The following classes have added updates this week to their Class Notes pages. 1956 | 1957 | 1959 | 1963 | 1964 | 1973 | 1974 | 1982 | 1983 | 2004 | 2009 | 2014. Class Notes

Mike Burton (E4), RV-based wanderer, active sport parachutist and WWII paratrooper re-enactor persuaded classmates, John Scanlan and Jay Willis both (A4), to accompany him to Normandy for the 75th anniversary of the greatest amphibious assault in history the first week of June. He also issued a challenge for all to have a picture taken in uniform to mark the event. Dutifully, Scanlan assembled two of his father’s WWII uniforms for he and Willis, summarily lost 40+ pounds and voila, "she fitta fine". Assembling in Frankfurt, the lads first did a sweep thru the Ardennes, Meuse-Argonne, and Chateau-Thierry locales before settling down to their bivouacs in Normandy where a very good time was had by all and much history was absorbed and Calvados drunk – both firsts for Willis in this neck of the woods.

Dr. Brian Caputo has been named the seventh President of The College of DuPage. The College conducted a nationwide search to fill the position following the departure of Dr. Ann Rondeau, who stepped down in December 2018 to become president at the Naval Postgraduate School. Dr. Caputo, then Vice President for Administrative Affairs and CFO at the College, was named interim president Jan. 1, 2019.

"Dr. Caputo brings with him a wealth of experience and leadership qualities that will serve College of DuPage well. He possesses a clear understanding of where higher education is heading and values collaboration with both faculty and staff," said Board Chairman Frank Napolitano. "My fellow Board members and I would like to thank everyone involved in this process, including those who participated in and provided valuable feedback on each of the candidate forums. I am grateful to the College community for helping to identify the best fit for this outstanding institution."

Proud to continue his service to the College, Dr. Caputo said he is gratified with the Board's decision. He and his wife, Karen, have lived in the district more than 20 years and their three children attended College of DuPage. Dr. Caputo has a range of experience in higher education, having previously served as a full-time faculty member at Central Michigan University. He also served as an adjunct faculty member at Northern Illinois University (NIU). Read more.

Jennifer Barrow is the 2019-2020 Fellow assigned to the United States Sentencing Commission, the agency responsible for establishment of sentencing policies and practices for the federal courts. Ms. Barrow joins the Supreme Court Fellows Program from the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, where she clerked for the Honorable Ralph K. Winter. Ms. Barrow earned a B.S. in the American Legal System from USMA and a J.D. from Harvard Law School, where she was a Senior Editor of the National Security Journal and of the Journal of Law and Public Policy. Prior to law school, Ms. Barrow served tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. She attained the rank of Captain and was awarded a Bronze Star.

Patrick Ryan was sworn in as Ulster County executive on Friday, June 7, marking the first transition of power since the office was established a decade ago. State comptroller Thomas DiNapoli administered the oath of office to the 37-year-old former Army officer in a standing-room-only ceremony at the Ulster County courthouse on Wall Street in Kingston. The ceremony took place five weeks after Ryan, a Democrat, defeated Ulster County Conservative Party chairman Jack Hayes in a special election to fill the remainder of the term of former county executive Mike Hein. Hein resigned in February to take a post as New York State Commissioner of Temporary and Disability Assistance. 

Ryan served two tours in Iraq leading an infantry battalion intelligence section. At Friday’s ceremony, Hochul praised Ryan as one of a generation of youths inspired to military service by the 9/11 terror attacks who would go on to bring qualities tried and tested on distant battlefields to bear in public service back home. “That’s where values and leadership skills are steeled,” Hochul said. “And you’re bringing that back.” DiNapoli called Ryan “a visionary” and praised his decision to step away from his career in the tech sector to devote himself to public service. “He will create a vision for this county that is inclusive,” said DiNapoli. “That will make this a better community, a more equitable community.” Read more.

Nineteen West Point Women and their family members toured Southwest Ireland last week. The following West Point alumni classes were represented: '81, '85, '86, '87, '88, '89, '93, '97, '99, '00, '02, '08, '09, and '10. The group did their part supporting international eco-tourism by planting an oak tree in Ireland to commemorate their first visit to Ireland.

Meet the newest members of the Long Gray Line! On June 14, 2019, 10 cadets became second lieutenants in the U.S. Army upon graduating from West Point. After receiving their diploma, three members of the 50-Year affiliate Class of 1969 handed each graduate their 2LT bars. Hats off to the June graduates of the Class of 2019! Well done!

Class of 2019 June Graduates: Bridget Marie Guenard, Catherine Grace Hall, William Louis Ikerd, III, Luke John Langdon, Austin Louis Neumann, Danielle Meghan Peck, Alex Sidney Ramos, Joshua Benjamin Rogers, Zachary Wayne Watters, Seth Douglas Wills.

The 50 Year affiliates: MG (R) Leroy R. Goff III ’69, COL (R) Michael F. Colacicco ’69 and COL (R) Keirn C. Brown Jr. '69.

The Brick and Paver program allows graduates and friends of West Point the opportunity to etch a meaningful inscription on a brick or paver that will be placed on the historical grounds surrounding the James K. Herbert Alumni Center. These paths serve as a permanent, elegant, and recognizable remembrance to visitors entering the building from Mills Road and surrounding areas. The purchase of a brick is considered a tax deductible donation.

The fall installation has an order deadline of July 1 and will be installed the week before the first home football game.

Brick or Paver?

ORDER ONLINE NOW

The following classes have added updates this week to their Class Notes pages. 1956 | 1957 | 1959 | 1971 | 1974 | 1983 | 1988 | 1992 | 1994 | 1996. Class Notes

COL Darlene Straub ’94 has won a Leadership Award from Women in Technology (WIT) an organization contributing to the success of professional women in the Washington, D.C. area technology community. The annual WIT Leadership Awards showcases the outstanding accomplishments and contributions of female leaders in academic, entrepreneurial, government and corporate roles across the Washington, D.C. technology community.

Dr. Michael Doyle has been named the new executive director and chief medical officer at Health Alliance of the Hudson Valley. Dr. Michael Doyle will provide leadership and work collaboratively with all hospital teams and all members of WMCHealth, while overseeing areas such as operations, quality, patient safety, and medical services.

Doyle will work to improve the health of the community and advance an integrated delivery system in which patients have seamless access to care in the Hudson Valley. Doyle will also be an integral part of HealthAlliance’s $134.9 million transformation and expansion project.
“Michael Doyle has a long track record of improving operations and clinical processes while always focusing on the patient,” said Robert Ross, executive vice president, Northern Region, WMCHealth. “I had the pleasure of working with Michael in the past and look forward to welcoming him to HealthAlliance.”

Doyle has more than 27 years of healthcare experience focused on hospital leadership in military and civilian hospitals in the United States and overseas. Doyle has provided clinical and operational leadership at military hospitals in Washington, New York and abroad in Germany, as well as in combat hospitals in Afghanistan and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Read more.

Congratulations to Bethany and Carleton Lee '92 that graduated together and retired together! Below are Bethany's words on the day.

"It dawned on me that this probably doesn't happen very often. My husband and I (USMA '92 classmates) both retired in a joint ceremony this past Thursday, 6 June (75th Anniversary of D Day) aboard the USS Missouri. He was active duty and I finished in the Army Reserve. Coordinating retirements from two different components was a bit challenging, timing-wise, but we somehow made it work. We pinned each other's 2LT bars on 27 years ago and married 6 days later.

We chose D Day as I lost a paternal great, great uncle who was injured at Ste Mère Église on D Day (died 11 Sep 44 during Operation Market Garden–he was the inspiration for my father to join the Army) and my maternal grandfather (who dropped me off at West Point for R Day as my parents were stationed in Germany at the time) was a survivor of the Bataan Death March & 3-1/2 years as a POW under the Japanese. The USS Missouri is where Japan signed the instruments of surrender to the Allies on 2 Sept 45. The other cool thing is that my dad and uncle are USMA '63 and the USS Missouri's hull classification is BB-63!"

COL(R) Matthew Klimow is the new United States Ambassador to Turkmenistan. Prior to embarking on a diplomatic career, Ambassador Klimow served as an infantry officer for over 29 years. He commanded at the battalion and brigade level and is a recipient of the Silver Star. Other key assignments include military advisor to the Secretary of State (1995-1998), Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (2000-2002), and Special Advisor to the Vice President of the United States (2002-2003). His diplomatic postings include Executive Director for the Bureau of Consular Affairs (2003-2008), Deputy Assistant Secretary General of NATO in Brussels, Belgium (2012-2015), and Senior Advisor to the Under Secretary of State for Management (2018-2019). He was a founding member of the West Point Marathon Team in 1974 and served as the team’s captain.

Kathleen Hildreth is the first U.S. veteran to debut on Forbes’ list of America’s Richest Self-Made Women. Kathleen has been around airplanes since she was a child and flew helicopters in the military, but today she helps other pilots fly. In 2001, Hildreth cofounded aviation maintenance company M1 Support Services, which pulled in $680 million revenue in 2018. Forbes estimates Hildreth’s fortune at $370 million, thanks to her majority stake in M1 Support, enough for the U.S. veteran to make her debut at No. 57 on Forbes 2019 list of America’s most successful self-made women.

“Anything in the government’s [aircraft] inventory, we do work on,” Hildreth told Forbes in a brief phone conversation. “You name it.”. The U.S Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and NASA are all clients of M1 Support, which relies entirely on the federal government for business. Most of its revenues come from maintaining military aircraft, including fighter jets such as F15s, F16s, and A10 Thunderbolts.

Her roles as an owner and an executive at M1 Support make Hildreth a standout in the industry. Although four of the top five defense contractors are led by women (Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics and Boeing Defense), fewer than one in ten executives in the aerospace and defense industry are women and less than one in four field employees, according to a 2018 study by Aviation Week. Read more.

Join fellow alumni and experience the camaraderie of exploring the world with like-minded travelers. Each trip has been thoughtfully selected with you and the West Point community in mind. We take care of the details, so you can relax and enjoy the company of fellow graduates.

Because of the exceptional value and limited space, we encourage you to make your reservations as soon as possible.  View the list of trips for 2019-2020

Talented and dedicated volunteer leadership is critical to WPAOG’s success in serving West Point and the Long Gray Line. WPAOG Directors are fiduciaries, and they are responsible for the oversight and the guidance of our Association’s services, programs, and operations. The Advisory Council advises the Board of Directors on matters pertaining to the Association’s affairs. Advisors also serve on WPAOG committees and task forces.

The 2019 Nominating Committee shall consider submitted nomination packets and compose a slate for recommendation to the Membership at the Annual Election. The slate shall include one nominee for Board Chair (for a two-year term), one nominee for Board Vice Chair (for a two-year term), five nominees for five Director positions (each with a three-year term), and six nominees for six Advisor-at-Large positions (each with a three-year term). All terms shall begin on January 1, 2020. The 2019 Election will take place at our Annual Meeting, Tuesday, November 19, 2019, at 5:00pm Eastern Time, in Herbert Alumni Center at West Point. All USMA graduates may vote at the Annual Meeting, or vote by proxy, which will be distributed in October.

Please note that nomination packets must include a nomination letter signed by a USMA graduate other than the graduate seeking a nomination. Detailed information on the nomination process is on the WPAOG website. For assistance, you may also contact our Association’s Administrative Officer, Christine Richardson or call 845.446.1519.

https://www.westpointaog.org/nominationpolicy

The following classes have added updates this week to their Class Notes pages. 1956 | 1957 | 1958 | 1959 | 1961 | 1964 | 1965 | 1966 | 1974 | 1981 | 1982 | 1988 | 1989 | 1995 | 2019. Class Notes

Darren Rebelez has been named President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) at Casey's General Stores, Inc., effective June 24, 2019. Rebelez will also join Casey's Board of Directors he joins Casey's with over 25 years of business leadership experience focused on operations, marketing and merchandising for large corporations in each of the convenience store, fuel and restaurant industries.

Darren Rebelez currently serves as President of IHOP Restaurants, a position he has held since 2015. He also serves as an independent director of Torchmark Corporation, since 2010. He spent nearly eight years with 7-Eleven, Inc., as Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer and held numerous management roles within ExxonMobil and before that, at Thornton Oil Corporation. He was an Infantry Officer in the First Cavalry Division and a veteran of the Persian Gulf War.

"We are thrilled to welcome Darren to the Casey's family," said H. Lynn Horak, Chairman of the Board. "Darren brings a remarkable combination of leadership experience in the convenience store, fuel and restaurant industries, and he has an impressive track record of driving performance and innovation. We have enjoyed getting to know Darren through our succession planning process and are confident that he will build on Casey's strong heritage of customer service, employee development, giving back to our communities, and our focus on creating sustainable growth and profitability."

"I am honored to join the Casey's team at an exciting and dynamic time for both the Company and the industry," said Rebelez. "I have long admired Casey's and look forward to working closely with its talented team to continue providing outstanding service to local communities across our markets and creating value for all of Casey's stakeholders." Read more.

France Hoang, a co-founder and Chair of the Board at boodleAI, has joined the company's operating team as Chief Strategy Officer, serving as head of corporate strategy, marketing, innovation, and development. He previously served as CSO for MAG Aerospace and made the founding investment in boodleAI.

As Chief Strategy Officer, France will lead boodleAI's dynamic strategy, marketing, and innovation team.

"Twenty-four years ago next month, France and I headed to Fort Benning to start the U.S Army Ranger school, we would graduate 72 days later with a life enduring bond," said Shawn N. Olds, Chief Executive Officer of boodleAI. "As boodle continues to build momentum, we are thrilled to have France join us in daily operations of the company. He has successfully applied an entrepreneurial spirit to all his ventures, from the Army, to law, to business and tech, and we know his engagement will elevate boodleAI to the next level."

France brings a wealth of experience in growing successful companies to boodleAI. He was on the founding team of MAG Aerospace and served as MAG's CSO, leading corporate strategy, branding/marketing, corporate development, and innovation efforts throughout the company's 8-year growth. He helped drive expansion from a startup to a 1,200+ employee company with operations across 45 locations on 6 continents. During his tenure he oversaw 5 bolt-on acquisitions and 2 recapitalizations totaling $475M in combined value.

boodleAI was founded by Shawn Olds '94, France Hoang '95 and Eric Okimoto '97. 27 of the Angel investors in boodleAI are all USMA grads spanning USMA '56 to USMA '97 and just over 60% of all investors are veterans. Read more.

Patrick Marr was awarded the prestigious 2018 Meritorious Service Award from AFCEA in recognition of his dedication and exceptional record of extraordinary achievement to the Lexington-Concord Chapter. Specifically, Marr was commended over the past five years for being an indispensable Chapter proponent, spearheading numerous events and raising thousands of dollars to sustain Chapter scholarships.

Exceptionally noteworthy has been his extraordinary leadership. During the past three years, he spearheaded the sold-out 2018 State of AFLCMC AQ Luncheon, capturing General Officer keynote guest speakers. Marr was also cited for his incomparable vision for Chapter strength and growth dramatically enhancing Chapter membership by 200 new Industry recruits.

AFCEA is a non-profit association serving the military, government, industry and academia as an ethical forum for advancing professional knowledge and relationships.

The latest class stats are available and '72 and ‘94 are still in a tight race to the top, but ‘94 has pulled ahead. Don’t forget the Challenge ends at midnight PT  6/3. Your participation will make the difference, please share your support on social media and encourage others to donate to give West Point our FIRST #AllAcademyChallenge victory!

MAKE YOUR GIFT TODAY

Thank you to the 3,007 graduates who participated on the first day of the All Academy Challenge! We are off to a strong start, but this is a long race and numbers will fluctuate throughout. Take a look at the class competition that is heating up: '94 was in the lead with number of donors  It's going to be a tight race among classes--make sure your class participates today!

WPAOG sadly announces the death of West Point’s oldest living graduate, Col Kermit Dyke ’40, USAF Retired on May 29, 2019. He was 104 years old. Maj Gen Neil Van Sickle ’38, USAF Retired is now the oldest living graduate.

You've heard us talking about this for awhile now, and the time has finally come. The sixth annual All Academy Challenge has kicked into high gear, and we are in the lead! Help keep us in the #1 spot. West Point will compete against Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and the Merchant Marine Academy to see who can get the highest alumni participation rate. Make a gift to West Point between May 30 - June 3 so that we can beat the other service academies this year. Participation will win the contest! Most importantly, these gifts will support important Margin of Excellence programs that benefit the entire Corps of Cadets.

If you’re a part of the Long Gray Line you’re a part of the All Academy Challenge. We have five days to win - go to www.allacademychallenge.com to participate!

General James McConville has been confirmed to be the Army’s top officer, Chief of Staff, , a position he said will allow him to ensure the service remains the most lethal and decisive land force in the world. "I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as the next chief of staff of the Army," he said after the announcement. "I look forward to the honor of having another opportunity to lead the Soldiers, civilians and Families serving our nation's Army." A senior aviator who has qualified on several helicopters, McConville was the vice chief of staff under Gen. Mark A. Milley, who has been nominated for chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Prior to his assignments to the Pentagon as the Army's G-1 (personnel) and chief of legislative liaison, McConville was the longest serving commander of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).

"General McConville is an extremely accomplished Army officer and I'm supremely confident in his abilities as the next Chief of Staff," said Secretary of the Army Mark T. Esper. "He has played an instrumental role in almost every major decision the Army has made since becoming the Vice Chief of Staff and is the perfect leader to carry on our mission of preparing the Army for the future." In his hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee, the general said he is committed to eradicating sexual assault and harassment among the ranks, reducing suicides, and making sure Families have quality housing, healthcare and childcare. "The Army expects a lot from their Soldiers and Families and really to maximize the readiness of our Soldiers, they must know that the Army is caring for their Families," he said. With 37 years of service, McConville also stressed the Army faces a critical point as it shifts from irregular warfare to great power competition. "We will win by aggressively pursuing our priorities of readiness, modernization, and reform," he told lawmakers. Read more.

The following classes have added updates this week to their Class Notes pages. Jan1943 | 1949 | 1956 | 1957 | 1965 | 1970 | 1983 | 1997 | 2002. Class Notes

Lieutenant Colonel Meghann Plumlee recently made history as the first woman to take command of one of the oldest regiments in the United States Army, the 101st Engineer Battalion, Massachusetts Army National Guard. In 1636, the unit was established as the East Regiment and participated in the first muster held on the green in Salem, Massachusetts. For many, Salem is thought to be the birthplace of the National Guard.

"This is a historic unit. I am deeply honored to be rejoining the Victory Battalion as your commander," Plumlee said during the ceremony. "I look forward to working with each of you as we continue to contribute to the 101st's legacy." Following her commission in 2002, she served as a platoon leader, a company executive officer, and a battalion intelligence officer with the 1st Infantry Division's 9th Engineer Battalion (Combat Mechanized) in Schweinfurt, Germany.

From Germany, she moved to Fort Dix, New Jersey, where she served as both an observer-controller/trainer with the 2nd of the 310th Regiment and weapons officer-in-charge. Plumlee deployed to Iraq as a platoon leader in an Engineer Task Force in 2004-05 and to Afghanistan with the 26th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade as an executive officer of a Base Support Group in 2011-12.

Plumlee joined the Massachusetts National Guard in 2007 and has served as company commander of the 188th Facilities Engineer Detachment, plans officer for the 26th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, battalion operations officer for the 101st Engineer Battalion, facilities maintenance officer at Camp Edwards, and, most recently, the 26th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade's operations officer.

Captain Matthew August was killed in Iraq in 2004 and was remembered in a ceremony dedicating the post office at 20 Ferry Rd., Saunderstown, R.I. as the “Captain Matthew J. August Post Office.” U.S. Sen. Jack Reed and U.S. Rep. James Langevin sponsored the authorization bill in their respective houses, with U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse and U.S. Rep. David Cicilline cosponsoring.

During his lifetime, August earned the Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaves; the National Defense Service Medal; and the Army Service and Overseas Service ribbons. After he died, he was awarded the Bronze Star; Purple Heart; Meritorious Service Medal; Iraqi Campaign and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary medals; and Combat Action Badge.

Reed, a fellow West Point graduate, said: “We are forever grateful to Captain August for his valor, service, and sacrifice.” Langevin said August “will always be remembered for his extraordinary heroism,” and called it “a true privilege” to have helped honor him. “We owe an enormous debt to him and to all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice on the altar of freedom,” Cicilline said. Read more.

During the last week of April and into the beginning of May, the United States Military Academy at West Point celebrated the first-ever “Commitment to Service” week, a series of events (from the Grant Statue dedication to the Coach K Awards dinner) that highlighted the theme of a lifetime of selfless service to the nation, to the community, and to others. Speaking at the Distinguished Graduate Award (DGA) Luncheon, which honored the five graduates recognized in 2019, as well as welcomed the more than 740 graduates who returned to their alma mater for spring reunions, Lieutenant General Darryl Williams ’83, the 60th Superintendent of West Point, remarked that “Commitment to Service” weeks should be expanded to the DGA event. “I can’t think of a better way to inspire cadets to service than to have them spend a few minutes with this year’s DGA recipients,” Williams said, noting that if there were ever a “Who’s Who” or hall of fame for selfless service, it would be filled by the five Distinguished Graduates for 2019: General (Retired) David A. Bramlett ’64, Colonel (Retired) Victor Garcia M.D. ’68, Lieutenant General (Retired) Robert L. VanAntwerp ’72, General (Retired) Walter L. “Skip” Sharp ’74, and Lieutenant General (Retired) Robert L. Caslen Jr. ’75. Read more.

We are proud to honor our history and credit our formation to BG Robert Anderson (1825), who believed that an “Association of Graduates of the United States Military Academy” was important. Anderson wrote BG Sylvanus Thayer (1808) in January 1869 and outlined the concept of forming an association, “to see what should be done to perfect and perpetuate this truly national institution.”

Thayer wholeheartedly agreed with this proposal and on May 22, 1869, fifteen graduates gathered in the office of Dr. Horace Webster (1818), President of the College of the City of New York, to turn Anderson’s idea into a reality. Among other business, the group resolved that the Association was to be “formed purely for the promotion of social and fraternal intercourse.”

Today, the West Point Association of Graduates holds true to the original ideals of this group, providing opportunities for Grads to gather in societies, on Founders Day, during reunions, at tailgates and at a host of other activities held around the world. We continue to strengthen the bonds of the “Long Gray Line” through communications and services. We also prepare for the future by building relationships which support current cadets…our future.

Celebrate with us by recording a video of yourself toasting and wishing “Happy Birthday” to WPAOG and upload it in the comments section on the event page: facebook.com/events/273452153296175/. We’ve already received nearly 40 videos from grads around—and out—of this world, which have been edited into a WPAOG Virtual Toast Compilation video! We will be keeping up with all your video posts throughout the day, as well as sharing new virtual toasts as they come in. #WPAOG150

Laurence Palmer ’59 and his wife, along with classmate William Weber '59, traveled from Miami to West Point for their 60th reunion by bicycle! This is the 5th time the team has biked to their West Point reunion, with their longest ride originating in Anchorage, AK.

What an accomplishment! "None So Fine as '59!"

The riders were greeted at Herbert Hall by WPAOG grads Todd Browne ’85, Pat Ortland ’82 and Cathy Kilner ‘90

Jim Nicholson has been elected Vice-Chair of the Board of Visitors of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. https://westpoint.edu/about/superintendent/board-of-visitors

The Board advises the President of the United States on the morale, discipline, curriculum, instruction, physical equipment, fiscal affairs, academic methods and other matters related to the U.S. Military Academy and the Corps of Cadets.

Nicholson was initially appointed to the Board of Visitors by President Donald Trump in June 2018.

Nicholson, himself a Distinguished Graduate of West Point, and a retired Army colonel, is senior counsel at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck. He serves as chairman of the Daniels Fund, and was U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican, and secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The following classes have added updates this week to their Class Notes pages. 1953 | 1956 | 1957 | 1959 | 1961 | 1968 | 1970 | 1974 | 1981 | 1988 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 2003 | 2006. Class Notes

Greg Gebhardt has been named Director of Strategic Development and External Affairs at Cypress Creek Renewables. In this role he serves as the face of the organization in dealing with elected officials as well as managing relationships with external stakeholders, to include investor owned utilities, land owners, local economic development offices, members of the media, and citizens of communities where Cypress Creek Renewables develops projects.

Prior to joining the company in 2017, Greg served as Chief of Staff to State Representative David Lewis of Harnett County in the North Carolina House of Representatives. While he oversaw many initiatives in Rep. Lewis’ office the most notable initiative that Greg worked on was the comprehensive tax reform legislation that became law in 2013. Greg continues to serve in the North Carolina Army National Guard as the brigade executive officer for the 130th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Charlotte.

If you love golf, you won’t want to miss this event. Reconnect with alumni, former classmates, and your alma mater at the 2019 Alumni Golf Outing. The event will be held at West Point from June 6-8 and the schedule includes two rounds of golf, all meals, a boat cruise, and some great prizes! All graduates and guests are invited. Register now!

Kurt Kane has been promoted to president of Wendy's U.S. market and chief commercial officer. In his role, he oversees Wendy's culinary innovation, digital experience organization, brand marketing and advertising teams – the cornerstone of which is a unique brand voice that distinguishes Wendy's from competitors and is viewed as a trend-setting innovator across many industries.

Prior to joining the Company in May 2015, Kurt held several leadership positions within the food and beverage space that provided him with a broad and deep perspective on how to connect effectively with customers. Previously, he worked at Yum! Brands, Inc. where he was Global Chief Marketing and Food Innovation Officer for Pizza Hut. And before joining Yum! Brands, Kurt held brand marketing leadership positions with Frito-Lay, Inc., Molson Coors Brewing Company, and The Procter & Gamble Company. Kurt also served as an Air Defense Artillery Officer in the 4th Infantry Division.

Pearce Hammond was added as the Managing Director, Senior Research Analyst at Simmons Energy, a Division of Piper Jaffray. Pearce will be responsible for covering the midstream/MLP & energy infrastructure sector. He will be based in the firm's Houston office.

"Pearce's addition represents a strategic expansion of our energy research footprint," said Michael Cox, director of equity research at Piper Jaffray. "We are excited to welcome Pearce back to Piper Jaffray and believe the collaborative approach to our Energy research practice is value-creating for our clients." His views on the energy sector have been featured in various publications including the Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Barron's, Houston Chronicle and the Houston Business Journal. Read more.

The following classes have added updates this week to their Class Notes pages. 1950| | 1956 | 1958 | 1959 | | 1961 | 1969 | 1973 | 1974 | 1978 | 1981 | 1985 | 1987 | 1998 | 2000 | 2007. Class Notes

Heath Melton has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Master Planned Communities (MPC), Residential at the Howard Hughes Corporation.

Heath Melton joined The Howard Hughes Corporation in August 2015. Under Melton's leadership, Bridgeland was named #18 best-selling master planned community in the nation and #2 in the Greater Houston area, along with The Woodlands as #42 in the nation and #8 in the Greater Houston area, ranked by RCLCO. As Senior Vice President, MPC Residential, Melton is responsible for residential development in The Woodlands, Bridgeland and The Woodlands Hills.

Before joining Howard Hughes, Melton was Director, Land Development for Taylor Morrison in their Austin Division. He also held the position of General Manager role for Travisso, a joint venture with Toll Brothers, to develop a 2,100-acre, 3,000 lot master planned community. Read more.

Kerry Figiel has received the prominent Herman L. Joachim Distinguished Service Award from the TAPPI Association. Established in 1983, this is the highest honor the Association can bestow upon an individual for exemplary leadership that has significantly contributed to the advancement of the Association.

Figiel has worked for International Paper for the past 38 years and is currently an Engineering Fellow specializing in Process Control, Quality Control Systems and Web Inspection Systems. He holds a MSBA from Boston University, a MS in Industrial Engineering from Louisiana Tech University and is a Professional Engineer.

Figiel has been involved in TAPPI for over 25 years and was the Process Control Division Chairman from 2007-2010, receiving the Process Control Division Leadership and Service Award in 2012. He has served as Division Awards Chairman, Technical Program Chair, and the Conference Chairman for PaperCon 2013. He was a co-author the TAPPI Process Control Division's Handbook, "Paper Machine Quality Control System Vol I, Measurement Systems and Product Variability". Kerry is a member of the 2015 Centennial class of TAPPI Fellows.

Kenneth McDonald co-authors Pursuing the Honorable – Reawakening Honor in the Modern Military with Justin Anderson and Foreword by Major General Peter J. Boylan Jr.

Pursuing the Honorable argues that our modern understanding of honor, as seen through example of today's military training, is deficient. To remedy this, the book returns to an understanding of the honorable good, especially manifested for philosophers like Aristotle and Cicero in a life of the human virtues. However, because honor as defined by the honorable good needs to be applicable to the 21st Century occidental world of liberal democratic values, the study includes careful attention to those conditions under which honor can once again become a live option. While special attention is given to military training, including concrete proposals for its renewal, what the study discovers extends to many forms of human life. Available at Rowman & Littlefield and Amazon.

On Oct. 1, 2008, then-2nd Lt. Nicholas Eslinger, a platoon leader in Company C, 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, acted on instinct when an enemy threw a grenade at him and his troops while they were conducting a dismounted patrol through Samarra, Iraq. Eslinger swiftly moved toward the grenade, covering it with his body to protect his troops. When the grenade didn't immediately detonate, he threw it back in the direction of the enemy and warned his troops to take cover just before the grenade went off.

As a result, Eslinger saved at least six Soldiers from injury and death. Following the explosion, he continued to pursue the enemy combatant, which eventually led to the enemy's capture and detention. Eslinger received the Silver Star for his actions in early 2009. That was meant to be the end of it, but in 2017 his award was one of many that came under review as an act considered to be under recognized.

On Feb. 25, 2019, Gen. Mark Milley, U.S. Army chief of staff, signed the orders officially upgrading Eslinger's award to the Distinguished Service Cross, the U.S. Army's second highest award for battlefield valor and gallantry to the risk of one's life. Eslinger, currently a major attending the Command and General Staff Officer Course at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., was presented the award by Gen. Stephen Townsend, commanding general of the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, during a ceremony May 3 in the Roberts Room of the Lewis and Clark Center at Fort Leavenworth.

"Nick, your reaction to move toward the grenade that day rather than away from it was more than just your training. I think it was more instinct. I think that is hardwired into your DNA as a leader. I think it is hardwired in your thought to take care of your Soldiers," Townsend said. "I think you demonstrated by your actions that day that you were willing to die for them if necessary, to sacrifice all of your tomorrows for your Soldiers. You are an inspiration to all of us, and I am honored to serve in the Army that produces such leaders." Read more.

In November 2012, U.S. Army Colonel Edward Naessens sent a letter to then-Laboratory Director Charlie McMillan. “The United States Military Academy at West Point requests that the Los Alamos National Laboratory detail a technically qualified staff member to teach in the Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering (PaNE),” Naessens wrote. “The position would require teaching approximately half-time, with the remainder of the time spent in scholarship, supervision of cadet and faculty research projects, faculty development, and participation in cadet development activities.”

Naessens, the PaNE department head, was hoping to strengthen the relationship between the Army and Los Alamos, which began more than 75 years ago during the Manhattan Project, which was directed by Army Lieutenant General Leslie Groves.

“Colonel Naessens sets the standard for the modern thinking soldier,” says physicist Leo Bitteker, the first Los Alamos scientist to teach at West Point. Although the Army does not currently have a direct role in the nuclear triad, Army officers serve in key decision-making bodies that relate to nuclear weapons; Naessens had the foresight to realize the importance of building connections between the cadets—aka future officers—and scientists. Read more.

Alan Armstrong has released Wolf By The Ears a novel about America’s abandonment of Cambodia’s Khmer Republic and its fall to Pol Pot’s murderous Khmer Rouge. Critically acclaimed by the war’s participants and by distinguished historians and journalists.

In early 1974, Major David DeRussy is ordered back to Cambodia for a second tour as an assistant army attaché. His orders: Observe the military situation, get inside the heads of senior Cambodian commanders, gauge fighting effectiveness, and send assessments back to Washington. Three dilemmas face him: How is he to answer Cambodians who ask him whether America is going to run away? The Khmer Rouge are out to kill him. Every Cambodian soldier can see that, dead or alive, he would make excellent trading material with the enemy. Who can he trust on the battlefield? Last, but most important: How can he keep faith with his comrades in arms when it appears that Washington isn’t not going to do the same?

These problems are not hypothetical. We have American service members abroad who live with these conundrums every day. This is a war story and a love story that foreshadows a tragedy of hideous magnitude. It is also a morality play. No matter the pressure, we are the only ones who can sacrifice our personal honor. Available on Amazon.

Mark Romeo has joined H.I.S. Innovations Group, a LVL3 portfolio company located in Hillsboro, Oregon, as its first Chief Innovation Officer strengthening its Executive Team. Mark will be responsible for product innovation and strategic account management. Mark Romeo offers more than 25 years of experience in product innovation, including his most recent role as Director, Integrated Systems, Semiconductor Division at Edwards Vacuum.

"Mark is a valuable addition to the HIS team and is truly a game changer for our business," said Jason Frank, CEO. "His experience in providing solutions to many of the largest OEMs and semiconductor fabs in the world will enable HIS to deepen its presence in existing markets while also reaching after new ones."

"I am thrilled to join the HIS team and continue to help our clients and partners solve some of the most complex challenges in vacuum applications," said Mark. "The company is run with such an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset that permeates throughout. That mindset is magnetic and it's what attracted me to the company." Read more.

The following classes have added updates this week to their Class Notes pages. 1956| 1958 | 1959 | 1978 | 1982 | 1993 | 1998 | 1994 | 2001 | 2010. Class Notes

Croatian President Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic decorated General Curtis M. Scaparrotti, commander of US EUCOM, with the Order of Prince Trpimir with Ribbon and Star for his exceptional contribution to promoting the international reputation of Croatia and its Armed Forces, the President's Office said in a press release.

On the occasion of the decoration-awarding ceremony, the president praised General Scaparrotti as a sensible and devoted ally and a proven friend of Croatia.

NATO has been additionally fortified under his command as has the strategic partnership between Croatia and the USA, which is one of the foundations of Croatia's defense system, Grabar-Kitarovic underlined.

General Scaparrotti assumed duties as Commander of European Command and as Supreme Allied Commander, Europe in late spring of 2016. He has commanded forces during operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, Zaire/Rwanda, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Liberia. Read more.

Lieutenant General (R) William C. Mayville, Jr, a leader in U.S. national security cyber capabilities, former Director of Operations for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs and former Vice Commander, US Cyber Command, has joined the firm in the Cyber Security Practice. In this role, LTG Mayville will bring his vast, battle-tested experience to Korn Ferry's global clients.

“Cybersecurity isn't just about understanding the threats and vulnerabilities facing today's increasingly interconnected global network," said LTG Mayville. “It's about understanding the DNA of a successful security and information officer – having the right people in the right roles, with the right skills to deal with these reoccurring issues. I'm excited to join Korn Ferry and work closely with the technology, cyber, and digital practices."

“Bill has significant senior leadership experience commanding troops at every level including nearly five years of combat experience in Iraq and Afghanistan in a myriad of key leadership positions," said Michael Franzino, President, Financial Services, Korn Ferry. “His relationships are extensive, and he has deep industry expertise across information technology, national security, and professional services. It's an honor to have him on board."

Most recently, LTG Mayville served as the Vice Commander, US Cyber Command, where he supervised the expansion of the nation's newest combatant command, the growth of a 6,200 cyber security workforce, and a $230M research and acquisition enterprise to improve U.S. national security cyber capabilities. Additionally, he directed contingency planning for cyber security forces and oversaw cyber security operations to safeguard DOD activities worldwide. Read more.

If you love golf, you won’t want to miss this event. Reconnect with alumni, former classmates, and your alma mater at the 2019 Alumni Golf Outing. The event will be held at West Point from June 6-8 and the schedule includes two rounds of golf, all meals, a boat cruise, and some great prizes! All graduates and guests are invited. Register now!

General (Retired) John W. "Mick" Nicholson, Jr. has been named president of the PenFed Foundation. General Nicholson was the longest-serving commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan and NATO's Resolute Support Mission.

"I've experienced the positive impact the PenFed Foundation makes in our military community, and I am honored to lead a mission that strives to better the lives of our nation's heroes and those who support them," said General Nicholson. "Many organizations celebrate the bravery of our troops on the field of battle, but too often, their challenges in civilian life get overlooked."

As President of the PenFed Foundation, General Nicholson will focus on:

Helping military members transition to civilian life. Specifically, General Nicholson will focus on further developing the Veteran Entrepreneur Investment Program (VEIP). The PenFed Foundation plans to launch a Women's VEIP under the leadership of General Nicholson. The program will bridge the gap of investment capital to female Veteran entrepreneurs by providing funding, female representation in the investment process, and a platform to empower those entrepreneurs to lift other female Veteran entrepreneurs.

General Nicholson's awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal for Valor, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, NATO Medal, Combat Infantryman's Badge (2nd award), Expert Infantryman's Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Pathfinder Badge and the Ranger Tab. Read more.

Russell DeMartino was promoted to Executive Vice President of Skanska USA Commercial Development in Boston. Russell will oversee all development operations for the Greater Boston region, including land acquisitions, development, design, construction management, leasing and divestment. DeMartino joined Skanska in 2016 and brings 16 years of experience to his new role. Since joining Skanska, he led the 121 Seaport team to unprecedented success, from the complete lease-up of the speculative office development project, to the record-breaking $455 million sale. Photo courtesy of Jason Grow.

“Russ’ passion for development and his ability to foster high performing, collaborative teams will allow us to continue to deliver world-class developments in the Boston market. His commitment to sustainability, innovation and customer satisfaction aligns with our values and our long-term growth plans, and I am confident his leadership will support continued value creation for Skanska and our shareholders,” said President & CEO of Skanska USA Commercial Development Robert Ward. Read more.

Colonel Andrew Morgan, Special Forces surgeon is getting ready to blast off into space on the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. He is a veteran of two deployments to Afghanistan and one to Iraq, is set for a July 20 launch on a nine-month mission to the International Space Station for his first time in space. He'll launch with his Russian and Italian crewmates aboard a Soyuz MS-13 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, according to NASA.

In a phone interview Friday, Morgan said he feels fortunate to be part of such an auspicious launch. "The mission starts on the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing" he said. "Coming through the hatch on that day carries a lot of symbolism." Andrew plans to draw on his military experience during the mission. His resume includes work with the Army's Golden Knights parachute team and a stint as battalion surgeon for 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), the Desert Eagles, before he joined NASA in 2013.

"The Army recognizes that soldiers travel on their stomachs" he said. Space food is similar to MREs, but there's more variety, since the other nations sending astronauts to the space station bring their own food, he said. The space mission is a "great honor" but, Morgan said that long after he returns he will cherish his time in combat with soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines.

"It was the greatest honor of my life" he said. Read more.

The first line of Alejandro Villanueva's resume - All-Pro lineman for the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers - is enough to draw attention. But it's the rest of Villanueva's remarkable life story that made him the ideal figure to stand in front of the 200 kids who attended his youth football camp recently at Kaiserslautern High School in Germany. Villanueva is a proud military kid himself, growing up on bases around the world in a lifestyle very familiar to the families in attendance at the camp.

He is a decorated Army veteran with three tours in Afghanistan. Now a star NFL player, Villanueva relishes the opportunity to again immerse himself in a military environment.

"For me, being able to come back to a military installation obviously does a lot of good for my psyche," Villanueva said. "Being able to stay involved and stay close to the military community." The two-day youth camp was the centerpiece of Villanueva's' USO-sponsored visit to the Kaiserslautern Military Community, a three-day tour that also included appearances and autograph signings at area commissaries and the Ramstein base exchange. Villanueva recalled his own youthful encounter with star wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald at a camp during his high school days at SHAPE, years before he shared an NFL gridiron with Fitzgerald, and expressed his wish to have a similar impact now that he's in that same prominent position.

"I always thought that the impression that you make, maybe on one kid out of 200, can change someone's life," Villanueva said. Read more.

Kevin Byrne has released Moments, a historical fiction novel, his fifth book (third in The Condemned Man Series). Moments is available through all major online retailers (Print ISBN: 978-1732410671). The book is sold at retail prices which earn near zero royalties. Additionally, Kevin's foundation — Never Stop… Never Quit… — is sharing e-book formats at no cost

"My goal is to spread this story, showing the world what I can do in spite of my ongoing battle with multiple sclerosis. My family in the Long Gray Line, especially my fellow Defenders, saved me countless times over. This is my thank you."

To learn more about Kevin's fight with MS and follow his journey with Never Stop… Never Quit…, please visit NeverStopNeverQuit.com.

Adrian Perica has been named Vice President of Corporate Development at Apple. In this role Adrian is in charge of mergers, acquisitions and strategic investing efforts, Apple said. The position appears to be a newly created role.

Prior to this appointment Adrian served as Apple's Head of Mergers and Acquisitions, where he reportedly led a team that consisted of roughly a dozen people that at times grew to include more than 100 staff for larger deals. Under his operating principles, potential acquisition targets were often identified by Apple engineers, with product managers presenting findings to the executive and his team on a monthly basis.

Adrian joined Apple in 2009 and has "overseen the successful integration of vital technologies and new businesses across hardware, software and services," the company said. Apple's purchase of Beats in 2014, the company's largest acquisition to date, was accomplished with Adrian at the helm. Read more.

Thank you for reaching out to us following our cover story in the Spring edition of West Point  magazine. If you are interested in donating a West Point class ring for the Ring Melt for the Class of 2021, please email us or call 845.446.1614. You can also view our video or read more about the program and Ring Melt here. Make sure your family knows if you wish for your ring to be donated to the program. We also have a form that you can file with your will if you want to leave your class ring to the program.

Fred Schwark was named Chief Financial Officer at Drexel Hamilton. Fred served in the 25th Infantry Division as a Combat Engineer Officer (Sappers) during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He earned the highly coveted US Army Ranger Tab, Air Assault and Airborne wings and received the Bronze Star for actions while deployed in Afghanistan. Since leaving the active duty ranks with a service connected disability Fred has gone on to become an accomplished CFO. Most recently Fred served as the CFO at CRH Americas Materials managing a billion dollars in annual revenue.

"We are extremely grateful Fred has joined Drexel Hamilton's ranks. His service to our country and professionalism is a natural fit for our firm," said John Martinko Co-President and Managing Partner. Read more.

The following classes have added updates this week to their Class Notes pages. 1960 | 1973 | 1974 | 1975 | 1981 | 1984 | 1996 | 2017. Class Notes

Steve Townes '75 has been doing entrepreneurial buyouts in the aviation industry for over half of his civilian career, the latest being CEO of a global air cargo services firm operating at 52 of the world's Top 100 airports. Industry publication "Air Cargo World" says Townes is the "Chief Encouragement Officer," not just CEO. As a cadet, Townes was Brigade Activities Officer, a mule rider, and Head Rabble Rouser, won the Eisenhower Award, then graduated #1 from Ranger School. Townes says "positive leadership is the way we drive a motivational growth culture in our enterprises."  Steve also donates Mules to West Point. Read more.

Lance Lawson has received the 2019 Citizen Lawyers Award by North Carolina Bar Association. The Citizen Lawyer Award recognizes lawyers who exemplify the ideals of a "citizen lawyer" by their involvement in the community and exemplify the ideals of a citizen lawyer by volunteering their time for worthy community or civic causes to improve the quality of life of those in their local or statewide communities.

At Burr Forman McNair, Lance serves as the firm's Charlotte Office Managing Partner and is a member of the firm's Intellectual Property Practice Group. A licensed Professional Engineer, Lance focuses his practice on patent infringement and other intellectual property litigation including trademarks, trade dress, copyrights, and trade secrets, as well as commercial disputes involving technology.

Prior to pursuing law, Lance served nine years on active duty as a civil engineer officer with the United States Army Corps of Engineers, including three years as chief of engineering and design in a construction unit, and one year commanding a construction unit in both Iraq and Saudi Arabia during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Lance served as an attorney at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army Reserves, while performing duties as the general counsel to several military units in the Southeast. Lance also serves as a college liaison counselor to high school students interested in attending a service academy.

Matt Mullarkey has been awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study in Ireland. He is an instructor with the Information Systems and Decision Sciences Department and director of the DBA program at the University of South Florida's Muma College of Business.

His grant, titled "Developing Information Systems Design Principles for Smart-City Districts" will allow him to travel to Ireland over a five-month period next spring and partner with researchers at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth; the Irish Innovation Value Institute, LERO Ireland and the Dublin City Council's Smart Docklands team.

He hopes to find out about how Dublin is implementing the smart-city design and bring those insights back to the Tampa Bay area.

"The research will investigate the working models for information systems and technologies within a smart city district," he said, "with the express intent of sharing that knowledge with the cities of Tampa and St Petersburg," he said. "Our goal is to better understand the efforts that exist in the Dublin City Docklands to share them specifically with the city districts, business and community leaders across the greater Tampa Bay." Read more.

Enrolling at Oxford and studying amongst cohorts that contain a great diversity of backgrounds and opinion has been both enriching and challenging for Christian. "I had to reintegrate into civilian life," he said. "And once you're outside the US military, you find that not everyone believes in the same ideals. I've met people at Oxford who strongly disapprove of my country's actions, and people who are pacifists and reject even the idea of a standing army altogether. As somebody whose step-father served in Iraq and Afghanistan and consequently suffered from post-traumatic stress, encountering these viewpoints has led me to wrestle with some difficult questions."

On the MBA however, the lessons Christian has studied have helped him to view military organizations from a broader perspective. "Our Global Strategy module with Dr. Marc Szepan has been particularly helpful, and I have a much better understanding now of the relationship between free markets, the rule of law, foreign policy, and where the military fits into this careful balance," he said.

Partly because of his time in Oxford, Christian's long-term plan is to become a military lawyer, a role in which he can help foster greater trust in the US military by stewarding the laws of war during military operations. "There is a lot of work to do in America, both in terms of domestic and foreign policies. And it's on people like me, who have had these privileges, to work hard and do something to make things better," said Christian. Read more.

WPAOG is pleased to announce that GEN(R) Ann Dunwoody—the first woman in U.S. history to achieve the rank of four-star general—will receive the 2019 Sylvanus Thayer Award. The award will be presented on October 10, 2019 during ceremonies hosted by LTG Darryl A. Williams, Class of 1983, 60th Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.

“I thank the West Point Association of Graduates for this high honor,” said GEN Dunwoody. “With four generations of West Point graduates in my family; my brother, my Dad, my Grandfather and my great Grandfather, I am especially proud that I will have the privilege of trooping the line, and the opportunity to salute the men and women of the Corps of Cadets who will lead and inspire our future Army.”  Full Story.

The following classes have added updates this week to their Class Notes pages. 1959 | 1968 | 1979 | 1981 | 1982 | 2003. Class Notes

Pat Penland has been named the Senior Director of Business Development at Meta Special Aerospace (MSA), a global C3ISR provider of customized aircraft modifications for commercial and government applications.

Penland joins MSA with 40 years of combined experience as a military intelligence officer, systems and project engineer and program manager within the C3ISR market. In his role with MSA, Penland will represent the company to senior military decision makers and customers as well as industry clients and partners in the United States and overseas. Besides serving as a principal customer interface, he will identify growth initiatives, assist in developing and implementing capture strategies, and recognize and execute teaming and sub-contracting opportunities.

Prior to joining industry, Penland served 11 years as a United States Army military intelligence officer. During his military career he was assigned as a tactical intelligence officer with the 4th Infantry Division, chief of intelligence collection and analysis with V Corps and a cryptologic intern with the National Security Agency. Penland then transitioned into 28 years of industry experience with E-Systems, Raytheon and L3 Technologies, starting as a system engineer and culminating as a Vice President of program management. Throughout his career, his focus has been the integration of advanced C3ISR sensors, processors, and communications into special mission aircraft and associated ground stations. Read more.

Susan Gonzales is working every single day to change the world for American veterans. Susan is the founder of SilentProfessionals.org, a career services platform focused on U.S. military combat veterans seeking job placement and career growth in the private security sector. The website is innovating how veterans are employed and how their military skills translate to society. In just one year, silentprofessionals.org placed over 2,000 combat veterans in jobs all around the world, including corporate security and executive protection roles.

Gonzales said she was inspired by the many vets in her life who struggled to "translate their skills" in today's society. Instead, she found a place where those skills are needed and appreciated. "You can't translate everything because not all skills translate. Sometimes, you have to build a bridge. There is so little knowledge about the military and how to help veterans, I wanted to change our understanding of these skills and their experiences while also helping them find work and launch new careers.”

One thing most people don't know about Johnson & Johnson is that its CEO is a military veteran. Alex Gorsky is a graduate of the West Point military academy. He went on to serve in the army for six years rising to the rank of captain. Gorsky, who began his career in sales at the health products giant, rose up the ranks of J&J to become CEO in 2012. He credits his business success to those years of military training, adding that it had a "profound effect" on the way he leads.

"In the military you're frequently given really challenging missions. And I think what's really important is to look at things realistically," Gorsky says. "You access them, but then frankly, it's up to you to motivate the team, to figure out a solution, to keep going ahead."

Gorsky adds that he developed a "huge appreciation for diversity" while serving in the army and years later it would have an impact on his business leadership style. "When I entered the Academy, so many of the soldiers that I worked with didn't look like me. They came from very different backgrounds," he explains. "When you're making a decision, when you're bringing people together, having different points of view, having different perspectives, is very very important." Read more.

If you love golf, you won’t want to miss this event. Reconnect with alumni, former classmates, and your alma mater at the 2019 Alumni Golf Outing. The event will be held at West Point from June 6-8 and the schedule includes two rounds of golf, all meals, a boat cruise, and some great prizes! All graduates and guests are invited. Register now!

Ray Palumbo is a respected national security leader, team-builder and problem solver who has dedicated his public life to improving the safety and security of the United States and our allies.  Today he supports a broad range of public, private and philanthropic organizations as the co-founder and senior partner of Venturi Solutions LLC, a consultancy that delivers winning solutions in the aerospace, defense and intelligence industries.

A master aviator and parachutist, Ray led conventional and special operations forces during peacetime and in combat. He completed his 34-year military career as the Director for Defense for Intelligence where he simultaneously led the Pentagon's Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Task Force, two central Defense Department positions that delivered policy, budgets, programs, and critical intelligence collection and analysis systems to war-fighters around the globe. He is currently a board director of CAE-Mission Solutions Inc., Systematic Inc., W.S. Darley & Co., and Actifio Federal, Inc. He also advises a range of leading defense companies whose products and services contribute to US national security and the welfare of men and women in uniform.

Ray's philanthropic passion is committed to improving the well-being of our nation's military veterans, first responders, and their families. As such, he serves as director on the boards of Quality of Life-Plus and the Boulder Crest Foundation, non-profit organizations that deal with seen and unseen wounds, respectively. Read more.

The following classes have added updates this week to their Class Notes pages. 1958 | 1959 | 1963 | 1964 | 1968 | 1971 | 1973 | 1977 | 1982 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1995. Class Notes

On April 10-11, approximately 140 graduates returned to West Point for a networking dinner followed by a full day of panels, pitches, and practical tips at the second West Point Association of Graduates Entrepreneur Summit. According to Guy Filippelli ’97, 2019 WPAOG Entrepreneur Summit Chair, the attendees of the summit were a mix of aspiring entrepreneurs, experienced CEOs, investors, and service providers, but they all came to be inspired in their business ventures and to form new avenues for partnership and collaboration with other members of the Long Gray Line. [SEE PHOTOS]

The idea for an Entrepreneur Summit began with Doug Doan ’79 and some other members of his class. “We saw a group of young entrepreneurs made up of service academy graduates, the quality of whom was greater than any of us, but they were not being valued by the investment community,” said Doan. “We agreed that we will exclusively invest in their young companies, but, more than money, we also agreed to mentor them, knowing that the leadership training they received at West Point and the skills they gained in the military made them better equipped and better prepared to run and grow a company than anybody else on the planet.” The idea of providing money and mentorship to young grad entrepreneurs led to the first WPAOG Entrepreneur Summit in October 2017. Read more.

The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly to confirm General(R) John Abizaid as the U.S. ambassador to Saudi Arabia, filling a vital position vacant since President Donald Trump took office more than two years ago. The Senate voted 92 to seven for the 68-year-old retired four-star Army general, who led U.S. Central Command during the Iraq war. Trump nominated Abizaid for the position in November 2018. Read more.

At the turn of the 20th century, the Association of Graduates of the United States Military Academy had been in existence for more than three decades. It began on May 22, 1869, when 15 graduates, acting upon an idea from Robert Anderson, Class of 1825, met in the office of Dr. Horace Webster, Class of 1818, and adopted articles and bylaws for the new organization. Article II of the Association’s Constitution stated: “The object of this Association shall be to cherish the memories of the Military Academy at West Point, and to promote the social intercourse and fraternal fellowship of its graduates.”

Read more in West Point Magazine

James Adamouski was the first West Point graduate killed in the War in Iraq in 2003. With the assistance of his West Point Class of 1995 classmates (Eric Pavlick, Paul Maggiano, Jim Kotwis, Craig Wilhelm, Chris Dodd, and Jeff Raines have been instrumental), the Loudoun County school board in Leesburg, VA voted unanimously for his name to be placed on the JROTC building at the Loudoun HS in Leesburg. This has been a one-year commitment from his classmates to achieve this on the 16th Anniversary of his passing.

Dan Streetman has been appointed the new Chief Executive Officer at TIBCO Software Inc., a global leader in integration, API management, and analytics.

Streetman brings extensive strategy and technology experience, having championed digital transformations and growth initiatives in several leading companies. Leading global field operations at BMC Software, Streetman positioned BMC as a leader in multi-cloud management and drove a relentless focus on customer success. He previously held senior transformative roles at leading software companies such as Salesforce, C3, Amdocs, and Siebel Systems. Streetman also served in both active and reserve military assignments as an Airborne Ranger-qualified infantry officer in the U.S. Army; he deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and earned a Bronze Star and the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award, among other decorations.

"In this transformative time for every industry in the global economy, customers are leveraging exponentially more data to power their digital enterprise. TIBCO's cloud-native platform helps customers interconnect everything and convert that data into real-time, actionable insights," said Streetman. "I'm excited to lead this iconic and innovative company into a new phase of accelerated growth." Read more.

Aside from serving as superintendent, GEN George Cullum (1833) was instrumental in the development of a system to track all grads, extremely generous to his alma mater and an important part of WPAOG history.  Let us all honor Cullum’s contributions to the Academy by including him in our travels and events in 2019. A hard copy of Flat Cullum can be found on page 13 in the spring edition of the West Point magazine or download it here.  Share your stories and photos on social media using #flatcullum and #wpaog150.  If social media is not your method of communication, emailing us your photo for inclusion in our online photo album.   
Gen Cullum began recording the biographies of every graduate in 1850.  Each grad has a Cullum number and a way to reach back across the years thanks to Cullum.  His legacy continues today.  Read More about GEN Cullum.

Tony McDonald has been named Chief Executive Officer and President of Surna Inc., a designer, engineer and manufacturer of environmental control and air sanitation systems for commercial, state- and provincial- regulated indoor cannabis cultivation facilities.

Mr. McDonald was a former consultant with KPMG and has eight years' private equity and M&A experience, he most recently spent ten years building a manufacturer and marketer of innovative, energy-efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems for commercial, government and military uses. He is the author of Cleantech Sell, a guide to new product launches in cleantech, energy efficiency, and resource efficiency.

"We are equally fortunate to be able to pass the leadership baton to someone of Tony's caliber and experience. Tony, who resides in the Boulder area, has a mandate to strategically position Surna as a leading engineering and technology solutions provider in the fast-growing and rapidly evolving cannabis industry. With a solid operational foundation now in place, we will look to Tony to develop and articulate the Company's blueprint for the future," stated Timothy J. Keating, the Company’s Chairman of the Board.

Actor Mark Wahlberg showed his support for Soldiers and Airmen during his visit to Army & Air Force Exchange Service headquarters in Dallas on April 3. Wahlberg met with Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull '73, Senior Enlisted Advisor Chief Master Sgt. Luis Reyes and service members assigned to the Exchange, including Military Community Outreach Liaison COL Collin Fortier '90 (behind Wahlberg, at left), Deputy Logistics Director COL Doug Vallejo '91 (back row, fourth from right), Command Engineer COL Juan Saldivar '92 (third from right) and Environmental & Safety Division Chief MAJ Tom Piazze '01 (third from left).

The Exchange and Wahlberg are partnering to improve the quality of life for Soldiers and Airmen around the world. Performance Inspired, a line of sports nutrition products founded by Wahlberg, can be found in Exchange stores and at ShopMyExchange.com. And, through an agreement with the Exchange, Wahlburgers—the fast-casual restaurant founded by executive chef Paul Wahlberg and brothers Mark and Donnie Wahlberg—is planning to open at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in the spring of 2020. Other locations for Wahlburgers are being explored.

Wahlberg supported Army West Point Athletics as a guest of the Exchange during the 119th Army-Navy Game.

Thanks to the technology of Grad Link, Marc Gunnels '77 had the most enjoyable "chance reunion" with his plebe/yearling Chinese Professor last month. While he was with the Supt in Indianapolis for Founders Day, he did a random search of grads living in the area looking for familiar names. After tapping 15-20 "Tarbucket" icons, he stumbled on to the name of COL(R) Joe Jaworowski ‘63. He hadn’t spoken to Joe in 44 years and often wondered what became of him.

Joe was an extremely well-liked and respected officer who went out of his way to help his cadets understand the complexities of Mandarin Chinese. Marc was particularly in his debt for tutoring him during the many weeks he spent in the hospital plebe year recovering from a serious football injury.

When he called Joe, he seemed thrilled to hear from a former student and suggested they meet at a local pub. They had a terrific time getting reacquainted and recalling old memories. It also gave Marc the chance to thank Joe in person for making a difference in his life. They are already planning their next get together.

The Long Gray Line is definitely made stronger with Grad Link!

David Blain has published the book: In Invest in Your Life, Not Just Your Portfolio: A Guide to Achieving Financial Independence. David Blain―founder and CEO of BlueSky Wealth Advisors―shares the revolutionary approach he now employs as a fee-only fiduciary advisor―an approach he developed to combat the out-of-control fees, conflicts of interest, and generally poor advice that plagues successful individuals and families across the country. You will be able to find a financial advisor who has your best interest at heart and can help you and your family plan for a lasting and fulfilling lifestyle.

If you see money as a vehicle to reach your goal (as opposed to the goal itself), aren't looking to "beat the market," and are ready to listen to a trusted professional, then this book is just for you. It's time to invest in more than just your portfolio. Available April 16, 2019 at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

The following classes have added updates this week to their Class Notes pages. 1953 | 1959 | 1960 | 1977 | 1979 | 1981 | 1983 | 1987 | 1990 | 1991 | 1994 | 1996 | 2008 | 2009 | 2011. Class Notes

Congratulations to CPT Richard Stucky '11, CPT James Whitler '11 and CPT Frederick Wolf '11 who have been named 2020 Olmsted Scholars. The Olmsted Scholar Program, named after George H. Olmsted, awards scholarships to highly qualified, active duty junior officers in the United States military to pursue language studies and overseas graduate-level education. Created in concert with the Department of Defense, the Scholar Program provides one year of foreign language training followed by two years of study at a foreign graduate school.

The Scholar Program was established with an initial grant from George and Carol Olmsted in 1957. In his original Statement of Donor, Olmsted noted, "Fundamental to the initial purpose of creating the scholarship program is the conviction that the greatest leaders must be educated broadly." Since its inception, the Olmsted Scholar Program has provided grants for over 600 officers, many of whom have gone on to the highest levels of leadership and responsibility in the military, government and private sector.

After 31 years in uniform, BG(R) Christopher Petty '87, recently started BattleDigest.com. By producing condensed summaries of famous battles - including lessons on strategy, tactics, and leadership - he hopes to help the Army build a new generation of historically-informed leaders.

"Our young officers and NCO's aren't reading the 300- page books anymore, we have to adapt. We can't afford to lose the all-important military history perspective in our future leaders." Petty said.

Through easy-to-read tri-fold brochures, and digital downloads, Chris hopes to enable young military officers and NCOs to more easily continue their professional development outside of the classroom.

Chris's last job in the military was the Deputy Director of Operations (Deputy J-3) for USNORTHCOM (United States Northern Command). He and his wife are settled in Denver. Their four boys (one West Point class of 2014, and one from the USCGA Class of 2013) are all married, and they have four grandchildren.

Tyson Lee, the current President and CEO of Veteran Industries, was elected as the new USA Boxing President of the Board of Directors and will begin his service immediately until December 31, 2020.

"Being elected as the President of the Board of Directors for USA Boxing is one of the greatest honors I've ever received," stated Lee. "I'm excited to have the privilege to work with such a talented Board of Directors and staff in support of our mission to grow amateur boxing throughout the country, ultimately in pursuit of Olympic gold."

Tyson made the Regimental All Star Boxing Team for three years here at West Point. As a captain in the Army, he also won three state amateur titles while stationed in Hawaii. His professional military background includes completing U.S. Army schools such as Airborne, Jumpmaster, and Ranger, also serving as a Company Commander in the 25th Infantry Division (Light). He now resides in Spanish Fort, Alabama. Read more.

The Honorable Matthew S. Collier has pledged to donate his brain to the Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF) as part of Project Enlist, CLF’s program to accelerate research on the effects of brain trauma in the military community.

Collier is the former Senior Advisor to the Secretary at the US Department of Veterans Affairs and served six years as a US Army Airborne Ranger Infantry Officer. Collier was elected in 1987 as the youngest big city "strong" mayor in the United States (Flint, MI). Following his time as mayor, he spent more than 20 years in the private sector. He currently serves on the CLF Board of Directors. Read his full bio.

"It is critically important that we learn what is unique about the brain trauma that many Veterans are exposed to during military service," said Collier. "Through Project Enlist, we will mobilize the military community to support this research, and I hope it accelerates efforts to improve the long-term health and well-being of not only our Veterans, but of Americans in general. I hope every Veteran considers taking the pledge."

CLF is the outreach and recruiting collaborator of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-Boston University-Concussion Legacy Foundation (VA-BU-CLF) Brain Bank. Led by Dr. Ann McKee, brain bank researchers are making breakthroughs in our understanding of the long-term effects of brain trauma and brain injury, including TBI, CTE, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease and how they relate to PTSD.

Stony Lonesome Group (SLG), founded by Sean Drake '90 in 2011, a boutique venture capital firm and early pioneer in the Military Veteran entrepreneurship space, announced the addition of the Honorable Patrick J Murphy as a General Partner of Stony Lonesome Capital II and Stony Lonesome Capital III venture capital funds.

SLG team members from the long gray line to include MG (R) Spider Marks '75 as an Advisor and COL (R) Joseph Schafer, PhD '86 as Director of Research. SLG has invested in over 12 startups that include USMA graduates as Founders or key members of the Management Team.

Mr. Murphy is an Army Veteran, serving with distinction as a paratrooper in Iraq as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division. Captain Murphy was also a professor of Constitutional Law at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Following his time in service, Patrick was the first Iraq War Veteran elected to Congress representing the 1st district of Pennsylvania for four years. In 2016, the Honorable Mr. Murphy became Undersecretary of the Army and later the Acting Secretary of the Army. In addition to his service to our country, Patrick is an experienced tech and media entrepreneur. Mr. Murphy is currently serving as the Distinguished Chair of Innovation at West Point.

Donald W. Washington was appointed by President Donald Trump and confirmed by the United States Senate as the Director of the United States Marshals Service, the country's oldest federal law enforcement agency. Mr. Washington was sworn in on Friday, March 29, in Shreveport, Louisiana at the federal courthouse with Judge Carl Stewart administering the oath and Judge Maury Hicks presiding.

"Don has been an exceptional asset to our firm and we are proud of him for being selected for this important role to lead the U.S. Marshals," said Bill Hines, Managing Partner of the firm. "He will be missed by his colleagues at Jones Walker."

Mr. Washington was employed by Conoco, Inc. and held engineering, business, and law positions, including serving as chief counsel for the company's Gulf of Mexico Division. In 2018, he was appointed Temporary Marshal for the City of Lafayette during the absence of the current elected Marshal. Like other Jones Walker attorneys, he has been a strong supporter of his community and state by serving on various boards and commissions, currently including the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, Community Foundation of Acadiana, University of Louisiana-Lafayette Foundation, Pines to the Gulf Girl Scout Council, and Home Bank. Read more.

Joseph Goetz has joined Dewberry as a Senior Project Manager in disaster recovery at their Fairfax, Virginia.

Goetz brings more than 35 years of experience managing disaster assistance and emergency response projects, as well as directing a broad range of critical infrastructure projects totaling more than $1 billion. Goetz also has extensive experience leading large programs and multiple task order contracts with a focus on temporary housing, disaster recovery, and individual assistance. Prior to joining the firm, Goetz worked in numerous roles with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

"I'm looking forward to using my project management experience and leadership ability to serve our clients with responsive, effective engineering services that exceed expectations," said Goetz.