CCAD Participates in "Connect, Learn, Improve" Panel Discussion at Del Mar College
Corpus Christi Army Depot, Texas—The Corpus Christi Army Depot recently highlighted its modernization efforts, regional partnerships, and workforce initiatives during a panel discussion hosted by the Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation at Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, Texas.
The event focused on “Manufacturing in the Coastal Bend: Connect, Learn, Improve.”
Representing the depot, Dr. Kurt Adams, CCAD’s workforce development division chief, outlined how the depot is aligning with the broader Army Transformation Initiative. By educating local business leaders on resource and investment efforts, the depot aims to modernize and strengthen the organic industrial base.
The Corpus Christi Regional Economic Development Corporation is the premier organization dedicated to the commercial success of South Texas; it develops and manages programs that promote economic growth across the Coastal Bend. Through business attraction, retention, and expansion efforts, the organization focuses on job creations and driving new investment in key areas, including oil and gas extraction and midstream logistics; petrochemical operations; manufacturing and fabrication; water transportation; warehousing, distribution, and logistics; professional business services; steel manufacturing; entrepreneurial development; and unmanned aerial systems and related aviation.
Regional EDC Chief Operating Officer Sarah Tindall said, “It’s about having the conversations so that we can work together.”
To meet emerging challenges, the depot is exploring opportunities to partner with other government entities and private industry to leverage its OIB facilities to develop emerging and innovative capabilities. In July, CCAD held its inaugural Industry Days in response to rising interest from Coastal Bend industry leaders seeking deeper insights into CCAD’s mission and capabilities.
The Vice President of Existing Industry and Regional Development, Michelle Unda said, “What I focus on most in my job is business retention and expansion.”
When asked how difficult it is to work with the depot, Dr. Adams responded, “There’s a fear some people have about working with a government agency; they assume there’s going to be a lot of red tape. But right now, the focus is on shortening timelines, improving processes, and streamlining operations,” he continued. “There’s a real shift happening across the Department of War to reinvigorate the organic industrial base.”
Regarding local industries needing a manufactured part quickly or experiencing slow supply chains, CCAD may be able to offer a direct, agile solution. Chief of Headquarters Operations, Israel Talamantez, noted that CCAD already maintains public‑private partnerships with several organizations. “We have the capability,” he said, “and we can execute quickly.”
A public-private partnership, also known as a P-3, is a long-term agreement between a working capital fund government agency and a private sector entity whereby the government can provide its testing, manufacturing or repair capabilities to industry.
In addition to modernization efforts, the depot is building generational sustainability by creating a pipeline of skilled workers. CCAD’s workforce development division has partnered with Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi, Texas A&M University–Kingsville, and Del Mar College to offer mutually beneficial internship programs in engineering and business administration. Students can complete their academic capstone projects, and the depot has benefited from customized patents used to improve production efficiencies.
CCAD is at the forefront of leveraging technologies and stands mission-ready to meet the demands of both the warfighter and the local region with cutting-edge equipment, a highly trained workforce, state-of-the-art facilities, capacity, and capability.
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