CRANE – The Crane Regional Defense Group (CRDG), a subcommittee of the White River Military Coordination Alliance, hosted Crane Army Ammunition Activity (CAAA) Commander, Col. Santee Vasquez as the keynote speaker for its second quarterly Key Leader Series at WestGate Academy on November 10, 2021.
Col. Vasquez provided an overview of CAAA, its current initiatives, and how Crane Army can continue to work with the community and organizations like CRDG to improve the quality of life for their workforce.
“I’m thankful for this opportunity to not only introduce you to the great things happening at Crane Army but also open the lines of communication so we can continue to expand our relationship,” said Col. Vasquez. “Our workforce resides in your communities, and we would not be as successful without your partnership and support.”
CAAA is currently executing an extensive modernization effort to improve facilities, workforce training and safety, and overall future missions readiness. In September, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held to celebrate the completion of a new state-of-the-art plating shop and centralized receiving building, demonstrating how the Army is undergoing its greatest transformation in more than 40 years.
Col. Vasquez also provided updates on CAAA’s recruitment and engagement efforts, including its focus on diversity and inclusion, providing opportunities for their workforce to excel according to their individual talents. Through an initiative with Ivy Tech and Vincennes University, employees will be able to complete certifications and receive training in transferable areas such as soft skills for enhanced communication.
“With 34 percent of our current workforce nearing retirement age, we are constantly seeking ways to get people interested in Crane Army,” said Vasquez. “If we don’t maintain a strong workforce, we cannot complete our mission, and our people are our number one priority.”
The group’s Key Leader Series events will take place once per 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.
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.
To learn more about CRDG or become a member, visit craneregionaldefensegroup.org.
