The chapter monthly luncheon for july is set for 15 july. Our speaker will be:
Phil Smith
Southern Regional Director
The Concord Coalition (www.concordcoalition.org)
Phil is a returning speaker and will speak this time to the topic of the U.S. Government Debt Crisis
Please mark your calendar and plan to be there for an enlightening, and engaging speaker.
Ed.
Welcome to summer in Atlanta, for all of our area transplants. Well, it really isn’t quite summer yet, but it’s already starting to feel like it. That’s fine because there are a number of Chapter activities over the next few weeks to take your mind off of the heat.
The annual Navy/Army Golf Classic was held last week and for the first time in quite a while, Army won. Actually the current record is 13-3 our favor. So I guess Army has to win sometime, it’s just the law of averages. Besides this was the last year for the Classic at Ft. McPherson, due to the base closure, so Army had extra incentive. Next year we will be at a new venue and we’ll start our dominance all over again.
The annual Lobsterfest is June 4th and all of the details are on the website. This is our 37th year of lobster, drink and fun so get ready for the best time ever. All alumni and guests are welcomed, but you need to get your RSVP in ASAP, because this is our most popular event of the year.
Our annual Chapter Meeting is June 17th this year, which coincides with our monthly luncheon date. All dues paying members and any alumni who would like to become a member, should plan to attend. We conduct our Chapter business at this meeting, consisting of a State of the Chapter Report, the Treasurers review and election of new officers for 2011-2012 terms. It’s also an opportunity for alumni to relay any relevant news or information to the entire Chapter, so make plans to attend.
Also, as I conduct this meeting, I will be concluding my term as Chapter President. I would like to thank the Chapter Broad of Directors for their support, hard work and service over the past 2 years. Leadership is only as good as the team that surrounds it and it has been my honor and privilege to have served as your President. The new leadership team is very strong and I encourage everyone to come meet them at the luncheon on the 17th.
I also want to thank everyone in the Chapter for your support these last 2 years and I look forward to remaining very active in the Chapter.
GO NAVY !!
Ples Bruce ‘77
The nominating committee has returned the following set of proposed officers and and directors for the chapter for operating year 2011 – 2012
President Ed Brownlee ‘81
Vice President Pete Knoetgen ‘77
Treasurer Mary McElroy ‘87
Secretary Scott Evans ‘88
Director – Brigade Support Stew Caldwell ‘65
Director – General Bill Rentz ’55
Director – General Jim Slemenda ’66
Director – General Steve Frederick ’72
Director – General Angus McLean ‘84
Director – General Karlton Holston ‘02
Chapter Trustee Ples Bruce ‘77
March has brought some early rain to the Capital of the South and most of us here are hoping that warm weather is also just around the corner. We just finished a great Dark Ages and Founders Day Dinner and Dance and photos have been or soon will be posted to the website for review.
Here, we’re all looking forward to spring and Braves baseball. And if it’s spring, the Annual ICOF, Alumni Chapter and Class Presidents Meeting in Annapolis, is only about 2 months away. There will typically be around 100 attendees and it’s a chance for Alumni officers to talk about what works and doesn’t work for alumni at the Chapter level and pick up new ideas to bring back home. We also have a chance to connect with the staff at the Alumni Association to get updates on member activities and services. This is also our opportunity to get answers to some of the questions and concerns from our local constituents. So, If you have any questions send them to president@atlanta.usnaaasiteadmin.net as soon as possible.
Another upcoming event is the Annual Army/Navy Golf Tourney at FT. McPherson. This is the last year we will be at FT Mac, so everyone who has any affinity for Golf should participate. It’s a fun time and Navy has dominated Army in this tourney over the years so Army is probably going to bring some ringers, so we need all of our ringers to show up too. Check atlanta.usnaaasiteadmin.net for all the info and to register.
Of course I can’t talk about spring activities and not talk about the Annual Lobsterfest on June 4th. Based on early inquires, we may set records this year for attendance. So, keep a close eye on your email and the website for announcements for reservations starting about mid-month in April. We always have a great time and this year should be no exception.
Have a great Spring and plug-in at atlanta.usnaaasiteadmin.net to stay informed, in-touch and in-play at the Alumni level.
Go Navy!!
Ples Bruce ‘77
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. Space is limited so register early (last event quickly reached capacity).
Jim Balkcom is a native of Atlanta, Georgia and attended Georgia Institute of Technology before his appointment to the United States Military Academy. After graduating in 1967 he was commissioned as a Signal Corps Officer and successfully completed Airborne and Ranger schools. While serving in Germany with the 3rd Armored Division he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal. While serving in Vietnam, Jim was awarded the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster and the Vietnamese Distinguished Service Medal.
After leaving the military at the rank of Captain, Jim graduated from the Harvard Business School with a Masters of Business Administration and was awarded the Hay Associates Management Fellowship.
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 Humminbirdâ„¢ (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.
Throughout his business career, Jim has never lost his love for the military and West Point. He currently serves as Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army for Georgia, which he was appointed to in 2002. He also serves as Chairman of the Georgia Military Affairs Committee, which Governor Sonny Perdue appointed him to in 2008, and is an Executive Board member of the USO Council of Georgia.
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. Space is limited; register now! Cost includes parking validation.
If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Drew Leppert, USNA ’97, at drew.leppert@gmail.com or 678-982-8347.
Microsoft Consulting Services, in partnership with Military 2 Microsoft “We Still Serve” Program is hosting an Open House Career Event, nest Thursday, March 3, 2011 – 4:00pm – 7:00pm. Microsoft Alpharetta Office, 1125 Sanctuary Parkway, Ste. 300, Alpharetta, GA 30004, This event is FREE, but space is limited.
Registration information and more details are at: http://www.microsoft-careers.com/content/militaryjoin/
Come join us for a happy hour on the northwest side of town! Meet up with old friends and make some news too on Thursday, March 3rd at Smyrna’s American Legion Post 160.
The fun starts at 5:30. Â The American Legion is located at 160 Legion Drive SE, Smyrna, Georgia 30080-4353. Â For more details, registration and payment on line please access the link below.
http://atlanta.usnaaasiteadmin.net/wordpress/upcoming-events-and-outings/
This is the second in a new series of events that will rotate around the metro Atlanta area. The chapter’s goal is to find new ways to reach out and support our alumni. I look forward to seeing you at American Legion 160!
Please feel free to forward this link to any additional alumni you know in the area.
The Atlanta Chapter USNA Alumni Association will hold its February luncheon on Friday, the 18th at Sheraton Suites Hotel-Galleria. For directions, visit our website: atlanta.usnaaasiteadmin.net. Lunch is $17 for members and $22 for non-members (a great opportunity to become a member and save $5) and as always, exact change is appreciated. Please email me at plesbruce@gmail.com to confirm your attendance.
Our speaker will be Dr. Gene Griessman. Dr. Griessman is an internationally known public speaker, author, actor and consultant. He has spoken at conventions and annual meetings worldwide. As an actor and playwright, he has performed his one-man play on Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre and before large audiences at the Georgia Dome and the Ice Palace. He’s conducted exclusive interviews with US Presidents, famous actors, sports figures, business leaders and Nobel Laureates. Dr. Griessman is the author of numerous books and articles on famous high achievers.
Lincoln is probably best known for his leadership and interaction with the Army during the Civil War, but very little has been mentioned about Lincoln and the Navy. Dr. Griessman will speak on that topic.
We look forward to a great talk and everyone is encouraged to attend.
We will also get an update on upcoming events, Academy Connect on LinkedIn, and other activities scheduled over the next few months.
I look forward to seeing you on Friday the 18th.
Ples Bruce ‘77
Registration and online payment for this year’s Dark Ages party is now open. See the Events link above to register.
McKINNEY, James JAMES A. MCKINNEY James A. McKinney, of Atlanta, Georgia; loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and son passed away suddenly Tuesday January 4, 2011 while playing golf. He was the owner of Peachtree Movers, former President & Senior Vice President of FedEX Logistics, VP Flight Ops, former experimental test pilot for General Dynamics, Navy Test Pilot, Top Gun F-4 pilot, serving 2 tours in Viet Nam aboard the USS Constellation & the USS America. He was a 1967 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland and graduate of Bishop J. OÃConnell High School in Arlington, Virginia. He is survived by his wife Judith of 42 years; daughter Joelle Cotros of Little Rock, AR; daughter, Julie Hughes; and son James Robert McKinney of Atlanta, 7 beautiful grandchildren; sisters, Jaleen McKinney and Maureen Malanchuk, both of Arlington, VA. A funeral mass will be held Friday, January 7, 2011 at 10:30 o’clock at The Cathedral of Christ the King. The family will receive friends Thursday evening January 6 from 6 until 8 o’clock at Patterson’s Spring Hill Chapel. Online condolences may be made at Hmpattersonspringhill.com.
Published in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on January 6, 2011
