NSWC Crane Commanding Officer Speaks at WestGate Academy

March 26, 2015

Speech Highlights Crane’s Capabilities and Importance to Communities WestGate@Crane – March 26, 2015 – What does Southern Indiana have to do with international phone calls and inter-continental cargo ships? Quite a lot, according to Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Commanding Officer, Captain JT Elder. During his remarks at the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA) lunch at learn at the WestGate Academy Conferencing and Training Center, Elder noted that the United States Navy is the primary presence in the world’s oceans, actively protecting international waterways.  That includes the cables that travel under the ocean’s surface to provide international communication and connectivity as well as the trade routes that are still the cheapest, best way to transport goods. “Our activity at NSWC Crane supports the United States Navy and its ability to provide those services,” said Elder, who proudly touted the technical capacity of the nation’s third largest naval base. Elder spoke at one of the NDIA’s regular networking lunches, which are open to the public, and regularly bring in tenants from the WestGate@Crane Technology Park.  One tenant, Greene County Health WestGate, sponsored the lunch and learn, opening up the main conference room for Elder’s remarks. “We have a full service clinic here at WestGate,” said Amy Lore, Marketing and Business Development Manager for Greene County General Hospital. “It’s our goal to provide world-class medical services worthy of the phenomenal technical talent we have at Crane and in the technology park.  We want to support them as they support the warfighter and contribute to the strength of the Crane communities.” After speaking, Elder took questions.  Lynn Coyne, President of the Bloomington Economic Development Corporation, asked how the surrounding communities and organizations like his could do a better job of supporting Crane. “Just keep doing what you’re doing,” Elder responded.  He noted several programs including the state’s Stellar Grants and the Southwest Central Indiana Strategic Plan (available at westgatecrane.com) that are important to the base because they are supporting strong communities and strategic workforce development. “We need to see more of the private sector stepping up to the gate to see what we have to offer,” Elder added, referring to NSWC Crane’s substantial portfolio of patents that are available to the public for development for the open market.