By Miles Flynn | Southern Indiana Business Report
ODON — After a year of behind-the-scenes work, the new Crane Regional Defense Group welcomed approximately 60 guests to WestGate Academy Aug. 12 to introduce the organization’s mission and kick off its Key Leader Series of luncheons. Dr. Angie Lewis, new technical director at NSWC Crane, was the featured speaker for the inaugural event, and future gatherings will continue with updates from other members of the base’s leadership team.
The purpose of Crane Regional Defense Group
Kent Parisien of First Savings Bank, and vice president of the board of Crane Regional Defense Group, served as master of ceremonies Aug. 12 and explained the organization was formed in 2020 with the goal of connecting local communities and businesses with Crane as part of a grassroots vehicle for advocacy. Individual objectives include educating the region about Crane and opportunities there, supporting jobs, building consensus, and supporting defense. “We are the ‘chamber of commerce’ for Crane. If you look at our role, that’s what we want to be,” Parisien told attendees.
Parisien said the group is now working to recruit members. Among membership benefits, he said, are gaining a better understanding of the defense economy and how to become part of that economy, learning “early and often” about what’s happening at Crane, and networking with the leadership of Crane and the region. People who would like to find out more about joining can visit https://wrmcalliance.com/about-crane-regional-defense-group/.
The group’s goal is to welcome 40 members by 2022, Parisien said, and the effort is already well on its way to achieving that number. He told Southern Indiana Business Report that the response has been encouraging, with approximately 10 new members signing up at the time of the luncheon.
Lewis’ message centers on collaboration
Lewis began her new role as technical director at NSWC Crane in February, making her the first woman to hold the highest-ranking civilian position in the organization. The Bedford native said she began her career at Crane 31 years ago and never could have dreamed she’d end up where she is today. She said she’s grateful for the opportunities and experiences Crane has provided.
Lewis reflected on the Base Realignment and Closure Committee process that threatened Crane’s existence 16 years ago and said it was a time for the installation to take a hard look at its workload, workforce and capabilities. Since then, she said, Crane has successfully worked to position itself as a sought-after leader in its mission areas in order to make itself an indispensable asset for the Navy. “We have transformed our organization,” she commented.
The base is now home to 3,800 civilian and military employees, Lewis told the crowd, and has authorization to continue to grow to meet the demand of supporting America’s warfighters. “It’s a very exciting time to be on the base,” she said.
However, Lewis noted, the base can’t remain successful without continuing to cultivate productive relationships with both national leadership and Crane’s neighboring communities, which could very well be the source of assets to help Crane in its mission. “We want to increase the number of relationships that we have,” Lewis told the crowd. “We want them to be meaningful.”
Upcoming events at Crane
Planned events for the Crane Regional Defense Group include a Connect to Crane gathering for small businesses on Oct. 12, the next Key Leader Series installment on Nov. 10, and in spring 2022, a planned trip to Washington, D.C., to advocate for Crane.