The Naval Base Kitsap Bangor Plaza was the site of the Navy Region Northwest and Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Keyport’s “2006 Pacific Northwest Diversity Summit,” Nov. 28.

Service members and people from the region gathered at the plaza to hear lectures as well as learn strategies civilian corporations use when having such a diverse workforce.

A letter from Rear Adm. William French, commander Navy Region Northwest explains how he feels the U.S. Navy has and will continue to adapt with the increasingly diverse fleet.

“We are a global Navy in a global military in a rapidly globalizing world,” said French. “Improving diversity takes time, but incorporating diversity allows us to capitalize on the valuable differences of experience, culture and talent of our great nation and Navy.”

Business people and members of government got to share their experiences at the summit as well. Phyllis Mayo, director of diversity and inclusion strategies for the “Seattle Times,” said it was a great opportunity to both tell her stories as well as get a glimpse of how diversified the regional service members are.

“I was invited to the Diversity Summit to essentially share an outside perspective,” said Mayo. “I told the audience how we, at the ‘Times,’ approach diversity and what we do to address the challenges that we may face. Settings like this are good because of the give and take. I got to share our perspective as well as get input and ideas from a military view.”

Clarence Moriwaki, Kitsap County special assistant for State Representative Jay Inslee, gave the audience members a chance to witness some of the diverse cultural changes that took place in Washington State in a video discussing the progression of Japanese people and their businesses.

“An important thing to remember is America is a giant melting pot and is not made of one culture, but various cultures,” said Moriwaki. “I hope my story shed a little light on the multitude and backgrounds of the various people throughout this community.”

“The summit was great and I learned more than I could have imagined,” said Machinist Mate 1st Class (SS) Anthony Starich of Intermediate Maintenance Facility. “It shows that you have to get beyond the person when looking for the best candidate for an assignment. We should give every person equal opportunity to show their maximum potential.”