KP Chessie
News September 9, 2007
Newsletter MSWord download link: KP Chessie News 090907.doc
http://kpchesapeake.com/kp%20chessie%20news/KP%20Chessie%20News%20090907.doc
USMMA-AF Annual Meeting 2007 - Summary Report
Overview
The USMMA Alumni Foundation held the ANNUAL MEETING on Thursday & Friday September 6 &
7, 2007 at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, Kings Point, New York. This meeting is comprised of
three parts- the Chapter Presidents Meeting, the Alumni Foundation Board Meeting, and the Annual
Alumni Foundation Meeting.
The ANNUAL MEETING provides a forum for the Alumni Chapter Presidents to report on the status
and accomplishments of their chapters. It also provides and excellent opportunity for chapters to
compare programs and methodologies, and to learn from each other. The program agenda includes
speakers who provide information which is helpful to the operation of the chapters.
The Spring Meeting also hosts one of two By-Laws mandated meetings of the USMMA Alumni
Foundation Board of Directors. The agenda includes discussions of operational and financial
information of the foundation. A number of speakers also provide essential information to the board.
Policy and operational decisions are also made during the one and one-half day meeting.
Spouse’s tours are provided for those not attending the business meetings. These tours “A Day At
The Races.” Belmont Park was the site of this outing, including luncheon and horse races at the
park.
The ANNUAL MEETING is a great opportunity the Alumni to participate in evening socials which
includes a dinner and speaker programs.
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The evening programs include participation by Chapter Presidents, Board members, USMMA-AF
representatives, USMMA Staff & Faculty, invited guests and our Midshipmen. It also facilitates 2
days of access to academy staff and Midshipmen, as well as the opportunity to appreciate the
seasonal splendor of the Academy grounds, facilities and waterfront. A renewal of wedding vows
was also held aboard the T/V Kings Pointer, officiated by Captain Rick Barry!
The final highlights of the ANNUAL MEETING were the participation in the formal parade on Tomb
Field (Friday) and the 27th Annual Secretaries’ Cup Competitions at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy
(Saturday). The KP Mariner Football, Soccer and Women’s Volleyball teams battled the USCGA
Bears.
Chapter Presidents’ Meeting
The USMMA Alumni Foundation consists of 44 chartered chapters.
The meeting was attended by 10 chapter Presidents / Representatives including:
CA -San Francisco (W)
CA -Santa Barbara (W)
DC -Washington DC (NE)
GA -Georgia (SE)
MD -Chesapeake (NE)
NC -Tar Heel (SE)
NJ -NJ Central (NE)
NY -Long Island (NE)
NY -Mid Hudson (NE)
NY -Port of NY (NE)
CAPT Patrick E. Buttner '57
Mr. Kenneth J. Fidyk '71
LCDR Robert L. Smith, Jr., USCG '92
Mr. Bruce C. Howie '65
Mr. Gary G. Hicks '76
Mr. Dave Sanborn '73
Mr. Frederick R. Wolke '61
Mr. Cliff Woodrick '59
Mr. David M. Fillis '96
Dean W. Steele, Esq. '90
The meeting was conducted by the Chairman of the Chapter Presidents- Fred Wolke ’61. Meeting
attendees included the officers of the USMMA Alumni Foundation and several presenting members of
the Board of Directors.
The meeting agenda included the topics:
- Review and Approval of the Minutes of the Spring Chapter Presidents’ Meeting in Houston, TX
on April 19, 2007
- “State of the Alumni Foundation” – Michael Blecher ’78, USMMA Alumni Foundation Chairman
- Report of the USMMA Alumni Foundation – President & CEO, Gene McCormick ‘64
- Development Report – Vice President of Development, Nick Vendikos
- Chapter Support (Past & Present) –
Executive Vice President, USMMA Alumni Foundation, Pete Rackett ‘61
- Blue & Gray Events and Support – Gregg Matalas, Director of Blue & Gray
- Chapter Communications “What’s Happening on the Website?” –
Rita Gullion, Communications Coordinator
- Chapter Newsletters – Chapter Presidents with Newsletters
- Industry Outreach and “Tell America” – VADM Al Herberger ’55,
Chairman, Industry Affairs Committee
- Chapter “Tell America” Progress Reports – Chapter Presidents / Representatives
- Muster on grassy area adjacent to Barney Square for Regimental “March In” Lunch with the
Regiment. Escorted to tables by Table Captains
- “State of the Chapters” – Pete Rackett ’61, Executive Vice President
- Discussion on Reviving the “Alive and Atrophied Chapters” - All
- Chapters’ Support to Career Services – Bill Gross, Director of Career Services
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- “Presidents’ Round Table” – Chapter Reports on Activities since the
Spring Meeting in Houston (April) – Chapter Presidents / Representatives (Include the Following:)
--- Approximate Number of Dues Paying Members
--- Area of Chapter Domain
--- Number of Meetings Held since the Spring Meeting
--- And Meetings Planned over Next Six Months
--- Support to the Academy, Regiment and Industry (not including “Tell America”)
--- Programs to Increase Membership
--- Additional Support Needed from Babson Center
- Site and Date of 2008 Spring Meeting – Michael Sheahan ’03,
President of the San Diego Alumni Chapter
- Merchant Mariners Legislation Call To Action – “A Belated Thank You to the Merchant Mariners of
World War II” (HR Bill 23 and Senate Bill S961) – Mel Tublin, Esq. ‘49
- Working Lunch with Board of Directors and Midshipmen Panel
A few discussion items of interest* USMMAAF “giving” is currently ahead of 2006- our second-best year ever.
* Chapter development was discussed. There are currently 44 Chartered chapters, of which10 are rated as “achievers”, 13 are “active”, 10 are “alive”, and 11 are “atrophied”. Alumni outreach
efforts are being improved to include more alumni via the local chapters.
* Welcome Dave Sanborn ’73 enthusiastically representing the NC Tar Heel Chapter!
* Class of 2007 statistics- 80% sailing (including “brown water”) and 20% on active military duty.
* New Blue & Gray Golf Tournament in Norfolk September 17, 2007
* New Blue & Gray Golf Tournament in Chesapeake region in August, 2008!
* USMMA Alumni Foundation Maritime Policy 2008 forthcoming for our “Tell America” campaign
* Increasing opportunities for U.S. Mariners in the LNG trade
Board Of Director Meeting
The meeting was conducted by the Chairman of the Board- Mike Blecher ’78.
Meeting attendees included the officers of the USMMA Alumni Foundation, the members of the Board
of Directors and several guest presenters. VADM Stewart- USMMA Superintendent was one such
presenter. A number of topics dealing with the Foundation business of fundraising and Academy
support programs were discussed.
Agenda topics also included:
- Budget Revenue & Expense –
President and CEO Eugene F. McCormick '64 & Controller Catherine M. Feeney
- Academy's Needs for 2008 - VADM Joseph D. Stewart, USMS
- Gifts and Grants - Committee Chair Robert F. Lindmark'64
- Special Project - Vice Chairman Development and Committee Co-Chair John 0. Arntzen '79
- Washington Presence -Chairman PROJECT ACTA, Inc. Edward V. Kelly '56
- Chairman Government Affairs Committee Joseph J. Cox'67
- Confidentiality Agreement discussion - Attorney, McCanliss & Early, Charles D. Mooney
- Investment Committee – Committee Chair Joseph T. Stewart, Jr. '51 &
Senior Vice President of The Abrams Group, UBS, Richard A. Abrams
- Election of Officers & Directors - Vice Chairman Alumni Affairs Michael J. Miller'77
- Call to Order of the Annual Meeting of the USMMA Alumni Foundation –
Chairman Michael E. Blecher '78
- Adjourn the Annual Meeting of the USMMA Alumni Foundation –
Chairman Michael E. Blecher '78
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- Industry Affairs - Committee Chair Albert J. Herberger'55
-Audit Committee – Report by Committee Member Ivy B. Suter'78
- Constitutional items
--- Resolutions Committee & Approval of Administrative Actions
--- 2008 Spring Meeting date & site
--- 2008 Homecoming date
---2008 Annual Meeting date
A few discussion items of interest* Congressional Board of Visitors will convene
* Issue with USN Chaplin support at Kings Point
* Statistics- 15,966 KP Alumni Members, 202 Associate Members, 11 Honorary Members and 566
Perpetual Members
* 2008 Spring Meeting date & site- April 10-12, 2008 San Diego, CA
Paradise Point Resort & Spa, 1404 Vacation Rd, San Diego, CA 92109 Tel: (858) 274-4630
http://www.paradisepoint.com
* 2008 Homecoming date- Saturday September 27, 2008
* 2008 Annual Meeting date- September 11-13, 2008
September 13, 2008 is Secretaries' Cup Games at Kings Point
Reception & Dinner – Thursday evening (09/06/07)
A Reception & Buffet Dinner was held in the All America Room / Tyson Pavilion at the Yocum Sailing
Center. Attendees included the Alumni Foundation Board of Directors, Alumni Chapter Presidents /
Representatives, Academy Staff and invited Midshipmen. Our guest speaker was Dr. Shashi
Kumar, Ph.D., Master Mariner- Assistant Superintendent for Academic Affairs and Academic
Dean. Dr. Kumar made a very interesting presentation entitled “USMMA Vision of the Future”. This
presentation was an excellent opportunity for the guests to understand the current state of Academy
academic programs and the future direction of USMMA Maritime education. Dr. Kumar is determined
to provide a plan and direction to insure the qualifications and training required for our graduates to
compete in and lead the global maritime industry of the present and future.
Dr. Shashi Kumar, Ph.D., Master Mariner
Assistant Superintendent for Academic Affairs and Academic Dean
Ph.D., University of Wales; MS, Maine Maritime Academy; Graduate, Indian Maritime Academy
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Biography- Academic Dean and Assistant Superintendent for Academic Affairs
Dr. Kumar (PhD, University of Wales; MS, Maine Maritime Academy; Graduate, Indian Maritime
Academy) joined the Academy in 2007 as the Asst. Superintendent for Academic Affairs (Academic
Dean.) He is the founding Dean of the Loeb-Sullivan School of International Business and Logistics at
Maine Maritime Academy. Dr. Kumar has an unlimited Master Mariner (UK) certificate of competency
and sailed extensively for a decade prior to entering academe. His areas of teaching and research
include Maritime Economics and Policies, International Shipping, and Maritime Logistics. He is a
founding member of the International Association of Maritime Economists and the International
Association of Maritime Universities, and is also affiliated with the Academy of International Business,
American Society of Transportation and Logistics, and the Institute for Supply Management
(NAPM/ISM).
Dean Kumar’s significant accomplishments include the Transport Review's first prize for new PhDs in
transportation, an award for excellence in teaching, a Sam M. Walton Fellowship (in free enterprise
education, 1998-present) as well as the 1997 Maine International Innovator of the Year Award. He is
a frequent speaker in key industry events in the U.S. and overseas. Dr. Kumar has published
extensively and authors an annual review of the Merchant Marine for the U.S. Naval Institute
Proceedings. He serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Maritime Economics and Logistics
and the IAMU Journal. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Maine International Trade
Center and the Maine Department of Transportation Freight Advisory Board.
Dean Kumar served as a faculty member at Maine Maritime Academy from 1987 - 2007. He has held
visiting professor appointments at the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad, India, Memorial
University in St. John’s, NF, Canada, the World Maritime University in Malmo, Sweden, Shanghai
Maritime University in Shanghai, China and the Pontifical Catholic University in Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Dean Kumar resides at the Academy with his wife Beena and daughters Kavya and Kamla.
The Distinguished Chapter Awards 2006 - 2007
This enjoyable evening concluded with the presentation of The Distinguished Chapter Awards.
The Distinguished Chapter Award (DCA) Program is established to assist Alumni Chapters in their
support of the Mission of their Chapter and the Alumni Foundation. It encourages the Chapter to
support the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the Regiment of Midshipmen, the Alumni and the U.S.
Merchant Marine. The Award Program is goal oriented to facilitate this support.
There are twenty-two goals available. To earn the Distinguished Chapter Award the Chapter must
achieve the eight Basic Chapter Goals. After achieving the six Basic Chapter Goals the Chapter may
then achieve any five additional goals to earn the Superintendent’s Distinguished Chapter Award.
After earning the Superintendent’s Distinguished Chapter Award the Chapter may then achieve five
more goals, for a total of seventeen goals, to earn the Regimental Distinguished Chapter Award.
The Distinguished Chapter Awards are to be awarded annually for the period starting July 1 st and
ending June 30th. Those Chapters receiving the Distinguished Chapter Award receive a white
ribbon; those receiving a Superintendent’s Distinguished Chapter Award will receive a red ribbon;
and those receiving a Regimental Distinguished Chapter Award will receive a Blue Ribbon. Each
ribbon will have the name of the award and the year received embossed on it. The Ribbon may be
attached to and flown with the Chapter Banner.
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Awards were made to 7 of the 44 chartered chapters for 2006-2007:
Regimental Distinguished Chapter Award
DC -Washington DC (NE)
LCDR Robert L. Smith, Jr., USCG '92
MD -Chesapeake
(NE)
Distinguished Chapter Award
CA -Los Angeles/Long Beach (W)
CA -Santa Barbara (W)
GA -Georgia (SE)
NJ -NJ Central (NE)
NY -Mid Hudson (NE)
Mr. Gary G. Hicks '76
Mr. John P. Daly '82
Mr. Kenneth J. Fidyk '71
Mr. Bruce C. Howie '65
Mr. Frederick R. Wolke '61
Mr. David M. Fillis '96
Parade, Reception & Dinner – Friday evening (09/07/07)
USMMAAF Annual Meeting participants enjoyed the Regimental Formal Parade on Tomb Field,
followed by a reception at Melville Hall- Officers Club. A very fine BBQ dinner was then enjoyed on
the Tyson Pavilion at the Yocum Sailing Center, as we viewed a spectacular sunset!
Secretaries' Cup Games at U.S. Coast Guard Academy – Saturday (09/07/07)
USCGA, New London, CT., was the host of this annual competition. The USMMAAF participants
were well provided for by the USMMAAF Connecticut Shoreline Chapter, with a half-time and post
game gathering at the USCGA Alumni Center.
The results of the competitions are available by clicking the Mariner sports links provided.
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Coast Guard Wins Secretaries' Cup Over Football, 36-31
http://www.usmmasports.com/ssp/news?news_id=1770
Jonathan Spiropolous caught 14 passes for 121 yards and scored a touchdown at Coast Guard today.
Box Score Game Photos (Courtesy of Ralph Weidler)
Flanagan's Overtime Goal Leads Soccer Past Coast Guard, 1-0,
in 27th Annual Secretaries’ Cup http://www.usmmasports.com/ssp/msccr-news?news_id=1767
Chris Flanagan scores in overtime to lead the Mariners in a 1-0 victory over Coast Guard.
No. 25 Coast Guard Defeats Volleyball, 3-0, in 27th Annual Secretaries’ Cup
http://www.usmmasports.com/ssp/wvlyb-news?news_id=1766
Patricia Greene led the Mariners with 11 digs in today's 3-0 loss at No. 25 Coast Guard. Box Score
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Conclusion
The team at Babson Center is to be commended for a very professional & informative ANNUAL
MEETING that was also enjoyable and productive. Gene McCormick ‘64- President & CEO, and
Peter Rackett ‘61- Executive Vice President make every effort to convey to the alumni - at a chapter
level - that our participation is fundamental to the success & mission of the Alumni Foundation.
Likewise, Lisa Donitz- USMMA Alumni Foundation performed her ever dependable job of flawlessly
executing every detail in the event presentations.
Our Alumni can take great pride in our Midshipmen. They are professional, courteous and engaging,
and certainly live up to the high ideals that we class as Kings Pointers. Most impressive… our alma
mater is in good hands!
Congratulations to Ivy Suter ’78, our newly elected USMMAAF Chairman. Ivy has the distinction of
being the first woman Chairman of this distinguished body, and the first woman graduate of Kings
Point! A large Thank You goes to Mike Blecher ’78 for a job well done as the out-going chairman of
the Foundation. Lastly, congratulations to LCDR Robert L. Smith, Jr., USCG '92- President, KP Club
of Washington, D.C. on his selection for promotion to Commander! Rob received word of this honor
during our meetings.
The Chesapeake Chapter presented well at the ANNUAL MEETING. Our successes and hard work
were apparent to our fraternal members attending the meetings. I was very proud to represent our
organization. Thank you to the officers, the board, the committees and all of our members for your
continued interest & support. GO CHESSIE – Challenges Ahead!
Enjoy our Photo Slide Show of this event
Click the link: USMMAAF AnMtgKP 090607
http://www.photoworks.com/photo-sharing/shareLanding.jsp?shareCode=A49ED72C452&cb=PW
Respectfully,
Gary
Gary G. Hicks ‘76
President
KP Chessie
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