CSM Velocity Center Executive Director Lesley Quattlebaum Joins Charles County Military Alliance Council Board of Directors

College of Southern Maryland (CSM) Velocity Center Executive Director Lesley Quattlebaum has been selected to join the Charles County Military Alliance Council (MAC) Board of Directors. The MAC serves as a liaison between the defense and civilian communities in recognition of the key role the defense industry and the military play in the quality of life for Charles County citizens and the local economy.

“Because of Ms. Quattlebaum’s commitment to academia and STEM program contributions, and work toward enhancing our installations, business opportunities, and the local communities - we are confident that she is a great fit for our Board,” said MAC Executive Director Pam Frank.

“I am pleased to join the board as a representative of CSM,” said Quattlebaum. “CSM and the MAC have a long-standing history of collaboration and partnership. The Velocity Center is a direct result of collective efforts to strength the local economy through academic and workforce opportunities for our defense and civilian communities.”

Quattlebaum, of La Plata, was appointed to lead CSM Velocity Center in Indian Head in May 2022. In her role, she guides the Velocity Center as it continues to be a catalyst for scientific and innovative workforce development in collaboration with the Town of Indian Head, the U.S. Navy and the community.

Quattlebaum has 20 years of project and relationship management in a variety of industries. She joined the CSM team in 2016 holding positions of project manager in business development and grants specialist coordinator, where she was instrumental in helping to secure $26 million dollars in grant money to support student success.  

“Lesley’s appointment to the Charles County Military Alliance Council is a wonderful acknowledgement of her proven successes in collaborating and engaging with stakeholders toward the execution of critical projects and innovative programs in our communities,” said Associate Vice President of Continuing Education and Workforce Development Ellen Flowers-Fields. “We are all very excited that Lesley is solidifying CSM’s long-standing relationship with the MAC, further serving our national defense community, active and retired, who remain critical and valuable economic and community partners in southern Maryland."

The Velocity Center is approximately 13,000 square feet located outside of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Indian Head Division (NSWC IHD). The Navy utilizes the Velocity Center for conferences, meetings, and showcases, and to hold a multitude of professional development activities and events. Navy scientists and industry leaders can interact with students in tech transfer courses and have a place to tinker and conduct unclassified research. The community can take advantage of the Makerspace in the Velocity Center as well as workforce and professional development courses such as Computer Aided Design, Cyber Security, Drones/Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, Government Procurement, Social Entrepreneurship, and Tech Transfer Entrepreneurship. The center is also home to a Makerspace – equipped with a variety of maker equipment including 3D printers, laser cutters, subtractive machines, CAD modeling, robotics, prototyping, and more.