CANFIELD – Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) – Mahoning and Shenango Valleys Chapter met Friday, March 21 at A La Cart Catering in Canfield and welcomed retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Richard Lonardo to discuss local efforts to revitalize the defense industrial base and bring high paying jobs to the region.

Lonardo, founder and owner of Defense and Energy Systems Inc, served as an Acquisition Specialist on active duty and currently advises new and existing firms how to navigate the defense and supply contracting system and apply additive manufacturing to meet emergent defense requirements.

Next month the chapter will host its annual Cadet Night Dinner on Thursday, April 17, honoring high school and college JROTC and ROTC cadets. Check in starts at 5:30 p.m. and reservations are due Monday, April 14. Current, former, and retired commissioned and warrant officers and their surviving spouses residing in northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania may attend at no cost or obligation. Write to msvcmoaa@gmail.com for details.