USS ALABAMA Battleship Commission Announces Newest Members
MOBILE, ALABAMA, November 9, 2023 – The USS ALABAMA Battleship Commission is please to announce the appointment of three new commissioners. Edmond G. Eslava III, CAPT Joseph Snowden II, USCG (Ret.) and CAPT Samuel “Duke” Walker, USCG (Ret.) were appointed by Governor Kay Ivey to fill the Commission seats vacated by Lt. Col. Gary Fitts, CDR Lee Allen Hallman William H. Porter after their passing. The newly appointed commissioners will bring the Battleship Commission back to its full authorized membership of 18.
Edmond G. Eslava III, MAI, SRA of Daphne is a partner with the Appraisal and Consultant Group, an independent real estate practice. He is a 1963 graduate of C.F. Vigor High School and the University of Montevallo. He completed flight school at Fort Rucker (n/k/a Novosel) in 1969 and was assigned as a pilot to the 101st Airborne Division, Phu Bai, Vietnam. He completed his tour in 1970 and served as an Academic Flight Instructor at Fort Rucker. He was honorably discharged in the rank of captain in 1971.
CAPT Joseph Snowden II, USCG (Ret.) of Mobile is the Executive Director of Administrative Services and handles all Transportation and Maritime matters for the City of Mobile. He is a retired USCG Captain and former Commanding Officer of USCG Sector Mobile, capping a 27-year career. Previously, Snowden spent 5 years as an enlistee and an officer in the Illinois Army National Guard. He is
a graduate of Western Illinois University and holds a Master of Science in Human Resource Management from Troy University.
CAPT Samuel “Duke” Walker, USCG (Ret.) of Mobile is the Director, National Sales and Business Development for Jostens. He is a retired USCG Captain and former Commanding Officer USCG Sector Mobile. During his tenure, he was the Federal On-Scene Coordinator for the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. He previously served as Commodore, USCG Patrol Forces Southwest Asia and Commanding Officer, USCG Cutter DECISIVE. He is a graduate of Rhode Island College and holds an MBA from the University of South Alabama.
USS ALABAMA Battleship Commission serves as the governing body for Battleship Memorial Park. Commission members are appointed by the Governor and serve eight-year terms. For more information about USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park, please visit our website at www.ussalabama.com.
USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park is located at 2703 Battleship Parkway in Mobile, AL.
