USS Minneapolis-St. Paul hosts Maryland Deputy Commerce Secretary during Fleet Week

Rear Adm. Nancy S. Lacore, Commandant, Naval District Washington, opened the assembly by affirming to the members that the Navy is intertwined with the state of Maryland.

“It is very important join with folks like you- leaders within the community- to strengthen {our relationships} via shared experiences, on this case as girls in management roles,” mentioned Lacore to tour members. “Most of our missions happen abroad, the place we can not present the American folks the Navy’s work, so I hope you’ll share this expertise and something you find out about your Navy with your loved ones, buddies, and colleagues.”

The group was comprised of Signe Pringle, Deputy Secretary at Commerce; Tom Riford, Assistant Secretary of Tourism, Movie, Arts, Advertising and marketing and Communications, Maryland Division of Commerce; Allison Mayer, Deputy Chief of Employees & Infrastructure Director, Maryland Division of Commerce; members of the Naval District Washington and Division of Commerce Staffs; and management of USS Minneapolis St. Paul.

“Maryland Fleet Week is all the time thrilling as a result of it permits us to welcome the U.S. Navy again to Baltimore in a giant manner—and to have a good time Baltimore’s particular connection to naval historical past via the Conflict of 1812,” mentioned Pringle. “The state is thrilled to help Fleet Week, and as we speak we acknowledge the position of ladies in management and the influence they make throughout the Navy and Maryland.”

As impactful because the tour was for the Girls Enterprise Leaders Workplace leaders, so was the chance for the Sailors and officers aboard to fulfill them. Cmdr. Alfonza White, USS Minneapolis-Saint Paul, Commanding Officer, expressed the way it meant a lot to him to have interaction with the group as a father of a 15-year-old daughter.

“It means quite a bit to have the ability to inform my daughter she will be able to do something she applies herself to and be capable to inform her about different girls who’ve carried out the identical,” mentioned White.

Lt. Jeanelle Seals, weapons officer aboard Minneapolis-Saint Paul, echoed that sentiment.

“It was inspiring to see so many ladies who’re leaders of their communities {and professional} fields,” mentioned Seals. “Assembly them and speaking about what we’ve been in a position to accomplish in our respective careers was the spotlight of my journey to Baltimore to date.”

Maryland Fleet Week and Flyover Baltimore is a chance for the residents of Maryland and the Metropolis of Baltimore to fulfill Sailors, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen, in addition to see and expertise firsthand the newest capabilities of as we speak.

For extra info on methods to get pleasure from MDFW fleets, flights, and festivals, go to mdfleetweek.org. Observe @mdfleetweek on Fb, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter for an insider perspective via digital ship excursions and behind-the-scenes experiences.