Dear Shipmates of NNOA,
First and foremost, I thank you for your confidence in electing me as your president. NNOA has held a special place in my heart and mind since I joined in 1988 while attending the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterey, California. Membership and participation helped me throughout my career and I hope you have had a similar experience.
Please join me in sending a note of thanks to Commander (ret), Denise McCallaCreary for the phenomenal job she performed as our president. Commander McCallaCreary worked tirelessly to improve NNOA and to help us grow. I believe she was very successful in both and I hope to continue the momentum of her efforts and those of the other past presidents of NNOA. They are all champions in the drive to improve diversity in our Sea Services, Public Health Service (PHS), Maritime Administration (MARAD) and National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
As we saw during our 46th Symposium in Portsmouth VA, NNOA is on the move. The top leaders from the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, MARAD, PHS, and NOAA all participated and have given their commitment to partner with NNOA in striving to improve the diversity of their officer corps and to be more inclusive. Our founders came out in force demonstrating pride in the organization and a tireless passion for our mission. Most importantly, there was tremendous participation across all ranks – from Secretary Penn to Midshipmen/Officer Candidates during the many professional development and mentoring sessions.
During my service to NNOA, I plan to leverage the four lines of effort that CDR McCallaCreary had for our organization:
1. Chapter Empowerment – NNOA working as one entity with strong and vibrant chapters meeting the needs of our members where they live and work.
2. Membership Growth – Each member of NNOA reaching out to their friends, colleagues, and shipmates to enhance their careers in the Sea Services, PHS, MARAD and NOAA.
3. Symposium 2019 – Leveraging a great symposium in 2018 and responding to our members’ demands to make it even better as we return to San Diego, August 7th & 8th, 2019.
4. Implementation of the Strategic Review – Prioritize, develop a roadmap, and adopt key recommendations from the Strategic Review.
These lines of effort will require the continued selfless support of all NNOA members – active duty, reserves, retired and our friends/sponsors. NNOA is strong and vibrant…we are making a difference together…and there is still much to do. FULL SPEED AHEAD NNOA!
Very respectfully,
Sinclair M Harris
Rear Admiral United States Navy (Retired)
President, National Naval Officers Association (NNOA)