Junior Achievement Names Nirav Patel Maritime Program Advisory Council Chair

NEWS RELEASE 
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 12, 2024

Contact: Jeremy Race
Junior Achievement of Southwest New England
jrace@jaconn.org
(860) 751-1138

Junior Achievement Names Nirav Patel Maritime Program Advisory Council Chair

Junior Achievement (JA) is pleased to announce that Nirav Patel has been appointed as the Chair of the Maritime Industrial Base Advisory Council for JA Maritime, the organization's groundbreaking shipbuilding career-inspiration program.

JA Maritime is designed to address the critical need for skilled workers in the U.S. maritime and submarine industrial sectors, which are crucial to the United States’ economy and national security. This innovative program, a partnership between the Department of Defense’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program and JA USA, will launch during the 2024-2025 school year in Connecticut and Rhode Island. Over the next five years, JA Maritime will expand nationwide, engaging hundreds of thousands of K-12 students in rewarding careers in shipbuilding and submarine manufacturing while promoting diversity and inclusion within the industry.

The JA Maritime Industrial Base Advisory Council will play a key role in shaping the future of the program. The Council will serve as a platform for ongoing communication between JA, educators, and stakeholders in the submarine and shipbuilding industries. Its mission is to provide strategic guidance on workforce skill needs, support local and national volunteer recruitment, and ensure the long-term sustainability of the program. The council will include experts from a range of backgrounds, including manufacturing (including small and medium-sized manufacturers), private industry, education, and civic leadership, ensuring diverse perspectives to meet the evolving needs of the submarine industrial base.

Nirav Patel's Appointment as Advisory Council Chair

Nirav Patel brings over 25 years of naval experience, combined with leadership in the marine defense technology sector, to his new role as Chair of the Advisory Council. A 1997 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Nirav’s distinguished naval career included his greatest honor serving as Commanding Officer of the USS RHODE ISLAND. Since 2022 he has served as the Nuclear Segment Director for Fairbanks Morse Defense, a leading marine defense technology manufacturer. His extensive expertise in both naval operations and the defense industry will be invaluable to the success of JA Maritime and its mission to build a skilled, diverse workforce for the future of shipbuilding and submarine manufacturing.

Quote from Nirav Patel

“I am greatly honored to chair this team.  By introducing students to the reward of vital trade skills, we can inspire future innovators, strengthen our workforce, and enhance the economic future of our communities.”

Quote from Jeremy Race

"JA Maritime Advisory Council Chair Nirav Patel brings to the Council a powerful combination of nearly 25 years of service as a Naval Officer, along with his recent leadership experience as an executive in marine defense technology. We are thrilled that Nirav has accepted this important role and are reassured that his expertise will drive the success of this vital program," said Jeremy Race, President & CEO of Junior Achievement of Southwest New England.

JA Maritime's commitment to building a robust talent pipeline for the shipbuilding and submarine manufacturing industries is more critical than ever, as these sectors face growing demand for skilled workers. Under the guidance of the Maritime Industrial Base Advisory Council, JA Maritime aims to inspire the next generation of workers to pursue fulfilling careers in these high-demand fields, ensuring the continued strength and security of the U.S. maritime and defense industries.

About Junior Achievement USA® (JA)

Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to giving young people the knowledge and skills they need to own their economic success, plan for their future, and make smart academic and economic choices. JA learning experiences are delivered by corporate and community volunteers and provide relevant, hands-on experiences that give students from kindergarten through high school knowledge and skills in financial literacy, work readiness, and entrepreneurship. Additionally, Junior Achievement is expanding its reach to 18-to-25-year-olds to provide young adults with critical life skills, as well as to pre-K youth to ensure children get a solid head start. Today, JA reaches more than 4.4 million students per year in 102 markets across the United States as part of 12.5 million students served by operations in more than 100 other countries worldwide. Junior Achievement USA is a member of JA Worldwide. For more information, visit www.ja.org.