Corporate Night, David K. Heebner, Executive Vice President - Marine Systems

Speaking at the Mystic Marriott 

     November's EBMA meeting was held at the Mystic Marriot in Groton on Wednesday November 18, 2009.  David Heebner, GD’s Executive Vice President Marine Systems, was the evening’s guest speaker.  Mr. Heebner projected several slides showing future Defense Industry trends, interspersed with personal stories gleaned from his military and civilian careers.  His focus was on EB’s role in the defense of the nation, the experience of EB’s workforce, and the impact defense companies exert on behalf of freedom seekers world-wide. 

    The meeting began with a social hour.  EBMA President, Joe Rossi then brought the meeting to order, noting that tonight’s event was very well attended.  He welcomed members, guests and retirees.  He then briefly recapped upcoming events including the adult and kids’ holiday parties (Dec. 12th & 20th).  He noted that volunteers were still needed for several December activities including the holiday float and gate collections.  He urged those interested in helping to contact the EBMA office.  [Details of all future events can be found on the EBMA web site.] 

     He then thanked Tom Bogue (retiree), Victor Sottile (D449) and Victor’s wife Laura for helping with table assignments.  He recognized Judy Bogue for coordinating tonight’s dinner and Rich Clippinger for managing booster activity.  Retiree, Jan Miller, then led the Pledge of Allegiance and past EBMA President Carrie Pfieffer said the prayer.  Joe introduced those sitting at the head table, as well as the various Vice Presidents in attendance.

     He then introduced John Consiglio (D409), the association’s coordinator for Certified Manager Training.  John briefly explained the 18 week, self-study program, covering 40 knowledge areas.  Then with John Casey’s help, he called forth this year’s graduates to receive their certificates.  This annual program, Consiglio said, is held in conjunction with James Madison University and has certified 120 EB employees to date.  The association members gave John and the recipients a vigorous round of applause. 

     EB President, John Casey, then introduced David Heebner.  He mentioned Heebner’s distinguished military career and wartime experiences in Viet Nam and the Persian Gulf.  He talked about the programs Heebner successfully ran at Land Systems including the Abrams tank, Stryker and the Future Combat System Manned Ground Vehicle.  Mr. Heebner was greeted by a respectful round of applause.

    He thanked John Casey for his introduction.  “My father would have enjoyed it,’ he said, “But my mother would have believed it.” He then welcomed members and their guests, pointedly thanking employees’ spouses for coming.  He repeated Joe Rossi’s request for volunteers by emphasizing the benefits of volunteerism.  He began his remarks with a story about his wife (“a great supporter and a critic”) and his promotion to Brigadier General.  Straightening his uniform, gazing in the mirror, he recalled saying, “Mirror, mirror on the wall, how many great men are there in all?”  His wife, he said, shouted from the next room, “One less than you think, David!” 

     “There are 3 points members should take away from this evening: 1) in uncertain times, performance is key.  2) taking care of people is critically important.  You have to help them be all they can be.  And 3) what you do is critically important to the nation.  He talked about future business, two ships a year, the OHIO replacement and Overhaul and Repair opportunities.  He noted that EB’s Engineering and Design capabilities are recognized, revered and in demand.  But remember, he said, the world is always changing and there “may be something happening here” that we don’t fully understand.  The Federal budget is under intense pressure, he said, both mandatory and discretionary funding.  The deficit is in uncharted waters.  Defense funding, in constant dollars, is still rising but it peaks in the near-term future.  He characterized the Navy shipbuilding budget as “lumpy” because of its rising and falling shape.  “We need $15B to preserve the industrial base,” he said, “but we’ve only been given $13B.”  Still, he noted, to whom much is given, much is expected.

     In the Marine Group business, he said, returns are rising but earnings are heading down.  EB’s performance, he said, impacts much of the corporation.  He projected a slide showing water, first at 211 degrees then at 212.  He discussed the power unleashed in steam.  It’s the power of one, he said, one degree, one person can make all of the difference.  He urged the audience to unleash the creativity in themselves and in their employees.  He urged members to balance their work life, family responsibilities and down time.  All are important, he said.  The key to optimized performance is balance in all three areas.  We want to keep all of you here for the long term, he said.  Switching gears he asked, what is it I believe?  I believe that in New England we have something worth preserving: self reliance and the urge to do what’s right.  Those values contribute to making EB an exceptional place, he said, with a critical role in world security. 

     He finished up with a wartime story.  Commanding the Patriot Missile batteries in Israel during the first Gulf War, he saw missiles being lobbed into cities from the Arab controlled territories.  The populace of the urban centers, he said, was terrified.  But the US Army came to their rescue, stood in harm’s way and provided antimissile defense for the beleaguered citizens. After the hostilities ceased, he was invited to a concert in Haifa where he sat in the first row next to the President’s wife.  He had brought along 30-40 US soldiers, per the Israeli’s request, to enjoy the music.  They were seated in the rear of the hall, he said, looking like they would rather be “filling sandbags” rather than sitting through a classical concert.  But the music ended, the audience clapped, the conductor bowed and the stage empted.  The applause continued, he said, so the orchestra returned for an encore.  When the band began playing “The Stars and Stripes Forever”, the audience started clapping in time to the music.  They then stood up, turned their backs to the performers and faced the American troops.  They continued clapping and cheering towards the surprised troops for quite some time, demonstrating their gratitude for what they had accomplished.  The US stood by them when no one else would, he said, and they were extremely grateful. 

   That applause wasn’t directed solely at the troops, or towards the US Army, he said, but towards all Americans and especially for people like you who build the weapons that keep freedom loving people free.  Your efforts even help those wanting to be free to persevere, he said.  That’s why I said earlier what you do is critically important to people everywhere.  Hold your heads up high; keep up the good work and thank you for doing what you’re doing.

      The members gave Mr. Heebner an enthusiastic round of applause and Joe noted that a $300 donation would be made to the Gemma E Moran food bank in his honor.  Then, after a motion to adjourn was made and seconded, members left the Marriot and headed homeward, with a better understanding of how their efforts can impact other people around the world.

PAST EVENTS

Copyright 1998-2009, General Dynamics Electric Boat. All rights reserved.
Web Server Questions and Comments: webmaster@ebma.us
Questions about EBMA membership, meetings, family events and special programs: ebma@ebma.us