Grad News Archive 2014 Gano ’96 Named Des Moines New Public Works Director 12/31/2014 The city of Des Moines Wednesday named Jonathan Gano, from Springfield, Mo., as its next public works director. Gano will replace Pat Kozitza, who retires today after 38 years with the city. Gano, 39, spent 10 years with Springfield's public works department and currently serves as interim co-director of the department. He has also supported the area art community as vice president of the board of directors for the Springfield Regional Arts Council. Story

Ryan ’96, Service Brewery Named Savannah’s Best New Business 12/30/2014 “We are a veteran-owned and veteran-operated brewery,” he said, noting that master brewer Dan Sartin ’78 who played defensive end for the Army football team and assistant brewer Jeff Hyatt recently retired from the Army, where he was a pilot for the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment “Night Stalkers” at Hunter Army Airfield. “So our name reflects our service and the service of all those who came before us and will come after, but, even though Dan, Jeff and I are all former Army and 92 percent of our investors are former military, we don’t want the term service to be exclusive to the military. Many people choose to serve their country and community in different ways. We have priests, nurses, school teachers, police and firefighters up there along with military,” he said. While Ryan says he has been a craft beer fan since he was old enough to drink, he didn’t start thinking about brewing until three years ago when girlfriend Meredith Sutton — a graduate of Savannah College of Art and Design and, as Service Brewing’s creative marketing director, the only non-military member of the team — gave him a home brewing kit for Valentine’s Day. Full Story »

Kazmierski ’76 Leading Economic Growth 12/30/2014 Kazmierski said EDAWN has focused on attracting quality jobs to the region over the past few years, attracting more than 50 new companies to the region that has helped cut the unemployment rate from over 14 percent to nearly 6 percent. He said the national media attention the region received this past fall, that culminated with landing the Tesla battery gigafactory to be built starting in 2015 with 6,500 jobs by 2020, has helped tremendously with the ongoing message of the region's quality of life as well as its outdoor recreation and major special events. Story

Smith ’91 Confirmed as Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy 12/30/2014 WASHINGTON – Christopher A. Smith was confirmed by the Senate on Tuesday, December 16th, 2014, as the Department of Energy’s Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy. As Assistant Secretary for Fossil Energy, Smith is responsible for the Office of Fossil Energy’s Research and Development program, encompassing coal, oil and natural gas, along with the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Prior to his Senate confirmation, Smith served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oil and Natural Gas. During that tenure he also served as the Designated Federal Official for the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling that was established by President Obama to investigate the root causes of the gulf oil spill. Read More

Van Trees ’52 Wins IEEE Gold Medal 12/30/2014 Dr. Harry L. Van Trees, Class of 1952, is the recipient of the 2015 IEEE Jack S. Kilby Signal Processing Gold Medal, which is given for outstanding achievements and for recognized major technological advancement in the field of signal processing. He is the first West Point graduate to win an IEEE Gold Medal. IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) is the world's largest professional association, with over 400,000 members worldwide. Its core purpose is to foster technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity. Its roots go back to 1884, when the American

Institute of Electrical Engineers was formed by such pioneers as Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell. The Jack S. Kilby Signal Processing Award memorializes Doctor Kilby, who won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2000 for the invention of the transistor. The medal's citation honoring Dr. Van Trees reads: “For fundamental contributions to detection, estimation, and modulation theory; sensor array processing: and Bayesian bounds.” In each of these areas, Dr. Van Trees has written the classic books. Dr. and Mrs. Van Trees have endowed the enrichment program in the EECS department and his books are displayed in the department.

Bojarski ’04 Promoted to Mgr of Business Development 12/19/2014 Syracuse, NY – SRC, Inc. has promoted Adam Bojarski to manager of business development for product accounts. In his new role, Bojarski will provide the leadership, execution and vision for the business expansion of SRC’s radar and electronic warfare product areas. “Adam has great versatility due to his varied background,” stated Paul G. Tremont, president of SRC. “His knowledge of our products and capabilities, and his prior service with the U.S. Army, are assets as we continue to find ways to help solve problems of national significance for our customers. Read More

Penczer ’58 Awarded Fairfielder of the Year 12/18/2014 Penczer the chairman of the town's Economic Development Commission, should be "marked a town treasure," said former town official Sherri Steeneck, one of two people to submit Penczer's name for consideration. Steeneck said Penczer is generous with his time, talent and money. He is a member of the Rotary Club, a board member of the International Institute of Connecticut, and serves on the boards of Science Park in New Haven, the Fairfield Museum and History Center, and the Klein Memorial in Bridgeport. Penczer also was instrumental in the establishing the Fairfield Theatre Co. David Gorbach, who also nominated Penczer, said that as a real estate agent, he often has had clients for buildings Penczer owns, but finds out the space isn't available because Penczer is letting a non-profit use the space. "Peter is a gentleman," Gorbach said. In his remarks to the gathering, Penczer emotionally recalled advice he got from his father: "The town has been good to you; you have to be good to the town." Story

Cruden ’68 Appointed to ENRD Assistant Attorney General 12/18/2014 “I am delighted to welcome John Cruden back to the Department of Justice as Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division. “John has already devoted more than two decades of his life and service to the department – enforcing our nation’s environmental laws; protecting our air, water, land, and wildlife; defending federal-agencies; and honoring U.S. treaty rights and obligations to Native Americans. From Exxon Valdez to Love Canal to the Deep Water Horizon oil spill, John Cruden has consistently demonstrated the tenacity, the leadership, and the strength of character that represents the very best that this Department of Justice has to offer. He is uniquely qualified to lead this division’s efforts to meet the challenges posed by climate change, illegal wildlife trafficking, pollution, and natural resource management, among many other pressing issues. Story

Ray ’70 to Merrimack Pharmaceuticals Board of Directors 12/17/2014 Merrimack Pharmaceuticals, Inc. announced the election of Russell T. Ray to its Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2015. Ray is a leading investment banker and venture capital investor in the life sciences sector, and has served as a director and advisor for many prominent companies in the healthcare sector during his 30 years of experience. Ray began his career in investment banking as a member of the High Tech Emerging Growth Group at Merrill Lynch. After his time at Merrill Lynch, Ray spent twelve years at Deutsche Bank and its predecessor entities, BT Alex. Brown and Alex. Brown & Sons, as a Managing Director and Global Head of Healthcare Investment Banking. Ray then joined Credit Suisse First Boston and served as a Managing Director and Global Co-Head of Healthcare Investment Banking where he focused on providing strategic and financial advice to life sciences, healthcare services and medical device companies. During his investment banking career, Ray successfully completed over 175 merger and financing transactions for leading healthcare companies in the United States, Europe and Israel. Currently, Ray serves as a Senior Advisor to HLM Venture Partners, a healthcare venture capital firm focused on investing in healthcare information technology, healthcare services and medical technology companies. Ray also serves as a Director of Allergan, Inc. and SWP Media, Inc. Read More

Buning ’82 New Lenexa Home-Care COO 12/16/2014 Dan Buning is a highly skilled and versatile executive and manager who has served in many roles that are relevant and useful as AxelaCare manages its future growth," AxelaCare CEO Ted Kramm said in a statement. "Dan has strong abilities and experience in process design, quality management, data analytics and transactional process improvement. We know Dan has been a strong leader throughout his business and military careers who can help growing service-oriented businesses optimize the efficiency and productivity o their overall operations." Story

Worden ’55 From Michigan to the Moon 12/16/2014 Al Worden spent three days alone orbiting our lifeless neighbor while his two crewmates explored an area of Mare Imbrium (the Sea of Rains), 28 degrees north of the lunar equator, on the surface below. The name of the Apollo cmmand module he piloted during that time was of course Endeavour, in honor of their aforementioned fellow explorer who had sailed very different seas in a time long before Saturn V rockets and lunar modules. Growing up in 1930s America, Worden could never have imagined the paths he would take, and the places he would see, in his own lifetime. “There wasn’t such a thing as an astronaut when I was a kid. There were television shows that had ‘spacey’ type themes like ‘Buck Rogers,’ but that was it,” he recalled. Worden earned a scholarship to Princeton University, but a scholastic records check found he hadn’t studied Latin and so that opportunity was taken away from him. On the return trip to Earth, Worden himself completed an historic first spacewalk in deep space. During his 38 minutes outside Endeavour, he retrieved film cassettes from the SIM bay and observed the general condition of equipment situated there. As the first person to view the Earth and the Moon from deep space outside a spacecraft, it was a personal mission highlight for Worden. “I’d watched the Earthrise 75 times before that so that was an old thing by then, but to see the Earth and the Moon at the same time like that was kind of unique.” Full Story »

Bachmann ’98 Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel 12/15/2014 In a ceremony conducted on November 14th, 2014, in Kaiserslautern, Germany, Chris Bachmann was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) in the United States Army. This promotion took on added significance because it was the lowest Army promotion rate to LTC in the past 17 years. Chris shared the event with his wife Carrie, children Madison (10) and Christian (8), parents Chris and Carolyn Bachmann, friends, and colleagues. Full Story »

Melson ’03 to Receive Ambassador of Peace Award 12/15/2014 New York, NY – Junior middleweight boxer and charitable figure Captain Boyd “Rainmaker” Melson will receive the Ambassador of Peace Award from the World Boxing Council (WBC) during their annual convention today in Las Vegas, Nevada. Since turning pro in 2010, Melson’s garnered international attention for donating 100% of his fight purses and raising awareness about bringing trials to the United States to help cure Spinal Cord Injuries. Along with best friend Christan Zaccagnino, Melson founded Team Fight to Walk and recruited many notable boxers to join the fight to cure paralysis. During the last two years, Team Fight to Walk hosted charity galas titled “Fighting for the Cure” to help raise additional funds for the pending trials. Story

Naru ’79 Named Head of U.S. Media Relations, Managing Director 12/12/2014 Burson-Marsteller, a leading global public relations and communications firm, announced that Stephen Naru has joined the company as Head of U.S. Media Relations and Managing Director, U.S. Corporate and Financial Practice. Naru will work with a team of media specialists to provide media relations strategy and execution to clients. He also will be responsible for ensuring the application of best practice in media relations for the firm across the U.S. Naru has spent more than 25 years creating and implementing media relations programs for leading brands, and has developed deep relationships with reporters and executives at many of the world's leading news outlets. Naru joins Burson-Marsteller from FleishmanHillard, where he served as Global Media Relations Practice Leader, providing leadership and direction for the firm's global media council. He was also responsible for intellectual property and product development for the practice. Full Story »

Parent Newsletter, December 2014 12/12/2014 Click the Here to read the Parent Newsletter.

Daniel Ragsdale '81 Winner of 2014 ESPN Fan Hall 12/12/2014 of Fame Thank you for your help voting Daniel Ragsdale "The Crazy Colonel" into the ESPN Fan Hall of Fame for 2014. http://fanhalloffame.com/hall-of-fame/

Mauldin ’14, 1 of 8 Incredible Women Who Will Inspire You 12/11/2014 Mauldin was the first American woman to complete the hellish French Commando School, so when this West Point valedictorian completes her Rhodes Scholarship at Oxford, she wants to enter the infantry, which is still closed to women. "I can make a difference." "The fantasy books I read as a kid, with girl warriors, were influential — I never think of being a woman as a limitation." Story

First Call December 10th 12/11/2014 Click the photo below to read the full First Call Newsletter. Click » Here « to read past First Call Newsletters.

Janovic ’93 Assumes Command of the 504th 12/11/2014 The last time COL Ryan Janovic was assigned a command at Fort Hood, he spent three days on post. He took command on Cooper Field, then moved his battalion to Fort Knox, Ky. “I’m glad to stay longer,” he said with a smile Friday after assuming command of 504th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade in a ceremony on Sadowski Field. He is a military intelligence officer and joins Fort Hood from the National War College at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C., where he completed graduate studies. The former Fort Hood unit he took to Fort Knox was the Special Troops Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. Full Story » Hina ’04 Graduates Command and General Staff Officers Course 12/11/2014 FORT MEADE, MD – Army MAJ Jacob S. Hina has graduated from the Command and General Staff Officers Course at the Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Leavenworth, Kan. The college is the Army's senior tactical school. The 10-month course educates and trains intermediate level Army officers, officers from other U.S. armed services, international officers, and civilian leaders from other federal agencies to operate in full spectrum Army, joint, interagency, and multinational environments as field grade commanders and staff officers. Read More

Newman ’98 Named Chief Counsel for TX Sen Cruz 12/11/2014 Newman clerked for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, Chief Judge J.L. Edmondson of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and Judge Richard J. Leon of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Newman comes to Sen. Cruz’s office from the law firm Jones Day, where he focused on legal analysis, strategy, and briefing in complex civil litigation and appeals. Read More

Sweatt ’05 Promoted to Toffler Corporate Development Director 12/9/2014 As Corporate Development Director, Tyler will focus on the business end of things, optimizing the firm's growth by expanding relationships with new and existing clients, exploring strategic partnerships, and increasing capability to take on new business. "We have worked to establish a strong foundation for growth over the past few years", he notes, "and I look forward to helping us build on our success and expand into new markets and industries in the coming years." Read More

Houston ’87, Silliman ’66 & Winton ’78 Jersey's to be Retired 12/8/2014 Army Hall-of-Famers Kevin Houston (USMA '87), Mike Silliman (USMA '66) and Gary Winton (USMA '78) will be honored in a jersey retirement ceremony at halftime of the men's basketball game against Loyola on Jan. 31, the team announced Monday. Houston, Silliman and Winton will become the first men's basketball players to have their jerseys retired and raised to the rafters inside Christl Arena. The ceremony will conclude a two-day celebration that will feature a cocktail reception and dinner for family members of the honorees on Friday, Jan. 30 and a brunch on Saturday, Jan. 31 prior to the team's 3 p.m. game. Saturday's brunch will be open to the public. Read More

Smith ’84, Del Giorno ’86 & Macfarlane ’04 Jersey's to be Retired 12/8/2014 Army Hall of Famers Melody Smith (USMA '84), Julie Del Giorno (USMA '86) and Katie Macfarlane (USMA '04) will be honored in a jersey retirement ceremony at halftime of the women's basketball game against American on Jan. 24, the team announced Monday. Del Giorno, Macfarlane and Smith will become the first women's basketball players to have their jerseys retired and raised to the rafters inside Christl Arena. The ceremony will conclude a two-day celebration that will feature a cocktail reception and dinner for family members of the honorees on Friday, Jan. 23 and a brunch on Saturday, Jan. 24 prior to the women's basketball team's 3 p.m. game. Saturday's brunch will be open to the public. Read More

Odierno ’76 Receives Andrew J. Goodpaster Award 12/8/2014 Odierno made it clear who he thought deserved the award.

"This award is not about me. It's about the more than one million Soldiers who earn this award. It's their dedication," he said. Odierno also had words of praise for Soldiers who led the way, setting examples for today's Soldiers to follow: men like Marshall and Goodpaster who "represented what's best about our country; selfless leaders who put their country before themselves." Full Story »

West Point Cemetery 12/5/2014 Because the West Point Cemetery is near capacity for new gravesites, the Superintendent has ordered a temporary restriction to the interment criteria found in Army Regulation 210-26.This restriction will only apply to new in-ground burials. This letter from LTG Caslen addresses the situation.

Hopkins ’88 Named 2014 CUP Catalyst Change Agent 12/4/2014 NEW YORK, NY (December 4, 2014) - Perkins Coie is pleased to announce that Dennis Hopkins, a partner in the firm’s New York office, has been named a 2014 CUP Catalyst Change Agent | Law by the Council of Urban Professionals (CUP) at CUP’s 5th Annual Lawyers Forum held in New York City on October 30, 2014. The CUP list highlights and celebrates accomplished leaders across the legal sector who have achieved extraordinary success in business while simultaneously making a significant impact on their community. It comprises 10 professionals, between the ages of 35-50, who serve at senior levels of organizations, and who have been nominated by their colleagues and peers. This is the second year CUP has presented this honor. Read More

First Call December 3rd 12/4/2014 Click the photo below to read the full First Call Newsletter. Click » Here « to read past First Call Newsletters.

Middle School Re-Dedicated in Honor of Galvin ’54 12/4/2014 In recognition of the great success and important contributions of their native son to the causes of freedom and justice, the townspeople of Wakefield chose Galvin Middle School as the name for a splendid new facility. On 15 November 2014 a re-dedication (since the school had for a time made its home and been dedicated in an older building) ceremony and open house were held.

Death of Oldest Graduate 12/4/2014 We sadly announce the death of West Point’s Oldest Living Graduate. BG Robert Tripp ’33 (USA, RET) passed away on December 2, 2014 at the age of 103. The Oldest Living Graduate is now LTG William J. Ely ’33 (USA, RET).

LTG(R) Lynch ’77 Special Advisor for Military Robotics Programs 12/3/2014 Kairos Autonomi, Inc., a worldwide leader in robotic appliqué kits and developer of the Pronto4 Robotic Appliqué Kit, announced today that Lt. Gen. (Ret.) Rick Lynch will work with the company as a special advisor for military robotics programs, leadership and strategic planning. “Lt. Gen. Lynch will provide unparalleled insight and guidance to Kairos Autonomi’s robotics programs,” said George “Troy” Takach, president and CEO of Kairos Autonomi. “With his extensive command leadership experience, as well as a strong background in military robotics, Lt. Gen. Lynch has a compelling vision for how the military can fully implement robotic appliqué kits.” Full Story

Wiers ’92 International Trucks 50 Years Strong 12/3/2014 Fifty years ago in 1964 a small trucking company, started 7 years earlier by Wayne and Heddy Wiers, was approached about becoming an International Harvester dealership. They saw a great opportunity, sold the trucking company and took the risky entrepreneurial dive into a new side of the trucking business. "As a young married couple, my parents didn't have a lot of capital so the early years were a struggle," said Tom Wiers. "My dad knew trucks through his experience in the trucking industry. However, the truck dealership had other elements like truck sales and parts that were new to him." Wayne and Heddy eventually hired two mechanics and had a very nice small business in Plymouth, Indiana. In 1992, the Wiers were looking at buying a large parcel of land to substantially expand the truck repair and maintenance side of the business. Their son, Tom, had just graduated from The United States Military Academy at West Point and was touring out West on motorcycles with fellow classmates when he got the call. His father had suddenly passed away and his mother was thinking of selling the business. Tom convinced his mother to go ahead with the expansion and to give him a shot at running the business - the second entrepreneurial dive. In 1994, with a strong new start, the company changed its' name from Wiers Truck Service and Equipment to Wiers International® Trucks. Full Story

2015 Register of Graduates 12/2/2014 To ensure that your address and email are included in the directory section of the next Register of Graduates (print version only), mail us your signed consent form. You can find a selfaddressed form in the latest edition of West Point magazine. OR you can print and fill in this form. EMAIL to [email protected], FAX to 845.446.1695 or MAIL to ATTN: ROG, 698 Mills Road, West Point, NY 10996. We require your signature with the Yes box checked in order to include your complete mailing address and email. If you only want your career history listed check no on the form. If we do

not receive a form we will only include your most recent career history and there will be no address or email listed for you in the directory section. We will begin taking orders in early spring of 2015.

GEN Odierno ’76 to Receive the Goodpaster Award 12/1/2014 GEN Raymond T. Odierno will receive the Goodpaster Award at a luncheon in Washington on December 5 at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. Gen. Odierno is the 38th U.S. Army chief of staff. He will be honored for his distinguished career in the U.S. Army. The Andrew J. Goodpaster Award of the George C. Marshall Foundation honors the life and service of General Andrew J. Goodpaster, a longtime trustee and chairman of the Foundation, a champion of the Marshall legacy, an American hero and an extraordinary public servant. The Goodpaster Award is presented to Americans in a variety of fields who have exhibited great courage, selfless service, patriotism and leadership in their lives and careers. Full Story »

Shull ’73 Modernizing the PX 12/1/2014 In the past five years, the store has seen a steady decline in sales as troop levels have fallen, and it estimates that profits could tumble by two-thirds by 2017, to $100 million. Now, as the U.S. winds down combat operations in Afghanistan, the Exchange is trying to reinvent itself for customers based at home. In 2012 it hired Tom Shull, its first civilian chief executive officer, a West Point graduate who led the luxury department store Barneys out of bankruptcy in 1999. He went on to run catalog company Hanover Direct and potato-chip maker Wise Foods before serving as the court-appointed chief restructuring officer for Fred Leighton, the upscale jeweler, during its 2009 bankruptcy proceedings. Read More

Cave ’08 Marches Military Path Through Golf 12/1/2014 If the college golfers of today think they have it tough trying to balance classes and tournaments, or they fret about how taxing life might be in their post-graduate careers, they need to consider the path taken by Joe Cave. Cave was one of the better junior golfers in San Diego when he graduated from St. Augustine High in 2004. He chose to continue his golf and schooling at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point,

N.Y., and that automatically limited his course time amid the 18-hour days of classes and training. Cave, 29, recently proved himself to be one of the top military golfers in the world. In the 8th World Military Golf Championships staged earlier this month in Bahrain, Cave, an Army captain, shot 4 over par over four rounds to take third place. He helped lead the U.S. military to a team victory over 15 far-flung countries, ranging from Botswana to the Netherlands. Full Story »

Buskirk ’64 New Bishop of Latter-day Saints in New Orleans 12/1/2014 William C. Van Buskirk has been named the new bishop of the New Orleans congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As bishop of the New Orleans 1st Ward, Van Buskirk provides ministerial service to about 350 members of the LDS Church who reside in Orleans Parish and St. Bernard Parish. The calling of bishop is not new to Van Buskirk. He was ordained a bishop years ago and served in this capacity five times before in New Orleans as well as in New Jersey. "I am happy to be able to serve my brothers and sisters here in New Orleans," Van Buskirk said. "I humbly accept this calling to serve due to my faith in Jesus Christ which is central to my being and has shaped who I am." Read More

Jeon ’12 AH-64 Apache Helicopter Pilot 12/1/2014 Jeon was asked to speak at the university to a soon-tobe graduating class of female students. The reason she was a good candidate for the speech is because she is Korean American and she is the first female, Korean AH-64 Apache helicopter pilot. Jeon said she wanted to inspire the group to feel they could do anything they wanted to do and to further strengthen the U.S. and Republic of Korea alliance. She wanted the female students to know that being in the Army is being part of something bigger than themselves and that they should be proud of that. She also wanted them to know that women are held to the same standard in the work place, so they need to stay on top of their game at all times. She said there will people that try to bring females down and that they need drive on and keep performing to the best of their abilities. Full Story »

McCoy ’96 Honored by Howard Schultz 12/1/2014

YOUR MISSION SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT... 12/1/2014 Daniel Ragsdale '81 is an ESPN Fan Hall of Fame Finalist and needs our help to win. Just click this link, click on Dan's photo (top left) and click vote THREE TIMES. (Yes, you can vote 3x per day!) Let's show those sports fans how it's done! http://fanhalloffame.com/vote/ 2014 Finalists — Fan Hall of Fame fanhalloffame.com

WPAOG Annual Meeting 11/26/2014 At the WPAOG Annual Meeting today, the election of Directors and Advisors at Large was the primary agenda item. The following members were voted as Directors and Advisors at Large, to serve from January 1, 2015 until December 31, 2017. Directors LTG Joseph E. DeFrancisco ’65, USA Retired (3,630 votes) Mr. George H. Gilmore, Jr. ’71 (3,554 votes) Mr. James A. Hoffman ’78 (3,576 votes) Mr. William D. Rogers ’82 (3,552 votes) LTC Deidre P. Dixon ’84, USA Retired (3,611 votes) Advisors at Large LTG Gary D. Speer ’72, USA Retired (3,362 votes) LTC Felisa A. Lewis ’90 (3,296 votes) LTC Jennifer S. Minus ’93, USA Retired (3,304 votes) Mr. Spencer T. Kympton ’94 (3,309 votes) Mr. Young C. Lee ’94 (3,313 votes) CPT John L. Childs ’07 (3,280 votes) The Board-recommended Bylaws amendments were also approved (3,401 votes for, 33 votes against) in the election, and the 2014 Chairman's Report was presented.

First Call November 25th 11/25/2014 Click the photo below to read the full First Call Newsletter.

Hicks ’74 Fortunes #7 Biz Person of the Year 11/25/2014 When Ken Hicks retires in December, he’ll be leaving Foot Locker at the top of his game. Since he became CEO in 2009, the company’s stock has quintupled and sales have soared. Foot Locker, a once-struggling shoe chain, has become a rare and improbable mall star. The company is on track to complete its third year of record revenue (roughly $7 billion in 2014). Brisk basketball- and running-shoe sales have helped. Hicks has also played America’s fitness craze masterfully, making well-timed pushes in apparel and the children’s and women’s business. And he’s spruced up stores with new displays and mannequins. Hicks’s successor, COO Richard Johnson, has some big shoes to fill. —E.F. Story

Pick Your Favorite Army Win 11/25/2014 Yes, we know. It’s been a while—but we never lose hope! In an effort to forget the past 13 years, here are 13 games to remember in anticipation for Army’s return to glory on December 13, 2014. Take a look at the rollups and decide which one will inspire you to keep the faith that 2014 will be our year!

BG Anderson ’78 to NAOC Board of Directors 11/25/2014 Maryville, TN, November 24, 2014 On November 20, 2014, during the NAOC Annual General Membership Meeting, RELYANT Global’s Chief Marketing Officer, BG (Retired) Steven M. Anderson, was honored to be elected to one of the eleven positions on the National Association of Ordinance Contractors (NAOC) Board of Directors, and also to one of six committee chairmen positions with his confirmed nomination as the Chairman of the Government Affairs Committee. BG Anderson is a perfect election to both the Board of Directors, as well as Committee Chairman, as he served 30 years as a career US Army Ordnance Officer, and is a 1978 graduate of the United States Military Academy. BG Anderson’s military career was nothing short of remarkable. His final tour on active duty in 2008 was as the Director, Operations and Logistics Readiness, G43, on the Army staff at the Pentagon, where he lead a staff responsible for all Army logistics readiness reporting. Full Story

Terrazas ’99 Honored by Texas Bar Foundation 11/20/2014 Mr. Kevin J. Terrazas, (B.S. Chemistry/Life Science, Distinguished Cadet, 1999) an attorney with Austin, Texasbased Weisbart Springer Hayes LLP, has been named as a Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. Fellows of the Foundation are selected for their outstanding professional achievements and their demonstrated commitment to the improvement of the justice system throughout the state of Texas.

Do Your Holiday Shopping at WPAOGGiftshop.com 11/19/2014 The WPAOG Gift Shop website is ready to take your online orders. Shop for the entire family and get all your West Point and Army gear for this holiday season. View the new Holiday Catalog PDF. If you need assistance please call 800.426.4725 and/or email [email protected].

Camacho ’13 a USMA Boxing Team Founder Going Strong! 11/18/2014 Not many people are willing to get up at 4 a.m. every morning for an early-morning workout before work and spend their lunch break practicing punch sequences and drills with a boxing coach before finishing the day with dinner and a quick jog. https://youtu.be/Bl7e0OVpGfU But then again, Giovanna Camacho is not like most people. She balances her job as a second lieutenant for 2nd Battalion, 3rd Infantry Regiment, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and training for a tryout to join the All-Army Women’s Boxing Team for this year’s National Police Athletic League Tournament. The tournament is scheduled for Sept. 27 to Oct. 4 in Oxnard, Calif. Full Story »

Pediatric Specialists of Virginia Name Moores ’84 1st CEO 11/18/2014 Pediatric Specialists of Virginia (PSV) announced that Dr. Leon E. Moores assumed duties as its first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective Tuesday, October 14. With Dr. Moores officially operating as CEO, PSV’s C-suite is complete. Gregg R. Florentin is serving as Chief Operating Officer, Dr. Jeffrey Hanway is our Chief Surgical Officer, and Dr. Ian Leibowitz is our Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Moores’ primary focus will be on successfully developing and implementing strategic initiatives to position PSV as the leader in pediatric specialty care in the Northern Virginia region. “It’s truly an honor to take on the role of CEO at PSV. We are a growing organization with talented physicians and staff who are dedicated to the mission of providing superb specialty care to our region’s children. This powerful partnership between Children’s National and Inova will leverage the resources and experience of both great organizations to the benefit of our patients and families,” Dr. Moores said. “As we continue to bring additional specialties on board at PSV we will increase our scope and clinical diversity, enabling us to do more and more of what we all love to do – take great care of kids.” Read More

COL(R) Johnson ’55 Named Veteran of the Year 11/17/2014 A self-described poor country boy from the Deep South received a special honor from New York veterans on Saturday. Charles R. Johnson, who grew up in Mississippi and led soldiers in Vietnam between 1963 and 1971, rising to the rank of colonel, was named Veteran of the Year during a ceremony in the New York State Military Museum. Johnson, 82, was born with a sharp wit, but he's a man with a serious past. Commissioned as a second lieutenant in the infantry, Johnson led troops in Vietnam on and off from the beginning of the war until past its peak. He served as a Vietnamese Ranger adviser, a special operations officer and battalion commander in the 9th and 25th Army infantry divisions. Johnson received his military education through the Infantry Officers Basic and Advanced Courses, the Command and General Staff College, the Army War College, Airborne and Ranger Schools and the Pathfinder Course. He retired as a colonel in 1981 after 26 years in the Army. Read More

Lancope Appoints Wild ’87 CISO 11/17/2014 ATLANTA, - Lancope, Inc., a leader in network visibility and security intelligence, has appointed long-time information security and risk management professional Andrew Wild as its new chief information security officer (CISO). Wild has spent over 25 years developing effective, customer-driven information security, incident response, compliance and secure networking programs for IT and security organizations including Qualys and EMC. He is also an expert in building and securing cloud and SaaS environments. Most recently, Wild was the CSO for security provider Qualys, where he was responsible for the risk management, security and compliance of both the internal enterprise network and the production SaaS environments. Previously, he was also responsible for the security of EMC Corporation's SaaS offerings as the company's manager of security engineering. Read More

James ’92 to Command the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade 11/14/2014 LATHAM, NY -- New York Army National Guard Lt. Col. Jack James will take command of the 42nd Combat Aviation Brigade, whose members recently spent almost a year serving in Kuwait, during a Saturday morning ceremony at the Army Aviation Support Facility here. He replaces Col. Albert Ricci, who is retiring after almost 30 years of military service. Full Story

COL(R) Johnson ’55 Honored by the US Army 11/14/2014 SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. - The New York State Military Museum will play host to the 2014 Veteran of the Year Award sponsored by the Association of the United States Army and the Friends of the New York State Military Museum Saturday, Nov. 15 at 1 p.m. The ceremony will recognize retired Army Col. Charles R. Johnson, a veteran of the Vietnam War. Johnson, who served in the Army for 26 years, was a Vietnamese Ranger adviser, an operations officer in a U.S. Special Operations Group and as a battalion commander in the 9th and 25th Infantry Divisions. He retired from the Army in 1981. Johnson's assignments were primarily in troop leading positions, but also included two tours at his alma mater first in the Physical Education Department, and later in the Intercollegiate Athletics Department. His military education includes the Infantry Officers Basic and Advanced Courses, the Command and General Staff College, the Army War College, Airborne and Ranger Schools and the Pathfinder Course. He has graduate degrees from Columbia University and Penn State University. Read More

Grandson of MG Morelli ’56 (Deceased) Earns Rank of Eagle Scout 11/14/2014 EAGLE SCOUT, INSPIRED BY FAMILY’S MILITARY HISTORY, CAPTURES VETERANS’ STORIES IN A NATIONAL PROJECT

Eagle Court of Honor recognizes the achievements of Eagle Scout who was inspired by his family history to assemble veteran’s stories for the Library of Congress

Fifteen-year-old Max Morelli will be honored for achieving the Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank, Eagle Scout, on October 25, 2014, after completing an Eagle service project that captured the personal stories of military veterans. The stories are archived as part of the Veterans History Project at the Library of Congress, where they are available for future generations. WELLESLEY, Massachusetts, October 21, 2014—Fifteen- year-old Max Morelli will be honored with Boy Scouts of America’s highest rank, Eagle Scout, in a ceremony in Wellesley, Massachusetts on October 25. For his Eagle service project, Max interviewed military veterans from World War II to the present, contributing the videos to the Veterans’ History Project at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. In his Eagle application, Max stated: My project was inspired by important veterans in my family: my grandfather, Donald Morelli, a West Point graduate and Major General in the Army; my great-uncle, George Kane, a World War II POW; and Buck Good, my grandfather and a Navy veteran injured in a blimp crash in 1956. My grandfather Good and my greatuncle Kane were both Eagle Scouts. George Kane attributed his survival of the Bataan Death March and four years as a prisoner of war during World War II to the training he received in Boy Scouts. For his Eagle project, Max conducted and recorded interviews of veterans who served in conflicts ranging from World War II to the most recent deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan. Veterans interviewed for the project included residents of Wellesley, Massachusetts and of Max’s hometown of St. Simons Island, Georgia. Max’s grandfather, Buck Good, an Eagle Scout from 1953, served as an important mentor on the project. Of his motivation to become an Eagle Scout, Max states, “In my generation, there are not as many people as there used to be with values that are based on code or creed. I feel that it’s important to have more young adults in the world who have values that benefit the entire community. The first step in making a change in the world is making the change in myself. That’s why it was important to me to pursue the Eagle Scout rank.” Max Morelli is a ninth-grader at Beaver Country Day School in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. He is the grandson of Major General Donald Ray Morelli (deceased), who is interred at the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Corrinet ’02 Helping Students Achieve Holistic Well-Being 11/13/2014 Unfortunately, too many of our students aren’t experiencing the benefits that come with being healthy in all aspects. Nearly one in three children in America is overweight or obese. Low-income students are less likely to have recess and participate in organized sports, and are more likely to live in neighborhoods without physical activity resources like parks and bike paths – making them more vulnerable to be overweight or obese. While I’ve always been active, I started making the link between physical fitness and holistic well-being while in the Army. The physical training I experienced at West Point and as an infantry officer was paramount to me becoming a more disciplined and focused leader. As my physical abilities sharpened, so did my mental faculties – I couldn’t have made it through Ranger School or my year leading soldiers in Iraq without being at the top of my game.

The CrossFit Kids methodology gets kids to think and make good choices about what they eat. The high-intensity workouts also teach students hard work, grit, teamwork, and how to be leaders in their other classes and outside of school. This past year, 70 percent of my students ‘Agreed’ or “Strongly Agreed’ that CrossFit P.E. motivated and inspired them to participate in more sports and physical activities outside of school. One of my students shared, “CrossFit changed my life because I now feel the need to work out in order to feel healthy. It made me feel better about myself and I feel happier… This experience was the best.” Read More

Staab ’07 Leading from The Front 11/13/2014 Leaving the Army was an incredibly difficult decision, but when I was accepted as a 2012 Teach For America Corps Member, I knew I would be able to continue my service to the country in a meaningful, albeit different, way. In retrospect, I had no idea what I was getting myself into – it turns out that teaching is one of the most challenging jobs I’ve ever taken on – but the lessons I learned in the military helped carry me through. Instead of giving orders, I could give guidance and empower my Soldiers to excel. My Soldiers knew, and I hope still know, how deeply I care about them. That trust gave us confidence in one another, and gave us each the power to succeed. As a result, the teams I was a part of completed work above and beyond expectations, and we took a great deal of pride in our missions and even our daily responsibilities. When kids know you care, they are willing to become the people you already know they are. And if they fail, and they will, there is great comfort in knowing that a person they trust will be there to pick them up again, a person they trust to help them start again, and a person they trust cheering them on (willing them even) as they continue to succeed in school and in life.

Another, well known, Army lesson is to lead from the front. At West Point and in Officer training courses, you hear it all the time. As a young leader in the Army, sometimes this means getting to work especially early, putting in longer hours, or just getting down to work and doing the heavy lifting. Regardless of the context, it is leading by example. Read More Army Navy Boxing Classic 2014 Tickets on Sale Today! 11/13/2014 Get your tickets now to witness the fierce competition of the Army Navy Boxing Classic, as Army gets set to square off against Navy on Friday December 12, 2014 at 10:00pm. Prelims begin at 9:30pm. To be held at the Baltimore Convention Center, Exhibit Hall G, Inner Harbor Baltimore. Army and Navy boxers will face off in seven actionpacked bouts. www.ncbaboxing.tix.com - On the floor/ringside: $25 - General admission/bleachers: $15 Live Internet Streaming: $8 For those who cannot attend the match you can subscribe at www.ncbalive.com GO ARMY BEAT NAVY!!! Clamon ’07 Joins Miller and Martin 11/13/2014 Miller & Martin PLLC announces the addition of Alex Clamon to the firm's Chattanooga office, focusing his practice in the Corporate and Securities practice group, and also joining the firm’s new Crisis Management practice group. A native of Dandridge, Tn., Mr. Clamon graduated with honors from the United States Military Academy at West Point. While at West Point, he lettered as a defensive lineman for the Army Black Knights football team and served as a cadet company commander. He then served on active duty as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army. Prior to attending law school, he worked as a graduate assistant coach for the Army Black Knights football program. He then worked as a consultant for Battelle Memorial Institute and as a project manager for Science Applications International Corporation, most notably planning life safety operations with the U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms, which included training and advising Senate staff on emergency preparedness and ensuring OSHA and ADA compliance across all Senate emergency plans. Read More

Jeremy Klages ’92 Measure of Danger 11/13/2014 Jeremy Klages, West Point Class of 1992 The Brave and the Few, recently self-published a Kindle eBook thriller called MEASURE OF DANGER by Jay Klages. Thomas & Mercer, the Amazon Publishing Mystery and Thriller Imprint, entered into a book deal with Jeremy to put his literary work into print, digital and audiobook formats with a target launch date of June 2015. Thomas & Mercer will also have the option on Jeremy’s sequel. The current eBook will remain on Amazon until republication. Jeremy took a chance by self-publishing his very first book on Amazon and thus far, his growing fan base rated his thriller at 4 ½ stars. “The main character Kade Sims, a Home Depot employee, feels he has been unfairly dumped from the U.S. Army as a Military Intelligence Officer due to his hypomania condition, but he later discovers his condition is a unique asset when recruited by the FBI to infiltrate AgriteX; otherwise known as The Chapter whose tenets are Knowledge, Truth and Trust and if violated, are punishable by euthanasia. The Chapter has infiltrated every level of Government from the local police forces, to the FBI, to political action committees. What nefarious plans are at work in The Chapter and how will Kade gain access to this notorious group? More importantly, how will he exfiltrate once his fact gathering mission is complete? This book is nonstop action and suspense; you won’t be able to put the book down until the end…but will the story and thrill really end? Get the eBook to find out!” – Cindy M. Boyd ’92.

Villanueva ’10 Honored Traveling with the Steelers 11/12/2014 Alejandro Villanueva, who was signed to the Steelers' practice squad in early September, made the trip with the Steelers to Nashville this past Sunday for the game on Monday night against the Tennessee Titans. Practice-squad players generally don't travel with the team to road games. "Just a sign or a token of our appreciation for not only the sacrifice he's made but all of the men and women in the history of our country," Tomlin said of the Steelers' decision to have Villanueva travel with them to Nashville. "Truly a humbling thing and it's great to have him be a part of us. It makes it personal in terms of understanding that sacrifice." Read More

First Call November 11th 11/12/2014 Click the photo below to read the full First Call Newsletter.

Honorable Mission of Wilcox ’92 11/12/2014 One West Point Grad's Mission to Get Low-Income Students to College James Willcox ’92 believes in two things: training and teamwork – the keys to success whether on the battlefield or in the classroom. A former Black Hawk pilot for the Army, James now oversees Aspire Public Schools, which serves more than 14,600 students in 38 schools across California and in Memphis, Tenn. with the goal of preparing students to earn a college degree. Few people grow up with the goal of reforming education. James is no different. However, he has witnessed firsthand the benefits of an education – at West Point and beyond. Quality public schools offer a better life for the students served. It’s that simple. Sadly, too many children do not have that option. James started his professional career not in education but in the Army leading troops. He made a switch professionally to allow his focus to be on that simple goal of helping others improve their lives through education. Attending college is estimated to double lifetime earnings, lifting these children out of a cycle of poverty and into positions of authority. Under James’ leadership, Aspire has implemented innovative new models of teacher training, college readiness, and data-driven assessment of students that has led to 100 percent of graduates being accepted into college.

Hood ’83 Named SamCERA’s New CEO 11/12/2014 The county’s $3 billion retirement plan board has named a new CEO starting this week to fill the shoes of his retiring predecessor. The board of the San Mateo County Employees’ Retirement Association unanimously chose Scott Hood in September after a nationwide recruitment. His new position was effective Nov. 9. He replaces David Bailey who is leaving in early 2015. Hood served as SamCERA’s information technology manager for two years before becoming assistant executive officer in 2002. For the last 12 years, Hood has managed the benefits, finance, information technology, communications and administrative staff of the association. Hood said he was “both humbled and honored” to be chosen. “I look forward to working with the Board of Trustees and all stakeholders to maintain SamCERA’s high level for performance while building for the future,” Hood said in a prepared statement. Hood has a bachelor’s of science in engineering from the United States Military Academy and a master’s of science in computer information systems from Boston University. He completed a military career as a U.S. Army reserve colonel last year, ending more than 30 years of combined active and reserve service. Full Story

NCAA's After the Game Feature Highlighting GEN Ray Odierno ’76 11/12/2014 A military career was not the plan, but now he’s the Army’s chief of staff GEN. Raymond Odierno, Chief of Staff, United States Army When GEN. Raymond Odierno joined the football team at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1972, he hadn’t given much thought to a career in the Army. He didn’t come from a military family. He just wanted to play college football. Now, more than 40 years later, he is the Army’s top leader in charge of more than 500,000 of America’s sons and daughters. Along the way, he became known for orchestrating one of the biggest military achievements in recent history: the capture of former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Full Story

West Point’s Newest “Classroom” 11/10/2014 Just in time for Veterans Day, the United States Military Academy has rededicated Cullum Hall’s Pershing Room, which was gifted in 1976 by the Class of 1926, and renamed it the West Point War Memorial Room. In doing so, the Academy removed the hundred or so plaques for the Permanent Professors of USMA and replaced them with 1,157 2-inch by 8-inch nameplates (showing rank and class year) of graduates killed in action, died of wounds in combat or died as a POW in our Nation’s wars. During the ceremony, Colonel Ty Seidule, Department Head of History and Chair of the Museum and Historical Memorialization Committee, said that the new room both speaks to the Academy’s past and highlights its future. “I take all my classes here to understand the vital role West Point played and continues to play in the professionalization of the Army,” Seidule said, “and all the names speak to the sacrifice and the competence of USMA’s graduates.” Thus, in the room’s re-dedication, 100 or so professors have given away to more than 1,000 graduate teachers, and the first to “instruct” cadets was First Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing, Class of 1861 June, who posthumously just received the Medal of Honor last week, 151 years after his valorous act in the Battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War. Serving as an artillery commander in Battery A, 4th U.S. Artillery, Army of the Potomac, Cushing ignored severe wounds to his shoulder and abdomen and, as noted in the first edition (1868) of the Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the United States Military Academy, “continued to pour grape and canister into the advancing columns of Rebels until they reached the very muzzles of his pieces.” Cushing’s gallant final act directly impacted the Union Army’s ability to repel the Confederate advance known as “Pickett’s charge” and turned the tide of the Civil War. Addressing the nearly 100 cadets attending the re dedication ceremony, Lieutenant General Robert Caslen ’75, the 59th Superintendent of West Point, said, “With the weight of the Nation on his back, Cushing responded to the call of duty and should remain today as an inspiration to us all.”

VA Secretary McDonald ’75, The VA The Way it Should Be. 11/10/2014 DALLAS - The newly minted Secretary of Veterans Affairs told Dallas doctors that staffing is key for helping the VA recover from its massive scheduling scandal. Secretary Bob McDonald's comments come just months after a whistle-blower revealed lengthy appointment delays hidden by manipulated schedules at the Phoenix VA. Several VA hospitals were placed under review, including the Dallas VA, where employees told Fox 4 the same thing was happening. The Dallas hospital is still under review. McDonald explains, "Our goal is simple: to provide quality medicine and first rate healthcare delivered with the same proactive courteous coordinated serves as the top ranked customer service companies in the county."

McDonald told some 15,000 members of the American Medical Association gathering in Dallas change is coming to the VA, and he offered a peek at his blue print. It has 4 major points.    

Improving health care immediately Resetting the VA's culture of how employees relate to and act toward veterans Transform from "sick care" to "health care" targeting preventable diseases An efficient, transparent and accountable level of care.

Read More Watch the 60 Minutes Interview

Veterans of War and Service 11/10/2014 Many of the veterans currently enrolled at Harvard Law School carry the lessons learned in the military into the law school classroom. Their service and unique perspective enriches the entire HLS community, elevating awareness about the legal and policy issues affecting veterans and the significance of law in contemporary warfare. Two years ago, stationed in the Kandahar region of Afghanistan as a platoon leader with the U.S. Army, then-Lieutenant David E. White Jr. ’17 found himself early one morning sipping tea with a village elder while explaining why his men were searching for bomb-making materials. Outreach to locals, and showing respect to their leaders, is essential in fighting the insurgency: “We want the local populace on our side as much as possible,” says White, a 2009 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. “Little did I know, as I was leaning up against a six-inch wall made of mud, clay and hay, that behind that wall was over 300 pounds of homemade explosives,” recalls White, whose men found the cache hidden under a haystack. With that discovery, and the detention of seven insurgents, the mission crippled the region’s deadliest bomb-making cell. “Our platoon got very lucky that day,” he says. During his year-long deployment, White, born and raised in upstate New York to a family with a history of military service, led his 21-man platoon on other missions including re-integrating former Taliban fighters into Afghan society, training more than 150 Afghan National Security Forces on the role of the military and police in a constitutional society, and leading his unit’s strike force to partner with special forces from various branches of the U.S military and other nations to capture mid-level Taliban and al-Qaeda insurgents. To undermine Taliban funds, White also instituted an alternative seed program for local farmers to persuade them not to grow poppy. Continue Reading » [from Harvard Law Today]

Gulakowski ’69 to Host Veteran Day Show 11/7/2014 Radio personality and Vietnam vet, Denis Gulakowski “The Big G,” will be hosting his annual Veterans Day celebration radio show during K-Radio Flashback, airing on cable radio station WEBR Radio Fairfax Sunday 9 November 2014. This year’s show will feature Number 1 hits of various Veterans Days and notable events in US conflicts, as well as selections from the American Forces Vietnam Network (AFVN) that are over 40 years old. KRadio Flashback is a two-hour oldies/nostalgia show that airs 8-10 PM Eastern Time Sundays on Cox & Verizon Cable TV Channels 37 and 837 in Fairfax County, VA, Comcast Channel 27 in Reston, VA and worldwide on the internet at www.k-radio.net

Alonzo Cushing 1861 Receiving Medal of Honor Posthumously 11/6/2014 President Barack Obama will award the Medal of Honor to the family of U.S. Army 1st Lt. Alonzo H. Cushing USMA Class of 1861. 1st Lt. Cushing will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously for conspicuous gallantry while serving as commanding officer of Battery A, 4th United States Artillery, Artillery Brigade, 2nd Corps, Army of the Potomac during combat operations in the vicinity of Cemetery Ridge during the Battle of Gettysburg on July 3, 1863. For more information and to watch the ceremony, click here: http://go.usa.gov/7rEd

450 Grads from the Class of ’84 11/6/2014 450 grads from the Class of 1984 for an aerial group photo at their post-game tailgate! Thank you again for your generous gift.

’89 Reunion Gift to The Point 11/6/2014 Thank you to the Class of 1989 for its 25th reunion gift of $600,000 in support of the Combating Terrorism Center! We Strengthen the Line!

The Class of ’84 Gives Back! 11/6/2014 Thank you to the Class of 1984 for its 30th reunion gift of $1.1 million for West Point! Nearly 400 grads gave to their class gift fund in support of the new West Point Visitors Center and the Fallen Graduates Memorial Scholarship!

VA Secretary McDonald ’75 to Appear on 60 Minutes11/9 11/6/2014 While touring VA Boston, McDonald talked to researchers, doctors, nurses, administrators, and Veterans with a 60 Minutes camera crew there to capture it all. “I’m pleased that Secretary McDonald is touring VA Boston,” said Vincent Ng, Director, VA Boston Healthcare System. “Boston is known for cutting edge medicine, sought after programs, educated and highly skilled employees, and world renowned educational affiliations,” he said.

VA has been scrutinized by the press, Congress, and the President; yet, McDonald stood in town hall meetings and asked Veterans, VA employees, and Veterans Service Organizations for feedback with cameras rolling. McDonald answered questions candidly, and delivered a positive message that promised change and encouraged excellence. “We are a customer service organization and we’re here to serve Veterans! We’re going to take a look at our organization and see what gets in the way – and we’re going to change it,” said McDonald. Read More

First Call November 4th 11/5/2014 Click the photo below to read the full First Call Newsletter.

SEC Award Named for Wheeler ’66 11/5/2014 The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission has created an annual award to go to an SEC Employee or other individual who exemplifies outstanding charitable work or volunteerism on behalf of America’s veterans. The award is named after the late John P. “Jack” Wheeler ’66, in recognition of his tireless efforts on behalf of Veterans. The first recipient of the award will be Susan Schneider, founder of the SEC Veterans Committee. Last year, under her leadership, the SEC was the largest single contributor to the District of Columbia’s Toys for Tots drive. The award presentation will be during the SEC’s Memorial Day Program in May 2015. Chair Mary Jo White and Commissioner Dan Gallagher will present the award. Wheeler was best known for his Chairmanship of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, which raised over eight million dollars in private donations and succeeded in getting Congress to pass a bill approving a site on the National Mall for Maya Lin's controversial design, now known simply as the Wall.

Mumford ’93 Appointed Classic Party Rentals CEO 11/4/2014 LOS ANGELES--Classic Party Rentals (“Classic” or the “Company”), the nation’s leading event rental and services provider, announced the appointment of Brent Mumford as Chief Executive Officer effective November 10, 2014. “We are excited to have Brent join Classic as its new Chief Executive Officer” “We are excited to have Brent join Classic as its new Chief Executive Officer,” said Jason Scheir, Chairman of the Board. “Brent’s leadership, operational expertise and track record of growing revenues will position the Company for a strong future.” “I am both humbled and thrilled to be chosen as Classic Party Rentals’ new CEO,” Mumford said. “Classic has a great track record in the industry and I look forward to working with our talented team as we continue to expand and build the brand on a national level.” Mumford brings nearly two decades of progressive leadership experience in sales, operations and P&L management with significant knowledge of rental business models. He most recently served as Vice President and General Manager for Sullair and before that was CEO of Hi-Way Equipment Company. From 2002-2009, Mumford worked at NES Rentals where he held multiple leadership roles including Region Vice President and Vice President of Operations. Earlier in his career, he served as Director of Business Development at Advanced Navigation and Positioning Corporation (ANPC) as well as Director of Product Management and Sales at Comstor. Read More

Brennan ’66 Receives Physician Community Service Award 11/3/2014 RALEIGH, NC – Michael W. Brennan, MD received the E. Harvey Estes Physician Community Service Award from the North Carolina Medical Society (NCMS) at the society’s Annual Meeting in Greensboro on October 24th-25th. The award recognizes a physician who not only excels in individual patient care, but also serves the larger community. Dr. Brennan is receiving this award because of his devoted service to his patients, state and nation through quality patient care, working to ensure future health care leaders and spreading this message internationally. Dr. Brennan devoted 20 years of his career to the Army, serving as an aviator for the Army Intelligence Agency during the Vietnam War and as chief of surgery at Fort Bragg, where he gained experience as a comprehensive ophthalmologist. After retiring from the Army, he joined an ophthalmology practice in Burlington, NC. Dr. Brennan graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point and, after serving in the Vietnam War, attended Stanford University’s aeronautics and astronautics

program to pursue his dream of becoming an astronaut. He quickly realized aeronautics was not his calling and went on to attend medical school at the University of Texas, San Antonio. Dr. Brennan not only helps to assist his state and nation, he also travels extensively to meet with doctors at global events to discuss practice issues and advocate for quality patient care. He has used his demonstrated leadership skills to become an instrumental part in training future leaders as cofounder of the North Carolina Medical Society Foundation’s Leadership College. Dr. Elizabeth Kanof, the Leadership College’s cofounder, once remarked: “A previous attempt at a leadership program in our state was not successful, but, under Mike’s guidance and with his enthusiasm, future medical leaders in our county and state societies and communities are ensured.”

Army vs Western Kentucky Tailgate 10/31/2014 Rally at this pre-game tailgate brought to you by the West Point Society of Middle Tennessee!!! Rock the Black and Gold with grads, parents, friends, and Army fans at the Army vs. WKU pregame tailgate on November 15 from 7:3011:30am. Rally for the Army Team with the Rabs and Cadet Spirit Band while enjoying tailgate fare and meeting up with old (and new) friends! Call 1-800-5-BIGRED to register. GO ARMY! BEAT WESTERN KENTUCKY!

San Antonio Career Conference 10/30/2014 If you are interested in learning more about the current hiring climate in the business world, thinking about a change in your career path, or contemplating returning to school to finally get that advanced degree consider attending SACC! Service Academy Career Conferences (SACCs) are held four times annually in Savannah, Georgia, Washington, DC, San Diego, California, and San Antonio, Texas. The next Conference is November 20-21, 2014 in San Antonio, Texas. Registration is open until November 3, 2013 so be sure to register today! More information is available online at SACC-jobfair.com. Don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected] with your questions!

Guarino ’82 Appointed to Liquid Holdings Group Board 10/30/2014 Liquid Holdings Group, Inc., a provider of cloud-based investment management solutions for the financial community, announced that Alan Guarino will join its Board of Directors. Mr. Guarino currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Global Financial Services Practice at Korn Ferry, where he is responsible for ensuring that the Firm's largest client relationships have access to the full range of their human capital solutions. He also leads senior executive search and C-suite succession assignments for large Fortune 500 companies, as well as cutting edge FinTech companies within capital markets. His expertise spans indices, rating agencies, exchanges, clearing firms, technology/data/analytics, and processing companies. Read More

Army vs UCONN Tailgate at Yankee Stadium 10/29/2014

RALLY at the TAILGATE! Join us at a private Go Army tailgate inside the stadium. Come for a great pre-game menu and cash bar, all in a specially reserved venue for Army Fans! Space is limited so register now. Click here to see all the details and to register. GO ARMY! BEAT UCONN!

First Call October 25th 10/29/2014 Click the photo below to read the full First Call Newsletter.

2014 Veteran of the Year 10/28/2014 On Saturday 15 November 2014 at 1 pm the 2014 Veteran of the Year Award Ceremony will be held in the New York State Military Museum. The Annual Award is Co-Sponsored by the Friends of the New York State Military Museum and the Capital District of New York Chapter of the Association of the US Army. Guest Speaker will be The Adjutant General of NY, MG Patrick Murphy, a Veteran. Congressman Chris Gibson, also a Veteran, will attend and present a US Flag. The Public is welcome. The 2014 Awardee is Colonel, Retired, Charles R. Johnson, a 26 year US Army Officer who served in Viet Nam as a Vietnamese Ranger Advisor, Operations Officer in a US Special Operations Group and as a Battalion Commander in the 9th and 25th Infantry Divisions. COL Charlie Johnson graduated from the US Military Academy, West Point, NY in 1955 and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant of Infantry. His assignments were primarily in troop leading positions, but also included two tours at his Alma Mater first in the Physical Education Department, and later in the Intercollegiate Athletics Department. His military education includes the Infantry Officers Basic and Advanced Courses, the Command and General Staff College, the Army War College, Airborne and Ranger Schools and the Pathfinder Course. He has graduate degrees from Columbia University and Penn State University. He retired from the US Army in 1981. Since arriving in the Capital District in 1999, COL Johnson has been active in community service, including Troy Mayor’s Ethics Committee, Board of Trustees of Oakwood Cemetery, Habitat for Humanity, and the NYS Governor’s Commission for State Veterans Cemeteries. He is a member and past President of the Tri County Council Vietnam Era Veterans, American Legion Post 1610, VFW Post 8444, Veterans of Lansingburgh, the Rensselear County Veterans Organization and Stratton VA Center Volunteer DAV Van Driver. He also serves on an Advisory Board for a Leadership Program at Duke University and is President of his West Point Class. COL Johnson is married to Trudy Hall, Head of Emma Willard School. He has three children: Sam, US Army Colonel (Ret), West Point Class of 1982; Joe, a resident at Baddour Memorial Center in Senatoria, MS; and Wendy, a fabric designer in Providence, RI.

Curran ’09 Takes First Place in Marine Corps Marathon 10/28/2014 In the male division, Spc. Samuel Kosgei came in first with a time of 2:22:11, and fellow Soldier Spc. Laban Sialo clocked 2:23:48. After the race, when Kosgei learned that a female Soldier also won, he beamed and said simply, "that's awesome." That female Soldier would be Curran, a field artillery officer. She too has an interesting story. This was her first marathon, she said, and it was totally unexpected. She explained that there were some injuries on the female Army team and she was asked to fill in for someone just two weeks prior to the race. "I wasn't

expecting that." Curran simply willed herself to win. "You can't quit because you're wearing 'Army' and you don't want to let your team members down," she related. But Curran didn't describe the race as brutal. It was actually a lot of fun, she said in a chipper voice immediately after winning. She added that the Marines did a good job running the marathon and the entire experience made her especially "proud to be an American." Read More

Joyce ’02 Named Rampage GM 10/27/2014 Florida Panthers Executive Vice-President & General Manager Dale Tallon announced today that Eric Joyce has been named General Manager of the American Hockey League’s San Antonio Rampage. In his new role, Joyce will serve as the point person for all hockey operations matters associated with Florida’s American Hockey League affiliate in San Antonio. Prior to joining the Panthers, Joyce was an instructor in the Department of Social Sciences at the United States Military Academy where he taught Cadets Counterterrorism and Homeland Security. A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Joyce also held numerous positions in the government and the private sector focusing on national security. Joyce served as an Army Captain in Operation Iraqi Freedom III in Mosul, Iraq, from 2004-2005 and was awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Bronze Star and the Valorous Unit Citation. Read More

Mackin ’88 CryoLife CEO Elected to Board 10/27/2014 CryoLife, Inc., a leading medical device and tissue processing company focused on cardiac and vascular surgery, announced today that James Patrick (Pat) Mackin, President and Chief Executive Officer, has been elected to the Company's Board of Directors, effective October 21, 2014. Steven G. Anderson, Executive Chairman of CryoLife, stated, "Since joining the Company in September, Pat has proven to be an excellent leader who is well positioned to maximize CryoLife's potential. His addition to the Board will allow us to draw on his significant experience as we refine and enhance our strategic growth plans." Mr. Mackin joined CryoLife in September 2014 from Medtronic, Inc., where he most recently served as President of Cardiac Rhythm Disease Management, the company's largest operating division. Mr. Mackin is a highly respected professional with more than 20 years of medical device industry experience. At Medtronic, he previously held the positions of Vice President, Vascular, Western Europe and Vice President & General Manager, Endovascular Business Unit. Prior to joining Medtronic in 2002, Mr. Mackin worked for six years at Genzyme, Inc. serving as its Senior Vice President & General Manager for the Cardiovascular Surgery Business Unit and, earlier, as Director of Sales, Surgical Products division. Before joining Genzyme, he spent four years at Deknatel/Snowden-Pencer, Inc. in various roles and three years as a First Lieutenant in the United States Army. Read More

Final Call for Nominations 10/27/2014 This is the last week to submit nominations for the 2015 Distinguished Graduate Award and the 2015 Thayer Award. USMA Classes and West Point Societies may nominate up to two Graduates for the 2015 DGA. Classes, Societies, and individual graduates may nominate great Americans to receive the Thayer Award. Please note the criteria and nomination guidelines for both awards. November 3, 2014 is a hard deadline: NO nominations or endorsements accepted after that date.

Bergen ’01 Wins Rutgers Business Plan Competition 10/27/2014 Brian Bergen said he learned the fundamentals of business while serving in the military. Now that training has paid off with a $20,000 award. Although Bergen admitted he has no green thumb, his company is raking in the green with anticipated annual revenues of $150,000 this year. In Bergen’s entry, employees log each service visit on a mobile application and submit the notes and records of work performed to the clients via email. This streamlines the entire process for both customers and staff. “A young entrepreneur can find one of these service industries with slow-moving, outdated processes and use new technology to be more efficient and look more impressive to potential customers,” Bergen said. Before studying entrepreneurship at Rutgers, Bergen received his undergraduate degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point and spent eight years in the U.S. military, where he also served in Iraq. Bergen attributes much of his hands-on business success to the military, where he honed his skills in risk taking, decision making and self-discipline. Bergen Botanicals, a service-disabled veteran-owned business, donates 20 percent of its profits to organizations supporting veterans with disabilities.

Xenos ’84 Elected to Regenesis Biomedical Board 10/24/2014 The Board elected two new members: R. King Nelson and John S. Xenos, MD. Scott Brooks, Dr. John Xenos is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, and earned his medical degree from the Georgetown University School of Medicine. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He then served as the Chief of Orthopedic Surgery at Fort Benning, Georgia, where he was directly involved in the treatment of the 75th Ranger Regiment, as well as other infantry units. Dr. Xenos followed his passion for joint replacement and completed a fellowship in adult reconstructive surgery at the Anderson Orthopedic Research Institute in Virginia. He then returned to Walter Reed as the Director of Adult Reconstruction, where he attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Medical Corps. Dr Xenos is active in the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. He is a practicing orthopedic surgeon in Colorado. Read More

Research Grant Award Announcement 10/24/2014 In a first for West Point faculty, LTC Luis Alvarez, Ph.D., an Academy Professor in the Department of Chemistry and Life Science, has been awarded a 3.7-million-dollar research grant from the US Army Medical Materiel and Research Command to investigate a novel technology designed to improve the regrowth of bone in combat-related injuries. LTC Alvarez will manage the execution of this grant and will oversee the research teams as they conduct the experiments to assess these novel bone regrowth technologies using the delivery of BMP-2, or Bone Morphological Protein, to regrow bone following traumatic injury. He has established a wealth of new opportunities for West Point cadets and faculty to participate in this Army-relevant research program through both academic year research projects at West Point and the summer IAD(A) opportunities at the partner labs (Institute for Surgical Research, National Cancer Institute, The Mayo Clinic, and The Cleveland Clinic). LTC Alvarez, a 1997 graduate of West Point and a Hertz Scholar, originally branched Military Intelligence before completing his doctoral studies and research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. As the Director of the Center for Molecular Science, LTC Alvarez manages all research and outreach efforts within the Department of Chemistry and Life Science.

Wood ’85 Commands 38th Infantry Division 10/22/2014 David Wood ’85 was promoted to Major General on 1 October 2014, and took command of the 38th Infantry Division on 18 October 2014, in a change of command ceremony in Indianapolis, Indiana. His previous assignment (since 2011) was Deputy CG (Operations), 38th ID. The outgoing commander was MG Joseph L. Culver.

Melcher ’76 Receives AUSA Dixon Award 10/20/2014 Exelis Chief Executive Officer and President David F. Melcher has been recognized by the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) Council of Trustees as the John W. Dixon Award recipient for 2014. The John W. Dixon Award is presented annually to “an individual of the industrial community contributing to national defense.” According to the AUSA Council of Trustees, the award was created, “to recognize the unique and direct contributions of American industry to the security of the nation and to honor the partnership between the Army and American industry that has produced the most effective and best equipped land force in history.” The first-ever John W. Dixon award was presented to its namesake in 1989. Dixon entered the Army during World War II as a private, served two and a half years in combat in Europe, and left the service as a first lieutenant in 1946. The Council of Trustees selected Dixon to recognize, “his many exceptional achievements as a soldier and government official, scholar and academician, industrial executive and public leader,” according to AUSA. Melcher, who retired as a lieutenant general after 32 years of service, last served as the Army’s military deputy for budget and deputy chief of staff for programs at the Pentagon. Since leading a spinoff from former parent company ITT Corporation in 2011, Melcher has made Exelis a partner of choice for the Army, empowering Exelis employees to bring efficient, mission-critical capabilities to soldiers on the ground. Read More

Jimenez ’01 Served as Keynote Speaker 10/20/2014 CPT Jose Jimenez recently served as the keynote speaker for the Camp Arifjan Hispanic Heritage Month observance. Reflecting on his Costa Rican heritage, his dreams of becoming an astronaut, and experience as a cadet at the United States Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., Jimenez addressed his pride as an officer in the United States Army and attributed his success to his family and culture. “My dream has changed a little bit as I grew up, from being an astronaut, to becoming an engineer, and then a soldier. But throughout my life, I have always remembered the lessons from mi abuelo (my grandfather), mi mama (my mother), and mi papa (my father).” Jimenez also addressed the challenges with becoming a West Point cadet because of his Costa Rican citizenship at the time of his application. Read More

Robert Spignesi ’91 New CEO of Rapid Micro Biosystems 10/20/2014 Rapid Micro Biosystems, a leading provider of automated, non-destructive, rapid microbial detection, announced today that its Board of Directors has named seasoned industry veteran Robert Spignesi as the company's next chief executive officer. As the new CEO of Rapid Micro Biosystems, Rob's priorities will be leading the Company to support the business expansion and widespread adoption of the Growth Direct™ System. Rob has more than 20 years of leadership experience and joined Rapid Micro Biosystems most recently from Thermo Fisher Scientific, where he was a Vice President and General Manager, Americas. Previously, Rob was the VP of Global Strategy, Marketing and Business Development for Fisher Scientific and held senior roles at McKesson Corporation and its affiliates, including EVP Operations and Development and Vice President of Sales and Business Development within the pharmacy systems and automation group. Earlier in his career, he was a senior consultant within the Life Sciences and Healthcare practice of Deloitte Consulting and an aviation officer with the U.S. Army. Read More

Grant ’71 Longbow Book Release 10/17/2014 Are you a fan of old fashioned adventure tales? Then prepare to travel back to the age of Richard the Lionheart and Robin Hood in the pages of LONGBOW, the beginning novel in the SAGA OF ROLAND INNESS trilogy. About the book: Roland Inness desperately needs meat for his starving family, but he takes the wrong deer on the wrong nobleman’s land. Worse yet, he uses his longbow, a weapon outlawed and suppressed by the Norman overlords of England. Now they are coming for him. With one shot the 14-year-old peasant boy is launched on a desperate flight that takes him from the mountains of Derbyshire to the wild frontier of Wales and on to the court of Richard the Lionheart. Along the way he is hunted by a paid killer, aided by a strange monk named Tuck, and taken in by a gruff Norman knight, who values his amazing skill with the bow. That skill and his courage are sorely tested as he fights to earn the trust of his new master. “An action-adventure set in 12th-century England, this is an appealing read filled with bows and arrows, sword fights, and the like. …By celebrating Roland’s courage and bravery, the author gives audiences an engaging hero they can easily root for.” ~Publishers Weekly This is an ideal book for lovers of high adventure and particularly for young men who might be persuaded to put down the game controller for a real adventure! Wayne Grant is a graduate of West Point. He served in the US Army with the 1st Armored Division in Erlangen, Germany and with the 4/7th Cavalry Squadron in Yongugol, South Korea. He later served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (FM) from 1984-1988.

Coach K ’69 to Receive Prestigious Marshall Medal 10/16/2014 DURHAM, N.C. –Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski will have added to his impressive awards resume receiving the 2014 George Catlett Marshall Medal, the highest award presented by the Association of the United States Army. Awarded annually to an individual who has exhibited selfless service to the United States of America, presented to Krzyzewski by the Association’s Council of Trustees at the George Catlett Marshall Memorial Dinner, the final event of the Association’s three-day Annual Meeting and Exposition at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington. Krzyzewski will be recognized for his contributions to the United States of America as a strong supporter of national defense and those men and women who have served or are now serving to protect our freedom and liberty. Photo courtesy of Duke Read More.

Hall of Fame Honors ’08, ’46, ’90, ’39, ’70, ’53, ’64, ’48, ’55, ’27 10/15/2014 WEST POINT, N.Y. - Highlighting a host of honors and national accolades, the Army Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2014 was enshrined Friday night. Beginning with the plaque unveiling ceremony at the Kenna Hall of Army Sports inside the Kimsey Athletic Center and ending with a black-tie banquet at Eisenhower Hall, the Class of 2014 was celebrated. Ben Holden of CBS Sports Network served as master of ceremonies. Army Athletic Director Boo Corrigan offered remarks during the plaque unveiling while Superintendent Lt. Gen. Robert Caslen spoke at the banquet. Three individual NCAA champions, a three-time National Invitational Tournament participant, league boxing champion, a three-time soccer All-America selection, a West Point graduate who served as team physician, a West Point graduate who served as head football coach and later Superintendent, an offensive lineman that opened holes for two Heisman Trophy winners and won three national championships and the Academy's first wrestling All-America choice are among the many honors of the Army Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2014. Rifleman Chris Abalo, football and wrestling standout John Green, women's swimming national champion Jennifer Grzbek, boxer Donald Hull, men's basketball star Jim Oxley, wrestling and football letterwinner Al Paulekas, track and field and cross country extraordinaire Bill Straub, men's soccer's Tom Tyree, Dr. John Feagin and former Superintendent Gar Davidson comprise the Class of 2014. Read More

Salter ’45 To Be Honored at Fitzgerald Festival 10/15/2014 James Salter will read from his work and receive the Fitzgerald Award for Achievement in American Literature on Saturday evening. Earlier in the day, Salter will teach a writing workshop open to the public. Salter, who served in the Korean War, wrote about his combat experience in his first novel, “The Hunters” (1957). He has gone on to write many more novels, short stories and works of nonfiction. He has won the PEN/Faulkner Award, the PEN/Malamud Award and the Rhea Award. In 2013, reviewing “All That Is” - his first novel in almost 35 years - Lisa Zeidner wrote that the story provides “what Salter has always offered: a plaintive, impressionistic look at how we live in time, how little we ever understand about the amorphous shape of our own lives.” Read More

Class of ’74 Presented its 40th Reunion Gift 10/14/2014 The Class of 1974 presented its 40th reunion gift of $4,074,074.74 for the West Point Visitors Center—the largest class gift ever presented to West Point! Since graduation, Class of 1974 members have given more than $10 million to West Point. The Visitors Center is General Caslen’s number one priority within the For Us All Campaign. This new 15,000-square foot facility is envisioned as an “experience hub” featuring a striking entry pavilion, high-tech exhibits, a state-of-the-art theater, and new artifacts. In recognition of its gift, the Class of 1974 will name the center’ atrium. “The Class of 1974’s gift makes a significant impact for the Visitors Center, the campaign, and West Point,” says WPAOG Vice President of Development Kristin Sorenson. “We greatly appreciate the leadership, energy, and support that each and every class member contributed.” “We are excited to play a lead role in the development of the new Visitors Center,” says Class President Robert Mixon ‘74. “The Visitor Center might be the only impression an individual has of our Alma Mater when he or she leaves Highland Falls. It has to be memorable, and that is why the Class of 1974 has stepped up again.” Click here to see » Photos « from the game.

Parent Newsletter, October 2014 10/10/2014 Click the picture below to read the Parent Newsletter.

Portis ’04 Commemorates Orange County Veterans 10/10/2014 On September 29, MAJ Stoney Portis was the keynote speaker at the Orange County Veterans Memorial Day Ceremony in Goshen, NY. The event commemorated the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Hindenburg Line during World War I. Forty men from Orange County died on September 29, 1918 while fighting as members of the 107th Infantry, a New York State National Guard Regiment. During the event, MAJ Portis honored the fallen by discussing the lasting effects of the Great War, which include the Army’s combat and operational stress control program, the educational curriculum of the officer corps at West Point, and the esprit de corps of military service members and their families.

Class of ’04 10/9/2014 The Class of 2004 made its first reunion gift to West Point in October and set new records for a 10-year reunion gift in both the size of its gift and in the participation of class members. Its gift of $550,000 beat the previous record of $520,000, and the campaign had a 76-percent participation rate among class members, beating the previous participation record of 64 percent. The Class of 2004 designated its gift to three specific For Us All Campaign needs: the Visitors Center, the Academy Scholars Program, and the Semester Abroad Program. General Caslen has deemed each of these needs as priorities for the Academy within the campaign, and the Class of 2004’s gift provides great momentum towards achieving these fundraising goals.

First Call October Special Edition 10/9/2014 Don't miss out on this month's Special Edition First Call as we focus on the impact of gifts to West Point. - Cadet Activities - Academy Scholars and Semester Abroad Programs - Special Gift from Dr. Harry Van Trees '52 - Outreach from cadets to future cadets If you have missed any edition of First Call you can find them in the online archives.

BG Wesley ’86 "Big Red One" 10/8/2014 FORT RILEY (KSNT) – The 1st Infantry Division’s headquarters cased its colors at a ceremony Wednesday morning at Fort Riley’s Victory Park in preparation for its deployment to the Central Command area of responsibility. The 1st Inf. Div.’s Deputy Commanding General for Support, Brig. Gen. Eric J. Wesley took the reins of the “Big Red One” rear detachment at the ceremony. Wesley has been assigned to the 1st Inf. Div. previously and served as the commander of the 1st Inf. Div.’s 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team. Wesley was most recently the director for plans at the ISAF Joint Command in Afghanistan. Read More McBrayer ’74 Appointed to Misonix Board of Directors 10/8/2014 Misonix, Inc. an international surgical device company, announced today the appointment of Patrick McBrayer to the Company's Board of Directors effective immediately. With more than 20 years of senior management experience in the healthcare industry, Patrick McBrayer has extensive relevant industry experience to the Misonix Board. Mr. McBrayer currently serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of AxioMed Spine Corporation, a leading, privately-held, developer of next generation technology for degenerative spine conditions. Prior to AxioMed, Mr. McBrayer was Chief Executive Officer of Xylos Corporation, a medical biomaterials company. He is also a Founder of Transave Inc., a biotechnology company focused on the site-specific treatment of lung disease. Prior to joining Xylos, Mr. McBrayer served as President and CEO of Exogen, Inc., a company focused on the non-invasive treatment of musculoskeletal injury and disease, which was acquired by Smith & Nephew, Inc. in 1999. Previously, Mr. McBrayer was President and CEO of Osteotech, Inc., a worldwide leader in tissue technology. In both companies, he was responsible for a number of private placements and both companies' public offerings and led these organizations to dominant market share positions. He received the Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award in 1998 for a biological implant for bone repair that is now a market-leading product. Prior to joining Osteotech, Mr. McBrayer held positions of increasing responsibility for Johnson & Johnson, Inc. A 1974 graduate of the United States Military Academy (West Point), Mr. McBrayer served as an Infantry Officer Company Commander in the U.S. Army prior to beginning his business career. Mr. McBrayer has also served on West Point's Association of Graduates Board of Trustees.

BG Clarke ’84 Takes Command of the 82nd Airborne Division 10/6/2014 FORT BRAGG, N.C. - In a time-honored tradition that dates back centuries, the 82nd Airborne Division conducted a change of command ceremony, Oct. 3 at Pike Field. During the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Richard D. Clarke assumed command of the division from Maj. Gen. John W. Nicholson, Jr. As he concluded his remarks, Nicholson said that there was no finer officer and leader to take the reins of the division than Brig. Gen. Richard Clarke. Clarke, who was most recently the commandant of cadets at the United States Military Academy, said he and his family are humbled to be joining the ranks of the division again. As Clarke continued with his remarks, he spoke directly to the sea of sun-drenched paratroopers on the parade field. “What I pledge to this entire division, with all my heart and all my soul, is that I will give 100 percent every day, and that I will lead by example in all regards,” he said. Clarke continued, promising he would do everything he could to ensure that the paratroopers and families of the division are well-resourced and well-led. Read More COL Fleming ’89 New COO of Walton Group 10/6/2014 RESTON, Va. The Walton Group of Companies announced today that Colonel Edward Fleming, US Army, Retired has joined Walton Development and Management (WDM) as Chief Operating Officer for North America. In this new role, Colonel Fleming will manage the day-today operations for Walton’s 88,000 acres of land under administration and 21 development projects throughout the United States and Canada. As a top executive, Colonel Fleming will play a vital role in helping to shape the future of the Walton Group of Companies. Before joining Walton, Colonel Fleming was the Executive Director of Civil Works and Emergency Operations for the United States Army Corps of Engineers, where he was part of the leadership team that had oversight responsibility of a 194-person directorate managing the nation’s $5.4 billion civic works program comprised of infrastructure with a capital stock value of $192 billion, 170 field offices and 23,000 employees. During his distinguished career with the US Army, Colonel Fleming managed some of the most pressing and high-profile infrastructure challenges faced by the United States. Following Hurricane Katrina, Colonel Fleming managed the reconstruction of the $14.5 billion Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System in greater New Orleans. The project included 133 miles of levees, floodwalls and gates and the largest drainage pump station in the world. He also oversaw the adjudication of more than 1,800 federal permits each year under the Clean Water and Rivers and Harbors Acts balancing the need for environmental protection and economic development. Mr. Fleming holds a B.A. in Civil Engineering Management from the United States Military Academy at West Point, an M.S. in Environmental Engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park and an M.S. in National Security Strategy from the National Defense University in Washington, DC. Read More

Wrendon P. Hunt ’05 Appointed to Class of White House Fellows 10/3/2014 The President's Commission on White House Fellowships announced the appointment of the 2014-2015 Class of White House Fellows. The Fellows come from diverse backgrounds, varied professions, and have demonstrated a strong commitment to public service and leadership. The program was created in 1964 by President Lyndon B. Johnson to give promising American leaders "firsthand, high-level experience with the workings of the Federal government. Selection as a White House Fellow is highly competitive and based on a record of professional achievement, evidence of leadership potential, and a proven commitment to public service. Additional information about the program: www.whitehouse.gov/fellows. Wrendon P. Hunt of Midland, Mich., was the Associate Commercial Director and previously North America senior product manager for Dow Solar at Dow Chemical Company. Preceding his employment with Dow, he served as a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy. Hunt completed two Western Pacific Deployments in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom and led the pre-deployment preparations for two ships as a Training Liaison Officer for Afloat Training Group San Diego. Outside of the office, he served as Dow's focal point for the 100K Veteran's Job Mission, on the Advisory Board for the Children's Ministry in his local church, and as a regular volunteer at the Juvenile Correction Center and Humane Society. Hunt received a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School, and a Bachelor of Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point where he graduated in the top 10 percent of his class. Read More

Davies ’86 Joins Tiberi Service Academy Nomination Board 10/1/2014 U.S. Congressman Pat Tiberi (R-OH) announced Monday that Morrow County resident Patricia Davies would join the 12th Congressional District Service Academy Board. Pat Davies graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1986 with a degree in mechanical engineering and earned the rank of captain before leaving military service. “I’m pleased to welcome Patricia to the Service Academy Appointment Board. As a service academy alumna, she will know first-hand what attributes will help a candidate succeed both in the academy and in the military,” said Congressman Tiberi. Following her graduation from West Point, Davies served in the 24th Battalion, 24th Infantry Division stationed at Ft. Stewart, Georgia as both a shop officer and the Executive Officer. She is currently the Director of Operations for Morrow County. Read More

Parker ’83 Named Division President of Corvias Military Living 9/30/2014 East Greenwich, R.I.–Corvias Group announced that Charles E. (Chuck) Parker has been appointed division president of the company’s military housing division, Corvias Military Living. In his new role, Parker, who previously served as the head of property Mmanagement for Corvias Group and executive vice president of property management for Corvias Military Living, will assume responsibility for managing all operational aspects of Corvias Military Living’s 50-year partnerships with the Army and the Air Force, including partner relations, program and property management, and construction. Corvias’ military housing portfolio is comprised of almost 25,000 homes on more than 10,000 acres of land across 13 Army and Air Force installations from Alaska to Florida. As part of their efforts to continuously improve quality of life for service members and their families, the company has renovated 5,439 and built 3,887 homes and 30 community centers over the last 12 years. Read More

Narramore ’95 & Powell ’00 Complete NYC Century Bicycle Tour 9/26/2014

Assistant Professors LTC Ward Narramore (USMA ’95) and CPT Trent Powell (USMA ’00) completed the New York City Century Bicycle Tour, a 102 mile race through Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Manhattan. This annual event draws around 6,000 participants. The course is designed specifically to display the diversity and breadth of New York City.

Gregory L. Crawford ’67 Receives Lifetime Achievement Award 9/26/2014

The Steel Recycling Institute (SRI) of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) has received national recognition from the National Recycling Coalition (NRC) in an awards ceremony during the Resource Recycling Conference this past week in New Orleans, hosted by Resource Recycling Magazine. Gregory L. Crawford ’67, Executive Director, received the highest honor, a “Lifetime Achievement in Recycling Award,” recognizing his decades of leadership in the field of recycling. Read More

Jack Hammack ’49 to Receive ODIA Distinguished Service Award 9/25/2014

With one of the Army Athletic Association's marquee events - its annual Hall of Fame Induction banquet - less than three weeks away, Army Director of Athletics Boo Corrigan added another special honoree to that night, announcing today that longtime athletic department backer John "Jack" Hammack will receive the ODIA Distinguished Service Award.One of the top honors bestowed by the Army Athletic Association, the ODIA Distinguished Service Award is presented to an individual for significant contributions to the intercollegiate program. It is not presented annually, but only in years when the athletic department identifies a deserving recipient. Read more...

Taylor ’73 Wins with Path to Freedom 9/24/2014

West Point graduate and Guyanese American author, Conrad Taylor ’73, captured a fourth award for his book, PATH to FREEDOM: My Story of Perseverance. It just won "Honorable Mention" in the Readers' Favorite 2014 International Book Competition, which attracted more than 3,000 entries. The contest holder will feature all award-winning books at the Readers' Favorite Winners' booth on the last three days of the annual Miami Book Fair. Taylor will receive his award in the Non-Fiction Military category at a November 22nd evening ceremony at the Regency Hotel Miami. PATH to FREEDOM: My Story of Perseverance offers a ringside seat to the cultural trauma of emigration, the unique experience that is West Point, the personal side of Cold-Warera geopolitics, and the mayhem of Third World politics. The view is nostalgic for some, shocking to many, and enlightening for others. A judge praised the book as "a captivating memoir" that "gives me another level of understanding of what Third World citizens have to go through to obtain freedom as an unconditional human right." "I am honored and humbled," Taylor stated, "that a book critic, trusted for honest reviews by the likes of James Patterson, Nicholas Sparks, and the big four publishers, praised my book for educating him." He added, "I am pleased that my story is helping others see why immigration is a lifeline for so many." Read More

Fall 2014 Edition of The West Point Magazine 9/23/2014

Check your mailboxes, the fall addition of The West Point Magazine will be coming soon! You can view the Online version now... Just click here

CPT Kevin W. Mott ’07 2014 Nininger Award Recipient 9/22/2014

Like thousands of graduates before him, CPT Kevin W. Mott ’07 accepted an offer to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point because he “wanted to make a difference.” What a difference he has made, especially while fighting in Afghanistan as a platoon leader with the 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment (“No Slack”), 101st Airborne Division during Operation Strong Eagle III. Anticipated to last just a few days, this mission to clear an insurgent stronghold in the Kunar Province turned into a nineday battle against a well-fortified enemy. “Their command and control ability was amazing,” said Mott. “Before we moved down the mountain to clear the Kalats, they mobilized unseen into the hills and spread out across 10-15 kilometers worth of terrain.” On the first day of the mission, March 27, 2011, his unit was ambushed as soon as it lost its air support after a storm moved into the valley. Eleven soldiers in his platoon’s lead section were cut off and under heavy fire from all directions. Three were shot. Mott radioed in the casualties. He then put himself in the line of enemy fire so that his pinned fire team could move to a better position. Finally, getting to a position where he could see the enemy (less than 50 meters away), he called in indirect fire, effectively suppressing the enemy. “This went on for nine days,” said Mott, “with something bad happening in the mission every day.” Full Story

Sheairs ’79 Named Executive Director 9/18/2014

Joseph M. Sheairs Sr. ’79, a veteran executive with more than 35 years of experience in aviation, engineering, technology and business, today was named the new executive director of the Stockton Aviation Research and Technology Park by the board of trustees of The Richard Stockton College of New Jersey. Sheairs is a graduate of West Point and the New Jersey Institute of Technology and holds degrees in engineering and computer sciences. In 2009-2010, he served as interim executive director and then deputy executive director of the Next Generation Aviation and Technology Park, a precursor to the Stockton ARTP. According to a news release, Sheairs was instrumental in securing the Virginia Tech Federal Aviation Administration Unmanned Aircraft Systems test site designation, which includes work in southern New Jersey. Stockton College and Stockton ARTP are members of the Virginia Tech team known as the MidAtlantic Aviation Partnership, which is helping to test unmanned aircraft systems. Read More

O'Neil ’85 Releases Sci-Fi Military Book 9/18/2014

Harper Voyager Impulse is issuing a call to arms: we aim to launch and support a brilliant new science fiction author, and his riveting new work of speculative fiction: GLORY MAIN (eBook ISBN 9780062359186, $2.99; print ISBN 9780062359193, $5.99) by talented writer Henry V. O’Neil. His novel, GLORY MAIN, was selected by editor Kelly O’Connor from among thousands of manuscripts submitted during Harper Voyager’s unprecedented open call for new talent. The author’s own experience in the military arena adds a patina to the work: O’Neil served as a US Army Infantry officer, and he holds a Bachelor’s degree from West Point. O’Connor asserts, “We’ve seen that military SF readers can appreciate when the author speaks from personal knowledge.” About the book: We are closer to the Sims than we think … For decades, mankind has been locked in a war with an alien enemy that resembles the human race so closely they are known as the Sims. Both sides battle for control of habitable planets across the galaxies—often at any cost.

Lieutenant Jander Mortas is fresh out of officer training and new to the war zone but eager to prove himself. There's just one problem: disaster strikes while he's traveling to his first assignment. He wakes to find himself marooned on a planet that appears deserted, with the only other survivors: a psychoanalyst, a conscientious objector, and a bitter veteran of a brutal slavescout detachment. As the group struggles to reach safety on a nearby base, Glory Main, they discover a Sim colony—which could mean their salvation, or their demise. Thrown together, they must fight the harsh elements, an ever-present enemy, and possibly each other. HENRY V. O’NEIL is the name under which award-winning mystery novelist Vincent H. O’Neil publishes his science fiction work. A graduate of West Point, he served in the US Army Infantry with the Tenth Mountain Division at Fort Drum, N.Y. and the 1st Battalion (Airborne) of the 508th Infantry in Panama.

MG Darryl A. Williams ’83 Leading the War on Ebola 9/17/2014

The man tapped by President Obama to lead the war on Ebola is a long-time Army leader who has experience on the battlefield, in Africa, and the medical arena. Major General Darryl A. Williams just took over command of U.S. Army Africa, in June, and on Tuesday it was announced that he would set up a command center in Monrovia, Liberia, and oversee as many as 3,000 military personnel who will help with training new health workers and setting up new facilities. "He just arrived today and is now on the ground in Liberia," Obama said of Williams and "Operation Unified Assistance" on Tuesday. "And our forces are going to bring their expertise in command and control, in logistics, in engineering." After graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in 1983, Williams became a field artillery officer and platoon leader based in Scheinfurt, Germany, according to his Army bio. He then had assignments in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, before being deployed to the Persian Gulf for Desert Shield and Desert Storm in the early 1990. He later earned a master’s degree in leadership development at West Point, and served as a tactical officer for the U.S. Corps of Cadets. And from 1998 to 2000, under Bill Clinton, he served as Army Aide to the President of the United States. After more leadership positions both stateside and in Germany, he served as the deputy director for "Comprehensive Soldier Fitness," and served as the Assistant Surgeon General for Warrior Care and Transition — a role in which he oversaw programs geared towards the well-being of soldiers returning from battle.

Vote for Joshua Sik '05 Project Green 9/16/2014 Light Video Vote for West Point Grad Joshua Sik, ’05, Excuse Me video. After his military service Joshua began making films as a director. The short film, titled Excuse Me, was chosen out of thousands to be in the top 20 of Project Green Light. The winner of the competition gets to direct a Hollywood feature film produced by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. To vote you will need a facebook account. Share on Facebook and help spread the word.

Class of ’92 at The Stanford Tailgate 9/15/2014

COL John Boulé ’86 Hired as Senior VP at Dewberry 9/12/2014

Dewberry, a privately held professional services firm, has hired John Boulé, PE, as senior vice president and manager of the firm’s New York City office. In addition to his operational responsibilities, Boulé will be focused on growing Dewberry’s already robust transportation, water resources, and facility engineering practice in the region. He will also seek to enhance Dewberry’s support of local, state, and federal agencies’ post-Superstorm Sandy rebuilding efforts and resilience initiatives in the northeast. Boulé has more than 28 years of experience in the engineering industry, specializing in resilience, risk mitigation, water resources, environmental restoration,

and infrastructure and facility services. His portfolio includes projects throughout the United States and abroad, such as Saudi Arabia, Germany, Iraq, and Korea. Prior to joining Dewberry, Boulé served as the vice president and resiliency director for Parsons Brinkerhoff, where he coordinated with local, state, and federal clients on the planning and engineering of large-scale resilience projects. He served in the U.S. Army from 1986 to 2012, attaining the rank of colonel before retiring. From 2009 to 2012, Boulé was commander of the New York District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In this role, he was responsible for the Corps’ water resource development, and regulatory activities in much of New York State and New Jersey, as well as parts of Vermont, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. The New York district is also responsible for the programming, design, and construction of Army and Air Force facilities in New Jersey, New York, and Greenland. As commander, he was responsible for the award and management of hundreds of contracts with an average annual value of over $1 billion. “I am elated to join Dewberry as their New York City leader. With deep and diverse service lines, talented people and an enterprise-wide collaborative spirit, this firm is poised to expand the superb service we already provide to our valued clients across this market space,” says Boulé. Boulé serves as a director of the Society of American Military Engineers, New York Post; is the vice chairman of the board of trustees at the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance; is a member of the board of directors of The Nature Conservancy’s Eastern New York Chapter; and serves on the NYSDOT liaison committee of the American Council of Engineering Companies of New York and is a member of the Association of the United States Army. He has presented and published articles at many conferences throughout the country and has received numerous awards and honors. Boulé has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He also has two master’s degrees from Stanford University in environmental fluid mechanics and hydrology, and structural engineering.

Class of 1960 Annual Appalachian Trail Hike 9/9/2014

Two members of the class of 1960 participated in the annual Appalachian Trail hike – John Sherden (AKA trail name “Crocodile Dundee”) and Chan Duryea (AKA trail name “Duzzer”). Their hike was from Shelburne, NH to Andover, ME, and included the famously challenging Mahoosuc Notch, reportedly the most difficult and longest mile on the Appalachian Trail. Car-sized boulders, leap of faith drops, and narrow tunnels make even fast hikers slow down to a snail’s pace. After completing the “Notch” and a few more miles, John and Chan were rewarded with visiting at one of the trail shelters with two recent veterans participating in the Warrior Hike – a therapeutic hike for returning veterans trying to put their combat experiences behind them.

Pictured in the photograph, left to right: “Viking” – an Air Force veteran on the Warrior Hike, John Sherden, ‘60 AKA “Crocodile Dundee”, Chan Duryea, ‘60 AKA “Duzzer”, and “Machine” – a Navy veteran on the Warrior Hike.

Graham ’87 Receives Combat Awards 9/8/2014

COL John Graham, a former Fort Bragg paratrooper and currently a USMA professor deployed to Afghanistan as an Afghan advisor and Deputy Commander for Regional Command Capitol, receives a Joint Service Commendation Medal and a Combat Action Badge from LTG Joe Anderson, Commander of ISAF Joint Command. Graham led an Afghan assault force in March to extract two American adults and an American child, then coordinated the evacuation of 28 Americans after an International Day Care was attacked in Kabul. (article shared on XVIII Airborne Corps Facebook page)

John Thresher Joins United Allergy Services as National Director of Sales 9/4/2014

United Allergy Services (UAS) a leading healthcare services company that enables family physician’s pediatricians and health systems to deliver safe and effective allergy testing and customized immunotherapy services today announced that John Thresher ’98 has accepted the position of national director of sales. Thresher will be rejoining UAS after a brief stint as vice president of regional development at Airrosti Rehab Centers where he was responsible for all operational and marketing functions for a large group of healthcare providers in Texas. John previously served as regional sales manager for UAS from October 2012 to November 2013. As national director of sales Thresher will oversee the training strategy and direction of the UAS sales team. "I have experienced firsthand United Allergy Services' commitment to providing exceptional support for its partner physicians as they seek to improve the health of their patients" said Thresher. "I look forward to helping execute the company's strategic initiatives to increase the scope of services performed within the primary care setting and expand access to safe and effective allergy care for millions of Americans." "United Allergy Services is thrilled to welcome back John Thresher as national director of sales" said Nicolas Hollis UAS president and CEO. "His years of sales experience combined with a deep knowledge of the company and primary care settings as well as his leadership in the military will be instrumental in driving the company forward." Read More

Mike Urette has Been Named Board Chair 9/3/2014

West Point Alumni Mike Urette ’61 has been named board chair of the The John and Mabel Ringling Museum of Art Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors. He will assume the role of chair at the board’s next meeting in October. Urette is the founder and chief executive of Great American Corporation in Tampa. The 32-year-old family-administered organization is a diversified real estate construction, development, and management company. Urette has been active in the Tampa community for more than 30 years. He has held a variety of civic positions focused on the arts and support for the military. As Chairman of the Building Committee at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, he was responsible for over-seeing the construction of the Patel Conservatory. Urette received the 2010 Impact Award from Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts. Urette and his wife, Karen, are also donors to the Community Foundation of Tampa Bay, the Tampa Bay History Center and the Tampa Theatre. He served as president of the local Military Affairs Committee, the West Point Society and Leadership Tampa Alumni. Urette is currently an active member of the American Committee on Foreign Relations, the Society of International Business Fellows, and the Tampa Yacht and Country Club. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, and he holds Master Degrees in Operations Research and Economics from Indiana University. Urette has served on the Board at The Ringling since 2009 as a Chair of the Development Committee and the Budget, Finance and Investment Committee.

151 Years Later Cushing to be Awarded Medal of Honor 8/27/2014

The White House announced on Tuesday it would award the Medal of Honor to an Army officer who distinguished himself during the Civil War Battle of Gettysburg more than 151 years ago. Army artillery officer 1st Lt. Alonzo H. Cushing continued to issue orders despite being wounded numerous times in the bloody battle, and will receive the posthumous award on Sep. 15. According to the Washington Post, relatives of Cushing and others have spent decades lobbying on the soldier's behalf.

“First Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing will receive the Medal of Honor posthumously for his actions while serving as commanding officer of Battery A, 4th United States Artillery, Artillery Brigade, 2nd Corps, Army of the Potomac. Cushing distinguished himself during combat operations against an armed enemy in the vicinity of Cemetery Ridge, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on July 3, 1863.” A graduate of West Point, Cushing was just 22-years-old when he was killed in the battle. On the battle's third day, Cushing's unit faced the Confederate "Pickett's Charge" and his artillery battery took heavy losses. Read More

Grad who Joined Ukrainian Army Unit Died in ‘Street Battle’ 8/26/2014

A West Point graduate died Wednesday while fighting in a Ukrainian army unit near Donetsk. Mark Paslawsky, 55, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1981, but recently joined the Donbas volunteer battalion and has fought in the region since April. Mr. Paslawsky, who went by "Franko" in a recent Vice News interview, told the news outlet "I'm of Ukrainian decent, and because of my parent's background, I'm entitled to immediate Ukrainian citizenship. So before I joined the battalion, I took on Ukrainian citizenship so I'd fight as a Ukrainian." Read More

West Point Exoskeleton Capstone Team Wins Innovation Award 8/22/2014

West Point Exoskeleton Capstone Team is Awarded the 2014 Scott R. Clark Innovation Award: Team T-REX (Tendon-assistive Rigid EXoskeleton), made up of cadets and faculty Reported by Dean’s Institute of Innovation and Development from Civil & Mechanical Engineering was awarded the 2014 Scott R. Clark Innovation Award, which acknowledges a project that demonstrates an innovative approach to solving a problem of direct application to the Army. The team was made up of CDTs (now 2LTs) Ryan Polston, Meagan Latimar, Brandon Zwank, Adam Hamner, and Zachary Reichert, as well as faculty advisors Dr. Becky Zifchock and MAJ Amber Walker. Charged with designing a device that would assist the soldier in carrying that load, the 2014 West Point Exoskeleton Team looked to smart materials to take a novel

approach. Rather than a traditional exoskeleton which transfers load to the ground, the team designed a small, lightweight device that spans the ankle joint to provide energetic assistance during the propulsive plantarflexion phase of gait. The energetic assistance is provided by Flexinol®, a thermal-reactive nickel-titanium alloy that is only microns thick. With improved metabolic efficiency the soldier can travel further, faster, and with decreased fatigue and injury susceptibility. In addition to their recognition by the Clark Innovation Award, the team’s work was also featured in the July – August 2014 issue of Popular Mechanics: Found here and on their website: here. POCs are Dr. Becky Zifchock: [email protected], and MAJ Amber Walker: [email protected]

COL Coffin Takes Command of VA 116th Infantry Brigade 8/21/2014

FORT A. P. HILL, Va. — COL. William J. Coffin ’88 took command of the Virginia National Guard's Staunton-based 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from COL. John M. Epperly ’89, the 116th's commander since June 2012, at a change of command ceremony Aug. 2, 2014, at Fort A. P. Hill, Va. BG. Blake C. Ortner, the Virginia National Guard Land Component Commander, was the senior officer in the ceremony and passed the 116th's unit colors from Epperly to Coffin to signify the change of command of the unit... Ortner described Coffin as the “right officer at the right time to continue to make a difference” and said “I can't think of a better officer to assume command from COL. Epperly. I am confident he will lead the Stonewall Brigade on to even greater things.”... Over the past two years of Epperly's command, the brigade has been recognized as being in the top five BCTs across the Army National Guard nationally. In addition to honing combat readiness, the brigade has responded to several emergency missions for the Commonwealth of Virginia ranging from hurricanes like Super Storm Sandy to local floods and winter storms. The 116th Infantry Regiment has been called into service during World War I, World War II, the Balkans and in Afghanistan and Iraq in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn. The 116th was first organized Nov. 3, 1741, as the Augusta County Regiment of the Virginia Militia. The brigade traces its lineage directly from the Augusta County Regiment served under George Washington in the French and Indian War as part of the Virginia Regiment. Elements of the brigade also served during the Revolutionary War and fought in the War of 1812. The regiment also served in the Army of the Shenandoah under BG. Thomas J. Jackson, Jackson and his men earned the title “Stonewall” at the battle of First Manassas. “As I look at our brigade colors today and see the battle streamers our generation put there, I see all of you In those colorful silk battle streamers, there's a little piece of immortality for all of us who were there in those faraway lands together,” Epperly said. “We are forever linked to all who came before us from 1741 to now and into the future.” Read More

Kate Kohler ’96 Announced Principal of Korn Ferry 8/20/2014

Ms. Kohler's experience spans the financial services, defense and nonprofit sectors. Prior to entering the talent management profession, Kate worked as an executive in the financial services industry, most recently at the PenFed Foundation, a nationally recognized nonprofit organization working to meet the unmet financial needs of active duty, veterans and their families. As Chief Operations Officer and Corporate Senior Vice President, she led the foundation's executive management in partnership with PenFed Credit Union, a $16 billion financial services organization. Previously, Kate served in business development roles in Institutional Business Development and Fund Marketing at Morgan Creek Capital Management, LLC and in Private Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley. Kate is a U.S. Army veteran, with command experience at the platoon and company level in Kuwait, Bosnia and South Korea, culminating in the leadership of more than 200 United States and South Korean soldiers as a company commander. She holds a master's degree in business administration from Harvard Business School and a master's degree in public administration from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. She earned a bachelor of science degree from The United States Military Academy at West Point. Originally from Towanda, Pennsylvania, Kate resides in Arlington, Virginia with her family.

Frank Janoski ’74 Named in 2015 Best Lawyers in America 8/19/2014

Lewis Rice is proud to announce Frank B. Janoski has been named to the 2015 Best Lawyers in America® annual list. Best Lawyers in America® compiles lists of outstanding attorneys by conducting exhaustive peer-review surveys in which thousands of leading lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers. Mr. Janoski has appeared in Best Lawyers every year since 2008. He is recognized for his work in intellectual property litigation and patent, trademark and copyright law. Mr. Janoski focuses his Lewis Rice practice on intellectual property and commercial litigation. He has served as the lead trial attorney in many complex intellectual property litigation cases as well as in trademark, copyright and related issues before U.S. District Courts and U.S. Courts of Appeals. He is also licensed to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Mr. Janoski regularly writes and speaks on topics regarding intellectual property, and has been a guest lecturer at Saint Louis University and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point on such topics. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the West Point Association of Graduates as well as its Audit Committee and as Chairman of its Board’s Governance Committee.

GEN(R) McCaffrey Appointed to Excelitas Technologies Board 8/19/2014

Excelitas Technologies Corp., a global photonics industry leader today announced the appointment of General Barry McCaffrey, retired Four-Star General, to the company’s board of directors. In this role, General McCaffrey will provide Excelitas with strategic counsel as the company enters its next phase of growth. “I am pleased to join Excelitas’ board of directors and look forward to working with the executive team,” stated General McCaffrey. “Having served in the United States Army in multiple tours of duty, I have a deep appreciation for Excelitas’ 50 plus years of support and leadership in mission-critical programs through their technology expertise.” General McCaffrey attended Phillips Academy, Andover, Massachusetts, and graduated from West Point with a Bachelor of Science degree. He earned a master's degree in American Government from American University and attended the Harvard University National Security Program as well as the Business School Executive Education Program. In 2007, he was inducted into the US Army Ranger Hall of Fame at the US Army Infantry Center, Ft. Benning, GA. In May 2010, he was honored as a Distinguished Graduate by the West Point Association of Graduates at the United States Military Academy. Read More Leaders Conference Wrap-Up 8/18/2014

Class of 1967 West Point Alumni Leaders Conference Approximately 350 West Point leaders of all stripes returned to the Academy from August 13 to August 16 for the Class of 1967 West Point Alumni Leaders Conference, and there was something for everyone on the agenda. The conference formally opened with remarks from LTG (R) Larry Jordan ’68, Chairman of the West Point Association of Graduates Board of Directors. Jordan discussed the state of the Association and outlined some of his goals as chairman, which included strengthening the relevance of WPAOG, supporting the

Academy’s diversity initiatives and drafting WPAOG’s next strategic plan. “We need to think about organizational and succession planning, or building our bench of future leaders and advisors,” Jordon said. He then gave four orders to the assembled leaders: “learn, meet, share and enjoy.” Read More.

Alumni Named Among Best Lawyers in US 8/18/2014

ATLANTA, Aug. 18, 2014 – Boyd Collar Nolen & Tuggle, LLC is pleased to announce the inclusion of all four of the firm’s named partners among Best Lawyers in America for 2015. Robert D. Boyd ’73, John L. Collar, Jr., Richard M. Nolen and Jonathan J. Tuggle are recognized by the guide as leading lawyers in the area of family law. One of the oldest and most distinguished legal directories, Best Lawyers conducts peer-review surveys to compile its annual list of top attorneys across several practice areas. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers in America has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Because its research is based on an exhaustive peerreview survey in which more than 36,000 leading attorneys cast almost 4.4 million votes on the legal abilities of other lawyers in their practice areas, and because lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed, inclusion in the guide is considered a singular honor. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers in America “the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice.”

Bryan Simon '97 Recipient of Warren D. Bowman, MD Award 8/18/2014 Bryan Simon, USMA Class of 1997, is the recipient of the 2014 Warren D. Bowman, MD award presented at the Wilderness Medical Society's annual meeting in Jackson Hole, WY. This prestigious international honor was awarded for his contributions in services to wilderness medicine and to the Wilderness Medical Society. After leaving the service, Bryan co-founded Vertical Medicine Resources, a medical guiding and consulting team dedicated to providing training and support for climbing and mountaineering expeditions around the world. In addition to his work with Vertical Medicine Resources, Bryan is also the climbing medicine columnist for Wilderness Medicine magazine and was recently named to the editorial board of the journal Nursing.

Grads Help Cadets to do AIADs in Vietnam 8/15/2014

“Grads in the West Point Society of Singapore have been setting up AIAD opportunities for cadets in SE Asia for the past three years. This summer, two cadets did AIADs in Vietnam with Banyan Tree Group. The cadets worked with Banyan Tree’s corporate social responsibility operations and were based out of Cu Du Village, Loc Vinh Commune, Phu Loc District in Thua Thien Hue Province. This was the second year that Banyan Tree hosted cadets for AIADs. Tremendous support for the AIAD was provided by Banyan Tree’s Area General Manager, Mr. Desmond Acheson, and the Group HR Director, Mr. Timothy Cheong. Banyan Tree’s Chairman, Mr. Ho Kwon Ping, served as a senior mentor last year at the McDonald Cadet Leadership Conference.

William H. Roof ’76, Ph.D. to Chief Operating Officer 8/12/2014

In his new role as Chief Operating Officer, Dr. William H. Roof ’76 will be responsible for the sales, customer service, information technology and enterprise wireless departments of the Company and will report directly to President and Chief Executive Officer Nelson Ludlow, Ph.D. Dr. Roof has more than 30 years of engineering experience in the civilian and military sectors. Since leaving the Company in 2011, he served as Chief Technology Officer at TechFlow, Inc., where he managed a new division of the company providing a broad range of engineering services to Fort Huachuca in Arizona and a variety of other government agencies. Prior to his earlier tenure at the Company, from 2004 to 2009 he was Vice President of Research and Development at IntelliDOT Corporation, a healthcare information technology/patient safety product development company. He also served as a Captain in the United States Navy (Naval Intelligence), specializing in force protection and counterterrorism as a credentialed federal agent of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS). Dr. Roof is a veteran of Operations Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. His earlier civilian employment positions include Vice President, Research and Development at Cardinal Health, Program Manager at Lear Siegler and Senior Systems Engineer at Litton Industries. He holds a B.S. degree in engineering from the United States Military Academy, an M.B.A. from Loyola Marymount University and a Ph.D. in software engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. Read More

John G. Powers ’88 Upstate NY Super Lawyer 8/12/2014

John G. Powers ’88 has been selected as an Upstate New York Super Lawyer for 2014. Mr. Powers is a partner in the Litigation Practice of the Syracuse, NY-based law firm of Hancock Estabrook, LLP, which is currently celebrating its 125th Anniversary. He litigates complex commercial lawsuits in federal and state court, as well as before administrative tribunals and arbitration panels. Mr. Powers represents a wide range of clients including manufacturers, general contractors, municipalities, publicly and privately-held corporations of all types, lenders, and small businesses. He is experienced in product liability litigation, construction litigation, intellectual property and trade secret litigation, and complex contractual and intra-corporate disputes. Mr. Powers is admitted to practice in New York. Prior to becoming an attorney, he served for five years on active duty in the United States Army as an Infantry Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, and Operations Officer.

Senate Confirms McDonald as VA Secretary 8/4/2014

The Senate confirmed Robert McDonald ’75 to head the Department of Veterans Affairs on Tuesday, one day after congressional leaders cobbled together a $17 billion funding bill to help reform the agency and expand care. Mr. McDonald takes over as VA secretary after little debate or opposition and a 97-0 confirmation vote on the Senate floor. Last week, he faced a friendly hearing before the Committee on Veterans' Affairs where he fielded few questions and was lauded by many on the panel. Mr. McDonald, 61 years old, is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy. He left the Army as a captain before beginning a 33year career at Procter & Gamble Co., culminating in the role of CEO, which he held from 2009 to 2013. “As a veteran himself and a proud member of a military family, Bob is deeply committed to serving our veterans and their families," said President Barack Obama in a statement. "And as an executive with decades of private-sector experience, he is uniquely equipped to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs, and to help change the way the VA does business.”

Grad Appointed Dir of Development for Monastic Congregation 8/4/2014

Photo: Sister Nancy Rose Gucwa ’80, OSB, a member of the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in Clyde, Missouri, was recently appointed director of the congregation's development office. (CLYDE, Mo.) Sister Nancy Rose Gucwa, OSB has been named director of development for the Benedictine Sisters of Perpetual Adoration in Clyde, Missouri. Sister Nancy Rose grew up in Richmondtown on Staten Island and graduated from Susan Wagner High School. She was a member of the first class that admitted women to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and graduated with a degree in general engineering in 1980. Sister Nancy Rose later earned a masters of business administration degree from Golden Gate University. After she completed her commitment to active duty, she spent several years in the banking and finance industry, including working in St. Louis from 1992 until her entrance into the monastery in 2006. She retired from the U.S. Army Reserves in 2008. She made her first monastic profession with the Benedictine Sisters in 2009 and her final monastic profession in 2013. She has worked in the correspondence department for many years, helping with annual mailings and answering prayer requests, and assisting with donor relations in the development office. She will continue her work in correspondence while managing the development office. As director, she will coordinate donor relations, consult with investment professionals and oversee charitable giving for all of the congregation’s monastic communities across the country. “I am deeply honored to have been entrusted with the responsibility of inviting all people to share in our ministry of prayer for the world,” Sister Nancy Rose said. “We welcome everyone to bring us their prayer intentions or experience our Benedictine hospitality at our monasteries in Clyde or Tucson, Arizona.”

John Ende ’92 Promoted to Exec VP of Sales at Hello Products 7/31/2014

Naturally friendly oral care brand hello has expanded its executive and management teams with several highly experienced and talented leaders to foster continued innovation and growth. In recognition of hello's incredible retail sell-in results, John Ende has been promoted to Executive Vice President of Sales as the company prepares to expand its sales force in its second year in-market. A West Point graduate and veteran of Mentholatum, Johnson & Johnson and the U.S. Army, John is the leader responsible for hello's impressive and expansive retail presence. John's determination and innate friendliness will continue to play a prominent role in the ongoing expansion of the brand domestically and internationally. “As the company transitions from year one into year two, the new and expanded leadership team will continue to establish hello as the brand that finally makes personal care more, well, personal,” said hello's founder and CEO, Craig Dubitsky. “We're growing like crazy, and this passionate and extremely experienced team has the goods to deliver on the scale of the opportunity before us.”

Class of 2017 Gets Flag and Promotion 7/29/2014 July 25, 2014 will live forever in the minds of those in the Class of 2017. This is the day on which they ended their existence as cadet privates and got promoted to cadet corporals. “Today marks a transition for you,” LTG Robert Caslen ’75, Superintendent, told the yearlings who were assembled by company on the Camp Bucker Parade Field for the Cadet Field Training (CFT) Award Ceremony and Flag Presentation. “Today you become a team leader in the Corps of Cadets and go from one being led to one who will lead.” The ceremony also marked the conclusion of Task Force Parten, the nearly three weeks of military training the now yearlings accomplished during CFT, which was named for 1LT Tyler Parten ’07, who was killed in 2009 during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. During the ceremony, 1LT Parten’s sister, Anna, addressed the Class of 2017 and challenged them to live up to the motto chosen for CFT this year: “Forging your destiny—living the legacy.” Referring to their academic year duty to help an assigned plebe adjust to military life, she said, “Each one of you is now in the remarkable position to transform the lives of young men and women into leaders.” Six members from the Class of 1967, which is 2017’s 50-Year Affiliation Class, were also at the ceremony and presented CDT Kristi Carrigan ’17, Class President, with 2017’s Class Flag. Going forward, this flag will be used at all class events and remain on display in Herbert Alumni Center’s Great Hall. An integral part of the 50-Year Affiliation Program, the presentation of the Class Flag strengthens the bonds between the classes and reinforces the ideals of West Point and the values of the Army. One bond they now share is the CFT experience. “Coming back to Buckner brings back a lot of memories,” said Dr. Tom Parr ’67, the Class 50-Year Affiliation

Chair. “One thing I never realized is how pretty the scenery is around here.” While undergoing their military training—fire support, marksmanship, urban operations, land navigation, reconnaissance, small unit leadership development and Army PT—it is unlikely that the Class of 2017 had much time for scenery, but memories were certainly made. “I’ll never forget waking up to rain one night at 0230 and seeing my buddy placing his poncho on my stuff,” said CDT Avery Littlejohn ’17, who was awarded the Superintendent’s Plaque as the best overall cadet in CFT based on recommendations from his chain of command. CDT Brevin Irvin, who received CFT’s Sean Knott Memorial Award for displaying loyalty and selflessness to his Ranger buddy, said, “It’s events like these that create lasting friendships.” Years from now, should the members of the Class of 2017 want to relive their CFT experiences (or try to remember the scenery of Camp Buckner), all they will need to do is look upon the Class Flag given to them by the Class of 1967 and the events of July 2014 will come alive again in their minds.

Rowny 41' Receives South Korean Award 7/28/2014 Republic of South Korea Awards Four U.S. Veterans its Nation’s Highest Military Award: The Order of Military Merit, Taeguk -- Awards Presented in Seoul on Anniversary of Korean War Armistice; Veterans Include 97Year-Old General Edward Rowny -Washington D.C. – The office of former Ambassador Lt. Gen. Edward L. Rowny announced that South Korea Prime Minister Chung Hong-won, in a commemorative ceremony in Seoul last evening, awarded General Rowny the Order of Military Merit, Taeguk, South Korea’s highest military award. The award was presented for “outstanding and meritorious services rendered to the Republic of Korea during the Korean War with great sacrifice and commitment.” The announcement was made on the anniversary of the Korean War Armistice, signed 61 years ago on July 27, 1953. More than 35,000 Americans lost their lives in the Korean War. Rowny, age 97, is the oldest recipient to ever receive Korea’s highest military honor, whose previous recipients include Generals MacArthur, Twining, Lemnitzer and Westmoreland. Rowny was joined in Seoul by two fellow American veterans receiving the Order of Military Merit, Taeguk: Sergeant First Class (ret.) Ronald E. Rosser, age 84, and Mr. (former Staff Sgt.) Hiroshi H. Miyamura, age 88. A fourth award recipient, Sgt. (ret.) Einar H. Ingman, age 84, was represented by his daughter. Rosser, Miyamura and Ingman are also each U.S. Medal of Honor recipients, while Gen. Rowny is a recipient of the U.S. Distinguished Service Medal and four Silver Stars (America’s third highest award for valor), in addition to numerous other awards received among this illustrious group of United States veterans. “The years have advanced but the bravery of these men remains timeless,” said U.S. Army historian, retired Army Captain Monika Stoy, who assisted the Korean Ministry for Patriots and Veterans Affairs in arrangements with the U.S. veterans for the award presentation. General Rowny traveled from Washington D.C., Rosser from Ohio, Miyamura from New Mexico, while

Ingman is from Wisconsin. Collectively, the veterans represent a cross-section of America’s finest. Click here for photo: http://www.mediafire.com/view/u7dh34suce04w0m/Award%20Ceremony%20Seoul%20July%2 027%2C%202014 Military dignitaries present at the ceremony included the Commander of United Nations Command/United States Forces Korea, General Curtis Scaparotti, as well as many veterans from among UN forces that fought in the Korean War. Anne Kazel-Wilcox, who co-authored a book with Rowny that included his experiences in the Korean War, described some actions that led to the award: “General Rowny helped plan the Inchon Invasion to recapture Seoul following the North’s invasion, which turned the tide of war, and which is one of the crowning achievements of his career. He is prouder still of a major battle during which his troops captured a critical hill—by Bloody and Heartbreak Ridges—without Allied troops suffering a single casualty despite hundreds of enemy deaths.” Rowny also orchestrated the rescue of scores of stranded U.S. Marines in another significant Korean War battle. General Rowny (then a lieutenant colonel breveted to brigadier general) also served as General MacArthur’s official spokesman during the Korean War. Kazel-Wilcox, together with PJ Wilcox, helped Gen. Rowny document some of these Korean War experiences in West Point ’41: The Class That Went to War and Shaped America (coauthored by the Wilcoxs and Gen. Rowny). Smokey Joe & The General, by Gen. Rowny, elaborates on the experiences further. Both books were recently published. Scenes in the books include Rowny spearheading the rescue of stranded Marines in the Chosin Reservoir, an elevated lake set amid a forbidding mountain landscape. The rescue involved a C119 cargo plane boldly, but precariously, dropping portable bridge sections to span a precipitous chasm so Marines could cross it to safety and transport casualties. Rowny also helped orchestrate “Operation Christmas Cargo” on Dec. 24, 1950—the rescue of nearly 100,000 North Korean civilians fleeing advancing death squads. They were evacuated aboard U.S. supply ships, tucked into every nook possible, and transported to safer territory south. Gen. Rowny (USMA 1941) served as an advisor to five Presidents and was the Chief Negotiator for nuclear disarmament with the Soviets under President Reagan. He was also chief negotiator in the Strategic Arms Reduction Talks (START) and Joint Chiefs of Staff Representative to SALT II talks. Reagan awarded Rowny the Presidential Citizen's Medal for being one of the “principal architects of America’s policy of ‘Peace through Strength’.” Previously, he headed the Army team that introduced the concept of armed helicopters to the military, beginning with Vietnam. He is a veteran of WW II, the Korean War and Vietnam. About West Point ’41 and Smokey Joe & The General West Point ’41: The Class That Went to War and Shaped America was written in collaboration with surviving members of the West Point class of 1941. It includes first-hand accounts of officers catapulted directly into the teeth of battle and high commands. The book follows ’41 officers through WWII and two more wars —Korea and Vietnam, as well as the Cold War — and through eras of peacetime military innovation that helped shape America.

Smokey & Joe & The General, is an autobiography/biography following young West Point graduate Rowny on a remarkable life journey under the guidance and inspiration of eccentric but brilliant General John E. Wood, considered the best trainer in the Army. The book includes extensive accounts of Rowny in the Korean War.

Rotary in Motion 7/28/2014 This past week at the annual banquet president William Stone passed the Union County Rotary leadership gavel to Dr. Patricia Barnes. Dr Barnes grew up near Flemington, New Jersey. In 1978 she attended the United States Military Academy at West Point where she graduated in 1982 with a degree in engineering. Subsequently she attended the Air Defense Artillery School at Ft. Bliss, Texas en route to airborne school followed by flight school at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Upon Graduation she was sent to Stuttgart, Germany as a UH-1H helicopter pilot where she was also tasked with translating French and German as the S2 Intelligence Officer for her battalion. Upon her return to the United States Dr. Barnes was assigned to Fort Rucker as a helicopter instructor pilot, teaching both US students and EURO/NATO students advanced maneuvers. She has achieved her commercial helicopter pilots license and private pilot’s license for fixed wing aircraft. Dr. Barnes then applied to veterinary school at the College of Veterinary Medicine at Auburn University, graduating in 1993. She then moved to Blairsville where she worked with a veterinarian for a year before setting up a hospital in 1994. The Union County Veterinary Hospital has since grown to be a 6800 square foot facility treating animals with surgery, dentistry, internal medicine and basic wellness. Dr. Barnes will follow in the footsteps of William Stone who has led the Rotary Club for the past year. The Rotary Club has had a year of outstanding accomplishments under Mr. Stone’s leadership. This past year’s accomplishments include support and contributions to a long list of projects and organizations including two local Boy Scout troops, the local Girl Scout troop, an adult literacy program, scholarship provision to UCHS, Woody Gap and Young Harris College students, support of the Young Harris College Baseball Team, North Georgia Technical School’s Rotaract Club, The Towns Union Reading Program (TULIP) as well as support for the Georgia Rotary Student Program including sponsoring an exchange student from Scandinavia, sponsorship of 4 students to Camp RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards). The club also supports the Rotary Foundation which carries out service projects all over the world. The Rotary Club of Union County meets each Thursday at noon in the community room at Cadence Bank in Blairsville.

Mission Accomplished 7/23/2014 Thanks to you and 2,062 other graduates, Army beat Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard in our first-ever All Academy Challenge! Congratulations! Your participation was critical to this success─helping us reach a participation rate of 4.35 percent. Graduates also helped raise more than $650,000 in ten days, which will support Margin of Excellence programs for cadets as well as traditions that serve the Long Gray Line. Thank you for once again rising to the challenge and demonstrating the power of the Long Gray Line.

Christopher N. Johnson ’89 Re-Appointed to the Executive Council 7/18/2014 Christopher N. Johnson ’89, a shareholder in the Miami office of Gray Robinson, P.A., was recently re-appointed to the Executive Council of the International Law Section (ILS) of the Florida Bar through 2017. The ILS is a forum to share knowledge, experience, and best practices that may improve the administration and application of the statutes and regulations of international law, and generally enhance the proficiency of practitioners. Johnson’s practice focuses on complex commercial litigation and arbitration, real estate litigation, creditors' rights, antitrust, insurance law, health law and aviation law. He represents clients at trial and on appeal in both state and federal courts and in arbitration. Johnson is admitted to practice in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit and in the U.S. district courts for the Middle, Southern and Northern districts of Florida.

Rick White ’84 Appointed National Practice 7/18/2014 Director Patina Solutions is expanding its international capabilities with the appointment of Rick White ’84 as National Practice Director – India Solutions. In this role, White will be responsible for growing Patina Solutions' India Solutions service offerings in the U.S. and India. He will help companies expand their markets and address their strategic, operational and management needs in conjunction with the seasoned international practitioners in the Patina Nation – the company’s

portfolio of professionals with 25+ years of experience each. This is an expanded role for White, who joined Patina Solutions in early 2013 as a Senior Advisor on International Business Strategies and Government Policy. He was previously the Founder and President of Indus Strategic Solutions, a consulting firm that focused on building strategic business strategies for companies entering or expanding in India and other international markets. White has experience working in both the private and government sector. He had three assignments at the U.S. Embassy, his last position being Senior Defense Official/Defense Attaché. In addition to aerospace and defense companies, White has worked with manufacturing, energy and transportation companies to develop effective international business strategies in Asia, Africa and the Middle East. White is a member of the Indo-U.S. Chamber of Commerce and is on the International Business Committee of the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce. Nationally, he serves on the U.S.India Business Council’s Defense Executive Committee and is a member of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition. White earned his master's degree in Asian Studies from the University of Texas – Austin and his bachelor’s degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point. In addition, he holds master’s degrees from the University of Madras in India and the U.S. Army War College.

U.S. Ambassador Kirk Wagar and the WPS of Singapore 7/18/2014 “The West Point Society of Singapore (WPSOS) spent a wonderful evening visiting with the U.S. Ambassador to Singapore at his residence on July 9. Ambassador Wagar also joined WPSOS as a distinguished guest at their Founder’s Day celebration this year. In attendance were the following:

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Clement Lee (’92) – the first Singaporean to graduate from West Point Fred Tan (’94) – the senior Singaporean graduate on active duty – and Mrs. Christina Tan Cadet Stephanie Koo (’15) – Cadet Koo is performing a summer AIAD in Singapore at Raffles Institution Shaun Chia (’08) and Ms. Anna Tan Scott Baggett (’90) Chee Leung Yew (’00) and Mrs. Amelia Yew Grace Park (’94) and Mr. Cole Sirucek Mun Poh Fan (’06) and Mrs. Kareen Fan Matthew Halferty (’93) Alex Wang (’05) and Mrs. Kristy Lau Chris Lo (’95) Ray Jefferson (’88)

Ray Jefferson and Chris Lo jointly serve WPSOS as the Society’s president and vice-president, respectively.

US hoops Team Drawn to West Point 7/17/2014 Jerry Colangelo's first trip to West Point was one that he will never forget. "I was in awe, I really was," said Colangelo, the director of USA Basketball. "You feel proud just being there." Colangelo hopes his men's national team, which includes Kevin Durant, Blake Griffin, Kevin Love and Derrick Rose, leaves with the same impression after they practice at the United States Military Academy on Aug. 18. "I would be naive to think Coach K's involvement didn't have something to do with it," said Army athletic director Boo Corrigan, who worked with Mike Krzyzewski ’69 as an senior associate athletic director at Duke from 2008-11. "This speaks about West Point being the preeminent leadership institution in the world. ... Coach K, Adam Silver (the NBA's commissioner) and Jerry Colangelo, when you think what they are all about, it makes sense when you talk about doing something above and beyond the bigger cause." Read More.

Be Thou at Peace - Mr. H. Minton Francis 7/11/2014

With deep sadness, we mark the passing of Mr. H. Minton Francis, USMA Class of 1944, the 8th African American graduate of West Point. Mr. Francis passed away on July 7, 2014 in Washington, DC. Funeral Services will be held on July 12, 2014 at Blessed Sacrament Church, Washington, DC. He will be interred at West Point Cemetery at a later date.

Bryon E. Roshong ’66, DMD 7/11/2014 Bryon E. Roshong ’66 was sworn in as the 145th president of the New Jersey Dental Association (NJDA) on June 29, 2014, in Atlantic City, NJ. The NJDA, founded in 1870, is one of the state’s oldest professional associations. Dr. Roshong is a general dentist living and practicing in Dumont, NJ. In 2011, Dr. Roshong was elected treasurer of the New Jersey Dental Association. He is a long-time representative of the Bergen County Dental Society and is the first Bergen area dentist to hold the office of NJDA president in the past nine years. Dr. Roshong is a graduate of The United States Military Academy at West Point and a decorated veteran of the Vietnam era. He received his dental degree from Fairleigh Dickinson University Dental School. He serves as an adjunct clinical professor in the dental hygiene program at Bergen County College, and has served on the Board of Directors at Bergen Pines County Hospital and on the Board of Governance at Bergen Regional Medical Center. Also, Dr. Roshong served as the dental consultant to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services’ Children’s Dental Grant program. Dr. Roshong is a member and past president of the Bergen County Dental Society. He is a former trustee of the New Jersey Dental Association and former chair of the NJDA Council on Governmental and Public Affairs.

LTG David Huntoon ’73 and MG Chris Leins ’79 7/11/2014 Last month, LTG David Huntoon ’73 and MG Chris Leins ’79 received the National Order of Merit in the rank of Knight from the French Government at a ceremony hosted by the Ambassador at the French Embassy in Washington, DC. Read the full story and view photos here.

Father & Son ’95 Command Same Battalion 4 6/24/2014 Decades Apart Like many soldiers, LTC Patrick Harkins ’95 has a veteran father who knows firsthand the stress of wartime deployments. One big difference is that Harkins’ dad led the very same unit of paratroopers known as the Iron Rakkasans into combat decades earlier... read the full story.

Graduate March Back 6/20/2014 Hosted by the: Directorate of Academy Advancement (DAA) USMA Staff This Event is ONLY open to West Point Graduates! 11-12 August 2014 (Monday - Tuesday) USMA Graduates can march back with the New Cadets at the end of Cadet Basic Training. There are two options: 1. March from Camp Buckner - Approximately 12 miles 2. March from the Ski Slope - Approximately 2 miles Details Found Here THIS EVENT IS ONLY OPEN TO WEST POINT GRADUATES! POC is Vince McDermott

Dan Sharphorn ’69 Named Vice Chancellor 6/17/2014 Dan Sharphorn ’69, a longtime attorney with extensive experience in higher education leadership and law, has been named vice chancellor and general counsel to The University of Texas System, effective June 16. Sharphorn joined the UT System in 2007 as associate vice chancellor and deputy general counsel and has been serving as ad interim vice chancellor and general counsel for the past year. Sharphorn played a central role in the development and implementation of expanded conflict of interest and conflict of commitment policies and also led the review of policies and procedures to help address and prevent sexual harassment and sexual assault on UT System

campuses. He also has provided critical legal guidance on the separation of UT Brownsville and Texas Southmost College as well as the establishment of UT Rio Grande Valley and its medical school. Prior to joining the UT System, Sharphorn served in the vice president and general counsel’s office at the University of Michigan for 25 years, with his last appointment as associate vice president and deputy general counsel. He began his career in higher education as an instructor with the Judge Advocate General’s Corps at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He received his bachelor’s degree from West Point, and he served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam and at the Pentagon. He also holds a law degree and master’s degrees from the University of Michigan.

Donnie Horner ’81 Appointed to Director of Athletics 6/12/2014 Jacksonville University is very pleased to announce that Dr. Donnie Horner ’81 has been appointed to serve as Director of Athletics at Jacksonville University, effective immediately. A native of Bressler, Pa., Horner graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science, and played quarterback for the Army football team under Head Coach Homer Smith. He later served as the Officer Representative of Academics & Operations for Army Football. He received an M.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Stanford University. A Distinguished Professor of Leadership Education in the Department of Leadership, Ethics and Law at the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., Horner served as the Faculty Representative to the Naval Academy Athletic Association. He currently serves as Chief Government & Community Affairs Officer and Professor of Management in the Davis College of Business at JU. Horner replaces Brad Edwards, who has accepted the position of athletic director at George Mason University. Edwards served as the head of athletics at Jacksonville University since 2012. Horner will work with Edwards in transition over the next month.

Joel Roberts ’90 Named in the 2014 Super Lawyers List 6/11/2014 BakerHostetler Orlando is proud to announce that Joel Roberts ’90 has been named in the 2014 Super Lawyers list. Joel Roberts is a civil trial lawyer who focuses his practice on eminent domain, commercial litigation, construction litigation, and government contracts law. For more than 10 years, Joel has represented property owners and condemning authorities in eminent domain matters. He also maintains a very active commercial litigation practice, where he focuses on representing defense contractors and design and

construction firms in various government contracting, professional liability, construction defect, and general business matters. Joel is a graduate of the United States Military Academy and served as an officer in the United States Army. He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of a national consulting and engineering firm focusing on defense and public sector projects. Joel's diverse professional experiences provide him with a rich understanding of the challenges facing individuals and businesses, enhancing the advice and representation he is able to provide. Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process is multi-phased and includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations.

Class of ’89 Participated in Warfighter Exercise at 6/11/2014 Leavenworth In May 2014, seven members of the Class of 1989 participated in Warfighter Exercise 14-05A at Fort Leavenworth. At the conclusion of the exercise, the group decided to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of their graduation (24 May 1989) by taking a photo in front of the statue of General Ulysses Grant at Fort Leavenworth. Joining the group was Kate (Regan) Sullivan, who is also a member of the Class of 1989. In the photo: Back Row (left to right) COL Tim Sullivan, Kate Sullivan, COL James Raymer, COL John Allred, COL John Dunleavy, COL John Andonie Front Row (left to right) COL John Epperly, COL Ed Bohnemann

Todd Scattini ’96 Hosts First Joint Founders Day 6/11/2014 On May 31st, LTC Todd Scattini ’96, Senior Defense Official/Defense Attaché to the Republic of Slovenia hosted the first annual Joint Founders Day celebration in Ljubljana, Slovenia. The Slovenian Armed Forces proudly boasts eleven graduates of US Military Academies; six from West Point, four from the Air Force Academy, and one from the Naval Academy. The purpose of this joint Founders Day was to celebrate the common histories, values, and leadership capabilities learned at the academies. It was also designed for other graduates to hear firsthand from their leadership the appreciation for and confidence that the Slovene Armed Forces have in each of their abilities. Due to continued training in US military schools and operational deployments the Slovenes represented with six of their graduates. Present during the dinner and ceremony were Maj Klemen Mijatov (USMA ’02), Cpt Jure Himelrajh (USMA ’06), Maj Majcen Slavko (USAFA ’99), 1LT Matija Zupancic (USAFA ’12), 2LT Marko Podplatnik (USAFA ’13), and LT(N) Miran Balazic (USNA ’01). Many of the graduates were also accompanied by their spouses who were appreciative to be included. LTC Todd Scattini (USMA ’96), represented the US, along with LTC John Frick (USMA ’96), and Maj Matthew Manning (USAFA ’00). The US Ambassador, Mr. Joseph Mussomeli was in attendance, and the Slovenian Chief of Defense, Major General Dobran Bozic gave the keynote address.

WPAOG Announces 2014 Nininger Award 6/10/2014 WPAOG is pleased to announce CPT Kevin Mott ’07 as this year’s recipient of the Alexander R. Nininger Award. The award presentation will be Thursday, September 18th, at a dinner in Washington Hall where CPT Mott will address the Corps. CPT Mott is currently a Company Commander at Fort Bliss, TX.

Gov Tom Ridge Message to West Point 6/9/2014

The West Point Society of Philadelphia held their Founders Day celebration on Saturday, June 7 with 200+ guests in attendance. Governor Tom Ridge was presented with the 2014 GEN Alexander M. Haig, Jr., Guardian of Liberty Award, and during his acceptance speech, he had a special message for West Point.

2014 Alumni Golf Outing 6/9/2014 The 21st Annual Alumni Golf Outing was held at West Point 5-7 June 2014. The outing included 36 holes of golf: Captain’s Choice on Friday and Individual Play on Saturday. Other events included a reception and dinner in Herbert Alumni Center, a boat cruise, dinner in the Kimsey Center overlooking Michie Stadium, and breakfast and lunch at the West Point Golf Course. 66 graduates and guests, spanning over 57 years of USMA classes, participated. The senior graduate was Bill Quinn ’51 and the youngest was Mario Barrett ’07. The largest class represented was 1972 (Proud and True, ’72) with nine members of the Class. Not far behind were the classes of 1968 (No Task Too Great for ’68) with seven grads, 1962 (Can Do) with six grads, and the class of 1996 (Freedom We Risk) also with six grads. Thank you again to everyone who participated and made the event a success! To view photos, click here. Below is the complete list of winners: First-place teams on Friday were: A-Flight with a score of 58 – Marc Dorrer ’96, Kirk Ringbloom ’96, Kyle Aemisegger ’98, Eric Weis B-Flight with a score of 67 – Ray Crawford ’72, Frank Hoke ’72, Kweon Stambaugh ’72, John Northrop ‘72 First-place winners on Saturday were:

A-Flight with a score of 75 – Ritchy Vidmar B-Flight – Dick Irwin ‘62 C-Flight – Jim Lawson ‘76 3 Individual Hole Prizes: Hole #2, Closest to the Pin - Dave Kelley ’67 Hole #5, Longest Drive in the Fairway, Ladies/Senior – Mitch Chaney ‘72 Hole #14, Longest Drive in the Fairway, Open – Rick Bolyard Saturday, 7 June (Individual Play) A-Flight 1st Place with a score of 75 – Ritchy Vidmar 2nd Place with a score of 81 – Kyle Aemisegger ‘96 3rd Place with a score of 82 – Earl Newsome ‘68 B-Flight: 1st Place – Dick Irwin ‘62 2nd Place – Kweon Stambaugh ‘72 3rd Place – Tim Alden ‘96 C-Flight: 1st Place – Jim Lawson ‘76 2nd Place – Jess Gatlin ‘68 3rd Place – Joe Creeden ‘68 3 Individual Hole Prizes: Hole # 2 – John Hickey ‘62 Hole #13 – Kirk Ringbloom ‘96 Hole #16 – Joe Guignon ‘68 We hope to see you next year! 11-13 June 2015. Click here if you would like to receive an email when registration opens in February 2015.

COL Rich Morales ’89 recognized for his achievements by the First Lady 6/5/2014 Rich Morales ’89, former Executive Director of Joining Forces, has been recognized for his achievements within the Office of the First Lady of the United States. During a Joining Forces event held in April at the American Red Cross in Washington, D.C., Morales was given a heartfelt farewell and applauded by First Lady Michelle Obama for his leadership efforts as Executive Director of the national organization. He will soon transition to Brigade Command of the ROTC command at Ft. Sam Houston, after which he will serve as Deputy Head of the Department of Systems Engineering at the United States Military Academy. Joining forces is a national initiative to mobilize all sectors of society to give our military, veterans and their families the opportunities they have earned by working to support their employment, education, and wellness. Read the article and see the video* here. *The First Lady’s comments regarding COL Morales can be heard at the 5:50 mark.

Campaign Update - First Call 6/3/2014 Make sure you check out the most recent Campaign special edition of First Call online. Features include a sneak peek of the Visitor's Center, the Semester Abroad Program, STEM summer workshops and a new opportunity for the Best of the Best.

Robert B. Rosenkranz ’61 Inducted into the U.S. Army Force Management Hall 5/30/2014 of Fame Maj. Gen. Robert M. (Bo) Dyess, Jr. '82 joins Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Robert B. Rosenkranz '61 following the induction of Rosenkranz into the U.S. Army Force Management Hall of Fame May 29 at the Pentagon. Rosenkranz played a major role as a U.S. Army Force Manager during a period of world-changing events and Army transition. The Hall of Fame recognizes military and civilian personnel who made significant and lasting contributions in areas such as doctrine, manning and equipping. Maj. Gen. Dyess is the Director of Force Development, G-8 and is responsible for equipping the U.S. Army and oversees the activity of all U.S. Army Force Managers. Maj. Gen. (Ret.) Rosenkranz retired in 1995 following a distinguished 34-year career and is the 14th inductee to receive the honor. From 1989-1992, while serving as Director of Force Programs in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, Rosenkranz planned, designed and organized end-strength reductions during the collapse of the Warsaw Pact, the fall of the Berlin Wall, Operation Desert Storm (Kuwait/Iraq) and Operation Just Cause (Panama). From 1992-1995, as Commander of the Operational Test and Evaluation Commandhe led the assessment of weapons systems and the design of organizational requirements and capabilities. During this assignment, he was responsible for bringing digitalization to the battlefield with Force 21. Rosenkranz graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1961 and holds a master's degree from the University of Pennsylvania. He continues to apply his experience and skills as a leader in the defense industry. (Photo credit: Marla J. Hurtado)

Herb Blomquist ’78 Awarded Public Works Executive Credential 5/30/2014 Edmond, Oklahoma’s Public Works Director, Herb Blomquist ’78, was recently awarded the American Public Works Association (APWA) Public Works Executive (PWE) credential. The PWE credential is the third highest level of APWA’s Donald C. Stone Center for Leadership Excellence. Blomquist is the third public works professional to receive the PWE credential among 47 public works professionals from across North America who have participated in the APWA Public Works Executive program. As Edmond’s Public Works Director, Blomquist leads, directs and manages a 130 person Public Works Department, and participates on the city’s management team in the development of a strategic plan and other policy processes. He is also responsible for planning, training, operations, and administration of the department including managing a budget in excess of $10 million and an equipment fleet of over 450 vehicles for the city of almost 85,000 citizens. Blomquist’s career includes 13 years of experience in the public works profession, part of which included his service as the Public Works Director in Watertown, South Dakota for eight years. He also has nearly 20 years of experience in the United States Army as an Army Officer, where he served in various positions of increasing responsibility at both command and staff level. Blomquist earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the United States Military Academy in 1978; a Master’s in Business Administration from Oklahoma City University in 1991; and a Master’s in Public Administration from Norwich University in 2012.

Remembering the Fallen on Memorial Day 5/29/2014 On Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, a small group of veterans and their families, along with West Point graduates, went to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery with one goal: never forget the prisoners of war and others who gave the ultimate sacrifice. Jack Senneff '96 and Gary Chippendale '87 laid a wreath beside the mass grave which includes West Point graduates from the Bataan Death March. The wreath was made with streamers to commemorate local West Point grads who passed away within the last year. See the video here.

Distinguished Graduates Recognized: Grad 5/21/2014 Week is Here For the second year in a row, the weather was perfect as alumni returned home to partake in the traditional ceremonies that kick off Graduation Week. First, there was the annual alumni luncheon, during which the West Point Association of Graduates recognized five more members of the Long Gray Line as “Distinguished Graduates”: LTG (R) Robert Pursley ’49, COL (R) William DeGraf ’50, Mr. Fred Malek ’59, Mr. Paul “Buddy” Bucha ’65, and LTG (R) Franklin “Buster” Hagenbeck ’71 (read their bios here). Edward C. Meyer ’51, former Chairman of WPAOG, devised the Award in the early-1990s to recognize those graduates whose character, service, and stature draws wholesome comparisons to the qualities for which West Point strives—Duty, Honor, Country. Reflecting on his Award, Hagenbeck, a former Superintendent (2006-10), said, “I’ve sat on the selection committee for this award even before I became Superintendent, so I know how selective the group is, and of all the well-qualified graduates, it is very humbling to be recognized as one of the ‘Distinguished.’” DeGraf also felt it was a great honor to be selected. “This means a great deal to me personally,” said this Distinguished Graduate who was twice medically rejected for admission to the Academy before making it on his third attempt after receiving a battlefield commission in World War II. “Ever since I was a young, I just always wanted to be a West Pointer.” Malek credited West Point with building his character as a leader in the fields of business, politics, and philanthropy. “The line in the Cadet Prayer says it all—‘having the courage to choose the harder right versus the easier wrong’—it is a lesson West Point taught me that has made me who I am today,” he said. After the luncheon, the Distinguished Graduates joined other graduates, including those from the Classes of 1939, 1944, 1949, and 1964, who returned to their alma mater for their reunions, in a procession to Thayer Statue to place a wreath at its base. BG (R) Henry Newcomer ’39, 97-years young, led the Long Gray Line to the monument of the Father of the Military Academy. Afterwards, all the graduates watched as the Corps of Cadets marched in their full-dress gray uniforms for the Alumni Review parade. Hagenbeck, who has seen numerous such ceremonies as Superintendent, summed up the day by saying, “I never get tired of being at West Point; everything is just awe inspiring.”

2009 Grad Memorial Scholarship Helps Families of Fallen Rangers 5/15/2014 U.S. Army Ranger First Lieutenant Dimitri del Castillo was killed in action on June 25, 2011 in Kunar Province, Afghanistan while serving with the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division. Dimitri was on the radio calling in support while his platoon was attacked by an enemy force small arms fire. Despite being shot and gravely wounded, he refused to give up the microphone and continued to call for support as he passed away. Dimitri, who had just turned 24, married his 2009 classmate, Captain Katie Pulliam del Castillo, prior to his deployment to Afghanistan. He is the nephew of Colonel Toney Filostrat, Class of 1993. Dimitri is buried at the West Point Cemetery next to his friend and classmate, First Lieutenant Daren Hidalgo. Established by his family, the First Lieutenant Dimitri del Castillo Scholarship is a memorial to Dimitri’s selfless service and ultimate sacrifice to our Nation. Supported by private and public donations, the scholarship provides educational assistance to family members of fallen U.S. Army Rangers. In just two years, the scholarship has exceeded $200,000 in donations and awarded nine scholarships totaling $45,000. The U.S. Army Ranger Association manages the scholarship fund on behalf of the del Castillo family, and 100% of donations go toward the scholarships provided.

Kevin F. Hub ’89 announced Logan County Supt of 5/15/2014 Schools The Logan County Board of Education has announced the selection of Dr. Kevin F. Hub ’89 as their next superintendent of schools. Dr. Hub is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering and Environmental Geography, Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond with a Masters of Arts in Education degree in Geography Education, and Spalding University in Louisville with a Doctorate in Education in Leadership Education. He is currently serving as Assistant Superintendent and Chief Operating Officer for Madison County Schools in Richmond, Kentucky and is in his 20th year in education after serving in the military for 40 months of active duty including a six-month tour in Desert Storm.

Dr. Hub began teaching geography and mathematics at Madison Central High School in August of 1994, became their assistant principal in January of 2000, and has been assistant superintendent since 2004. Current Madison County superintendent Elmer Thomas describes Hub as “an exceptional leader who will hit the ground running in an already exceptional district. In response to his selection as the new superintendent of the school district Dr. Hub said, “I am honored to be selected by the Logan County Board of Education. They have created a studentcentered culture of excellence, built on a strong foundation of parent and community support. Their teachers, leaders and support staff are some of the finest in Kentucky.” Dr. Hub begin his tenure as superintendent on Tuesday, July 1, 2014, following the retirement of Marshall H. Kemp, who has served the district as superintendent for the past fifteen years.

Scott Leishman ’77 Joins CrossPoint Consulting 5/14/2014 Scott Leishman ’77 has joined CrossPoint Consulting Inc., an executive recruiting firm specializing in the placement of permanent and contractor positions in IT, business to business sales and management. Leishman has been an executive recruiter for 8 years. After serving 5 years in the Army, Leishman held sales and marketing positions at Pfizer for 10 years. When he graduated Fordham Law School, he moved to legal publisher Matthew Bender. He also worked at venture capital firm Spencer Task. His national executive recruiting practice focuses on sales, management and technical positions with which he has had years of experience. He is always happy to provide guidance to transitioning military.

Krysta K. Cass ’10 Earns Captain Rank at Savannah Corps of Engineers 5/7/2014 Krysta K. Cass ’10, a native of New Britain, Connecticut and a graduate of the United States Military Academy, earned the rank of Army captain May 1 during a promotion ceremony hosted by Col. Tom Tickner, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District. Cass joined the Savannah District in January as a support officer to the Regulatory Division, which manages an extensive stream and wetland permitting program within the state of Georgia. Before joining the Corps of Engineers, she served various roles with the 984th Engineer Company as a platoon leader, executive officer, and most recently the 92nd Engineer Battalion logistics officer. Cass deployed twice to Afghanistan with the 92nd Engineer Battalion in 2011 and 2013. She graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology.

Cass is scheduled to attend the Engineer Captain's Career Course this October at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. She is also currently pursuing a master's degree in physiology/physician assistant studies.

Alejandro Villanueva ’10 Signs with Philadelphia Eagles 5/6/2014 Capt. Alejandro Villanueva ’10 has signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. The U.S. Army Airborne Ranger has served three tours in Afghanistan and has earned several awards including a Bronze Star Medal for Valor, Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Expert Infantryman’s Badge. From the battlegrounds in Afghanistan to the gridiron in the City of Brotherly Love, Alejandro Villanueva has an incredible story to tell... Read more.

USAA Credit Card 5/5/2014 To a West Point graduate, only one motto really matters: “Duty, Honor, Country.” USAA has partnered with the West Point Association of Graduates (WPAOG) to offer a credit card that reflects that motto. You know USAA; it’s the financial company that serves those who serve, and it has been doing so for nearly 100 years. And you know WPAOG; it’s the alumni association that’s been supporting graduates of the Long Gray Line for nearly 150 years. Apply for the USAA credit card (available either as an American Express or MasterCard) and receive a low variable rate, reward points, and no redemption fees. Best of all, each time you purchase goods and services with your USAA credit card you will be helping WPAOG support cadet programs and alumni services. That’s because a portion of the proceeds generated by the use of the USAA credit card is returned to WPAOG. Imagine: “Duty, Honor, Country” with a simple swipe of your card. Membership Indeed Has its Privileges Check out all of WPAOG’s affinity programs to see all the perks available to you as a West Point graduate.

Terry Finley ’86 Enters Two Horses in Kentucky Derby 4/25/2014 West Point Thoroughbreds – the company operated by Terry Finley ’86 – will have two horses running in the Kentucky Derby this year. Ring Weekend, owned by Vinnie Viola ’77 along with Commanding Curve will compete for the coveted cup on May 2nd and 3rd. So grab a mint julep, don your finest hat, and cheer on the horses in this year’s Run for the Roses. Watch videos of the horses and read the full article about the West Point Thoroughbreds here.

Friedlander '50: Man Behind the Scenes of Space Program 4/22/2014 Chuck Friedlander got to experience the American space program of the 1960s in a way that few could. As Chief of the Astronaut Support Office at Kennedy Space Center during the Gemini and early Apollo programs, he worked behind-the-scenes with the astronauts that flew the vehicles and who eventually walked on the Moon. His story, along with some personal, behind-the-scenes remembrances of the space program, were recently featured in the Volume 21#1 issue of “Quest: The History of Spaceflight.”

Taw North ’95 4/18/2014

The Board of Directors of TLC Engineering for Architecture, Inc. announces Taw North ’95 has become a shareholder in the firm, recognizing his commitment and contributions to the firm's success to date and in the future. Taw North, RCDD, LEED AP, Senior Project Manager, joined TLC in 2006 and has had increasing responsibilities in designing and managing projects in the firm's North Florida Regional Office. North is currently working on numerous projects for Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, along with managing the Fulton County Libraries Technology Upgrade. He is involved in the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME), the U.S. Green Building Council, North Florida Chapter (USGBC) and the Florida Healthcare Engineers Association (FHEA). North is a 1995 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, has served in the U.S. Army and excels in leadership capabilities. He, his wife Lisa and sons Parker and Dylan live in Jacksonville.

Webster Bank Names Dawn Morris ’90 New CMO 4/18/2014 Webster Bank, a leading regional bank serving businesses and consumers from metro New York City to Boston, Mass., today announced Dawn C. Morris ’90 as its new executive vice president and chief marketing officer. Morris reports directly to Jim Smith, chairman and chief executive officer, and is based in Webster’s corporate headquarters in Waterbury. “Dawn’s strong background and expertise in community banking and marketing will prove valuable as Webster grows and deepens its relationship with consumers and businesses across our markets,” Smith said. “She will guide our differentiation as a values-guided, community-focused bank that delivers exceptional customer service.” Most recently, Morris was with Citizens Bank where she served in a variety of roles, including head of Customer Segment Management, Product and Segment Marketing, and Business Banking Product Management. Earlier in her career, Morris worked in a number of business line and marketing roles at RBC Bank in North Carolina. At Webster, Morris will be responsible for Brand Marketing, Product Management, Database/Product Analytics, Marketing Services, Corporate and Government Communications, and Corporate Giving.

Morris is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and served as a captain in the Army’s 530th Supply and Service Battalion at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. She has supported her community by serving as a board member and volunteer for several non-profits involving child development and the arts including as a board member for Marketing EDGE, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to educate, develop, grow, and employ college students in the field of marketing.

Robert Dean ’53 Spends his 84th Birthday Asking for the Gift of Life 4/17/2014 Last fall, Bob Dean ’53 needed a new kidney. Eight relatives and friends lined up to give him one of their kidneys, but none were a match. In desperation, Bob thought outside of the box and decided to do some advertising. He bought a marker and two wooden boards and wrote twelve simple words on the front and back: “I need a kidney donor for a transplant. Can you help me?” On Saturday, October 12, 2013, Bob took to the streets and donned his board on the corner of one of Oklahoma City’s busiest intersections. As drivers passed by, many rolled down their window to speak with Bob, and within 45 minutes, a TV producer from the local ABC affiliate appeared with a camera crew. The producers asked Bob to return to the same intersection the next day, which was Bob’s 84th birthday. Bob was filmed once again conversing with motorists, as he asked the people for help. That Saturday evening after his first day on the street, and continuing on Sunday and Monday evenings, Bob received calls from over 200 volunteer donors from Florida to Alaska. One of those volunteers was a perfect match, and happened to be a retired US Army Ranger & Green Beret. Today, Bob and the donor are in the process of preparing for the transplant, which Bob expects to occur within the next 4 to 5 weeks. Bob Dean is a sculptor, painter, composer and pianist, and playwright, but this demonstration of self-help and determination appears to top all. In his gentle and gentlemanly manner, Bob uniquely sought the gift of life, relying on the generous goodness of the American people. See the video of Bob here.

Mario Barrett ’07 Pioneers New Business Model 4/17/2014

After being asked by a recruiter at a job fair what he was going to do to help military Veterans, Mario Barret ’07 started thinking. He found the answer in a new business model he hopes more Veteran entrepreneurs will adopt. Barrett and his fiancé founded a sock subscription company, Sockwork: Socks with A Purpose. They send subscribers new pairs of socks every month and donate a percentage of profits to several Veteran charities they’ve partnered with. They hope to pioneer a new business model where Veteran entrepreneurs start for-profit companies with a percentage of profits earmarked to donate to a rotating base of Veteran charities. By teaming up, they create a community effect and can provide valuable donations over the long-term. Barrett expects monetary donations to drop for Veteran causes as our nation moves further from its recent wars. When the model catches on, he envisions new streams of donations coming in from Vets who start their own companies.

Lee '81 Collaborates on Family Memoir 4/11/2014 Shortly after defense engineer Brian Lee retired from the Army in 2003 his mother Ruth had open heart surgery to repair a heart valve. During her recovery, Brian and Ruth discussed the possibility of requesting that her adoption file be unsealed so she might gain some knowledge of her birth parents along with medical history. In March 2006 the search began and through legal proceedings they were able to obtain her adoption file from 1929. In late June all 272 pages of the file were provided to Ruth. After a short internet search, Brian was able to obtain enough contact information and a call to his grandmother was made. Finally, 77 years and one day later, his mother (now 85) was able to talk to her birthmother Minka Disbrow (102) and they were reunited after what might be the longest known motherdaughter separation. Brian collaborated extensively on the writing of this story with cousin Cathy LaGrow, author of the upcoming memoir scheduled for national hardcover release from Tyndale House in May entitled The Waiting. Members of the family will appear on NBC’s Today Show and other media outlets.

Alexander '74 4/11/2014 On March 28, 2014 GEN Keith B. Alexander retired from active duty and relinquished command of the U.S. Cyber Command and Director, NSA/Chief, Central Security Service. Alexander holds the distinction of being the longest-serving director of the NSA as well as the first Commander of USCYBERCOM. Classmate GEN Martin Dempsey, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, presided over the ceremony. Full Story

Young '86 Returns to West Point 4/11/2014 Eleven years after she was kicked out of the military under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, veteran aviator Lissa Young has returned to West Point. Armed with a 2013 Harvard doctorate, at the age of 52, Young is finishing her first semester as an assistant professor teaching general psychology. Continued

Walt Brinker ’66 Provides Low-Tech Solutions to Automobile Breakdowns 4/3/2014 Walt Brinker ’66 has published a unique, short book, "Roadside Survival: Low-Tech Solutions to Automobile Breakdowns.” He is not a mechanic, and most vehicle breakdowns do not require a mechanic. His solutions, with some 56 illustrations, are simple, low tech, easily understood, and permit a disabled vehicle to be driven off an interstate highway or parking lot. Anecdotes from actual assists, several humorous, introduce, illustrate and reinforce concepts and techniques. There are two kinds of drivers: 1) those who have experienced a disabled vehicle, and 2) those who will. Generally, good luck comes to those who help themselves; this book is for those in that group. Some folks learn only by experiencing inconvenience, embarrassment, and potentially serious risks. Others make the proactive choice to learn how to prevent problems and the methods to counteract them should they occur. This book provides the opportunity to avoid the negatives associated with becoming stranded. The book also inspires readers to help others. Along the way, helpers help themselves. Walt says, "I can make any good day better by performing a roadside assist. For me, the rush begins when I first see a disabled vehicle, and the feeling lasts for hours after I am done."

Clint Moore ’11 Called Up from Minors 3/27/2014 Clint Moore ’11 was selected in the 31st round of the 2011 First-Year Player Draft after graduating from USMA. During his 60 days of leave after graduation, Moore appeared in 21 games at short-season Class A Eugene, hitting .222, before resuming his military obligation. Now Clint is back with the Padres for the 2014 season, and last night was brought up from the minors to play in his first Major League Baseball game against the Chicago Cubs. Read the full story from MLB.com here.

Photo: Clint with former Army baseball volunteer coach John Mellon and John's girlfriend Jamie Lawless.

Laura Law-Millet ’94 Hosts GI Film Festival 3/26/2014 Laura Law-Millet ’94 is the cofounder and director of the GI Film Festival, a non-profit educational organization dedicated to sharing the military experience through film. She is a former Military Intelligence officer with more than 18 years of service and majored in Systems Engineering at the Academy. Last Night, Laura and the Department of English and Philosophy hosted the GI Film Festival with the screening of four short films and followed with a panel of speakers, including a director and producer. On Thursday, March 27, at 7 p.m., in Arnold Auditorium, the GI Film Festival is presenting a special advanced screening of “Walking with the Enemy,” starring Ben Kingsley and Jonas Armstrong. A Q&A will follow with the film’s director and producer and Dr. David Frey, director of the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies from the USMA Department of History.

These events fall under the department’s Creative Arts Project, which kicked off Tuesday night inside the Haig Room with the “Graffiti of War” art exhibit, available for viewing during normal business hours until March 27. All events are free and open to the public. (Photo Courtesy of USMA) Laura Law-Millet, Class of 1994, with Lt. Gen. Robert Caslen (left) and Col. Scott Krawczyk (right), professor and head of the Department of English and Philosophy.

Oldest Grad at Founders Day 3/24/2014 Of course, it's customary to have an "oldest grad" and a "youngest grad" at Founders Day celebrations. The West Point Society of San Francisco had the distinction of having THE oldest living graduate present. BG(R) Robert C. Tripp '33 and his wife, Liliane, were in attendance! Looking good, Sir!

Ellen Houlihan 3/12/2014

Ellen Houlihan, Vice-Chair of the Board of Directors of the West Point Association of Graduates, has been nominated by Texas Civilian Aide Secretary of the Army (CASA), Randy Pais, as a White House Champion of Change for Women Veteran leaders. She will visit the White House on 24 March to receive the recognition.

John Moberly ’92 3/10/2014 Hughes Network Systems, the global leader in broadband satellite solutions and services, and a leading provider of managed network and application services, announced that John Moberly ’92 has joined the company as senior director. In this position, Moberly will lead strategy and business development for the Defense and Intelligence Systems Division. Prior to joining Hughes, Moberly served a significant portion of his career with the military and the Intelligence Community. He served as Chief of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance with the Office of Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, & Logistics in the Space and Intelligence Office, where he was responsible for oversight of major systems acquisitions in space and intelligence. He also served as Chief of the U.S. Army Space and Ballistic Missile Team Chief. Moberly spent a significant part of his career with the National Reconnaissance Agency (NRO), serving as project manager and systems engineer for the Advanced Systems and Technology Directorate and as the Deputy for National Systems Support on the CENTCOM Team. Moberly also served as Space and Ballistic Missile Defense Team Chief for the U.S. Army. He retired from the military in 2012. Moberly received an executive certificate in Science and Technology Public Policy from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and holds M.S. degrees in Aeronautics & Astronautics from Stanford University and in Engineering Management from the University of Missouri - Rolla. He is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he received a B.S. degree in Systems Engineering/Mechanical Engineering.

Herman Bulls ’78 3/10/2014 On March 5, Tyco announced that it has nominated Herman Bulls ’78 for election to its Board of Directors. Mr. Bulls is Chairman of Jones Lang LaSalle's Public Institutions specialty practice, which he founded, and also serves as International Director of Global Markets for the company, focusing on client relationships and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Bulls is Chief Executive Officer of Bulls Advisory Group, a real estate consulting and advisory firm, and co-founded and served as President and CEO of Bulls Capital Partners, a commercial mortgage banking firm. Before Jones Lang LaSalle, Mr. Bulls completed nearly 12 years of active duty service with the United States Army and retired as a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves in 2008. He is a member of the Executive Leadership Council, an organization of senior African American business executives from Fortune 500 companies, and former Chairman of the Executive Leadership Foundation. Mr. Bulls is on the board of directors of Comfort Systems, USA, Inc., a provider of heating, ventilation and air conditioning services; Rasmussen Inc., a post-secondary for-profit educational services organization; USAA, a provider of banking, insurance and investment management services to the military community; and Exelis Inc., an aerospace and defense firm. Mr. Bulls received a bachelor of science degree in engineering from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and a master of business administration degree in finance from Harvard Business School. "We are delighted to nominate Herman to join our Board of Directors. Herman's experience in leadership and operations will be valuable in providing oversight and guidance for Tyco" said Tyco Chief Executive Officer George Oliver.

Alumni Glee Club Performs at Army Men's Basketball Game 3/4/2014

Members of the Alumni Glee Club performed the National Anthem at the final regular season Army Men's Basketball home game on March 1. The Club conducted the first-ever joint performance with the Cadet Glee Club at Eisenhower Hall on February 28.

Paul D. Tomlingson ’53 Publishes Collection of Short Stories 2/28/2014 Paul D. Tomlingson ’53 has published "I'm Just a Mutt," second edition - a new group of 20 short stories that offer tales of intrigue, humor and irreverance. Among them: Proof that second lieutenants can do (almost) anything; or How a monkey was decorated for valor in Vietnam; or Why West Point cadets carried out an undisciplined meatball fight in Washington Hall. And then there's a horse named Buck who helped end an 'Occupy Denver' stand-off, and A decorated career soldier who escapes the ravages of alcohol only to sacrifice his life as duty calls. A New Zealand couple sailing to Sydney board an adrift freighter only to be stalked by the lone, starving survivor as he crosses the line from civilization to madness.

General Edward L. Rowny ’41 2/27/2014 General Edward L. Rowny ’41 was recently interviewed on leadership and decision-making. Watch the interview here. General Rowney is also a contributing autor to West Point 41: The Class That Went To War and Shaped America, due out in May.

Gregory A. Daddis ’89 Selected for CSA Professional Reading List 2/25/2014

Gregory A. Daddis’ ’89 new book Westmoreland’s War: Reassessing American Strategy in Vietnam has been selected for the Army Chief of Staff's professional reading list. A half century after the United States committed ground combat troops to Vietnam, Americans still have a lot to learn—or unlearn—about the nation’s first war that it lost. In this stimulating reappraisal of the conflict, Daddis argues that America’s failure owed less to the much maligned “strategy of attrition” than to broader flaws in national policy, to include the belief that America could transform South Vietnam. In taking a fresh look at U.S. strategy during the Vietnam War, this book enhances our understanding both of the war itself and of the challenges that continue to face Soldiers and policy makers when intervening in the internal conflicts of foreign countries.

Don't Get Tapped Out 2/24/2014 The clock is ticking for those grads wanting to pre-order a copy of the 2014 issue of TAPS, a publication of Memorial Articles submitted during the last year in memory of deceased graduates. TAPS will print in May and ship in early June, but those wanting a copy must place a pre-pay order by March 30. The 2014 edition of TAPS promises to be another outstanding testimony to the experiences of members of the Long Gray Line. Subscribers can expect approximately 150 articles exemplifying the values of Duty, Honor, Country in each entry, such as the one for Ambassador John Sheldon D. Eisenhower ’44. The earliest Class represented in this year’s volume is that of 1934, and the Class of 1962 has the most representation in this year’s TAPS with 13 articles (the Class of 1956 is right behind them with 11). Once TAPS has been printed and delivered to WPAOG, there may not be additional copies available for sale, so place your order online or send payment ($20 per copy) with mailing instructions to the address below. West Point Association of Graduates TAPS Subscriptions 698 Mills Road West Point, NY 10996 And, in case you were wondering, there’s still time to submit a Memorial Article for one of your deceased classmates. The deadline for submission is February 28, 2014. Contact Marilee Meyer,

WPAOG’s Memorial/Archivist Coordinator, for more information on writing and submitting a Memorial Article or visit WPAOG’s TAPS: Memorial Articles web page.

T. Merritt Bumpass, Jr. ’65 2/21/2014

Frantz Ward LLP is pleased to announce the creation of the firm’s first-ever Management Committee. T. Merritt Bumpass, Jr. ’65 has been elected as one of three Committee members. Bumpass’ practice is focused on Labor and Employment matters, and he represents employers in federal and state courts, federal and state administrative agencies, arbitration proceedings and collective bargaining negotiations. In addition, he counsels and trains employers on a wide variety of employment matters, including union avoidance and campaigns. He is a graduate of the United States Military Academy, Wake Forest University School of Law and Columbia University School of Law.The Management Committee consists of three partners who have primary responsibility for establishing the firm’s strategic direction and its day-to-day operations for the growing needs of the firm and the expanding needs of the firm’s clients. The firm serves a national client base, which includes individuals and professionals, small and medium size businesses, and Fortune 500 companies. Since its founding by fifteen lawyers in 2000, Frantz Ward LLP has grown to become one of the premier law firms in the Midwest. Frantz Ward has over 60 attorneys, placing it among the 15 largest firms in Northeast Ohio. For further information, visit the firm's website.

Robert D. Boyd ’73 2/18/2014 Boyd Collar Nolen & Tuggle is pleased to announce that Robert D. Boyd ’73 has been honored as one of five Super Lawyers for 2014. Only five percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by Super Lawyers, and no more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are named as Rising Stars. The complete list of honorees is available here. Boyd has practiced exclusively in family law since 1988. He was recently named Atlanta

Family Law Lawyer of the Year for 2013 by Best Lawyers in America, the oldest and most respected lawyer rating publication in the U.S., in which he has been listed annually since 2001. He has also earned accolades from his peers and clients with inclusion among lists published by Super Lawyers and Georgia Trend. He is actively involved in the State Bar of Georgia’s Family Law Section, of which he has previously served as chair. Boyd is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and the West Virginia University College of Law. Collar Nolen & Tuggle is an Atlanta-based preeminent divorce and family law firm, serving clients throughout the state of Georgia. The firm’s attorneys serve as trusted legal counsel to clients involved in a range of family law matters. For more information, visit the firm’s website.

Be Thou at Peace - Seth F. Hudgins Jr. '64 2/10/2014 Following a courageous battle with cancer, Colonel (Retired) Seth F. Hudgins Jr. '64 passed away on February 8th at his home in Cornwall, New York. A highly decorated Army aviator who saw duty in Vietnam, Seth also served many years at West Point to include two years as Deputy Commandant of Cadets. However, he is probably best remembered for serving first as Executive Vice President from 1990 to 1993 and later as President of The Association of Graduates from 1993 until his retirement in 2007. During his tenure in these transformative years, the staff relocated into Herbert Alumni Center, West Point's Bicentennial Campaign was conducted, and major service improvements for cadets and graduates were implemented. It is hard to overstate Seth's positive impact on the Long Gray Line of today, and for generations to come. Please keep Joy and the Hudgins family in your thoughts and prayers. Services will be held Friday, February 14th at 1330 in the Old Cadet Chapel at the West Point Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, he asked that donations be made to the Long Gray Line Endowment or to The Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, NY.

Matthew J. May ’92 2/9/2014 Banner & Witcoff, Ltd., a national intellectual property law firm that procures, enforces and litigates intellectual property rights throughout the world, announces the election of six shareholders. Matthew J. May ‘92, Elected, Shareholder, Chicago, joined the firm as a law clerk in 2007 and as an attorney in 2009. Mr. May prepares and prosecutes utility and design patent applications for a variety of technological areas, including athletic equipment, medical devices, and food and beverage processing systems. He also prepares and prosecutes trademark applications, and has been a member of litigation teams for both patent protection and trademark protection cases. He previously worked as an engineering manager with Baxter Healthcare and as a project engineer for Avon Products. He earned his B.S. in mechanical engineering from the United States Military Academy, and served with the U.S. Army and Illinois National Guard, and is currently a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserve. He earned his M.B.A., with distinction, from DePaul University, and J.D. from The John Marshall Law School.

Barak Cohen ’92 Joins Perkins Coie Law Firm 2/4/2014 Perkins Coie is pleased to announce that Barak Cohen '92 has joined the firm’s Washington, D.C. office as senior counsel in the firm’s White Collar & Investigations practice. Cohen was most recently a trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Criminal Division, in Washington, D.C. In jurisdictions throughout the country, Cohen tried numerous federal cases to verdict before juries, argued and drafted appeals and complex motions involving issues of first impression, managed sensitive grand-jury investigations that necessitated coordinating the efforts of multiple law-enforcement agencies, and conducted parallel investigations with other government regulators. Prior to his DOJ service, Cohen was in private practice, defending high-profile clients against such allegations as violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), environmental crimes, and financial fraud. Immediately following law school, he served as a judicial clerk for

the Honorable Loren A. Smith of the U.S. Court of Federal Claims. Cohen received his J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center, his M.A. in National Security Studies from Georgetown University, and his undergraduate degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point. After graduating from West Point, Cohen rose to the rank of captain and led two platoons in the 18th Airborne Corps’ 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized), the U.S. Army’s sole rapidly deployable mechanized unit, through numerous deployments, including operations along the Iraqi border. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army's Ranger School and was hand-picked to serve on the regimental staff of the Old Guard, the U.S. Army’s Presidential escort and ceremonial unit. Outside of the courtroom, Barak instructed law-enforcement officers and prosecutors in the laws regarding the search and seizure of electronic evidence. He also guest lectures on criminal justice at Harvard College and volunteers in the Wounded Warrior Mentor Program.

Robert McDonald ’75 Cadet Leadership Conference 2013 1/28/2014 In October 2013 the West Point Leadership Center conducted the second annual McDonald Cadet Leadership Conference (MCLC). The event brought together 84 exemplary undergraduate and graduate students from around the globe, along with 13 distinguished senior leaders, to conduct a three-day exploration of leadership topics on the themes of Education, Media, Global Economy and Preparedness. The conference was made possible by a generous endowment from Robert and Diane McDonald.

2014 Distinguished Graduates 1/27/2014 WPAOG is pleased to announce the 2014 recipients of the Distinguished Graduate Award. LTG(USAF,R) Robert E. Pursley '49 COL(R) William B. DeGraf '50 Frederic V. Malek '59 Paul W. Bucha '65 LTG(R) Franklin L. Hagenbeck '71 The award presentation will take place on May at West Point. All graduates are welcome to register for the DGA Luncheon in Washington Hall immediately preceding the ceremony.

Katie del Castillo's ’09 Washington DC Apartment Tour 1/24/2014

United States Army Captain Katie del Castillo attributes her growing passion and appreciation for interior design to several years spent with mess halls, barracks, and military uniforms. “My brain was starved for some creativity and color!” Katie is one well-travelled woman, and she’s got the home décor to prove it. She’s lived in Hawaii and been deployed in Afghanistan; the 27-year-old has managed to collect a ton of unique gems during her travels. These goods have found a home in one very eclectic Arlington, Virginia loft that’s brimming with patterns and textures. By finding a way to breathe new light into old furniture, she managed to take a free couch (you read that correctly) and flip it into a piece of art that you’ll never find in any store. Read the full story here.

McNary Provided Advertising Army and NFL Couldn't Buy 1/23/2014 A USAA commercial aired during the 2013 football season that featured three service academy alums that have served their country as military veterans and now NFL players. They “took the road less traveled,” as they put it in the commercial. In this age of the overpaid and entitled athlete, the NFL couldn’t ask for better advertising from its own marketing division. And Army — from recruiting West Point Cadets to attracting enlisted men — couldn’t buy better advertising than Tennessee Titans second-year fullback Collin Mooney '09 and Indianapolis Colts rookie inside linebacker Josh McNary '11 earned for the Army on Sundays this season. Read the full story here.

Class of ’88 Raises Funds for Children 1/23/2014 The Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation (CFPF) raised over $4.2 million during their 5th annual Greenwich Event. CFPF was founded by David Kim '88 with the mission of to providing college scholarships to children who have lost a parent in the line of duty. Learn more about CFPF here. (Pictured left to right: President & Founder of CFPF David Kim '88 with wife, Cynthia, Aly Rohling, COL Andrew Rohling, COL Mike Gould '88, Kellie Mennes, COL Brian Mennes '88, CDT Matthew Burleson '15)

Memory of Army Pitcher Turned ‘Lone Survivor’ Pilot Unites Community 1/15/2014

Stephen Reich '93 who was killed in 2005 in Afghanistan, was one of 16 Special Operations Aviation regiment Soldiers killed on a mission to extract SEAL team members, an event depicted in the film "Lone Survivor." Read more about how the memory of this brave grad continues to unite a community.

Invitation to Attend RMC vs. West Point Hockey Game 1/14/2014

On Jan. 25, the Royal Military College of Canada and the United States Military Academy at West Point will face off for the 78th hockey contest between the two institutions. The longstanding rivalry resumed in 2012 after a five-year gap. The series dates back to 1921, when the Commandant of RMC, Sir Archibald McDonnell, and the Superintendent of the United States Military Academy, Brigadier General DouglasMacArthur, first proposed a game of hockey between the two colleges. The inaugural

game was played on Feb. 23, 1923, at West Point and marked the first presentation of the “ChallengeTrophy.” The series now stands at 41-29-7 in favour of West Point’s Black Knights. The Royal Military College of Canada has extended an invitation to West Point grads for their pre-game Tailgate. $25 includes access to Fort Frontenac, sausage on a bun, game ticket & RMC thunder stick. To make a reservation, call 613-541-6000 x6849 or RSVP to [email protected]. The mess will be open after the game as well. Tickets are issued at the reception.

Maintaining the Long Gray Line 1/14/2014 "You remembered your first day [and] your last day. Everything in between was a blur." That's how Ken O'Sullivan recalls his cadet experience at the United States Military Academy at West Point in the early 1960s. The Long Gray Line—a phrase used to symbolize centuries of academy graduates—was more an idea than a feeling fostered among cadets. The few graduates O'Sullivan recalls encountering during his days at West Point were instructors or administrators at the New York institution. But that's changing, he says, in part through the West Point Association of Graduates' 50-Year Affiliation Program. "The academy wants you to see the Long Gray Line in everything you do," O'Sullivan says. West Point established its 50-Year Affiliation Program in the mid-1990s, when the academy and its alumni association expanded interaction between cadets and graduates. Several institution leaders, including General John Abizaid, West Point's commandant at the time, recognized the importance of involving alumni when cadets reached key milestones. "There has always been cadet-alumni interaction during homecoming and the alumni exercises [before graduation and commissioning as officers], but there had not been as many opportunities for developing personal relationships as the affiliation program has accomplished," says Lt. Col. Jim Johnston, the Association of Graduates' vice president for alumni support. West Point's 50-Year Affiliation Program is similar to the U.S. Naval Academy's Another Link in the Chain program in its basic functions. Representatives of the alumni class are expected to host a Reception Day event to speak with the parents of incoming West Point cadets. They provide speakers for significant academy traditions, such as the affirmation ceremony (when cadets renew their commitment to the Army) and the branch-notification ceremony (when fourth-year cadets

learn what part of the Army they will join after graduation). The alumni also present a class flag to the cadets. When O'Sullivan's Class of 1963 began its relationship with the academy's Class of 2013, the alumni were invited to work with West Point's William E. Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic. The center recruit’s members of the 50-Year Affiliation Program's alumni classes to serve as guest leaders of seminars that cadets needed to attend. The seminars cover important but difficult-to-articulate academy values such as honor and leadership. Alumni help stimulate discussions with the cadets, using real-life examples from their academy days and as soldiers and military and civilian leaders. O'Sullivan enjoyed watching initially hesitant cadets deepen their relationships with alumni as they progressed through the academy. "Once these young men and women get past their first year, when everything they're doing is scrutinized, they open up—whether it's about the seminar subject matter or more personal things," he says. "Some of my classmates were like a dad to these cadets." The combination of traditional 50-Year Affiliation Program highlights and involvement in the Simon Center's seminars was "a great shot in the arm" for the Class of 1963, O'Sullivan says. "We were trying to do something for the cadets, but I think we got as much out of it as they did. Maybe even more." Photos: USMA cadets and alumni from their 50-Year Affiliation Program class gather often throughout the cadets' time at West Point. Highlights include the affirmation ceremony (top and middle photo), when cadets receive honor coins (bottom) from the alumni class, and the Ring Melt ceremony (bottom photo) when several alumni-donated rings are melted to become part of the younger class's mementos. (Publication and photography credits courtesy of CASE Currents Magazine) Christopher Molaro ’10 and Garrison Haning ’09 Ring the NASDAQ Closing Bell 1/14/2014 On December 26, Things We Read co-founders Christopher Molaro '10 and Garrison Haning '09 had the honor of ringing the NASDAQ closing bell in Times Square, New York. Things We Read, Inc. is a nonprofit that provides an intimate look at the bookshelves of the most influential and interesting people of our time. Things We Read aims to reinvigorate the modern reader with collections of people’s favorite books. As a dedicated non-profit, their proceeds go towards donating these books to soldiers deployed overseas and communities in need. Learn more about Things We Read here.

1LT Charles Nadd ’11 Returns Home to a Surprise Parade 1/9/2014 On Wednesday, Jan. 7, 1LT Chuck Nadd ’11 arrived home to Winter Park, FL after an 8-month tour in Afghanistan. But this was no ordinary homecoming. After Nadd’s fiancée picked him up from the airport, she drove him directly to downtown Winter Park, where he was greeted by surprise with a spectacular welcome home parade. Hundreds of local residents lined the streets of New England Avenue, waving signs and sprinkling confetti, as Nadd and his fiancé climbed atop a Budweiser wagon pulled by the legendary Clydesdales. Nadd’s homecoming was sponsored by Budweiser, and numerous camera and sound crews followed the parade route to capture the event on film. Nadd – a Blackhawk helicopter pilot – was selected to be featured in a documentary about veterans. However, he was completely astonished by the welcome parade his fiancée and Budweiser had arranged for his homecoming. And with the Clydesdales in attendance, one can only speculate that this surprise welcome might be seen in a commercial during Super Bowl XLVIII, which airs Feb. 2 on Fox. Budweiser representatives would not specify where or when the footage may be used. Many service men and women were in attendance, including Dave Carroll, a 69-year-old Vietnam veteran from Winter Springs. "It makes me tear up," said Carroll, who stood in his Marine Corps dress blues. "We should never forget our soldiers that are still serving," added Master Sgt. Amy Lugo of Ocala, who attended the parade with three Army colleagues. "We should keep supporting them until the last service member returns home." As Nadd got the surprise of a lifetime, it was clear that he was truly moved by the welcome he received from his community. "So many have given so much more than me," said Nadd. "They're the real heroes." Watch the video.

BG William O. Darby ’33 1/9/2014

William Orlando Darby, Class of 1933, will be recognized for his many contributions to the U. S. Army and in particular for his formation and leadership of the first Army Ranger Battalions to be activated during World War II. BG Darby received many awards including two Distinguished Service Crosses, Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, three Purple Hearts, as well as the British Distinguished Service Order. A new statue in his honor is to be unveiled in his hometown of Fort Smith, Arkansas, in 2016 after funding has been completed. This statue in the local Cisterna Park will depict BG Darby on his typical mode of transportation while checking on his Ranger Battalions in North Africa and Italy – a 1942 Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Those interested in more information on BG William O. Darby and this memorial monument can visit the website for the project or contact the local project manager Liz Armstrong at (479) 5610493.

Son of Bob Celski '78 Heads to Second Olympics 1/7/2014 Bob Celski's son, J.R. Celski, is heading to Sochi as America's best hope at the short track. Celski won the 1,000 meters at the U.S. Olympic trials Sunday, assuring he'll compete in all three individual events in Russia. This will be the young Celski's second Olympics, and he is looking to add to the pair of bronze medals he won at the 2010 Vancouver Games. Read more here.