Marshall Spevak appointed Interim CEO of Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial
Former Board Chair will lead the Battleship through its historic drydocking
(Camden, NJ) – The Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial Board of Trustees today announced the appointment of Marshall Spevak to serve as Interim Chief Executive Officer. Spevak succeeds recently retired CEO Phil Rowan and will oversee operations as the ship heads into its historic drydocking project in early 2024.
Spevak has been a Trustee of the Battleship since 2016 and has served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the past three years. He joins the Battleship full-time, taking a leave of absence as a partner at the Advocacy & Management Group (AMG) – one of Trenton’s top government relations and communications firms. He plans to return to AMG later in the spring of 2024 upon the ship’s return to Camden and the appointment of a permanent CEO. “It’s the honor of a lifetime to step into this role, especially at this moment in the Battleship’s history,” said Marshall Spevak, Interim CEO. “I look forward to helping the Battleship navigate the drydocking process – the most significant project since she returned to the shores of New Jersey 23 years ago. It is critical that we keep the Battleship New Jersey afloat as both a museum and memorial for future generations.”
Drydocking is the process of removing a ship from the water to perform repairs and maintenance on the exterior parts of the ship below the waterline. The ship will be drydocked at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard’s Dry Dock Number 3, a site of historical significance to the Battleship. The New Jersey was originally built at this shipyard from 1940-1943 for World War II, then drydocked and reactivated from 1967-1968 for service in Vietnam. “Marshall has long been a stand-out leader on the Battleship – helping us to successfully navigate multiple crises’ that arose from the COVID-19 pandemic, loss of funding, and more,” said Dennis Levitt, Chairman of the Board of Trustees. “The Board welcomes Marshall’s willingness to take on the role of CEO as the Battleship embarks on her first drydocking since she was decommissioned. No one is more prepared to help pilot this complex project than Marshall,” Levitt said.
“The Battleship New Jersey represents the spirit of our great state and people, serving our country as the most decorated battleship in United States history. Her legacy continues to proudly live on today in Camden as a renowned memorial and museum. The upcoming drydocking will preserve the history of the New Jersey and ensure her legacy lives on for generations,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “I am proud to have secured federal funding for the Battleship New Jersey to ensure that this piece of history remains a destination for veterans, families, and historians. I want to congratulate Interim CEO Marshall Spevak, who has been a longstanding advocate and supporter of the New Jersey, on his appointment to the position. I look forward to working together with him and the Board to continue preserving and protecting the Battleship New Jersey,” added Norcross. “I’ve known Marshall for a long period of time, and he has always committed himself to serving our veteran community and ensuring the Battleship was a beacon for that service,” said Camden County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli. “His insight and knowledge of the most decorated battleship in U.S. Naval history makes him a qualified and dedicated short term leader of this critical piece of the Camden waterfront.” “I’ve known Marshall for many years, and I know he has dedicated his time, energy, and resources to the Battleship New Jersey, from hosting dinners for the troops to ensuring the museum remains one of the most compelling pieces of history in the region,” said Camden County Commissioner Melinda Kane. “As the liaison to the Camden County Office of Veterans Affairs, I’m looking forward to working with Marshall in his new capacity and believe he is the right person for the job during the biggest project the ship has taken on since it was docked on the Camden waterfront.”
With 19 Battle Stars, the New Jersey is the most decorated battleship in the 248-year history of the United States Navy. Berthed on the Camden Waterfront along the Delaware River, the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial is open every day for self-guided Tours from 10am to 4pm and for guided tours at 12pm daily. The Battleship will be closed on Christmas Day, December 23.Â
For more information about programs and events, or a make a donation to the drydocking effort, visit www.battleshipnewjersey.org.
