Weekly News & Agenda for Tuesday, 1/21/14

1. AGENDA FOR TUESDAY, 1/21/14:

0700-0730: Introductions & Assistance.
Tell us what's happening in your world these days, especially any networking needs. Chances are good that someone in the group can help with business contacts, referrals, advice, job search assistance, or other networking needs. The grad network works!







0730-0800:  Speaker - Jason Clark (USMA '92)
Jason will make an official public announcement of his next political campaign for the 2014 election cycle.

 

2. UPCOMING SPEAKERS:

1/21/14: (this week):  Jason Clark - see above.
1/28/14: TBD or Open Forum. If there's a speaker you'd like to schedule for this date or any future Tuesday, or if you'd like to lead a discussion yourself, just let me know at panicciaj@aol.com.

3. GRAD SEEKING ASSISTANCE:

Ian Norwalk (USMA '08) will be entering the civilian world soon and has begun his job search.  See below for details.  If you can provide him referrals or other assistance, please contact him directly at ian.norwalk@gmail.com or 505-331-3492. 

Ian writes as follows:

      I am looking for a job in Denver, but would be willing to work anywhere in the Rocky Mountain region. I have actually applied for a few jobs at WPX located in some of the smaller Rocky Mountain towns (Parachute, Rifle, etc.). I have also been looking at quite a few jobs in Houston.

      I have been primarily looking for jobs in exploration and production companies. I have applied for several entry level engineering and project management positions. I have been most interested in reservoir/completions/facilities engineering positions. Some of the companies I have been researching and trying to network with include: Kinder Morgan, Noble Energy, Anadarko, WPX, Bonanza Creek, Forest Oil, Bill Barrett Corporation, National Renewable Energy Labs, Kodiak Oil and Gas, Whiting, CH2M Hill, and even Ball Aerospace.

 

Ian's resume:

 

Ian K. Norwalk

5200 Greystone Summit Drive, Apartment 1016, Columbus, GA 31909-7556

C:  505-331-3492   E:  ian.norwalk@gmail.com

Available:  April 20, 2014

EXPERIENCE:  May 2008 – Present, Captain, Infantry, United States Army

Maneuver Captains Career Course (MCCC) Resource Manager, Captain - Ft. Benning, GA             May 2013-Present

Manages resources for 4 training teams, each consisting of 120 Captains, coordinates with external entities for transportation and training resources, validates future training plans and curriculums.

·   Selected to participate in the Army’s Network Integration and Evaluation Exercise; tested/collected data on long range communication equipment; provided vital information used to determine if equipment met purchase/fielding requirements.

·   Managed calendar and external resources for 40+ MCCC classes; significantly enhanced training capacity.

Security Force Assistance Operations/Executive Officer, Captain - Kandahar, Afghanistan         May 2012 – May 2013

Advised and mentored the Operations Officer of a 700-soldier Afghan National Army (ANA) Battalion operating in Kandahar, Afghanistan; coordinated and evaluated all combat operations; tracked maintenance, vehicle readiness, and managed the supply chain for the ANA Battalion’s fleet of over 100 combat vehicles and engineer equipment.

·   Planned and executed a major ANA engineering project to build 7 outposts and 5 miles of road in a contested area of southern Kandahar, denying operational area and decreasing enemy activity by 15%.

·   Designed/implemented a new system to forecast fuel, ammunition, repair parts, and training requirements for Afghan counterparts; increased combat readiness from below 20% to approximately 75% in a 9-month period.

·   Trained ANA Engineer Company to operate/maintain a fleet of heavy equipment; enabled ANA engineers to execute vertical construction projects independently and support other security forces with engineer assets.

·   Rated by Battalion Commander “in top 3 of 37” captains; earned Bronze Star Medal for leadership during deployment.

Mortar Platoon Leader, Captain - Ft Carson, CO                                                                                         Oct 2011 – May 2012

Led and trained a 25-person platoon. Maintained 5 Mortar Carrier Vehicles and 3 armored trucks valued at over $8 million. Managed ammunition and fuel resupply; responsible for the health and welfare of all soldiers in the platoon.

·   Selected out of 23 Lieutenants to serve as the Battalion Mortar Platoon Leader, a specialty position reserved for officers who demonstrate tactical proficiency and technical aptitude.

·   Conducted cost analysis on over 20 training events, developed and advised the Battalion Commander on cost effective alternate courses of action for each event, saving the battalion over $40 thousand.

·   Developed and implemented a 5-week mortar training program that successfully enabled the platoon to certify on 12 vital tasks, increasing the platoon’s combat readiness from 40% to 100%.

·   Rated by Battalion Commander as the “best platoon leader” out of 23 and in “top 5%” of 37 captains rated.

Rifle Platoon Leader, Second Lieutenant - Ft Carson, CO and Basra, Iraq                                             Aug 2009 – Oct 2011

Led 41 soldiers executing operations in support of a 900-person battalion deployed to Iraq for 12 months; maintained and accounted for 4 Bradley Fighting Vehicles and other mission essential equipment valued in excess of $20 million.

·   Planned/led logistics to move over $2 million worth of platoon equipment to Iraq with no losses; enabled platoon to initiate combat operations rapidly upon arrival and maintain 100% mission readiness throughout the deployment.

·   Selected out of 12 platoon leaders to manage a $1 million project to construct a base in Basra; managed construction timeline, local contracts, and risk mitigation; increased joint US and Iraqi operations  by 15%.

·   Completed 3-month Infantry Officer Basic Course, 1-month Mechanized Leader Course, and 2-month Ranger School leadership course; earned Bronze Star Medal for leadership during combat operations.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Science 2008, Mechanical Engineering – Aerospace Focus

United States Military Academy - West Point, NY 10996

CPA – 3.51

Honor Graduate; Dean’s List; Study Abroad (rotary wing aircraft stability - QinetiQ Engineering, England); Project Black Dart (multidisciplinary engineering design project for unmanned aerial vehicle capable of autonomous flight for Defense Intelligence Agency); Intramural Sports; Passed Fundamentals of Engineering Exam

SKILLS                                                                                                                                               

Leadership, management, planning, finance, budgeting, systems development,  proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, experienced in Auto CAD, Solid Works, MATLAB, Mathematica, and Geographic Information Systems.

ADDITIONAL                                                                                                                                                                                   

• Current Secret Government Clearance

• Recreational snowboarder, kayaker

• Physical fitness; avid runner and hiker

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

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). There are no dues or fees. Our schedule, roster and other information are posted at www.academybiznet.org.