Atlanta

November is always the start of the three fastest months of the year for me and this year is no exception. I don’t know if anyone else who reads this feels the same, but with the addition of new responsibilities as Chapter President, this time has become even busier.
As of the time of the writing of this message, Navy still has 3 important football games left to finish the season strong. A 7+ win record gives us a number of options for bowl games, yet with Delaware, Notre Dame and Hawaii still to play before Army, we don’t have an easy way to go.
In December, we have the Chapter Christmas Party, Army/Navy football and a probable Navy Bowl game appearance to go along with all of the other hustle and bustle of the season. Then in January we have the visit by the Navy Academy Gospel Choir for the King Birthday Celebration Weekend.
October’s monthly luncheon was well attended and our speaker Miami Philips, a recognized Internet guru, spoke about using the internet and social media, specifically Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to communicate, collaborate and create business and personal relationships locally or globally.  In attendance: Ron Taylor ’81, Bill Holmes ’64, Jim Todd ’55, Jon Barton ’66, Pete Knoetgen ’77, Karl Schwelm ’71, Paul Borer ’70, Jeff Jones ’77, Chris Wheeler ’95, Jerry Mackey ’54, Bill Rentz ’55, Debbie Baus ’89, Robb Weteel ’89, Rick Haley ’72, Bob Ferrante ’90, Brian Pilger ’93, Dan Branch ’96, Mitch Rowland ’71, Jim Slemenda ’66, Brian Jackson ’81, Ned Hunter ‘ 81 and Ples Bruce ‘77.
For anyone not planning on being in Philly for the Army/Navy game, join us at Fox Sports Grill in Atlantic Station on December 12^th for our annual Army/Navy Game Viewing. We will be sending more information within the next week about this event, including ticket and event details. Stay tuned.
GO NAVY!
Ples Bruce ’77
Chapter President

September was a quick month for me. Hopefully, October will be a little slower so I can enjoy the nice long Falls we have here in Georgia.
The Navy Football season is well underway and we almost started by pulling off one of the biggest upsets in recent history against Ohio State. We had a great turnout at our local gathering spot, Fox Sports Grill in Atlantic Station. There were about 40 cheering fans in attendance, with the Parent’s Club making up about half of the group. They are a great organization in this area, really supporting their Mids at Annapolis, but also many of the events we conduct. The other games were equally as well attended and we are looking forward to another exciting and winning season. If you didn’t make it out to one this September’s events, go to the Events Calendar page for details and directions.
Our speaker this month was Lt. Col. Rob ‘Waldo’ Waldman, who is an inspirational leadership speaker, author, and peak performance coach. He’s a 1990 Air Force Academy grad and had some terrific information, inspiration and affirmation to share with us about continuing the success we have all already experienced by being Academy graduation, but now focused on our family, friends and community. It was a great talk and very timely in this present economic times. In attendance: Jeff Lewis ’70, Debbie Baus ’89, George Hutcherson ’70, Mitch Rowland ’71, Jerry Mackey ’54, Karl Schwelm ’71, Bill Rentz ’55, Brian Pilger ’93, Bob Ferrante ’90, Rick Haley ’72, Ed Haley ,72, Ed Hux ’61, Mike Rose ’48, Bill Borchert ’48, Paul Hurst ’62, Kathy McCartan ’85, Tom Galloway ’71, Jim Slemenda ’66, Clint Johnson ’60, Alan Miller ’61, Ronald Taylor ’81, Jon Barton ’66, Ed Brownlee ’81, Ed Sundberg ’68, Will Smith ’97, Brian Jackson ’81.
The speaker for October will be Miami Philips, a recognized Internet guru, who will talk about social media and how to maximize this new relationship building tool. I was impressed with Mr. Philips grasp of the unique opportunities open to all of us to leverage this technology, whether you’re building your career, keeping in touch with your children or grands, or looking to reconnect with old friends. Again, to get details and directions to monthly luncheons, go to the Monthly Luncheon page.
For anyone not planning on being in Philly for the Army/Navy game, join us at Fox Sports Grill in Atlantic Station. We just beat Air Force for the 7^th straight time, on our way to another Commander-In-Chief Trophy, so the victory party on December 12^th will be even bigger. All grads, friends and family are welcomed. Tickets go on sale in November.
GO NAVY!
Ples Bruce ’77
Chapter President

September came around pretty fast this year. When you want the slower pace of summer to last a little longer, it always goes faster. I think that’s a Law of Physics or something like that.
We had a great luncheon on August 21^st , highlighted by our guest speaker Michael E. Moore. Mr. Moore’s topic was “Networking-What to Give, How to Get.” His main points were centered on his 35+ years of experience as a Banker, Business & Community Leader, Entrepreneur, devoted Husband and Father. Advising us to be of service to others first without regard to personal gain seemed to be the strongest take-away from his brief talk, based on my impression. I believe the attendees felt their time, besides the opportunity to connect or reconnect with classmates and friends, was well worth it.
Speaking of attendance, it was an overflow event. Present were Clint Johnson ’60, Ronald Taylor ’81, Karl Schwelm ’71, Denny Desmond ’71, Harvey Cybil ’62, Ed Hux ’61, Kent Hamlin ’70, Buzz Galbraith ’61, Bill Rentz ’55, Jerry Mackey ’54, Ed Smith ’72, Jim Hatch ’47, Bill Holmes ’64, Bob Ferrante ’90, Kenn Bruley ’91, Steve Frederick ’72, Bill Nash ’93, Dick Borowiec ’68, Ed Brownlee ’81, Jim Slemenda ’66, Matt Kirby ’94, Mike Miller ’56, Tom Judd ’72, Brian Jackson ’81, Walt Coakley ’54, Paul Borer ’70, Bob Schultz ’71 and Lee Whitfield ’71. We also had seven guests in attendance, including Ian Phillips, who is a Sea Scout and just achieved Eagle Scout this past January. He also hopes to be a member of the Class of 2014.
In September, our luncheon will be on the 18^th, again the 3^rd Friday of the month. Visit the Monthly Luncheon page for details and directions. BZ to our webmaster, Bob Schultz ’71, who has recently updated the site with more enhancements and new links. Check it out on a regular basis for all the details on the Atlanta Chapter.
We are planning to gather on September 5^th at Fox Sports Grill in Atlantic Station to cheer on Navy in victory over Ohio State.J All area alumni, well-wishers, guests and anti-Ohio State fans are invited to be with us at 1200 (noon for all you land lovers).
Until next month,
GO NAVY!
Ples Bruce ’77
Chapter President

August has always been a transition month for me and much of my family, friends and colleagues. First, this is the time for many families to prepare for the children to return to school, whether its grade school, high school or college.
Secondly, most of the parents and adults realize that the dog days of summer are about over and things will be getting back to ‘normal’ and the usual routines start all over again.
As an organization, we are no different. The end of summer and beginning of fall also mean the rebirth of everything we enjoy about the season, sporting events, the change of season, the approaching annual holidays and the numerous gatherings of families and friends.
Of course the biggest fall sport is football and to say that Navy has a challenging season this year would be an understatement. We’ll have a link on the website, atlanta.usnaaasiteadmin.net, for the few of us that may be Google challenged, that will take you directly to the webpage with the information on Navy’s schedule. Remember, for all the games that are televised we will be at Fox Sports Grill at Atlantic Station. As the schedule rolls out, we will remind you and encourage your attendance.
Your chapter Board of Directors and Officers want to make your membership as valuable and relevant to your needs as possible. So, don’t hesitate to contact any member with suggestions and recommendations of things you would find useful for us to consider including in our activities and events. My email address and phone number are included on every newsletter.
This month’s luncheon will be at our usual spot, the Sheraton Suites at Galleria at 1130 on August 21^st. Our speaker will be Michael E. Moore and his talk will center on the most effective ways to network for business or personal needs. Michael is a well-known local business leader, speaker and professional networker and has agreed to share some of his best techniques and methods for promoting win-win encounters with strangers and non-strangers alike. A more detailed bio will be provided, when I send the invitation to all alumni in the area through the Alumni Association’s database.
Again, as we all transition into getting back to our post summer routines, the only thing that is constant is change. This is a changing time in our society, so refreshing your skills, making new contacts and nurturing the ones we already have, will provide a good foundation for the remainder of 2009 and beyond.
Until next month,
GO NAVY!
Ples Bruce ’77
Chapter President

As my first official duty as President of the USNA Alumni Association Atlanta, let me say that I am honored and privileged to be your new President. I look to working with all of you to make the next 2 years that best our chapter has had as it relates to fulfilling our mission, which is to:
1.      Serve the members.
2.      Advance the goodwill and honor of the United States Naval Academy in our community.
3.      Assist the Academy by being positive examples and role models for young men and women considering a career of naval service.
Pasts Event Highlights:

1. Navy once again defeated Army in the annual Navy/Army Golf Tournament held on May 1^st at Ft. McPherson golf course. If you have not had the chance to participate in this event, I encourage all grads to sign-up next year and help us continue the streak.
2. The 35^th annual Lobsterfest was held at Red Top Mountain State Park, June 6^th.  As usual, a great time was had by all. The annual Lobsterfest is always one of our largest attended events of the year, second only to  Army/Navy, and is always our biggest fundraiser. We served up over 240 lobster dinners, over 45 hotdog/hamburger dinners and enough sheet cake to choke a horse. This year we had in attendance George and Peggy Watts who fit right into the swing of things, with official Lobsterfest Aprons and claw crackers. Fortunately this year, Carl and Marilyn McCallum who started this event, were able to actually relax, beat the heat and enjoy themselves. BZ and thank you to both Marilyn and Carl for all the years of hard work and dedication. We have some great pictures from the event and we’ll get them posted on the website shortly.
3. At our monthly Alumni Luncheon, which is always held the 3^rdFriday of each month at the Sheraton Suites Cumberland, we had a special presentation by Dan Branch class of ’96. Dan has spent the past year working with local grads from the other Academies to organize and activate an online Networking Group in Linked-In entitled Academy Connect. Dan does a much better job than I in detailing the purpose and benefits of belonging to the group, so download a copy of his presentation and comments at our website; atlanta.usnaaasiteadmin.net. I believe “Academy Connect Atlanta” will be a great tool and resource for online interaction between local Academy grads, which should prove beneficial for offline professional and personal communications and collaboration. Luncheon attendees included: Mitch Rowland ’71, Bill Rentz ’55, John Stark ’57, Matt Coy ’01, Tom Galloway ’71, Karl Schwelm ’71, Ed Sunberg ’68, Rick Jacobs ’72, Ed Hux ’61, Le  Whitfield ’71, Bayly Taff ’84, Bob Schultz ’71, Mike Miller ’66, Pete Knoetgen ’77, Jim Slemenda ’66, Jon Barton ’66, Mario Maddox ’85, Michelle Maddox ’13, Brian Jackson ’81.

BEAT ARMY!
Ples Bruce ’77
Chapter President