LEONARDTOWN, Md. – August 5, 2022 – Leadership Southern Maryland (LSM) is proud to welcome Naval Systems, Inc. (NSI) as a Platinum sponsor for the Class of 2023 Executive Program. On August 3, 2022, NSI presented LSM with a $10,000 sponsorship check which, when combined with other donations for the fiscal year, earns them the distinction of LSM’s highest sponsorship level.
Based in Lexington Park, Maryland, NSI’s mission is to promote U.S. national security through innovative solutions and strategic partnerships. They have strong connections with the community they’ve called home for nearly 20 years. NSI President & CEO and LSM Board President Ed Rule has proudly supported LSM since his graduation from the Executive Program in 2018. “LSM is a tremendous cultivator of inspired leadership in the tri-counties of Charles, Calvert, and St. Mary’s,” Rule said. “Some of Southern Maryland’s greatest leaders in industry, academia, nonprofits, and state and local government have gained moral confidence and access to like-minded servant leaders in the region through Leadership Southern Maryland. LSM graduates are contributing with disproportionate impact to the betterment of our communities, with a shared commitment to see this region thrive in its promise and opportunity for all,” he added.
NSI boasts several LSM graduates amongst their ranks, including Corporate Operations Officer Diana Waldorf LSM’19 and Dan Palmieri LEAP’22, NSI senior program analyst and recent graduate of LSM’s Emerging Leaders Program. Palmieri believes LSM is a catalyst for change, not only in the community but on the individual level as well. “LSM has greatly influenced my personal and professional development through their focus on collaborative leadership, personal growth and accountability, and community service,” Palmieri said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to join the LSM alumni network and look forward to contributing to the positive impact LSM has on our community and our residents.”
NSI continues to sponsor employee participation in LSM programming with its nomination of Mark Goodrich, executive vice president, programs, who will participate in the Executive Program Class of 2023 starting next month.
LSM Executive Director Denise Foster emphasized how much the support of community partners like NSI means to the organization. “LSM works hard to fulfill our mission to educate and inspire executive and emerging leaders; we could not do that without partners like NSI. Their core values of quality, integrity, teamwork, and success align perfectly and help create meaningful connections that lead to change in our community,” Foster said.
In addition to their partnership with LSM, NSI supports more than a dozen other community organizations and efforts including The Patuxent Partnership, Association of Naval Aviation, Marine Corps Aviation Association, Historic Sotterley, and MedStar St. Mary’s Hospital.
Leadership Southern Maryland is a nine-month, tuition-based program and is designed and dedicated to educate and inspire a diverse group of current and emerging leaders to create collaborations and partnerships to impact the community needs of Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties and incorporates a cross-section of the region to include diversity of geographic location, profession, ethnicity, and gender.
