Historic Ships Memorial at Pacific Square - The Organization
Historic Ships Memorial at Pacific Square ("HSMPS") is a 501(c)(3), California non-profit, public benefit corporation established to acquire custodianship of one of the greatest ships ever launched by the American People, U.S.S. Iowa (BB-61), for use as a museum and memorial. HSMPS is dedicated to protecting the naval legacy by preserving the battleship U.S.S. Iowa ("IOWA") at Mare Island, Vallejo, California in the San Francisco Bay Area.
This organization’s educational mantel and focus is woven from human experience, founded upon community commitment, born from a great naval tradition and dedicated to our nation’s efforts to preserve peace. Conceived in remembrance of those who served and fuelled by a passion to convey the same selfless commitment to our fellow Americans, HSMPS strives to cultivate an unique partnership with the Department of the Navy in order to maintain IOWA in the San Francisco Bay Area in a way that benefits the service, the nation, and future generations.
Comprised of volunteers from many walks of life, HSMPS mirrors the complex social fabric of this nation. Engineers, historians, financial analysts, artists, educators, public relations professionals, businesspeople, men, women, youth, veterans, non-veterans, people of various ethnic backgrounds and ages and others form the backbone of this historic endeavor. The quest to bring IOWA to Vallejo, care for the battleship and develop a premier memorial draws upon the skills, energy and vision of many. This Committee's membership, national in complexion, stretches from the Golden Gate to the Empire State. The scale of this undertaking, demands enduring and disciplined zeal.
HONORARY CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD
President George Bush Iowa Governor Terry Branstad Author Tom Clancy 70th Secretary of the Navy John Dalton
71st Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig 72nd,75th Secretary of the Navy Gordon England Former Iowa Governor Bob Ray Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack
| Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, Brigadier General Emory J. Hagan (CA) former Commanding General of the California State Military Reserve, former Marine Corps officer, former State of California primary advisor to the Director, Office of Homeland Security on Homeland Security Exercise and Training matters, former Special Agent in the California Bureau of Investigation |
| President & Director, Elaine "Merylin" Wong...MBA, finance, banking, leasing, former Council President Navy League of the United States |
| Executive Vice President & Director, William B. Stephens...former National Director Navy League of the United States, MBA Banking, MBA Accounting, Central Bank monetary policy and regulatory review, former cruise line project manager, cruise line sales and operations, DOD Language Program-New Delhi, PhD Program S. Asian Studies |
| Vice President & Treasurer, Director, Howard Williams...marine services industry and business owner (yacht charter service, diving, underwater hull repair, construction, charters) |
| Vice President & Secretary, Cody South, native Iowan, business continuity consultant, former bank customer sales and service instructor, former bank operations and branch manager |
Honorary Chairmen of the Board (additional information)
| President George H.W. Bush...Former President of the United States 1989-1993, Vice President 1981-1989, Congressman, ambassador, Director Central Intelligence Agency |
| Honorable Terry Branstad...Current Governor State of Iowa, former President Des Moines University, Governor State of Iowa 1983-1999 |
| Tom Clancy...World Renown Author, Honorary Doctorate Humane Letters, Yeoman Warder of The London Tower, Alfred Thayer Mahan Award for Literary Achievement |
| Honorable John Dalton...Former Secretary of the Navy 1993-1998, Federal Home Loan Bank Board, Officer Goldman, Sachs & Company, Naval Officer |
| Honorable Richard Danzig...Former Secretary of the Navy 1998 - 2001, Officer Rand Corporation, Director National SemiConductor Corp, Trustee Reed College, professor, attorney |
| Honorable Gordon England...Secretary of the Navy 2001-2005, EVP General Dynamics Corporation, Defense Science Board (President G.W. Bush) Program Manager Litton Industries, Engineer Honeywell Corporation |
| Honorable Bob Ray...Former Governor State of Iowa 1969-1983, Delegate to the United Nations, President Drake University |
| Honorable Tom Vilsack...Current Secretary of Agriculture, Former Governor State of Iowa 1998-2002, Iowa State Senate |
BOARD OF ADVISORS
| Randy Barker...California Transportation Authority environmental technician, U.S. Navy |
| Ken Bell...retired Navy Warrant Officer |
| George Bisharat...naval artist and historian |
| Jeremy Bonelle...photographer, U.S. Army |
| Mike Brown...Executive Director Vallejo Convention and Visitors Bureau |
| Cathy Cheung...C.P.A., specializing in taxation for individuals, businesses, estates, trusts, non-profits |
| Capt. Edward J. Cummings USN (retired)...construction and project management |
| Jurgen Diederich...maintenance engineer, management and fiscal operations, former US Navy |
| Bill Dunphy...film director and producer |
| Leanne Dunphy...film editing and video business development, baker |
| Jim Fisher...IRS examination and support |
| Scott Gaynos...film production and audio/video preparation |
| Sonny Hanson USN (retired)...electrician |
| George Hillenbrand...retired, former IOWA crewmember |
| Phelps Hobart...Navy League Director |
| Joe Jester...United Technologies Company technician |
| Gloria Lagomarsino...graphic artist, creator |
| Wallace Levin...retired, past President Veteran Affairs Commission, City & County of San Francisco, civic leader, federal & state government employee |
| Chris Maloney...security and fire alarm systems, U.S. Navy |
| Patrick McDermott...administration and compliance, technology industry |
| Patty McDermott...retail inventory analyst |
| Roland Peck...civil engineer |
| James Pollock...civil engineer |
| Mark Peters...financial marketing and fundraising |
| Janet Peterson...office management |
| Howard Pierson...retired, public speaking, air force test pilot, IOWA crew member |
| Wendy Plank...HAZMAT specialist American Compliance Services |
| Gordon Reynolds...former newspaper owner, advertising |
| Joe Railla...architect |
| Les Rich...retired, PG&E nuclear technician, U.S. Navy Submarine Service |
| John Richardson...retired, operating engineer |
| Wallace Smith...retired U.S. Navy Chief |
| Cody South...bank operations, contingency planning |
| Esther Spaur...community volunteer |
| Bill Stephens...bank regulation, former cruise ship operations manager, former National Director Navy League of the United States |
| Jim Reikowsky...Vallejo Convention and Visitors Bureau, Vallejo Film Commission |
| Howard Williams...marine services business owner |
| Merylin Wong...finance, former Merrill Lynch broker, former Navy League Council President |
