May 2009 President's Corner

Mitch Rowland '71, USNAAA Atlanta Chapter President

At our last Monthly Luncheon, Bill Donges started his talk with some background information. He had planned to go to Annapolis and become a Naval Aviator. But, his eyesight kept him from attending flight school. So, he went to the USS Turner Joy. He reported aboard and was to meet the officers in the wardroom. The Captain was there and took his service record and began reviewing it. Suddenly, he shouted an obscenity and threw the folder. He then told him that he didn’t have any Academy graduates on board and don’t expect you ring to get you any special favors. What a start on your first day.

After his tour on the Turner Joy, Bill reported back to Annapolis as an instructor in the Seamanship and Navigation Department. He enjoyed his time back at USNA, but decided to leave active duty. He remained in the reserves.

When he was looking for his first job out of the Navy, he was offered any one of three cities in the deep south. Since he and his wife were not southerners, he asked where the worst performing unit was located. He was told Chicago. He asked to be assigned to Chicago and they sent him there. Within two years, the Chicago area had become a top performing unit. After that the company sent him to different areas in the company that were having trouble. His reputation as a turnaround specialist spread beyond his company and he began to get offers from other companies.

After a number of moves, he decided to start his own company that would help start up companies with their business plans and finances. He eventually came to Atlanta and took a position with the Lane Company, a real estate firm that needed some help. He helped the company expand from its base in Atlanta.

Even with the downturn in the business climate now, Bill is very optimistic with the overall outcome for the United States. He related that from 1976-1980, President Carter had a larger democratic majority than President Obama. It was also during those years that we had double digit inflation and unemployment. But, it was in those years that Microsoft and a number of our most successful companies started.

Bill told us about several new technologies that are looking for start up money. Some of the innovations are really unbelievable. With the drive and individual freedoms that we as Americans have, we will come out ahead!

We were very fortunate to have Bill as our speaker.

Those in attendance were: Jim Ellis ‘69, Barry Gittleman ‘89, Jerry Mackey ‘54 and his bride Connie, Tony Womble ‘63, John Stark ‘51, Lee Gavel ‘78, Rick Jacobs ‘72, Ed Hux ‘61, Steve Weise ‘72, Steve Chesnut ‘74, Ross Burkhead ‘71, Jon Barton ‘66, Will Smith ‘97, Bill Barnes ‘82, Jennifer Barnes ‘82, Paul Borer ‘70, Lee Whitfield ‘71, Brian Huey ‘90, Dick Borowiec ‘68, Stew Caldwell ‘65, Bill Rentz ‘55, Don Patterson ‘74, and Bryan Lichtenstein ‘96. Our SOPA was John Stark ‘51 and the plebe for a day was Will Smith ‘97. That gave us a 46 year span of graduates.

Thank everyone who came out on a beautiful day in Atlanta.

We have several upcoming events. All of this information is available on this website. But, on May 1, we have the Army-Navy golf tournament at Ft. McPherson. Sign in starts at 0900 and the shotgun start is 1100. Our signature event, the Lobster Fest, is Saturday June 6 at Red Top Mountain State Park. We are looking for volunteers to work as set up crew, cooking crew or cleanup crew. If you’re willing share in the fun, contact me at grumpymitch@yahoo.com. George Watt, a former Atlanta Area member and past CEO of the Alumni Assn will be our guest of honor this year. Go on line to get the signup sheet and get your reservation in early.

BEAT ARMY!

Mitch Rowland ’71
Chapter President