When Capt. Jerry Hendrix was director of naval history, he was invited to a special dinner party at Adm. John Richardson's house to discuss history and strategy.
But it wasn't just Hendrix who was invited, the guests included PhD's and officers from all parts of the Navy whom Richardson brought together for an evening of good food and conversation.
"He was delighted with all the ideas that were coming from all directions," recalled Hendrix, who is now retired and an analyst at the Center for a New American Security. "And he was willing to foster and explore those ideas, and take them on board."
Richardson, the president's pick to lead the Navy, is a career submariner and family man who, colleagues and peers said, will bring extraordinary intelligence and rock solid integrity to the job of steering the Navy through a time of mounting challenges, including preparations for recapitalizing the boomer force and emerging from an ongoing bribery scandal that has rocked the Navy's top ranks.