The Undersea Technology Innovation Consortium has elected Donald McCormack as chair of its board of directors following the retirement of Debbie Proffitt, a founding board member who led the board through the organization’s first decade.
McCormack is senior consultant to McLaughlin Research Corporation and brings more than 40 years of experience with the Navy’s research, development, acquisition and technology communities, including a stint as executive director of the Naval Sea Systems Command Warfare Centers. The Naval Submarine League awarded him its Distinguished Civilian Award for his lifetime commitment to the submarine force.
“Over the past decade, UTIC has become a catalyst for collaboration across all sectors of the undersea community,” McCormack said. “I look forward to working with Molly and the Board to continue building UTIC for the next decade.”
Proffitt is retiring from both the board and a career of more than four decades in project management and defense business development. She spent more than 15 years at Purvis Systems, most recently as vice president of defense business development. She has moved to St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, where she volunteers in sea turtle conservation.
“Debbie is an extraordinary leader and advocate for UTIC and our members with her steady focus, strategic insights, and unwavering commitment to collaboration,” said UTIC CEO Molly Donohue Magee.
According to the consortium, UTIC has facilitated more than 100 prototype projects and $1.5 billion in total prototype project funding during Proffitt’s tenure, and awarded more than $150,000 in scholarships.
UTIC’s board includes senior leaders from Arcfield, General Dynamics Applied Physical Sciences, HII Uncrewed Systems, McLaughlin Research Corporation, MIKEL, Purvis Systems, RTX, Saab Inc., SEACORP, ThayerMahan and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution.
