A word from NDIA's president.

• Author: McKinley, Craig R.
• Position: 2015 Mega Directory

* 2015 has been a year of significant transition and transformation at the National Defense Industrial Association. As always, we have continued to support our corporate and individual members in every way possible with the objective of ensuring your concerns are voiced and your immediate needs are met.

This has always been the highest priority at NDIA, and that will continue. With more than 1,600 corporate members, and 90,000 individual members, the need to represent membership has never been greater, and I am confident our voice has never been stronger. To that end, we are improving our own performance as a staff and embarking on a significant strategic review that will effectively position us for the coming years as we approach the 100th anniversary of the association and its affiliate businesses.

There are many reasons why effectively advocating for the defense industrial base remains important, and anyone who follows contemporary events should clearly and easily recognize how emerging strategic challenges, and current international instability provide cause for great concern. Following a recent trip to Sweden for the 15th bilateral U.S.-Sweden industry conference--an important event that furthers the partnership with our friends leading the Swedish Security and Defense Association-we further understand the value of partnerships and strong relationships--both domestically and internationally--in addressing today's challenges.

For the rest of this year and throughout 2016 we will continue to reach out and partner with like-minded associations and friends, here at home and around the world, to support, maintain and--where needed--build strong industrial bases ensuring, we have the finest equipment possible to keep our respective nations safe and secure.

Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter and Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Frank Kendall, have set a fast pace in developing a strong roadmap to encourage and maintain die world's most innovative and capable government/industry partnership that serves the need of U.S. warfighters. Another of our top priorities at NDIA is to continue our advocacy for cutting-edge technologies and superior weapons, equipment, training and support for our military and first responders, which will maintain our asymmetric advantage for decades to come.

The defense budget is under great pressure due to the unfortunate limitations of the 2011 Budget Control Act and the continuing...