KEMNA AND YADON SELECTED FOR EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

Submitted by: Susu Kulow, FRC Communications Team, 301.757.9034

PATUXENT RIVER, MD – November 8, 2006 – Cdr. John Kemna, Commanding Officer of FRC West at Lemoore, California and James Yadon, Industrial Production Planning Division Director of FRC Southeast at Jacksonville, Florida have been selected to participate in the Depot and Arsenal Executive Leadership Program (DAELP), starting in November 2006.

Established by the U.S. Army Materiel Command in 2003, the DAELP is a joint executive development program serving the commanders and senior civilian leaders of the Army, Navy, and Marines. The DAELP provides a strategic overview of the key functional, analytical and managerial elements required for effective leadership of large complex organizations. Extending over six months, the program’s components include six weeks of academic residency in Chapel Hill, interspersed with a series of residencies at the participant’s duty station and with a leading private sector corporation.

“Consistently superior performance, a commitment to personal and professional excellence and demonstrated leadership ability are important factors in the selection,” said John Johns, Senior Executive Service (SES) member and Deputy Commander of Fleet Readiness Centers at Patuxent River, Maryland. “Cdr. Kemna and Mr. Yadon are considered key current and future leaders for the Navy and I look forward to their increased participation in this executive leadership program in the future.”

Kemna is the Commanding Officer of FRC West at Lemoore, California. He attended the Naval Academy and was commissioned an Ensign with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Aerospace Engineering in 1989. After attending Aviation Maintenance Officer School at NAS Pensacola, Florida, he reported for duty with Fighter Squadron One One Four (VF 114) at NAS Miramar, California. Kemna completed two deployments with the “World Famous Fighting Aardvarks” in support of Operation Desert Storm before reporting in March 1993 to the Defense Plant Representative Office, McDonnell Douglas, St. Louis. From 1996 to 1998 he completed a tour at the Naval Postgraduate School earning a Master of Science Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. In 1999, following his tour in Monterey, Kemna reported to the Naval Air Systems Command Aviation Support Equipment Program Office (PMA 260) and served as the Deputy Program Manager for the Consolidated Automated Support System (CASS) Electro-Optical programs. In January 2002, he reported to the USS George Washington (CVN 73) as the Production Control Officer completing a deployment in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. From there, he was assigned to Commander, Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic, Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Detachment, Oceana and served as Production Control Officer and Assistant Officer in Charge from 2003 to 2005. Kemna's awards include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal and various unit commendations.

Yadon is the Industrial Production Planning Division Director of FRC Southeast at Jacksonville, Florida. He received his Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University in 1982. He is a graduate of the Senior Executive Management Development Program. In addition to service in private industry and his role as Aerospace Engineer and Engineering Supervisor for the AIR 4.4/Fleet Support Team, Yadon has held several roles at NADEP Jacksonville, with expertise in production planning, capability establishment, process specifications and work instructions, equipment/facility acquisition, installation, maintenance and repair. Past positions include J52 Program Manager from 1993 to 1994, Depot Schedule Execution Group lead from 1994 to 1996, Engine Program Group from 1996 to 1997, Engine Program Management Director from 1997 to 1998, Workforce Management Director from 1998 to 1999, Business Director from 1999 to 2000, Process and Manufacturing Strategic Business Team lead from 2000 to 2001, and Engine Strategic Business Team lead from 2001 to 2006. Yadon has been recognized for several accomplishments including the Secretary of Defense PBL Award, the Civilian Meritorious Service Award, the Annual Commander’s Award Commendation and numerous Sustained Superior Service Awards and Special Act Awards.