The Navy SEAL Museum Heroes and Legends Online Lecture Series
We are very thankful to our distinguished lecturers who shared their personal lessons learned in combat and training and provided insight on how these lessons have translated into leadership and their subsequent success in the civilian world following their time in the Teams. Many thanks to our sponsors who made this event possible, with special support from SEAL Team Vero Beach. Special thanks to our ambassadors who facilitated this event, Dr. Jim and Helen Shafer and Don and Charlene McClure.
Thank you to all who registered for the accompanying Heroes and Legends Online Auction in continued support of our Trident House Charities Program and our Special Operations Families. We are grateful for your support of our mission.
Proceeds from this auction benefit the Museum’s Trident House Charities Program, in support of our Special Operations families. With your generous backing, we are able to help Gold Star Families, veterans, and active duty warriors and their families.
Thank you to all who sponsored graciously, donated generously, and bid enthusiastically! We greatly appreciate your support.
Vice President of Learning and Development Cleveland Indians
Captain Jay Hennessey, Navy SEAL (Ret.)
Wednesday, April 7 – 6:00 PM
Captain Jay Hennessey, Navy SEAL (Ret.)
Mission-Driven Performance: Why continuous learning is a prerequisite for high performance. Learn more about a learning organization in action and how learning drives performance.
Jay is beginning his fourth season with the Cleveland Indians as Vice President of Learning and Development for Baseball Operations. In this role, Jay serves as a resource for leaders at all levels to continuously improve through leadership development and learning management initiatives.
Prior to joining the Indians, Jay served 25 years in the United States Navy. Jay finished his career serving as the Commander of the Naval Special Warfare Center, overseeing the selection, training and qualification for all Navy SEALS, before retiring as a Captain.
A Connecticut native, Jay earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Villanova University, a Master’s of Business and Administration from San Diego State University and a Master’s of Arts Degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College.
Jay and his wife Jessica reside in Westlake Ohio with their four children.
Captain Rick Woolard, Navy SEAL (Ret.)
Wednesday, March 17 – 6:00 PM
Captain Rick Woolard, Navy SEAL (Ret.)
The Hard Way: Life Lessons I Learned in My 30 Years as a Navy SEAL
Rick Woolard was born in Austin, Texas, raised in Nyack, New York, and is a graduate of Colgate University and the Naval War College. He completed SEAL, Airborne, and Ranger Training and made two combat deployments to Vietnam as a SEAL Platoon Commander in the 1960s.
During his 30-year Navy career, he commanded SEAL Team TWO, SEAL Team SIX, and the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU). Other assignments were with Underwater Demolition Team 21, the Special Boat Service of the British Royal Marines, Naval Special Warfare Group TWO, and US Forces Caribbean; and as Director of Combating Terrorism in the Office of the Secretary of Defense and Director of the US Special Operations Command’s Washington Office.
He is credited for driving the initial development of SEAL Combat Swimmer, Sniper, and Winter Warfare capabilities.
Among his military decorations are the Silver Star, Defense Superior Service Medal (two awards), and Legion of Merit; and the Bronze Star with Combat Device and the Purple Heart (three each). After retiring from active duty in 1996, he enjoyed an interesting and varied private sector career. He also served for many years as President of the Special Operations Fund, which helps widows and children of men killed while serving in the national Special Mission Units.
His SEAL experiences appear in several books and documentaries. The 2017 film A Bond Unbroken tells how he and his Teammates found and rescued their Vietnamese combat interpreter 40 years after the war. He singlehandedly spearheaded the construction of the nation’s only Navy SEAL Monument in Virginia Beach in 2017 and is a Board Member of the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, FL.
He has been married to the former Sandra Wright since 1969. They have a daughter, two grandsons, and a son (a SEAL with 11 combat deployments) and live in Virginia Beach and Hutchinson Island, Florida.
Master Chief Britt Slabinski, Navy SEAL (Ret.)
Wednesday, February 24 – 6:00 PM
Master Chief Britt Slabinski, Navy SEAL (Ret.)
Foundations of Resilience: Using emotion and logic to turn impossible into possible.
In times of change, the things that will carry you, your family, and your business through are timeless.
Britt Slabinski is from Northampton, MA. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout at age 14 and upon graduating High School enlisted in the US Navy in 1988. He completed Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL training with class 164 in January 1990.
Slabinski retired from Naval Service after 25 Years as a Command Master Chief. During those years he completed 9 overseas deployments and 15 combat deployments in support of U. S. national objectives.
Slabinski was awarded the Medal of Honor from President Donald J. Trump on May 24, 2018 for his actions during combat operations on March 4, 2002 while deployed to Afghanistan.
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