Crane Regional Defense Group hosts first Key Leader Series

The Crane Regional Defense Group (CRDG), a subcommittee of the White River Military

Coordination Alliance, hosted its first Key Leader Series event August 12 at WestGate Academy to announce the group’s formation and provide attendees with an overview of its mission, objectives and membership structure. The CRDG was established in 2020 as a grassroots effort to expand community support and advocate for NSA Crane at the local and

federal level.

The citizen-led CRDG committee creates partnerships between chambers of commerce, county councils, financial institutions and business leaders to preserve the strategic value of Crane by supporting local outreach and legislative initiatives that protect military installations in the region and state, and leverage the installation’s potential to bring economic growth to Southern Indiana.

“This is a unique opportunity to not only influence the conversations surrounding Crane’s

relationship with businesses and regional communities, but to advocate for the installation and its immense impact to our regional economy,” said Kent Parisien, Chairman of the CRDG.

The group’s Key Leader Series events will take place once a quarter, providing members with

the opportunity to hear from influential keynote speakers, network with other members, and gain exposure to Crane commands and other industry leaders.

Dr. Angie Lewis, Technical Director at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division, served as the keynote speaker for this quarter’s luncheon, and provided updates about NSA Crane. She emphasized the envied reputation that Crane carries in the naval surface warfare community and expressed her excitement for CRDG and its potential as a group to preserve the strategic value of Crane by supporting local outreach and legislative initiatives.

“We’ve seen significant defense industry growth and development throughout this region from physical facilities such as WestGate Academy to a steady increase in workforce and company relocation,” said Lewis. “The Crane Regional Defense Group will be an essential partner as we work to build on this momentum and continue success.”

Additional opportunities members can expect as a result of joining CRDG include:

• Influencing the agenda as thought leaders during collaborative events with Army or Navy leadership, NSA Crane installation command, federal, state, local and community leaders.

• Learning early and often via access to key regional stakeholders, decision makers, influencers and consultants, including direct briefings on the activities both inside and outside the NSA Crane gates.

• Networking with Crane commands, other government agencies and organizations, federal, State, local jurisdiction, business and community leaders.

• Working together in partnership with government, industry and military leaders to accelerate the economic and community development of Indiana Uplands.

CRDG currently has 12 members and hopes to increase that number to 40 by the end of 2021.

Membership operates in a tiered structure, providing opportunities for involvement to small and large businesses with five levels of membership benefits corresponding to the investment

amount.

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The mission of Crane Regional Defense Group is to preserve the strategic value of Crane by

supporting local outreach and legislative initiatives that protect military installations in the region and state, and leverage the installation’s potential to bring economic growth to Southern Indiana.