Georgia Chapter recognizes McNeill for contributions to defense industry.

• Position: NDIA News

* The National Defense Industrial Association-Georgia Chapter recognized four outstanding individuals and companies that have made significant contributions to the state's defense and industry communities during its annual awards dinner.

"The defense industry in Georgia is vitally important to the economy of our state and an important cornerstone in the defense of our country" said Chuck Hunsaker, president of NDIA-GA. "It is people like [our awardees] that provide the point of the spear in Georgia. All citizens of Georgia should be proud that we have people like this serving our state and our defense interests."

NDLA-GA's most prestigious award, the Citizen-Soldier Award, was presented to Sheila McNeill of Brunswick. McNeill has been a key player in defense issues for many years and continues to be one of Georgia's most influential defense voices at both the state and national levels.

McNeill served as the president of the Navy League of the United States from 2003-2005, the only woman to have held this position, and still serves on the national advisory board. Additionally, she served as vice chairman of the executive committee for the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services, an advisory committee to the secretary of defense and other Defense Department officials.

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