Kelly Mendell | MIKEL Inc. president
Why are you in business? What do you believe in?
The United States has the most technologically capable submarines in the world. Operating submerged in an underwater environment can be very challenging. In 2001, the USS Greenville collided with the Ehime Maru, a Japanese fishing trawler on a high school field trip from Japan. Nine of the people onboard were killed. How could they not know that the Ehime Maru was right above them as they surfaced from the deep?
It is a difficult problem. Locating other objects and vessels in the undersea environment has its challenges – it’s dark and the “lights” are off. MIKEL has developed technology that allows submarines to accurately locate other vessels and accurately determine their own underwater position – kind of like underwater GPS.
We believe we can make a difference. This is why we do it. We have a deep respect for the sailors who operate our submarines. We work for a paycheck. However, we work because it is in the best interest of the fleet.
Having a voice, being part of something important and seeing your ideas become reality are the greatest motivators. We believe we are helping keep people safe – it is powerful.
You have to believe in what you’re doing and find other people to help you build on those beliefs. Decisions become easier when you remember why you are doing something. As leaders, we need to consistently emulate those beliefs every day with passion. It keeps your business steaming full speed ahead and on the right course!