Sunday, January 27, 2013

Agenda for Tuesday, 1/29/13

1. AGENDA FOR TUESDAY, 1/29/13:

0700-0730:  INTRODUCTIONS & ASSISTANCE
During group introductions, tell us what's new for you lately, especially any networking needs.  It's likely someone will be able to assist with referrals, advice, or other help with your particular need.  Even if you don't have immediate needs, consider joining us on Tuesday for the long-term networking value.

0730-0800:  SPEAKER/PROGRAM

Major Charles Zakhem will talk about his experiences while serving in a liaison role in Jordan.  He is currently a Brigade S4 with the Colorado National Guard.  In a prior assignment, MAJ Zakhem served 2.5 years at the U.S. embassy in Jordan as a liaison for Colorado's state partnership with that country.

Thanks to David Graves (USMA '97) for arranging to have MAJ Zakhem speak with us this week.

2. UPCOMING TUESDAY SPEAKERS/PROGRAMS:

-- 1/29/13 (this week):  Major Charles Zakhem - see above.
-- 2/5/13:  Leo Degreef (USAFA '79) will talk about FIRST Robotics (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology).  Leo helped found Team #3729 at Regis Jesuit High School and continues to volunteer helping 3729 and other teams in the Denver metro area. 
-- 2/12/13:  TBD/Open Forum
-- 2/19/13:  LTC Scott Sherman (USMA '92) will provide an overview of the mission of the Colorado National Guard.  LTC Sherman is a fulltime guardsman in the state G3 office.  He recently completed his battalion command of 3-157 Field Artillery, where he oversaw the transition of the battalion's weapon system from MLRS to HIMARS.

If you'd like to invite a speaker or lead a discussion on any future Tuesday, just let me know at panicciaj@aol.com.

===================================================

Have a great week.  

Joe Paniccia (USMA '84)
panicciaj@aol.com

Service Academy BizNet of Denver meets weekly on Tuesdays at 0700, in the Marriott Hotel at the Denver Tech Center. From I-25, exit Belleview east, then turn north onto Syracuse Street. The Marriott lots are paid parking (approx $2-4), however you can park for FREE across the street at Garcia's Restaurant (we have their permission). Look for us in the seating area inside the Marriott's coffee shop. RSVP is not required. Dress is casual. Attendance is open to graduates of the federal service academies (USAFA, USCGA, USMA, USMMA, USNA). Our schedule, roster and other information are posted on the web site at http://www.academybiznet.org/.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Grad Seeking Strategic Partner for Funding Referrals

From Biznet member Bill Sumner (USMA '78):

I am looking for a bank or funding source I can funnel clients in order to finance high end purchases.  I am selling services ranging from $6,000 - $25,000, and I need a strategic partner I can just refer clients to, they can qualify for financing, and it is win-win-win!  Are there any Academy grads that have a business or interest in this?  Thank you...  (contact: 303-904-0114/ william@theinevitableyou.com )

Sunday, January 20, 2013

Agenda for Tuesday, 1/22/13

1. AGENDA FOR TUESDAY, 1/22/13:

0700-0800:  OPEN FORUM
This week we'll devote our entire meeting to your topics and networking needs.  As we go around the room, tell us what's new for you lately, especially any networking we can help with.  Chances are good that someone in the group can provide referrals, advice, or other assistance with your particular need.  Even if you don't have immediate needs, consider joining us on Tuesday for the long-term networking value.

2. UPCOMING TUESDAY SPEAKERS/PROGRAMS:

-- 1/22/13:  Open Forum.
-- 1/29/13:  MAJ Charles Zakhem, currently a Brigade S-4 with the Colorado National Guard, will talk with us about his experiences while working at the U.S. Embassy in Jordan in a liaison position. 

If you'd like to invite a speaker or lead a discussion on any future Tuesday, just let me know at panicciaj@aol.com.

===================================================

Have a great week.  

Joe Paniccia (USMA '84)
panicciaj@aol.com

Service Academy BizNet of Denver meets weekly on Tuesdays at 0700, in the Marriott Hotel at the Denver Tech Center. From I-25, exit Belleview east, then turn north onto Syracuse Street. The Marriott lots are paid parking (approx $2-4), however you can park for FREE across the street at Garcia's Restaurant (we have their permission). Look for us in the seating area inside the Marriott's coffee shop. RSVP is not required. Dress is casual. Attendance is open to graduates of the federal service academies (USAFA, USCGA, USMA, USMMA, USNA). Our schedule, roster and other information are posted on the web site at http://www.academybiznet.org/.

Sunday, January 13, 2013

Weekly News & Agenda for Tuesday, 1/15/13

1. AGENDA FOR TUESDAY, 1/15/13:

0700-0730:  INTRODUCTIONS & ASSISTANCE
During our roundtable introductions, tell us what's new for you lately, especially any networking needs.  Chances are good that someone in the group can provide referrals, advice, or other assistance with your particular need.  Even if you don't have immediate needs, consider joining us on Tuesday for the long-term networking value.

0730-0800:  SPEAKER/PROGRAM

Larry Aubrecht (USMA '72) will share some of his experiences while supporting the love of his life as she battled metastasized breast cancer in the brain during the final 2 ½ years of her life. No doubt some of you have encountered similar challenges and this will be more of an exchange of things to consider, including the involvement of doctors, insurance, and family.

Background information on Larry:

Growing up Larry was an easterner, born in Ohio, and living in New Jersey, Illinois and then back to New Jersey for High School. He comes from a family of seven kids who still get along together. He graduated from West Point in 1972 and survived Airborne and Ranger School. Initially he went Field Artillery before transferring to the Ordnance Corps. His 3 ½ years in Germany changed his life including meeting and marrying a schoolteacher named Gloria Lucero.

After leaving the service at the end of 1977 with 2 of their ultimately 4 kids, he started initially selling services for Control Data. In 1983 he began his career in finance at a small local municipal bond firm that ended up giving him ample opportunities to understand finance and even garnered his MBA in Finance and Accounting at Regis University in 1987. In early 2012, after 9 years, he left a partnership where he had developed the trading platform that enabled the firm to purchase over $200 million  of interest only strips off of SBA loans. If you don’t understand that, don’t worry because not many people do.

Please join us on Tuesday to hear Larry share various aspects of the journey of support with his wife, and perhaps learn some things that might help if you find yourself in a similar situation of supporting a loved one through a health crisis. 

2. UPCOMING TUESDAY SPEAKERS/PROGRAMS:

-- 1/15/13:  Larry Aubrecht (USMA '72) - see above.
-- 1/22/13:  TBD or Open Forum.

If you'd like to invite a speaker or lead a discussion on any future Tuesday, just let me know at panicciaj@aol.com.

3.  NEW BOOK FROM RICH ADAMS:

As recently mentioned, Biznet member Rich Adams (USMA '67) has a new book out -- Eben Kruge: How "A Christmas Carol" Came to be Written.  Rich will be back in town for a short visit this week and plans to join us at Biznet on Tuesday (15th).  He will have copies of his book available, so if you've been planning to buy one, here's your chance to get one in person. 

Rich is also aurthor of "The Parting - A Story of West Point on the Eve of the Civil War." 

===================================================

Have a great week.  

Joe Paniccia (USMA '84)
panicciaj@aol.com

Service Academy BizNet of Denver meets weekly on Tuesdays at 0700, in the Marriott Hotel at the Denver Tech Center. From I-25, exit Belleview east, then turn north onto Syracuse Street. The Marriott lots are paid parking (approx $2-4), however you can park for FREE across the street at Garcia's Restaurant (we have their permission). Look for us in the seating area inside the Marriott's coffee shop. RSVP is not required. Dress is casual. Attendance is open to graduates of the federal service academies (USAFA, USCGA, USMA, USMMA, USNA). Our schedule, roster and other information are posted on the web site at http://www.academybiznet.org/.

Monday, January 7, 2013

“West Point in a World in Transition.”

For BizNet members so inclined, below is a summary of last summer's Leadership Conference at West Point.

Our Society sent the President (Lindy) to the West Point Class of 1967 s sponsored Leadership Conference Below is an excerpt of the discussions at the conference, along with a link to the full report:

This year’s conference was tempered from the outset due to the loss of one of our graduates, MAJ Thomas Kennedy, Class of 2000. MAJ Kennedy, his brigade’s CSM (CSM Kevin Griffin), MAJ Walter Gray, USAF, and a civilian USAID worker were killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan on 8 August 2012. MAJ Kennedy had been in theater for three weeks and was serving as Fire Support Coordinator for 4th BCT, 4th ID, Ft. Carson, CO; this had been his third deployment, with the first two being in Iraq. MAJ Kennedy had previously served as a TAC in USCC, and had also worked with COL Graham ’88, of the Dean’s Office, with cadet AIAD assignments. His funeral was held Friday, 17 August 2012 in the Cadet Chapel.

This year’s conference was condensed from previous conferences. The conference opened with a ‘Go Army!’ Barbeque Reception at Herbert Hall on Thursday evening, 16 August . The food was good; however, there is a lack of sufficient parking for as many attendees as were present. At the reception, I had the honor to meet COL (R) Dick Williams ’45; COL Williams had completed the entire March Back with the Class of 2016 the previous Monday.
The conference got underway Friday morning in Robinson Auditorium in Thayer Hall, formerly known as South Auditorium. The auditorium has been dedicated to GEN (R) Roscoe Robinson ’51, former CG of 82nd Airborne Div from ’76-’78.

The first briefing was by the Superintendent, LTG David Huntoon ’73. LTG Huntoon started by relating that, in his opinion, the phrase “leaders of character” is the most important part of the USMA Mission. He showed a slide of the card of the Cadet Honor Code being read by a New Cadet candidate; we were told that receive this card ~37 minutes after leaving Eisenhower Hall and their families. He said that he has re-instituted the Superintendent’s Advisory Council on the Honor Code. Gen. Huntoon then showed a slide depicting new Cadet Barracks; the average age of all the current cadet barracks is ~80 years old
training / leave time. There were 700 CONUS AIADs, and 350 OCONUS AIADs in 2012; these AIAD assignments typically cost ~$2500/2 weeks and are financed through AOG. We were briefed by CDT Astrid Colon-Moreno ’15 on her AIAD at US Institute of Peace; CDT Andrew Lopez ’13 on his AIAD on Conflict and Human Securities Solutions in Ghana where he taught kindergarten children; CDTs Evan Szablowski ’13 and Zachary Langhans ’13 on their AIAD on Economic Development of Entrepreneurial Networks in Ethiopia; and CDT Jeff Nielson ’13 on his AIAD on Counter-IED for Afghanistan at USMA.

The last briefing before lunch was by COL Jesse Germain ’87, the Deputy Director, DPE. He told us that the USMA had been named one of the 15 most influential sports education programs. He shared the curriculum with the new Kinesiology major; DPE has actually had to turn away applicants to study this program. He also showed us a video of the new survival swimming test.

Lunch was held in the West Point Club. The attendees were seated according to geographic sections based for admissions; thus I had the opportunity to sit with Roy Bromfield, President of WPS of Upstate. We were briefed by LTC Pete Wilson, Assoc. Director of Admissions. LTC Wilson is also in charge of CPRC. LTC Wilson informed us that the average SAT score for Class of 2016 = 1281. He said that 30% of Class of 2016 attended SLS (Summer Leadership Seminar). USMA runs a 3-day STEM workshop that is targeted for 7th and 8th grade students. LTC Wilson told us that offers of admission for Class of 2017 will not be tendered until after 1 March 2013, and the applicant will only have a 30-day window in which to accept the offer of admission; no more early offers of admission. There were two unfortunate issues regarding lunch; first, the AC in the Club was not working which made the temperature extremely uncomfortable, and MAJ Turner, the SE Regional Admissions Rep was on vacation that week and could not attend the lunch.

The afternoon breakout sessions...
  (To read more, click here)

Sunday, January 6, 2013

Agenda for Tuesday, 1/8/13

1. AGENDA FOR TUESDAY, 1/8/13:

0700-0730:  INTRODUCTIONS & ASSISTANCE
During our roundtable introductions, tell us what's new for you lately, especially any networking needs.  Chances are good that someone in the group can provide referrals, advice, or other assistance with your particular need.  Even if you don't have immediate needs, consider joining us on Tuesday for the long-term networking value.

0730-0800:  SPEAKER/PROGRAM

Annual White Elephant Gift Exchange.  Here's your chance to unload an unwanted gift and have a little fun doing it.

Bring a wrapped gift to exchange.  We'll put all the gifts on the table, then draw numbers to determine the order of selection.  When your turn comes, you can either select one from the table or procure a previously selected one, which then entitles the losing party to select again.  Confused?  No worries -- we'll explain our highly sophticated rules in terms that even a plebe could understand.

Forget to bring a gift?  Please come anyway, as we'll have extras. 

2. UPCOMING TUESDAY SPEAKERS/PROGRAMS:

-- 1/8/13 (this week):  Annual White Elephant Gift Exchange - see above.
-- 1/15/13:  Larry Aubrecht (USMA '72) - details to follow. 
 
If you'd like to invite a speaker or lead a discussion on any future Tuesday, just let me know at panicciaj@aol.com.

===================================================

Have a great week.  

Joe Paniccia (USMA '84)
panicciaj@aol.com

Service Academy BizNet of Denver meets weekly on Tuesdays at 0700, in the Marriott Hotel at the Denver Tech Center. From I-25, exit Belleview east, then turn north onto Syracuse Street. The Marriott lots are paid parking (approx $2-4), however you can park for FREE across the street at Garcia's Restaurant (we have their permission). Look for us in the seating area inside the Marriott's coffee shop. RSVP is not required. Dress is casual. Attendance is open to graduates of the federal service academies (USAFA, USCGA, USMA, USMMA, USNA). Our schedule, roster and other information are posted on the web site at http://www.academybiznet.org/.