Pathways to Partnership: Elevating the Defense Industrial Base

May 8, 2024 - Long Island, NY - The "Pathways to Partnership: Elevating the Defense Industrial Base" event, held on May 8th, 2024, proved to be a resounding success bringing together key stakeholders from the Department of Defense, Department of the Navy, local manufacturers, and industry experts. The event, aimed at strengthening the ties between local manufacturers and the Defense Industrial Base, provided invaluable insights and opportunities for collaboration.

The event kicked off with a warm welcome from Peter Donnelly, Associate Vice-President for Technology Partnerships, followed by an informative overview of the Long Island Manufacturing Extension Partnership (LIMEP) by Amy Erickson, Interim Director, LIMEP.  This introduction set the stage for a series of insightful presentations and discussions focused on enhancing the manufacturing industry's contributions to national security.

Patrice Jones, Chief of Staff for Small Business Programs at the Office of the Secretary of the Navy, highlighted the resources available on the Small Business Programs website, guiding participants on how to secure more orders with prime contractors.

Chief Patrice Jones commented: “Participating and speaking at the May 8 Pathways to Partnership event was a wonderful opportunity to further the DON’s goal of creating a DON culture of small business inclusivity and collaboration; and continuously seeking to leverage small businesses as a strategic advantage.  This event was an opportunity to help the Long Island small business ecosystem via education and pertinent information aimed at helping long island small businesses enter and participate in the defense/DON supply-chain as primes and subcontractors/suppliers.  Moreover, the ability to collaborate with the Long Island Manufacturing Extension Partnership on this event and future events creates a wonderful opportunity to grow the Long Island small business ecosystem in ways that benefit the entire network.”

This was followed by an extensive briefing on the Submarine Industrial Base (SIB) by Senior Analyst Jack Nugent and Manager Courtney Wolfe, emphasizing the SIB's critical role in national defense and the opportunities it presents for local manufacturers.

CEO and Owner Anne D. Shybunko-Moore of GSE Dynamics shared a compelling testimonial about overcoming challenges and reaping rewards through dedication and trust in the process. Jim White, Senior General Manager at Curtiss-Wright, provided a comprehensive guide on becoming a subcontractor, including detailed steps, qualifications, and best practices.

The event also featured brief presentations by Chairman John Spiezio of ADDAPT, President Jamie Moore from Ignite LI and Dr. Beth Deuermeyer of BlueForge Alliance, introducing attendees to valuable resources like buildsubmarines.com. Program Manager Joe Barto IV concluded the sessions with an overview of the New York Talent Pipeline Program (NYTPP), highlighting its success in bridging the gap between skilled labor supply and demand, and how Long Island's Defense Manufacturers can take advantage of their trainings and resources.

Throughout the event, attendees had ample opportunities to network and engage in interactive sessions including Q&A segments. The Defense Industrial Base Talent Pipeline Program generously sponsored lunch, fostering further networking and collaboration among participants.

Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing appreciations for the comprehensive resources and guidance provided. The event successfully demonstrated the potential for local manufacturers to contribute to national defense and underscored the importance of continued collaboration and partnership within the Defense Industrial Base.

For more information about future events and how to get involved, please visit our LIMEP website or contact our Center.