Atlanta

April 2012 BOD Minutes
Attendees
Ed Brownlee, Scott Evans, Ples Bruce and Angus McLean
Treasurer’s Report (Pete Knoetgen ‘77)
N/A
Membership Drive Update (Angus McLean ‘84/Jon Barton ‘66)
No change in membership.  Current chapter membership is 227 dues paying members.  There are 296 local members in the Alumni data base.  All new members joining within the last 90 days can be found on www.usna.com
Chapter Trustee Update (Ples Bruce ‘77)   
Spring BOT Meeting will take place the first week in May.  Trustees plan to introduce the 2020 plan during the Spring Meeting in Annapolis.
USNA’s Class of 2016 continues to set admissions records with the amount of applicants received.  Georgia’s USNA Parent’s Club to host Class of 2016 Picnic on 6-9-12.
Monthly Luncheon Update (Ed Brownlee ’81)
April’s speaker will be Leon “Lee” Ellis, President of Freedom Leadership, LLC.  Mr. Ellis’ latest released book is “Leading with Honor-Leadership Lessons from the Hanoi Hilton”.
May’s luncheon is slated for 5-18-12.  Topic will focus on the 9/11 GI Bill and educational opportunities with Georgia Tech’s grad program.
The chapter is looking for potential future speakers for the balance of 2012.  Potential speakers discussed include the local USO leadership and Brian Stann, USMC and Class of 1999.
Old/New Business (Ed Brownlee ’81)
Social Media
New Atlanta Chapter Facebook continues to gain traction.  Our new link can be found at http://www.facebook.com/pages/U-S-Naval-Academy-Alumni-Association-Atlanta-Chapter-USNAAAA/111534325567216
Our strategy is to promote membership, connect alumni and advocate for the Naval Academy and our Navy-Marine Corps team.
Please pass the word and the link on to our local Shipmates.
Lobsterfest 2012
Red Top Mountain Shelter #2 has been reserved for Saturday, June 2^nd for Lobsterfest 2012.  Scott Evans ’88 has agreed to take a lead role in coordinating this event.

• Project Manager for Lobsterfest – done
• Flyer & Cost – Ed
• Inland Seafood for cost of lobster and mussels – Pete
• Establish sub teams –Scott

Army-Navy Golf Challenge
Golf game takes place on Monday, 5-21-12, at Hamilton Mill Golf Club.  Brad Jones ‘83 is the Navy coordinator for this year’s event.   Course opens a 9:00 with a shotgun start to follow at 10:00.  A fine dinner and awards program will follow.  The chapter’s charity work is aimed at sending less fortunate Atlanta area youngsters to the two-week Summerscape math, science, and computer camp at Georgia Tech.  Our hope continues to be that attendance at this camp will give the youngsters a leg up on life and new ambitions for completing high school and going on to college.  Our goal is to help these kids become good and productive citizens (and possibly attend one of the service academies).
New Business

• Partner with the Atlanta      Dream to increase military attendance at games.
• Potential date is set for 6-17-12
• Set up O-6 network to help drive engagement
• Question to the board
• Why do we have a chapter?
• What do we want to accomplish?
• What do we want to be known for?

Mark your calendars for the next Academy Connect Atlanta Speaker and Networking Breakfast.
Join us May 3, 2011 at 7:15 a.m. at the City Club of Buckhead in the Atlanta Financial Center. Jim Balkcom (USMA ’67) will be the featured speaker.
Check-in, buffet breakfast, and networking begins at 7:15 a.m. The speaker program will commence at 8:00 a.m. The program will conclude promptly at 9:00 a.m.
Cost is $30. Cost includes parking validation.
To register, follow the link below to be directed to the Atlanta USNA Alumni association website for registration.
http://atlanta.usnaaasiteadmin.net/wordpress/upcoming-events-and-outings/academy-connect-breakfast/
If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Drew Leppert, USNA ’97, at drew.leppert@gmail.com or 678-982-8347.
Jim Balkcom is a native of Atlanta, Georgia and attended Georgia Institute of Technology before his appointment to the United States Military Academy. From 1976 to 1994, Jim was Chief Executive Officer and principal shareholder of Techsonic Industries, Inc., a privately held leading global marine electronics company that innovated a number of product categories in marine electronics with well-known brands such as Humminbird™ (e.g., FishFinder and DepthFinder). From the time he became CEO until he left the company, sales grew from under $1 million to over $125 million in annual revenue creating over $100 million of shareholder value. After selling and exiting Techsonic, he became CEO of Pameco, a $600 million revenue HVAC distribution company, where he led a turnaround and a $185 million refinancing/re-capitalization of the company. Throughout his distinguished business career, he has also been chairman of the board and/or board member of 11 boards of directors including CommerceSouth Bank, a publicly traded $350 million bank holding company, Century South Bank, a $1.6 billion bank holding company , and technology startups iKobo and EVault. Most recently, Jim has been involved as a founding partner of Council Ventures, a venture capital group and has served as an executive consultant at Equifax. He also serves as an Advisory Board Chairman of TalentQuest.

United States Naval Academy Parents Club of Georgia ~~ First Class Parents Luncheon
Where:  57th Fighter Group Restaurant
3829 Clairmont Road
Atlanta, GA 30341
When:  Saturday April 28, 2012 from 11:15 AM to 3:00 PM EDT
The USNA Parents Club of Georgia is proud to host the First Class Parents Luncheon.  This splendid event provides an opportunity for our Club Member Parents of First Class Midshipmen to reflect upon the career of their sons and daughters at the Academy.  All club members are invited to join in at this celebration.
 
Our 2012 First Class Parents Luncheon will be held at the 57th Fighter Group Restaurant, 3829 Clairmont Road, Atlanta.  The date and time of the event is Saturday, April 28, 2012, at 11:15 a.m. 
All parents of Firsties planning to attend are encouraged to gather 12 (maximum) photos of their Midshipman.  Please forward them to Mark Leinmiller at leinmiller@gmail.com
no later than April 14 for inclusion into our celebratory slide show.
Please click on the links below to register.  For Parents of First Class Midshipman that haven’t yet purchased their membership for this year, please also click on the link for the 2011-2012 Membership Form. 
Registration:  https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e5pximq5262745a9&oseq=
Please RSVP by Wednesday, April 25
Please contact Stuart Bondurant at stuart.bondurant@earthlink.net with questions.
 
Thank you for your support of our club.
 
U. S. Naval Academy Parents Club of Georgia
usnapcgaexec@gmail.com

Monday, May 21, 2012 @HamiltonMill Golf Club; 1995 Hamilton Mill Pkwy, Dacula,GA30019
Registration and Driving Range 0900-1000 and SHOTGUN START AT 1000 (10:00 am).  Price is $85 and Includes:  18 Holes of Golf,DrivingRange, Golf Cart, and Buffet Dinner.   $15.00 Tax-deductible Donation will go to support the youth programs of WPSA and USNAAAA
Please complete registration form available at https://atlanta.usnachapters.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2012/04/ArmyNavy_Golf_Flyer_20121.doc and send with check.  Early RSVPs and payment are greatly appreciated.   Checks and reservations must be received ASAP.
CONTACTS:             Army:  Dave Houston, ‘86 (W: 770-631-6547); (M: 770-855-4783)
                                    Navy:  Brad Jones (W: 404-652-7634; H: 770-513-8593)
This is the BIGGEST, the BEST, Army-Navy Golf Challenge yet! 
So far, the Army-Navy Golf Challenges have brought in over $19,000 to support the youth programs of the WPSA and the USNAAAA.

STEPHEN B. LATTA

DEAN OF ADMISSIONS

 Captain Stephen “Bruce” Latta was born in Pensacola, Florida, the son of a Naval Aviator. He entered theNaval Academy and graduated with a degree in Math in June 1978. He attended flight school and was designated a Naval Aviator in March 1980.
After initial assignments fleet assignments in VP squadrons, Captain Latta reported to Commander, SEVENTH Fleet embarked on the USS BLUE RIDGE (LCC 19) in Yokosuka, Japan. There, he served as ASW Plans Officer and Aide to Commander, SEVENTH Fleet.
After tours to the Bureau of Naval Personnel as a Rating Assignment Officer, and Patrol Squadron Six (VP-6) as a Department Head, Captain Latta reported to Commander, Patrol Wing Two as Operations Officer in August 1992.  In June 1993, He joined Commander, Patrol Wings, U.S. Pacific Fleet as the Current Operations Officer.
Captain Latta served as Executive Officer and Commanding Officer in Patrol Squadron FOUR (VP-4) from April 1995 to April 1997. While assigned, the squadron deployed to Misawa, Japan and supported dual Battlegroup operation during the China-Taiwan crisis. The squadron was also recognized as theBattle”E” winner, the AVCM Donald M. Neal “Golden Wrench” winner for maintenance, and CNO Safety Award winner.
After a tour in the Office of the Secretary of Defense as the EA to the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Personnel Policy (DASD(MPP)), Captain Latta reported to Commander, Maritime and Surveillance Forces,U.S.Sixth Fleet as the Chief of Staff in August 1999. Almost immediately, he oversaw the first real world ASW prosecution in the Mediterraneanin nearly 10 years, initial P-3 support to Operation JOINT GUARDIAN, and the integration of new technologies to Mediterranean operations.
In June 2000, Captain Latta assumed command of Training Air Wing Four in Corpus Christi,Texas. During his tenure, he sponsored several initiatives that reduced time to train by over 15%, ran two successful unit detachments, and co-authored a long-term procurement roadmap for training aircraft. Over 1800 student aviators trained with nearly 250,000 accident free flight hours executed.
In June 2002, Captain Latta reported to the Naval Academy as Director of Admissions and later as Vice Dean of Admissions. His tenure oversaw several initiatives including the establishment of an electronic admissions process, office realignment to improve efficiency, development of a marketing program, and expansion of the Academy’s outreach efforts to attract the young men and women who are reflective of society and meet the needs of the naval service. In November 2006, Captain Latta, USN, Retired, was selected Dean of Admissions of theUnited StatesNavalAcademy.
Awards include the Legion of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, two Meritorious Service Medals, three Naval Commendation Medals, as well as various service awards.

March’s luncheon speaker will be Dean Bruce Latta ‘78, Dean of Admission, U.S. Naval Academy.  Dean Latta is a 1978 graduate of the Naval Academy and served as a Naval Aviator in the anti-submarine and maritime surveillance community flying the P-3 “Orion” aircraft. He retired from active service in 2006.
USNAAAA Chapter Monthly luncheon starts at 11:30 a.m., at Sheraton Suites Galleria – Atlanta, 2844   Cobb Pkwy, Smyrna, GA.  Visit chapter’s website for more information: atlanta.usnaaasiteadmin.net. Cost is $20 for chapter members / $25 for non-members.
Like us on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/USNAAAA
Please Save the Date:  2012 USNAAAA Chapter LobsterFest schedule on Saturday, June 2, 2012, at Red Top Mountain State Park, Carterville,GA.

The U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association announces five alumni as the 2012 recipients of the Distinguished Graduate Award:
Admiral Sylvester R. Foley Jr. ’50, USN (Ret.)
The Honorable Daniel L. Cooper ’57
Captain Bruce McCandless II ’58, USN (Ret.)
Vice Admiral John Ryan ’67, USN (Ret.)
Mr. Daniel F. Akerson ’70
Congratulations to the 2012 Distinguished Graduates!
Selected annually, the Distinguished Graduate Award honors alumni for their demonstrated and unselfish commitment to a lifetime of service, their personal character and significant contributions they have made to the Navy and Marine Corps or as leaders in industry or government. The award ceremony will be held on Friday, 23 March 2012.
More information will be provided on www.usna.com as it becomes available and look for the  March-April issue of Shipmate for a feature article on the 2012 Distinguished Graduates.

February 2012 BOD Minutes
Attendees
Ed Brown, Pete Knoetgen, Scott Evans, Jon Barton, Ples Bruce, Angus McLean, Jim Slemenda and Bill Rentz
Treasurer’s Report (Pete Knoetgen ‘77)
N/A
Membership Drive Update (Angus McLean ‘84/Jon Barton ‘66)
No change in membership.  Current chapter membership is 227 dues paying members.  There are 296 local members in the Alumni data base.  All new members joining within the last 90 days can be found on www.usna.com
Chapter Trustee Update (Ples Bruce ‘77)   
Trustees plan to introduce the 2020 plan during the Spring Meeting in Annapolis.
Monthly Luncheon Update (Ed Brownlee ’81)
February’s speaker will be Wade Lnenecki, Director of Southeast Region for the U.S. Army Ranger Association.  Mr. Lnenecki also severs on the Smyerna, GA City Council (Ward 6).
March speaker is tentatively set to be Bruce Latta, Dean of Admissions at USNA on March 16, 2012.
The chapter is looking for potential future speakers for the balance of 2012.  Potential speakers discussed include the local USO leadership and Brian Stann, USMC and Class of 1999.
Old/New Business (Ed Brownlee ’81)
Navy Football is joining the Big East Conference in 2015
Navy made it official by announcing their acceptance into the Big East conference ending 132 year of playing as an independent.  For more details about Navy’s acceptance see the link below.
http://www.navysports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/021012aac.html
Next game for Navy takes place in Dublin, Ireland against the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame on 9-1-12.  Go Navy!
Board approved making a $100 contribution to the Georgia Tech NROTC’s Ward Room Fund.
Alumni Social/Networking Event
TBD
Navy Social Media
New Atlanta Chapter Facebook page was launched in September.  Our new link can be found at http://www.facebook.com/pages/U-S-Naval-Academy-Alumni-Association-Atlanta-Chapter-USNAAAA/111534325567216
Ed to continue to make chapter members aware of our Facebook presence during the monthly luncheons.  Please pass the word and the link on to our local Shipmates.
Lobsterfest 2012
Red Top Mountain Shelter #2 has been reserved for Saturday, June 2^nd for Lobsterfest 2012.  Board is looking for new person to step up and relieve Stew Caldwell.
2012 Dark Ages Event
This year’s Dark Ages event will be hosted at the 57th Fighter Group on Saturday, February 18^th in the bunker room.  The cost will be $41 per person.  This year’s theme is Navy/Marine Corps casual.  Flight suits and Navy spirit gear are encouraged.  This year’s event will be less formal.