Panneton Takes Over As Navy League President

By PETER ATKINSON, Deputy Editor

John A. Panneton officially took the helm as Navy League national president and four new national vice presidents were elected during the Navy League’s annual convention in Norfolk, Va., June 4.

Panneton, a retired Marine lieutenant colonel from Virginia Beach, Va., was chosen as the successor to Sheila M. McNeill, who was the first woman to serve as national president of the Navy League, during the 2004 Winter Meetings in November. He was confirmed as national president during the Board of Directors meeting at the convention.

A former president of the Hampton Roads, Va., Council, and a national director for more than a decade, Panneton said membership recruitment and retention will be among his priorities during his leadership of the Navy League.

McNeill, named by Panneton as chairwoman of the National Advi-sory Council, was saluted for her accomplishments and service as national president at the dinner that concluded the convention. She also received a Secretary of the Navy Public Service Award for distinguished service and a proclamation from the Coast Guard.

The public service award was presented by Adm. Edmund P. Giambastiani Jr., commander, U.S. Joint Forces Command, and NATO Supreme Allied Commander, Transformation, on behalf of outgoing Secretary of the Navy Gordon R. England.

Irvine B. Hill received a superior service award and Dr. Frederick C. Orton a meritorious service award at the dinner. R. Thomas Dwyer, a superior service award winner, and Robert J. Silah and Carol A. Meteney, meritorious service award winners, were unable to attend and will be presented with their awards in their local areas.

Joseph S. Donnell III, James H. Erlinger, Thomas E. Jaffa and Jackson C. Stevens were elected new national vice presidents during the convention. They join returning vice presidents Randy W. Hollstein, William A. Kopper, Richard C. Macke, James H. Offutt and Robert A. Ravitz. James L. Chapman IV was also named National Judge Advocate.

The convention was held at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott, June 1-5, and was hosted by the Hampton Roads Council. Council president Owen B. Pickett served as convention chairman.

Other featured speakers and award presenters at the convention included outgoing Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Vern Clark, who presented the Adm. Arleigh Burke Leadership Award to David B. Robinson, a principal at Booz Allen Hamilton, onboard the battleship Wisconsin; Rear Adm. Stephen A. Turcotte commander, Navy Region Mid-Atlantic, in Norfolk; and Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Thomas H. Collins.

Seapower will have additional coverage from the national convention in the August issue.