The Shreveport-Bossier region hosted Navy Week, the U.S. Navy’s signature outreach program, March 20-26.
The Greater Shreveport Chamber, partnering with the Manufacturing Managers Council, were thrilled to host Rear Admiral Dion D. English, the Navy’s executive host, and Namesake Sailors from USS Louisiana (SSBN 743) at breakfast on Monday morning to kick off Navy Week.
In front of a packed room of community and business leaders, elected officials, and representatives from both government and educational institutions, Rear Admiral English spoke extensively about the global role of the U.S. Navy in protecting both U.S. commercial interests as well as our global infrastructure and assets. He shared his insight on the challenges facing the global supply chain and how those continue to impact local businesses and our community.
On Monday afternoon, Maxim Watermakers hosted RDML Dion English, Namesake Sailors from the USS Louisiana (SSBN 743) and Sailors from the Ceremonial Guard. Maxim Watermakers General Manager Ben Schnieder, and Director of Marketing & Contract Administration Monica Rogers were joined by Chamber President, Dr. Tim Magner and Director of Membership Development, Carole Bennett. A Chamber member since 2016, Maxim Watermakers is a local manufacturer providing desalination and water treatment technologies for marine defense applications. The company’s water treatment systems provide life-sustaining water for crews during ship deployments.
Maxim’s General Manager, Ben Schneider said of the visit “Maxim Watermakers would like to extend our gratitude to RDML English, Namesake Sailors from the USS Louisiana (SSBN 743), and Sailors from the Ceremonial Guard for taking time to visit our facility. It was a great privilege to be able to host our American warfighters and extend to them our deepest appreciation for their service to our country.”
Monica Rogers, Director of Marketing & Contract Administration for Maxim Watermakers shared that during the visit and plant tour, Maxim highlighted the equipment currently being designed & manufactured for the U.S. Navy’s DDG 51 Flight III Guided Missile Destroyers and the Constellation-class Frigates. Maxim also elaborated on the engineering design, manufacturing, and machining capabilities, as well as a new building expansion, that positions Maxim to assist the U.S. Navy with future equipment needs
In 2016, Maxim Watermakers was awarded the contract to provide the electronics cooling system for the DDG51 Flight III Guided Missile Destroyers and were subsequently awarded a second contract in 2020 to supply the Seawater Reverse Osmosis Systems, High Purity Reverse Osmosis Unit, and Electronic Cooling Water Demineralizer Assemblies for the U.S. Navy’s FFG-Constellation Class frigates.
On Wednesday the Chamber’s Young Professionals Initiative (YPI) hosted a special Navy Week Social at Great Raft Brewing. More than 30 sailors visiting Shreveport Bossier for Navy Week were hosted by members and leadership of YPI.
