Textron M&LS President Honored By Navy League

John J. Kelly, president of Textron Marine & Land Systems, a division of Textron Inc., has been named the recipient of the Robert M. Thompson Award for Outstanding Civilian Leadership, presented annually by the Navy League of the United States. He was honored at the Navy League Convention.

The Thompson Award recognizes a civilian who has made a significant personal contribution to furthering the recognition of sea power's importance to the U.S.'s national security and economic well-being. It is the highest civilian award presented by the Navy League. Past recipients of the award include Senators John McCain and Sam Nunn, former Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger, and many industry leaders including Robert Crown, chairman of General Dynamics, and Ralph J. Cordiner, chairman of General Electric. Mr. Kelly has been an industry leader in the area of advanced technology and a driving force in the development of air cushion vehicles and surface effect ships (SESs). His pioneering efforts resulted in the development of the LCAC (Landing Craft, Air Cushion).