Commander of USS Cole to give keynote at FMA Annual Meeting

Retired Cmdr. Kirk Lippold, U.S. Navy, will give the keynote address, titled “Leadership & Accountability When It Matters,” at the 2016 Fabricators & Manufacturers Association Intl. (FMA) Annual Meeting in San Diego on Friday, Feb. 26, at 8:00 a.m.

“Cmdr. Lippold was the commanding officer of the USS Cole when it came under a suicide terrorist attack in the port of Aden, Yemen—one of the most brazen acts of terrorism by al- Qaida prior to Sept. 11, 2001,” said Jim Warren, FMA’s senior director of member services, education, and foundation. “We are honored that he will share the riveting story of the attack on the ship and his team's response with our audience.”

Lippold, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, received his commission in the Navy in 1981. He attended the Naval Postgraduate School from 1987 to 1989, where he received a master’s degree in systems engineering (joint command, control, and communications). He is a 1994 graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College, as well as a 2001 graduate of the Joint Forces Staff College.

Lippold's personal awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (three awards), Meritorious Service Medal (three awards), Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Commendation Medal (two awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (two awards), and various campaign and service ribbons.

“Cmdr. Lippold’s unique experience will offer strategies for attendees to effectively train teams to prepare for and manage challenges in their own organizations,” Warren said.

The FABRICATOR®'s Leadership Summit and Toll Processing Conference tracks of FMA’s Annual Meeting will be held at the Paradise Point Resort & Spa in San Diego, Feb. 24-26, 2016. More than 300 owners, top-level executives, and budding leaders of job shops and metal producers, processors, and distributors are expected to attend.

For more information on the program, registration, sponsorships, and exhibit opportunities, visit www.fmanet.org/annualmeeting or call 888-394-4362.

Based in Rockford, Ill., FMA is a professional organization with nearly 2,500 members working together to improve the metal processing, forming, and fabricating industry.