NDIA History Snapshots: A look back at the history of the association as it celebrates its centennial year.

Lifetime National Defense Industrial Association member and longtime organization leader, James Lasswell, spent 20 years in the U.S. Navy. After serving on destroyers and amphibious ships, and as commander and program manager for Vertical Launch ASROC and ASWCS MK 116-Mod 5, 6, & 7, Lasswell retired from Naval Sea Systems Command.

Lasswell first became involved with NDIA predecessor the American Defense Preparedness Association when he was still in uniform at an acquisition command in Washington, D.C. He benefited from the educational aspects of ADPA conferences, the interaction between industry and government, and potential business opportunities. "Facing impending retirement," he said, "this became a very good place for me to network."

Upon entering the private sector and leading the divestiture of a Fortune 100 company's defense businesses--during which he connected with NDIA's other predecessor, the National Security Industrial Association --Lasswell moved to San Diego. There, he married Kathleen P. Sridhar, who had founded INDUS Technology in 1991. Lasswell joined INDUS as chief operations officer and, by 1997, the husband-and-wife team were dipping their toes into government contracting.

The employee-owned government services contractor was and still is known for providing technical excellence in engineering, information-technology solutions, and program management. Lasswell attributes some of INDUS' early success to its affiliation with NDIA, which began shortly after the association formed from the merger of ADPA and NSIA.

During its first year working with NDIA in this new capacity, INDUS revenue was approximately $120,000, increasing to nearly $180,000 in 1999. During that second year, Sridhar volunteered to run the NDIA San Diego Chapter's Small Business Committee and soon became president of the chapter, "which gave us immense visibility and credibility with competitors and potential collaborators, and ultimately gave us strong impetus to grow our business," Lasswell said. Sridhar was subsequently invited to join NDIA's national board of directors...