforts. The class also received an overview of local base operations from the host command as well as a brief on NSWC IHD from LSM Executive Program 2021 graduate Darrin Krivitsky, the NSWC IHD acting chief of staff. The class then delved into public / private partnerships, the role of on Naval Ordinance Safety & Security Activity (NOSSA), and the ways organizations like The Patuxent Partnership and Military Alliance Council work with the community and military to build mutually beneficial partnerships. A demonstration by the Chemical Biological Response Force rounded out the morning.
The afternoon began onboard NSWC IHD with a search and rescue exercise by a Naval Air Station Patuxent River SAR team. The rest of the session was segmented into presentations by various NSWC divisions. Participants watched an explosive ordinance disposal (EOD) robotics demonstration and learned about explosive detection equipment. They also learned about cartridge- and propellant-actuated devices (CAD/PAD) and got an inside look at what goes on in the Chemical Biological Radiological Defense Division. As the class traveled around the base, they were treated to a windshield tour by John Hungerford LSM’18, director of infrastructure, NSWC IHD.
The class wrapped up the day with a networking event hosted by the LSM Alumni Association at The Green Turtle in La Plata, Maryland. Class participants were able to gather and reflect on the day’s experiences and the ways in which the defense and supporting industries in Indian Head critically impact our region.
Leadership Southern Maryland’s Executive Program is a nine-month tuition-based program that educates and inspires a diverse group of current and emerging leaders creating opportunities for collaborations and partnerships impacting the community needs of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties ensuring a cross-section of the region including diversity of geographic location, profession, ethnicity, and gender.
For more information, please contact Denise Foster, executive director, Leadership Southern Maryland, 301-862-7663, via email denise@leadershipsomd.org or visit www.leadershipsomd.org.
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Leadership Southern Maryland is an independent, educational leadership development organization designed to broaden the knowledge base of emerging leaders as well as mid- to senior-level public and private sector executives about the critical issues, challenges, and opportunities facing the region. Leadership Southern Maryland is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.