Warren B. Blakeley has been named president of McLaughlin Research Corp. in Middletown, where he had been a program manager since 1979. He takes over leadership of the Aquidneck Island defense contractor as it prepares for its 60th anniversary. Blakeley’s responsibilities include financial, personnel and corporate resource management for several U.S. Department of Defense contracts. A graduate of the University of New Hampshire, he lives in Middletown.
PBN: After graduating from the University of New Hampshire, how did you find your way to McLaughlin Research? Did you serve in the military?
BLAKELEY: I did not serve in the military. Prior to coming to McLaughlin Research, I was an elementary school teacher in Fall River, Massachusetts; I began my career at McLaughlin Research as a technical writer. However, I do come from a Navy family. My stepfather was a 30-year Navy man.
PBN: What areas have growth potential for McLaughlin Research?
BLAKELEY: The work that we do at McLaughlin Research and the talented people we have are also of value outside of the submarine community. For example, we are now providing services to MIT’s Lincoln Laboratory and are pursuing work for the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard.
PBN: Has the company received any Homeland Security funding?
BLAKELEY: Thus far, we have not received any DHS funding, but we feel that is in our future plans.
PBN: Does McLaughlin do any work that’s not defense-related?
BLAKELEY: The vast majority of our work is defense-related. From time to time, however, we do provide services to the commercial sector.
