USS Missouri Memorial Association Announces New Hires, Promotions & New and Returning Members to its 2024-2025 Board of Directors
Pearl Harbor, HI – (June 5, 2024) – The USS Missouri Memorial Association is pleased to announce two new hires and two advancements at the Battleship Missouri Memorial. In addition, the Association welcomes a new and returning member to its 2024-2025 Board of Directors.
Matt Bailey, Director, New Board MemberMatt Bailey is the President and CEO of Castle Hospitality Group and brings more than 40 years of hospitality management experience to the USS Missouri Memorial Association. His previous roles include, General Manager at the Montage Kapalua Bay, President and Chief Operating Officer of Aqua-Aston Hospitality and executive positions with Sundance Resort, Aston Hotels and Resorts, The Grand Wailea Resort Hotel and Spa and Carmel Valley Ranch. Bailey earned a Bachelor of Arts in hotel administration from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, and studied accounting at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Murray Clay, Director, Returning Board MemberMurray Clay is the President of Ulupono Initiative, where he guides the team on overall strategy and process, focusing on the best way to achieve the firm’s mission-driven goals in making Hawai‘i more sustainable and resilient in the areas of local food production, renewable energy, clean transportation choices, and freshwater resources. Prior to joining Ulupono Initiative, he was the deputy chief investment officer of SDS Management LLC in Connecticut. Clay also served as an intelligence officer for U.S. Air Force special operations forces. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy and received a Bachelor of Science in International Affairs with a minor in Japanese. Clay earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Mike Van Woerkom, Vice President of Engineering & FacilitiesMike Van Woerkom has been promoted from Director of Safety Health & Environmental to Vice President of Engineering and Facilities. He has over 20 years of project management and safety, health, and environment management. In his previous career, Van Woerkom was responsible for developing health and safety programs, staff training, supervising safety staff, reviewing, and approving contract deliverables. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Hawaii Pacific University and holds various safety certifications.
Jeremy Hackett, Director of Safety, Health & EnvironmentalJeremy Hackett, Director of Safety, Health and Environmental previously served as Safety Health and Environmental Manager for the past six years where he was responsible for the safety of personnel and operations on the Battleship Missouri Memorial. Prior to joining, Hackett served in the United States Marine Corps and then transitioned to construction management before landing the role as safety manager aboard the Mighty Mo.
Elizabeth Po‘oloa, Director of Visitor OperationsElizabeth Poʻoloa is the new Director of Visitor Operations at the Battleship Missouri Memorial. Poʻoloa brings over 15 years of museum experience with her most recent role serving on the Executive Team as the Assistant Executive Director of Visitor Services at Hiʻipaka, LLC, stewards of Waimea Valley on Oʻahu. She also served on the Executive Team at the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives as the Director of Operations and Collections. Poʻoloa brings many skills from her museum work, including nonprofit management, visitor engagement strategies, exhibit design, collection management and preservation, museum education and curriculum development and more. Poʻoloa graduated from University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon with a Master of Arts in the History of Art and Architecture and a Certificate in Museum Administration. Before this, she graduated from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon with a Bachelor of Arts in English and the History of Art and Architecture.
Claire Martinez, Communications & Business Development ManagerClaire Martinez joins the Battleship Missouri Memorial as a Communications and Business Development Manager with eight years of public relations experience. Prior to her new role, Martinez worked alongside top performing brands in consumer tech and lifestyle industries, including PopSockets, Polaris, TRX and DirecTV. Born and raised in California, Martinez received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, Public Relations from California State University of Chico.
Link to Image: https://imgur.com/a/4qlaQ9SCaption: Matt Bailey, Director, New Board Member
Link to Image: https://imgur.com/a/OTeO1d3Caption: Murray Clay, Director, Returning Board Member
Link to Image: https://imgur.com/a/W8NyEAUCaption: Mike Van Woerkom, Vice President of Engineering & Facilities
Link to Image: https://imgur.com/a/jbqvvloCaption: Elizabeth Po‘oloa, Director of Visitor Operations
Link to Image: https://imgur.com/a/sU0JkNq
Caption: Claire Martinez, Communications & Business Development Manager
About Battleship Missouri Memorial
Since opening in January 1999, the Battleship Missouri Memorial has attracted more than 10-million visitors from around the world with a fascinating tour experience showcasing the USS Missouri’s unique place in history. Located a mere ship’s length from the USS Arizona Memorial, the Mighty Mo completes a historical visitor experience that begins with the “day of infamy” and sinking of the USS Arizona in Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and ends with Japan’s formal surrender aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay on September 2, 1945. The USS Missouri had an astounding career over five decades and three wars – World War II, the Korean War, and Desert Storm – after which it was decommissioned and donated to the USS Missouri Memorial Association, Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The Association operates the Battleship Missouri Memorial as a historic attraction and oversees her care and preservation with the support of visitors, memberships, grants, and donations.
Safety is our top priority. The Battleship Missouri Memorial is taking additional steps to assure guests will have a safe and healthy experience touring the Mighty Mo. We respectfully ask all visitors to abide by state of Hawaii safety guidelines while on site. The Battleship Missouri Memorial is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Military, kama‘āina (local resident) and school group pricing is available. For information or reservations, call (808) 455-1600 or visit USSMissouri.org.
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Media Contact:
Shere’e Quitevis
808) 741-1668
Sheree.Quitevis@FinnPartners.com
Jaclyn Hawse
(808) 455-1600 ext. 246