PAUL RODEN PRESENTED ASSA FOUNDER'S LEADERSHIP AWARD AT ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

WASHINGTON, D.C. JULY 16, 2026 — The American Shipbuilding Suppliers Association (ASSA) has presented its prestigious Founder’s Leadership Award to maritime industry leader Paul J. Roden, PE, recognizing his decades of service and leadership in advancing America's shipbuilding and maritime industrial base.

The award was presented during ASSA's recent annual meeting by ASSA Founder Carl Fisher, ASSA President & CEO Roger Camp, and members of the ASSA Board of Directors.

The Founder's Leadership Award is ASSA's highest honor and recognizes individuals whose careers have made an enduring impact on the U.S. maritime and shipbuilding industry through exceptional leadership, service and advocacy.

"Paul Roden has dedicated his career to strengthening America's maritime capabilities and supporting the industrial base that underpins our national security," said Roger Camp, President and CEO of ASSA. "From his distinguished service in the U.S. Coast Guard to his leadership within the defense industrial base and his unwavering advocacy for America's shipbuilding suppliers, Paul has exemplified the vision and commitment this award was created to recognize."

Following a distinguished 28-year career in the U.S. Coast Guard, Captain Roden retired in 2011 after serving as the Coast Guard's Chief of Naval Engineering, where he oversaw policy development and budget management supporting the readiness of the service's cutter and boat fleets. He previously served as Commanding Officer of the Coast Guard Engineering Logistics Center and held numerous engineering and leadership assignments throughout his military career. He is also Chairman of the Board of the Amphibious Warship Industrial Base Coalition and the Vice Chairman of ASSA.

After retiring from military service, Roden continued supporting the nation's maritime industry as Vice President for Washington Operations at Fairbanks Morse Defense before founding Lighthouse Point Government Relations in 2023. Through his firm, he continues to advocate for clients across the maritime, shipbuilding and defense industrial base.

A graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, Roden holds master's degrees in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Business Administration, and is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Michigan. Throughout his career, he has remained actively involved in engineering professional organizations and has been a steadfast advocate for policies that strengthen the U.S. maritime industrial base.

"Paul's technical expertise, strategic insight and dedication to the maritime community have earned the respect of colleagues throughout government and industry," said ASSA Founder Carl Fisher. "His career reflects the very spirit of leadership and service that the Founder's Leadership Award represents, and we are proud to recognize his many contributions."

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