June 2007 President's Corner

Steve Frederick '72, USNAAA Atlanta Chapter President

Great news for our Chapter – we have discovered a new venue for our luncheons that we intend to use for the foreseeable future. The Sheraton Suites at Galleria will accommodate us in a perfectly sized room with a very good luncheon menu for a flat rate of $15. It has taken us awhile to find a place that works, but you can expect future monthly luncheons to be held at this venue, which is just across the street from where we have held the Dark Ages Party for the past few years.

Our luncheon in May was well attended for the first time use of this venue, with attendees including: Roberto E. Leon ’47, Jim Hatch ’47, Ed Flynn ’51 and his wife Sherrie, John Stark ’51, Walt Coakley ’54, Bill Rentz ’55, Pat Beard ’58, Carl McCallum ’60 and his wife Marilyn, Ed Hux ’61, Bill Holmes ’64, Bob Snelling ’65, Bill Williams ’65, Jon Barton ’66, Jim Slemenda ’66, Mitch Rowland ’71, Lee Whitfield ’71, Steve Frederick ’72, Ed Browler ’81, Mario Maddox ’85, Brian Pilger ’93 our guest speaker, Blake Dow ‘98, Karlton Holston ’02. Brian Pilger is currently serving as the Vice President for Transportation at the Atlanta Chamber of Commerce. He gave a very informative and interesting talk on the traffic situation here in Atlanta, what some of its origins are, and what some of the long term repercussions will be. If you missed it, stay tuned, as it was the kind of presentation that most agreed needs to be updated and reviewed on a recurring basis. We hope to get Brian back at some point next year for an update.

Our luncheon speakers over the coming months are the kind that you should not miss. In June, Bruce Latta, the Director of Admissions at USNA will bring us up to date on the admissions process and status of the Class of 2011. In September, we have tentatively scheduled Congressman Phil Gingrey, and we have Ron Terwilliger ’63 scheduled to speak to us in October. Keep an eye on the website for updates and confirmations about these speakers and others as we make our way through the summer.

By the time this newsletter is published, Mitch Rowland ’71 will have been voted in as your new President and Eric Busko ’87 will be your new Vice President. These two gentlemen will do a great job for you and I am delighted to turn over the Chapter to Mitch’s capable leadership. I would like to thank each of you for your support over the past two years, and to let you know that I truly considered it a privilege to serve as your President. The Naval Academy was a defining experience in my life, and a great many of my close friends are fellow alumni. I like the people that the Academy produces. My time as the President of what is arguably the best Chapter in the world has been an honor and very enjoyable. Thank you again. Please continue to support the Chapter and its officers. Also, consider getting involved with the Board of Directors or one of the events. You will find it to be much more fun than work, and very rewarding in the long run.

I plan to stay fully engaged with the Chapter and plan to attend as many events as I can. I hope to see you there.

BEAT ARMY!

Steve Frederick ’72
Chapter President