Candid conversations with veteran business leaders about how they lead, drive change, and find success. On Point is a show for veterans, as well as anyone who wants to learn business and leadership lessons from some of the top innovators in the world. It’s a show for those who want to learn from the best, push their career forward, and stay on the cutting edge.
This episode of the WPAOG podcast features an interview with David F. Melcher, a businessman and retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General. He spent 32 years serving in the military and is recognized as a prominent figure in the aerospace and defense community, as the former President and CEO of Exelis from 2011–2015 and of Aerospace Industries Association from 2015–2017.During his 32 years of service, David commanded at the Battalion, Brigade, and Army Corps of Engineers Division level. He has been awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal, and had prominent staff assignments that included a White House Fellowship with the Office of Management and Budget under President Ronald Reagan and as the Army's Military Deputy for Budget, and Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Programs. For 12 years of his military career, David was assigned to the Pentagon.In this episode, David talks about how he had no doubt that West Point was where he could gain the best leadership skills. He discusses working in the White House and then transitioning into business after serving so many years in the army. David also explains what he feels are the keys to success in life, and the importance of continuing to be an active member of the West Point community.-----------Key Quotes“For younger officers who are leaving the military or non-commissioned officers, understand that you have significant leadership skills that are needed in industry. The things that you learned, leading a small or large organization, the organizational skills, those are very, very important, as are the ability to speak and write clearly and articulate what it is that you want - The ability to set goals, to be a problem solver, those are all things that people who have served in the military know how to do. So, never sell yourself short on what you know as you make a transition into an industry context.” - David Melcher-----------Episode Timestamps(01:24) The Class of 1976(02:54) West Point Experience(09:24) Army Experience(11:54) Mentors in the Military(14:54) Working in the White House(18:24) Corp of Army Engineers (19:59) Retirement from Service(20:54) Transition to Civilian Career (30:24) Finding Success in Aerospace and Defense(33:24) Serving as a Board Member and Director(35:24) Routines and Keys for Success(38:54) West Point and Military Service Across Family Generations(41:09) Giving Back-----------LinksDavid's LinkedInWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
This episode features a conversation with Joe Beard ‘96, Co-Founder & CEO of CollateralEdge, a Dallas-based fintech platform that provides banks with a flexible, automated sales enablement solution to efficiently increase lending capacity without compromising credit quality.Joe has had a diverse career spread across the military, technology, investment banking, and venture capital. As a former Partner at Perot Jain, a Dallas-based venture capital firm, he led 40+ investments in 5 years. He's a Founder and Board Member of Venture Dallas, the premier venture capital conference in the DFW region, and a recipient of the Tech Titans Investment Catalyst Award. He spent 8 years as an investment banker in New York and Dallas and has executed approximately $10 billion in transactions across M&A, debt, and equity.In this episode of On Point, Joe talks about how he had to adapt and use what he learned at West Point to succeed in business. He discusses the investment strategies that helped him make fifty investments in under five years, the importance of remaining clear headed when problem solving, and why having work experience before attending business school is extremely beneficial. He also talks about finding balance when moving between different segments of finance, business, and entrepreneurship.-----------Key Quotes“The biggest challenge initially was just making sure that you're balanced, and really kind of being intentional about how you spend your time. And, there's never enough hours in the day, right? You know, no matter what work ethic you're bringing to the table, no matter how you're being creative about resources, there's never enough hours in the day to do all the things that you want to do. So you have to ruthlessly prioritize your time. You have to be ruthless about prioritization. Not chasing the next shiny ball, but really kind of focusing your effort and energy and doing the things that you know are gonna move the needle for your business.” - Joe Beard-----------Episode Timestamps(02:08) Segment: AAR(03:45) Experience at West Point (10:04) Journey in the Army(11:33) Segment: Sit Rep(15:17) Attending business school(17:06) Starting in investing banking(20:07) Investment strategies(25:10) About CollateralEdge(33:27) Quick fire questions(39:39) Segment: SOP(43:45) Mentorship(45:20) Segment: Giving Back-----------LinksJoe's LinkedInWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
This episode of On Point features an interview with David Hunt, Founder and CEO at Crossrope, a fun new way to get fit anywhere with a weighted jump rope experience. David is a 2004 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology Entrepreneurial Masters graduate, former Naval Aviator, startup founder, and jump rope enthusiast. With just a library card and an entrepreneurial itch, David was able to overcome a severe injury to focus his energy into creating a company that provides fun, accessible, and impactful workouts with revolutionary jump rope technology.In this episode of On Point, David talks about his life as an aviation pilot in the US Navy, overcoming serious life-changing injuries through passionate entrepreneurship, and the importance of taking calculated risks while also embracing uncertainty.-----------Key Quotes“A lot of people have ideas and it's really hard to take the steps, even if you don't know what they are, to go for it and to try something else, especially within the reality of you can do. Like a lot of times I think entrepreneurs are glorified for the unsung heroes taking crazy risks. And in reality, most of the time, it should be a calculated risk. If you are listening to this right now, and you are thinking about taking some sort of a risk or doing something entrepreneurial, please calculate it, and have some backup plans, because it can be a big mistake.” - David Hunt-----------Episode Timestamps(01:48) Segment: AAR(04:52) Experience at the Naval academy(10:32) David's initial career(14:06) Becoming a pilot(16:42) Entrepreneurship within the Naval academy(19:44) Experience on active duty(26:51) Starting Crossrope(33:03) Transitioning from active duty into Crossrope full-time(39:48) Lessons for service members(48:30) The future of Crossrope(53:17) Final remarks-----------LinksDavid's LinkedInCrossrope.comWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
This episode features a conversation with Bob Eisiminger ‘88, Entrepreneur, and Founder and Former CEO of Knight Point Systems. He is also a member of the Board of Directors at Chaminade University of Honolulu and Patriapps Software Venture Studio, and Board of Experts at Birthing of Giants Fellowship Program.Bob is a serial entrepreneur, an investor in veteran led companies, and a former CEO. In 2005, he founded Knight Point Systems, after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. While in the United States Army, Bob was an Air Defense Artillery Platoon Leader/Tactical Control Officer in Germany, a Public Affairs Officer at Fort Bliss in Texas, and an Airborne and Jungle Operations Expert. Bob is a graduate of the Birthing of Giants Fellowship Program, where post-exit entrepreneurs teach business owners how to grow companies for the purpose of acquisition, and is the recipient of the EY Entrepreneur of the Year Award for the Mid-Atlantic Region in the category of Government Services.In this episode of On Point, Bob discusses how his West Point and Army experiences helped him develop his hundred million dollar business, what it's like to work alongside the United States government, and the importance of surrounding yourself with people that will help make you a better person. He also talks about what it was like serving in Germany during the cold war and fall of the Berlin Wall, and how giving back to West Point graduates continues the same cycle that ultimately afforded him great success in business.-----------Key Quotes"I see my role now as if anyone reaches out to me, I'm going to go meet with them. Young west point graduates, guys getting outta the service, they wanna talk about, you know, whether they should go work for a big or small. I will offer up my time to anybody, because people offered up their time to me. And, I think giving back to the community that you came from, that you grew up in so important." - Bob Eisiminger-----------Episode Timestamps(02:19) Segment: AAR(04:00) Experience at West Point(07:00) Mentorship at the academy(08:40) Experience in the Army(10:30) Transitioning out of service(16:00) Starting Knight Point Systems(20:30) How the military prepared Bob for business(27:05) Startup tips(31:10) Segment: SOP(34:05) Mentorship(36:30) Segment: Giving Back-----------LinksBob's LinkedInWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
This episode of the WPAOG podcast features a conversation between Tye Reedy '05, Director of Business Development at Adams Keegan, and James Keegan '55, a private investor and former Chairman of the Board of Adams Keegan. He is best known as a co-founder of Morgan Keegan & Company (now Raymond James), one of the country's largest investment firms, where he served as president and COO until retirement in 1985. He has served as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) and as Chairman of the Board of Directors of NASDAQ, Inc. Mr. Keegan served as a Director of AutoZone, Inc. from 1991 through 2004.In this episode, Jim tells us how his experiences at West Point and in the Air Force, helped prepare him for the business world. He provides his take on what is required to start a business and navigate the trials and tribulations to success. Jim also explains why being disciplined and resilient are paramount to being a great entrepreneur.----------Key Quotes“Starting a business right now, the first thing I'd want to have is passion for the business and be adequately capitalized to start. And there you have the base. You start from there, you go into the integrity problem that you want your customers, your clients, to feel the same way you do, and to have the same experience you do and want to do business with you. You have to have the perseverance to know that if someone's going to say no and slam the door on you as you're walking out, you gotta turn around and do it again the next door you come to. And you might even go back to the first door and see if you can't get back in.” - James Keegan“The idea of getting back and dealing with graduates, whether they're leaving the military after their obligation, like I did. Or setting out for a new life after retirement and starting their own business, I think if I can offer anything that helps them, makes it easier for them to do and understand what is involved, then I'd love to do it. That's part of my goal. It's kind of a little payback if you will, because a great deal, pretty much everything I have, I gave West Point credit for whatever successes I might have had, however small or however large that goes along that line.” - James Keegan----------Episode Timestamps(02:30) Growing Up and Interest in West Point(06:30) Experience Attending West Point and in the Military(10:00) Path to Finance and Starting a Business(17:30) Military and West Point Professional Influence(19:45) Importance of Capital to Entrepreneurship(20:30) Keys to Success of Business and Navigating Hardships(23:15) West Point and Military Influence on Discipline Resilience in Business(29:00) Learning and Succeeding in Multiple Trades(31:00) Importance of West Point Entrepreneur Summit----------LinksTye's LinkedInAbout James KeeganWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
This episode of On Point features a conversation with Brian Elliott ‘14 and Andrew Wolgemuth ‘15, Co-Founders of Wove, a 21st century jeweler bringing the jewelry designer directly to couples for custom engagement ring creation.Brian Elliott is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for reinventing outdated consumer experiences. At Wove, he focuses on Digital Product, UX and Marketing. He previously worked in two former venture-backed, consumer startups. Prior to this, Brian served as a Platoon Leader in the U.S. Army's 75th Ranger Regiment, leading a team of 40 Special Operators in unconventional environments around the world. Andrew Wolgemuth grew up in an entrepreneurial environment working at his parents' jewelry company. After attending West Point and serving as a Platoon Leader in the Army's 75th Ranger Regiment, he attended Stanford GSB's Ignite Entrepreneurship Program where the idea for Wove was born.In this episode of On Point, Brian and Andrew speak about their varying paths to attending West Point, and discuss how years of military experience are applicable to entrepreneurship and help drive their work. They discuss how the tight knit West Point community helped support their vision and afford them their success. They also talk about how they're disrupting the engagement ring industry by changing the way people buy engagement rings.---------Key Quotes“I think it is so important for founders to find people that they're compatible with. And I think what really accelerated that for Brian and I is this shared background of West Point, and then even more specifically the range of regiment. I think there's a very specific standard, very specific type of person that usually ends up there. And I think that really allowed us to have kind of instant confidence in who each other were and probably accelerated that dating period quite a bit. I always think about it now, like if I had to go out and find another co-founder, I would be scared to death, because you know, you face a lot together and there's a lot of things you have to overcome, and I think having that sense of shared values is so important.” - Andrew Wolgemuth“I think there's this question that is, how do I start a company? Right? And I think what I would challenge folks that are with that company is to reframe and say, you know, how do I test an idea? And if you remove the stress and the pressure of starting a company, which comes with all of these legal constraints and structural constraints where you're really focusing on the wrong thing, but instead say like, I have an interesting idea, what's the fastest way I can test this without a technical build. And you go out and test that idea, you remove the constraints, and the barriers, and the how am I gonna fund this, and you just go out and focus on the hypothesis.” - Brian Elliott---------Episode Timestamps(02:18) Segment: AAR(04:47) Experiences at West Point(10:48) Choosing military branches(16:48) Segment: Sit Rep(22:52) Starting Wove(25:23) Where Wove currently stands(29:30) Most expensive ring sold(32:29) The process at Wove(39:44) Segment: SOP(42:22) Segment: Giving Back(44:24) What's next for Wove---------LinksBrian's LinkedInAndrew's LinkedInWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
This episode features an interview with Mike “Coach K” Krzyzewski ‘69, a Naismith Hall of Fame coach, a five-time national champion at Duke, and a six-time gold medalist as head Coach of the US Men's National Team. He was also the West Point Men's Basketball Head Coach from 1975 to 1980.Coach K was initially reluctant to attend West Point, but eventually realized how much he loved the academy, the Army, and the importance of being exposed to so many different ways of leading. In his senior year, Mike was captain of West Point's basketball team. Following graduation, he served in the Army for five years before beginning his college coaching career. Mike believes that the education, training, and environment of West Point benefits people well beyond their time attending the academy. He sees the culture based system of shared values as important for being a lifelong learner and leader, which has helped him coach and guide his players to become well-educated, strong, successful men both on and off the court. In this episode of On Point, Coach K talks about how he ensures that failure is not a destination, and how accountability helps people become the best version of themselves. He explains how his time at West Point and in the military informed and affected his approach to teaching and coaching. Mike provides insight into his career coaching in college and the US Men's National Team, along with the challenges and solutions for teaching the youth of today. He also describes the importance of communication, and creating powerful and inspiring visions that have helped lead and motivate his teams.---------Key Quotes"In the military, obviously it can be life or life or death. And so in sport we talk about it being life, but it's not. There is pressure and all that, but you need to know the truth in that moment. You have to have the courage to say or do what needs to be said or done in the moment it needs to be said or done. And really that's what the academy was all about and still is about.""A culture based on value stands the test of time. It's great during good times, but you know what? It's even better during the tough times. And so what I've learned is whether the unit, I was an artillery officer, or the unit I was in, or the teams, you know, whether it be West Point teams, Duke teams, or I was an 11-year coach for the US team; I've always tried to create a good culture and based on values."---------Episode Timestamps(03:52) Playing for West Point(07:50) Lessons learned as a cadet(13:36) Building culture in sports(18:24) Developing leadership skills(22:40) Coaching at Duke(31:58) Balance in teaching others(37:29) Teaching the youth of today(39:16) Challenges faced with change and communication(46:31) Creating impactful visions and messages(52:00) Giving back to fans---------LinksCoach Mike Krzyzewski's LinkedInCoach Mike Krzyzewski's TwitterGeneral (Ret.) Bob Brown's LinkedInWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
In this episode of the WPAOG Podcast, Bridget Altenburg ‘95, President and CEO of the National Able Network, is joined by Kimberly Jung ‘08, CEO of Blanchard, and Emily Miller ‘08, Senior Impact Fund Manager at Twilio.org. In 2014, they founded Rumi Spice, an award-winning social enterprise that provides high-quality, sustainably farmed saffron to world class chefs and Michelin-rated restaurants, by sourcing directly from Afghan farmers in an economic partnership partners in the supply chain.Kimberly and Emily are 2008 graduates of the US Military Academy at West Point, former US Army Engineer officers, and Harvard Business School graduates. As social entrepreneurs and co-founders, Kimberly led Rumi Spice as CEO and Emily as COO. They have employed more than 4,000 Afghan women and partnered with more than 300 Afghan farmers. Their work has been featured on Shark Tank, selected for Y Combinator's social fellowship program, and featured in the New York Times, the Atlantic, Foreign Policy, NPR, Forbes, the Chicago Tribune, Nightline with Diane Sawyer, Voice of America, Food & Wine, and more.In this episode, Kimberly and Emily talk about how their time at West Point and in the military prepared them for becoming entrepreneurs, the tremendous impact Rumi has had on the spice trade in Afghanistan, and how their startup has helped create jobs for women in the country. They also recount stories of their experiences serving abroad in the Middle East.---------Key Quotes“I think really what West Point teaches you is about leadership and management, which I think has been the most helpful in my career, and also in my time as an officer in the Army. That leadership part, you really just can't get anywhere else in the same way that West Point gives it to you. And you learn it by doing. You learn it through practice. You learn it by following. You learn it by leading in small teams over and over again, and getting feedback for how to do it better. And that's what I think is the most important thing that comes out of West Point into the Army” - Kimberly Jung “Entrepreneurship is not for everybody, but it is addicting once you do it because you realize it has so many similarities to the West Point and Army experience, you know, in combat. It's fast paced, it relies on a small, tight team. You have to move fast. You have to ruthlessly prioritize. You have to be incredibly creative about how you problem solve, and you know, make things happen. You know, you've got this big commander's intent and you have to figure out how you operationalize this and work. And then I think the other thing is just being undaunted by failure and by being told no. You know, getting comfortable with being uncomfortable all the time. I think that is, that is what entrepreneurship is.” - Emily Miller---------Episode Timestamps(02:46) High School Experiences(04:30) Why they attended West Point(06:31) Their R-Day experiences(10:03) Stories at the academy(11:09) Activities at West Point(13:15) Picking a military branch(17:58) Attending Sapper school(22:45 ) Deployment experiences(31:09) Creating Rumi Spice(35:30) Rumi's impact on Afghanistan(39:19) Business Ventures after Rumi Spice(40:49) How West Point and the military prepares entrepreneurs(43:00) How West Point and the military have helped Rumi SpiceLinksKimberly Jung's LinkedInEmily Miller's LinkedInBridget Altenburg's LinkedInWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
This episode features a conversation with Brad Genser, Founder and CTO at Farther, the first digital family office that pairs expert advisors with intelligent technology to manage your entire financial life in one place.At Farther, Brad provides the vision for using technology to deliver an elite wealth experience for clients. Prior, Brad was at Goldman Sachs in New York where he founded and led an Artificial Intelligence team dedicated to Private Wealth, and was an advisor on a team which managed more than one billion dollars in assets for clients. Brad graduated from MIT with an SM in Mechanical Engineering and an MBA. He also graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 2007. Brad is a two-time Iraq war combat vet and was awarded two bronze stars.In this episode of On Point, Brad discusses the importance of fostering relationships as a leader, managing over a billion dollars in assets, and how he received two bronze stars while serving in the Iraq War. Brad also talks about the valuable lessons learned during this time in the military, which aided his efforts in founding the next great financial institution.--------“You're going from doing this huge thing, living at the very edge of life, to starting over and being like the new person who is sitting there pushing paper back and forth. And, I think that adjustment is a very jarring thing. It is not something that is abnormal, but it is something that people need to go through and deal with. The advice here, as I've gone down this journey, is realize that it will take time to adjust to your stage and give yourself time to recover and rest." - Brad Genser--------Episode Timestamps(02:00) Segment: AAR(03:00) Walking hours(04:30) Beast Barracks(09:30) Impactful classes at West Point(11:30) Mentorship(16:15) Fostering relationships with NCOs(18:45) Mental health suggestions for veterans(21:30) Segment: Sit Rep(26:45) About Farther(30:15) Valuable lessons from the military(36:00) Segment: SOP(39:00) Segment: Giving Back--------LinksBrad's LinkedInWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
This episode features a conversation with BG (R) Michael Meese ‘81, President of the American Armed Forces Mutual Aid Association (AAFMAA), a not-for-profit, member-owned financial services association that provides life insurance, military benefits counseling, Survivor Assistance Services, residential mortgages, financial planning, investment management and trust services to the American Armed Forces Community.Michael retired from the US Army as a Brigadier General after serving for 32 years. At AAFMAA, Michael oversees all aspects of the Association to ensure the financial security and independence of the American Armed Forces Community through insurance and other benefits. In his career, he served in a variety of strategic political-military positions including deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, and Bosnia. Michael was also the Executive Director of the Secretary of the Army's Transition Team in 2005. He is a leader in military and Veterans issues, including chairing the 2016-17 Transition Team for the Department of Veterans Affairs.In this episode of On Point, Michael talks about his time as a student, teacher, and Department Head of Social Sciences at West Point. He explains the importance of empowering people, educating them, and then allowing them the ability to run with what they've learned. Michael also gives insight into being a part of the presidential transition team, and how AAFMAA is working to give needed support to veterans, survivors, and caregivers.--------“You get paid to work out, you get paid to study, they send you to school, you get paid to read and develop professionally. And all of those skills are not there just because the military likes to do it. It's because it makes it a better force. If you have a smart force that's reading, that's studying, that's working out and it's doing all those things, it makes you more effective and it makes the force overall more effective.” - BG (R)Michael Meese ‘81--------Episode Timestamps(02:00) First segment: AAR(04:00) The Service Academy Global Summit(05:50) Michael's West Point experience(07:45) Teaching at West Point(08:00) Cadet walking hours(09:45) Mentorship(13:15) Branching in Field Artillery(17:30) Michael's Army career(23:45) Segment: Sit Rep(26:45) Retiring from the military(28:00) Working at AAFMAA(34:00) Mentorship(38:30) Segment: SOP(40:45) Physical fitness and Routines(41:30) Segment: Giving Back--------LinksMichael's LinkedInWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
This episode features a conversation with Emily McMahan ‘01, Co-founder and General Partner of Academy Investor Network, a seed-stage focused venture fund which invests in dual-use technology and military veteran-led startups. She has a passion for working with startups and connecting people, technologies, and companies solving tough national security, civic, and social challenges for good.Before founding AIN, Emily was a startup founder. She led a military veteran-focused incubator, Capitol Post, which advised hundreds of startups to leverage the region's strong business and startup community. Emily holds an MBA from the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business and a Bachelor of Science degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point. After graduating from West Point two months before 9/11, she was commissioned as a U.S. Army military police officer and deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and Noble Eagle.In this episode of On Point, Emily talks about her experiences at West Point and in the military, and how they impacted her professional work and focus after transitioning into civilian life. She discusses the successful path she followed in her post-military career in entrepreneurship and being a venture capitalist. Emily also emphasizes the importance of creating a space where service academy graduates and the entrepreneurial community can deeply connect, listen, learn, and ultimately support each other.-------------“I think you have to know yourself when you're transitioning to know who you are and what you like. And, I hope that all the work we've done up until that point prepares us for that. So knowing yourself and who you are is really important because you have to be careful that you don't choose something based off of other people's expectations of what you should do. I see a lot of folks that are transitioning often that sort of have this expectation of what they're supposed to do. You have to know yourself and kind of go through that process.” - Emily McMahan ‘01-------------Episode Timestamps(02:18) Segment: AAR - Emily's decision to attend West Point(04:35) Cadet type(05:19) Walking hours(05:56) Classes and studies(06:39) Mentors at the academy(08:20) Choosing a branch(10:58) First OBC assignment(11:21) Emily's military career(13:50) Segment: Sit Rep - Emily's civilian career(16:01) Starting Capitol Post(16:55) Merging Capitol Post with Bunker Labs(17:45) Co-founding the Academy Investor Network(23:41) Leveraging and investing in opportunities at the network(31:00) West Point Entrepreneurship Summit(34:10) Lessons from volleyball at West Point(36:33) Segment: SOP - Routines for success(40:34) Day-to-day in venture investing(42:39) Mentorship(48:22) Segment: Giving Back-------------LinksEmily McMahan's LinkedInAcademy Investor NetworkWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
This episode of On Point features an interview with Brad Harrison, Founder and Managing Partner of Scout Ventures, an early-stage venture capital firm making the world a better, safer place by investing in frontier and dual-use technologies built by veterans, intelligence leaders, and premier research labs.Brad is an entrepreneur and seasoned business development executive with a passion for building companies that are pushing the envelope of technological innovation. He has successfully helped incubate several companies out of the Scout office and has deep experience developing concepts to include co-authoring 3 patents in search, geo-tagging, and personalization. Brad was a distinguished honor graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1994 and served as an Airborne Ranger in the United States Army for five years before retiring as a Captain. He also graduated from the MIT Sloan School of Management where he studied New Product and Venture Development.In this episode of On Point, Brad discusses his experience in the military as a leader and why he always put the lives of his soldiers first. He explains how the skills and experiences he had at West Point and in the Army helped prepare him to be an entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and mentor. Brad talks about his mission of making the world a better, safer place by guiding and investing in people to help build their business dreams and gain personal successes.-------------“The advice that I give to people that come out of the academy and out of the military is you need to understand how special you are. You're different than everybody else out there. Right? If you were in combat, you had to make decisions, split-second decisions in an everly changing environment where it was life or death, right. You've got the capacity to think and process information in a way that your peers just don't have.” - Brad Harrison-------------Episode Timestamps(02:24) Segment: AAR(03:37) Brad's West Point experience(05:37) Impactful classes at West Point(07:07) How Brad spent his summers(07:52) Brad's experience in the Army(13:00) Mentorship in the Army(15:59) Segment: SitRep(30:27) Brad on founder empathy(34:33) Sports aligning with VC(36:35) Funding at Scout Ventures(43:21) Academy Investor Network and the West Point AOG Entrepreneurs Summit(45:21) Segment: SOP(48:39) Brad's daily routine(52:15) How to cultivate relationships(57:11) About the Academy Investor Network(61:14) Segment: Giving Back-------------LinksBrad Harrison's LinkedInBrad Harrison's TwitterTim Hsia's LinkedInLance Dietz's LinkedInWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
This episode features an interview with General Rebecca S. Halstead ‘81, Founder and CEO of STEADFAST Leadership, a leading consultancy company she founded after serving for 27 years in the Army. She retired from the military as a Brigadier General. Becky specializes in inspirational and motivational speaking, developing leader training programs, leader coaching and mentoring. Becky has provided hundreds of keynote speeches and leadership training to the corporate and academic sectors at both national and international engagements. Becky entered West Point in 1977 with just the second class of women, and was the first person from her hometown to graduate from the academy. She was also the first female graduate of West Point (‘81) to be promoted to General Officer in 2004. Becky served and commanded in combat as the first female Commanding General at the strategic level of leadership in Iraq. In 2007 she received the National Women's History Project award for “Generations of Women Moving History Forward”.In this episode of the WPAOG Network Podcast, Becky talks about how she enjoys being a leader and why she sees herself as a role model for both men and women. Becky explains how her time at West Point and in the military provided her with many important skills and experiences that are transferable to the work she does today advising businesses on how to be better. She also gives insight on some of her proudest moments in the military and why it is important to be an honest, open, and direct mentor to help others succeed in the military and life thereafter. -----------"You should be comfortable wanting to surround yourself with really good people. I mean, I worked for some bosses who they were intimidated by other people that were good and I'm like, I pray to be surrounded by great people, right? Like, I mean, I'm not intimidated by other people being better, smarter, faster than me. I want them on my team. But I also want people on my team that think differently, you know, I don't want my team to look just like me. And I had a great boss who said to me, just don't surround yourself with little Becky Halsteads. I was like, what's wrong with little Becky Halstead sir, you know? And he says, you think about it, you'll figure it out. And then I did. Because you know, if I were to just choose all women to work for me and you know, all white women to work for me, then I wouldn't get the diversity of thought and experience and culture and all the rest of that. So it's like no pick people who think differently than me to surround me to challenge my thinking, to challenge our way ahead, you know, and then I have to be wise enough and smart enough to discern what's best if I'm the one that's in charge to move us forward." - BG (R) Rebecca S. Halstead-----------Episode Timestamps(01:45) BG (R) Rebecca S. Halstead's Background(03:00) Deciding to attend West Point(05:05) Experiences at the academy(06:15) Mentorship(10:30) Significant achievements(13:38) Early promotions(15:49) Being a Role Model and Leader(18:10) BG (R) Rebecca S. Halstead's proudest achievement(26:15) Valuable lessons learned(30:00) About STEADFAST Leadership(31:10) Remaining active in the West Point community(38:05) Transitioning leadership(41:05) BG (R) Rebecca S. Halstead's book-----------LinksRebecca S Halstead's LinkedInIan Faison's LinkedInIan Faison's TwitterWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
This episode features a conversation between Dr. Scott Parsons, Character Education Integrator for the Military Program at the United States Military Academy at West Point, and LTC Tom Dull, Executive Officer at the Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic.Dr. Scott Parsons assists universities and institutions in developing leaders of character by designing curriculum, integration techniques, and assessment tools with a focus on character education. As a leader, teacher, and coach, he designs character education programs based on Neo-Aristotelian Virtue Ethics to facilitate a flourishing life for students, faculty, and staff. As a retired Army officer with over 21 years of military experience, Dr. Parsons spent roughly half of his military career in Intelligence and the other half in academia serving as an Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Ethics.LTC Tom Dull commissioned into the US Infantry in 2005 and has served at Fort Campbell, KY, Fort Bragg, NC and Fort Riley, KS. He has served as a Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Troop and Company Commander, Aide-de-camp, and Battalion and Brigade Executive Officer. LTC Dull has deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Unified Response, Freedom Sentinel, and Atlantic Resolve. LTC Dull's military education is expansive and includes the United States Army Officer Candidate School, Infantry Officer Basic Course, Airborne Course, Ranger School, Air Assault Course, and the United States Naval War College.In this episode of the West Point Association of Graduates ‘Character Cut,' LTC Dull talks about his background as a student of virtue ethics, responding to mission command and discipline initiatives, how the United States Military's values vary from other nations', and the importance of character education for young leaders in the academy. Dr. Parsons and LTC Dull also talk about Parsons' use of practical wisdom during combat in Iraq.-----------"There's gonna be times where maybe, perhaps, some of these officers, soldiers are kind of alone and generally unafraid, but they're solving problems at the tactical level. And, some of those will be ones where their character will come into question. And so we really want them to kind of come through the other side with their character in tact, right? We want them as they represent not only themselves, the organization they're part of, but the American military that they fought with character, they fought with honor. And they've come back with it. And I think practicing early on, especially here, what we see at the military academy, what we could possibly see in some other initial entry training units, like I think would be such a phenomenal kind of experience." - LTC Tom Dull-----------Episode Timestamps(01:09) LTC Dull's background as a student of virtue ethics(05:32) How practical wisdom influences soldiers(09:34) Virtue ethics in military situations(13:58) Dr. Parsons on employing practical wisdom in Iraq(16:50) Mission command and discipline initiative(18:27) LTC Dull's whiteboard explained(21:02) LTC Dull on Army doctrine(24:06) The importance of character education for young leaders in the academy-----------LinksDr. Scott Parsons' LinkedInLTC Tom Dull's LinkedInWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
This episode features an interview with Rolfe Arnhym ‘53, a Chair for Vistage, the world's largest and most comprehensive executive coaching organization for small and midsize businesses with $1 million to $1 billion in revenue.As a Vistage Chair, Rolfe mentors numerous business leaders in the community through three groups he oversees. He has served every community in his personal and professional life with a focus on service to others before oneself, and making each community better for future generations. Rolfe is a West Point graduate and retired Army officer with a distinguished 21-year military career, including two combat tours in Vietnam and commanding an Infantry Brigade in the Army Reserve. He retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and later as a Colonel in the Reserves. Rolfe has held numerous significant leadership positions including serving as CEO of the Pasadena, Long Beach, Palm Springs, and Beverly Hills Chambers of Commerce from 1978-1999.In this episode of On Point, Rolfe talks about how he works at Vistage with CEOs and executives to develop and add to their professional skill sets and grow as business people. He provides insight on his highly varied career, and what inspired him to write a book for readers to gain insights into mentorship and coaching, being able to walk away with multiple calls to action. Rolfe also touches on the power of the Chamber of Commerce as an important resource to help you succeed in business, and sheds light on the trials, tribulations, and triumphs of moving the Army versus Navy game across the nation.-----------“I find a general weakness right now in terms of people holding themselves accountable. They are ready to blame almost anybody else's circumstance, pin the tail on some other's donkey; never-mind holding their people accountable. I find that internally and I worked very, very hard on this to make sure to help people establish core values. Some would call it a fundamentals and in my book, the number one core value is mutual respect, which is a fast way of saying, ‘treat others as you would have them treat you', which makes a huge difference.” - Rolfe Arnhym-----------Episode Timestamps(02:22) Rolfe's role at Vistage(03:54) Moving the Army v. Navy game across the nation(11:44) Impact the Army v. Navy game left on the West Coast(14:38) Using the Army v. Navy game as a West Point marketing initiative(17:42) Why Rolfe wrote Start Everything, Finish Nothing: The Curse of Modern Management(19:52) Inviting the Mayor of Moscow to Beverly Hills(24:49) Transitioning out of the military(26:04) Creating the MILES system(27:32) The Chamber of Commerce as a career path(30:27) Rolfe's relationship with West Point(36:58) Lessons learned from over the years(40:04) Life as a mentor(41:37) How the Chamber of Commerce can help you(44:55) Final thoughts-----------LinksRolfe Arnhym's LinkedInRolfe Arnhym's Twitterrolfearnhym.comIan Faison's LinkedInIan Faison's TwitterWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
This episode features an interview between Dr. Thomas Sherlock, Political Science Professor at the United States Military Academy and Ambassador William B. Taylor, Vice President, Russia and Europe at the U.S. Institute of Peace.Dr. Thomas Sherlock received his doctorate in political science from Columbia University and teaches courses on comparative politics, democracy and democratization, comparative political institutions, international security, nationalism and populism, and the politics of the post-Soviet region. He has written and contributed to many books and publications, providing insight and expertise on Russia, and frequently conducts field research in the post-Soviet space. Ambassador William B. Taylor is vice president, Russia and Europe at the U.S. Institute of Peace. He has served as the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, oversaw U.S. assistance and support during the Arab Spring, helped the U.S. government facilitate relationships and reconstruction in parts of the Middle East, coordinated U.S. assistance to the former Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, and worked on the staff of Senator Bill Bradley. Ambassador Taylor is a 1969 graduate of West Point and Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. He also served as an infantry platoon leader and combat company commander in the U.S. Army in Vietnam and Germany.In this episode of the WPAOG Broadcast Network, Dr. Sherlock and Ambassador Taylor provide perspective and insight on the current war being waged on Ukraine by Russia. The ambassador sheds light on the history of the region, its relationship with Russia, its rapid democratization, and shares his experiences with President Vladimir Zelensky. He talks about how the United States is supporting the Ukrainian people from both sides of America's political aisle. As well, he details what the conflict means for the country's people, how it will affect the U.S. and NATO, and what you can do to help support Ukraine as the country fights for its freedom.-----------------"They are committed to winning this war against the Russians. Most people around the world didn't think they had a chance, but they do. And, they are convinced and I believe them. I think they do have the ability, the commitment, the resilience, indeed the strength, to push back against the Russians. And from top to bottom from the government that you asked about to the individuals that you asked about, they are committed to their independence, to their sovereignty, to their freedom in some real sense, and to defending their own land." - Ambassador William B. Taylor-----------------Episode Timestamps03:00 History of Ukraine and the Perspective of War from It's People08:40 Expectations of the Russian Invasion 13:20 Character of President Vladimir Zalenski19:40 United States' Perspective and Interest in the Ukrainian Conflict24:20 What the Conflict in Ukraine Means for the United States Military and NATO 29:50 Major Obstacles that Ukraine Faces in Entry into NATO and EU35:20 What Americans can do to Support Ukraine39:20 Ukrainian's Reaction to Support of the West-----------------LinksAmbassador Taylor's Biography Dr. Sherlock's BiographyWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
This episode features an interview with Dan Streetman ‘90, Chief Executive Officer of TIBCO, a revolutionary software company that allows communication within the financial markets to occur in real-time and without human intervention.Dan is an expert at leveraging real-time data to enable faster, smarter decisions. Prior to leading TIBCO, Dan helped propel significant data-driven transformations, most recently at BMC, Salesforce, and C3.ai. He is a strong advocate for creating cultures of collaboration, and he honed his leadership skills as a U.S. Army officer, serving in combat operations and receiving decorations including the Bronze Star. Dan is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and earned an MBA at Harvard Business School.In this episode of On Point, Dan talks about how always finding the right solution and having humility are critical in everything you do. He explains that teamwork is crucial for success both in business and the military. Dan provides career advice for transitioning veterans, talks about receiving the distinguished MacArthur Leadership Award while at West Point, and gives insight into his post-military career path.-----------------“You're never going to accomplish as much as an individual as you will with a team. And oftentimes that's accelerated by technology. Right? So there's a proverb: If you want to go fast, go alone, and if you want to go far, go together. Fast alone, far together. And, in technology we break that paradigm. That proverb was stated when we all moved by foot. Let's take the simplest example of technology, it's a rowing shell. So you take a rowing shell, and if the team is working together that are aligned, and by the way they're all pulling in the same direction, they'll go faster and farther together than any individual ever will. And so that's the biggest thing I learned is that every individual in service to the larger team makes a big difference.” - Dan. Streetman-----------------Episode Timestamps(01:50) Segment 1: AAR(03:37) Dan's West Point experience(08:50) Dan's time in the Army(17:11) Receiving the MacArthur Leadership Award(19:06) Impactful classes at West Point(20:57) Segment 2: Sit Rep(25:32) Leadership in military vs. corporate leadership(28:09) TIBCO merging with Citrix(31:46) Sales advice for transitioning veterans(36:49) Segment 3: SOP(41:59) Dan's daily routine(44:19) Balancing work-life and family(47:10) Segment 4: Giving Back-----------------LinksDan Streetman's LinkedInDan Streetman's TwitterTim Hsia LinkedInLance Dietz LinkedInWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point PodcastBreaklineVetsinTechUnited in StrideTeam with a Vision
This episode features a conversation between MAJ Benjamin Elliott, instructor for MX400 Officership at the Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic at the United States Military Academy at West Point, and Dr. Ryan Erbe, Emotional Wellness Integrator with the Character Integration Advisory Group at the United States Military Academy.MAJ Benjamin Elliott graduated from the United States Military Academy in 2007 with a BS in Psychology. In 2016 he earned an MS in Strategic Intelligence (MSSI) from the National Intelligence University (NIU) in Washington, DC. His first commission was as a Military Intelligence Officer, serving as a Human Intelligence Platoon Leader, Executive Officer, and Battalion Assistant Intelligence Officer. MAJ Elliott then served as a reconnaissance squadron Intelligence Officer and the Brigade Assistant Intelligence Officer. Following that he was assigned to the National Training Center as an Observer, Coach, and Trainer on the Cobra Team, Operations Group. After gaining his MS, MAJ Elliott served as an interagency fellow at the National Counterterrorism Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence where he was a counterterrorism analyst assigned to the Interagency Intelligence Committee on Terrorism. Dr. Erbe has a demonstrated history of working in the higher education field and is skilled in research, teaching, course design, curriculum development, nonprofit organizations, and more. He earned his PhD from Indiana University in Health Behavior and Human Development in 2017. His current focus is on integrating character development into wellness initiatives across the military academy. Previously, he held positions as an Adjunct Professor at the Rocky Mountain School of Ministry and Theology along with the State University of New York at New Paltz, where he taught Counseling Adolescents, Health Psychology, and Research Methods. He most recently was the Lead Minister of the Hudson Valley Church, where he focused on Spiritual Formation and Family Health.In this episode of On Point and the West Point Association of Graduates ‘Character Cut' series, Dr. Erbe and MAJ Elliott talk about making people a priority in the military. They discuss the virtues of love, competence, character, and caring, and whether unconditional love has a place in the Army, leadership, and service. MAJ Benjamin Elliott and Dr. Erbe also go into the five forms of love and the ways it impacts life in the military.-----------------“When soldiers believe that their leader has a clear and heartfelt commitment to doing the right thing for their soldiers, to willing the good in their lives, to be primarily concerned about their wellbeing, especially in the midst of very trying and difficult circumstances, that as well promotes trust or enhances trust for a leader." - Dr. Ryan G. Erbe-----------------Episode Timestamps(03:05) Introducing Dr. Ryan G. Erbe(03:25) Talking about the virtue of love(05:00) Does unconditional love have a place in the Army?(10:25) The three Cs: competence, character and caring(14:26) Army doctrine and leadership(16:35) The five forms of ways to love-----------------LinksDr. Ryan G. Erbe LinkedInWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
This episode features an interview with Mark McLaughlin class of '88, Chairman of the Board at Qualcomm and Vice Chairman of the Board at Palo Alto Networks, a global cybersecurity leader working to shape the cloud-centric future with technology that is aimed at transforming the way people and organizations operate.Mark also served as President and CEO of Palo Alto Networks from August 2011 to June 2018. Prior, he was President and CEO of Verisign, after holding other numerous positions with the company. Before that, he was the Vice President of Sales and Business Development for Signio, Vice President of Business Development for Gemplus, served as General Counsel of the Caere Corporation, and practiced law as an attorney with Cooley Godward and Kronish LLP.For nearly a decade, Mark has served as a member of the National Security Telecommunications Advisory Committee (NSTAC), a body that for more than 30 years has brought industry chief executives together to provide counsel on national security policy and technical issues to the U.S. President and national security leadership. He received his J.D. from Seattle University School of Law and his B.S. degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He served as an attack helicopter pilot in the U.S. Army and earned his Airborne Wings.In this episode of On Point, Mark talks about his non-linear career path that started after being medically discharged from the military because of a helicopter accident. He explains his paradigm for assessing work opportunities, advice for military veterans as they transition into civilian business, and how he has balanced his career and family life. Mark emphasizes how veterans can translate their unique skill sets and experiences into jobs and leadership opportunities, the importance of networking with fellow alumni, and how they need to look out for and promote themselves to prosper outside of the army. -----------------"My big message now to folks who are transitioning out is don't lock yourself into a life plan, something like that where you feel like you're off course, or you're failing if things don't work out exactly like you thought they were gonna work out. Do a ton of networking, super important. That's actually how stuff works in life. That's actually how opportunities present themselves. You have to work really hard to get the opportunities and executing the opportunities, you do a lot of networking that way. And, don't be discouraged if you feel you're on a non linear path to something. Many times in my life most of the best things that happened to me weren't planned; something happened, something presented itself, somebody took a chance on me, and then I went in that direction and it worked out." - Mark McLaughlin-----------------Episode Timestamps02:00 AAR - After Action Review Segment02:15 Decision to Attend West Point02:55 Experience at West Point03:55 Starting the Crew Team at West Point05:50 Difficulties in First Year07:45 Experience Flying Cobra Attack Helicopters09:50 Abrupt end to Military Service and Making a Career After the Army14:30 Career After the Military26:15 Mentors and Advice from Others28:00 Time at Palo Alto Networks35:00 Working with Different Types of Investment Firms and Boards37:15 SOP - Standard Operating Procedure / Daily Routines and Advice45:45 Giving Back - Advice for Transitioning Veterans-----------------LinksMark's LinkedInMarks TwitterTim Hsia LinkedInLance Dietz LinkedInWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
This episode features a conversation with Rodney Manzo, Founder and CEO of Anvyl, a company that strives to bring intelligent and connected supply chains to customers around the world.Rodney has a demonstrated history of launching products around the world. His skill sets span operations management, international supply chains, cost negotiations, analytics, systems engineering and team building. Prior to starting at Anvyl, Rodney was a Senior Director of Supply Chain at Harry's and a Global Supply Manager at Apple. He also served in the United States Army as a Combat Engineer during tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Rodney received his Bachelor's Degree in Management and Systems Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, and his Masters in Business Administration focused in Finance and Operations from Columbia Business School.In this episode of On Point, Rodney Manzo discusses his career as a combat engineer in the Army, the effect that maintaining a rigorous daily routine can have on consistency, how mentors are extremely important while in the military and throughout your career, and the trials, tribulations, and ultimate successes related to starting his own supply chain company.---------------"I think the biggest piece of feedback for anyone that's in the military, transitioning out of the military is get mentors, get good smart people, very experienced people around you. When I was at the military I had zero, when I was transitioning, zero. I was so clueless going into West Point about careers. I knew I liked banking? But what is banking? consulting? What would you do as a consultant? I was clueless. Where, if you talk to someone, they'll tell you very quickly and efficiently what that is and you're living through them. So from that mistake, I definitely course corrected later in my professional life. - Rodney Manzo---------------Episode Timestamps(01:48) Segment: AAR - After Action Review(03:13) Rodney's track and field experience(03:58) His experience at West Point(06:35) Life as a combat engineer in the Army(13:12) Mentorship at West Point(17:26) Segment: Sit Rep(21:10) Joining early startups(22:50) Challenges faced switching companies(26:03) What is Anvyl?(27:36) Starting Anvyl(30:37) Advice for starting a business(33:01) Segment: SOP - Standard Operating Procedure(34:34) Structuring a CEO's daily routine (39:24) Strengths of veteran entrepreneurs(40:36) Segment: Giving Back---------------LinksRodney Manzo's LinkedInAnvyl WebsiteWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast--------------- ---------------
This episode of On Point features an interview with Chris Gaertner, Partner at Integrity Partners and Co-CEO and CFO of DHC Acquisition Corporation.Chris has 25+ years of experience in underwriting, advising, and mergers and acquisitions for some of the best technology companies in the world. He has been a lead advisor on over 100 equity and M&A transactions, including some of the largest deals in technology, and has led IPOs for companies such as Google and OpenTable. He holds a BS in Electrical Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point, an MS in Electrical Engineering from Columbia University, and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Chris served as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army with the 82nd Airborne Division, XVIII Airborne Corps, and 1st Special Operations Command.In this episode of On Point, Chris Gaertner talks about how as a first generation American, he felt a need to serve the country. He discusses his experiences in ranger school and serving in the Army's 82nd Airborne Division. Chris also speaks about his passion for flying and diving that has continued to this day since his time at West Point. In addition, Chris provides insight on moving from the military to civilian life, and shares advice on how to make the transition to business successful.---------------“To be successful, not only in the military but also during transition out of the military to running a business, I would say that actually building your network outside of your day to day work is extremely important. And I can tell you it takes effort, but you get so much leverage from it that it pays back dividends very, very quickly." - Chris Gaertner---------------Episode Timestamps(02:15) Segment 1: AAR(02:39) Chris' experience at West Point(03:41) Handling flying and diving on top of everything at West Point(04:56) Other activities at West Point(04:03) Advice from Chris' personal experience(06:15) Chris' West Point mentors(08:08) Why Chris branched Infantry and 82nd(08:52) Chris' Army experience(11:08) Why Chris decided to transition from the Army(12:11) Segment 2: Sit Rep(13:30) Going to business school(13:48) Why investment banking?(16:41) Chris' most memorable transaction experiences(20:38) Transitioning into investment banking(23:05) Focusing on mobility, infrastructure and digital security at Integrity(25:47) Segment 3: The SOP(29:47) Daily work-life balance(31:51) Piloting his own plane(33:34) Leadership principles(36:38) Segment 4: Giving Back---------------LinksChris Gaertner LinkedInIntegrity PartnersWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
Jeff Monken has an accomplished background in football, both as a coach and a player. Before joining Army West Point football, he was the head coach of the Georgia Southern Eagles football team, and prior to that served under Paul Johnson as a running back's coach and special teams coordinator at Georgia Southern, Navy, and Georgia Tech. To date, Coach Monken has served eight seasons at the helm of Army West Point football, the 37th individual head coach in program history. His career coaching record stands at 85-55 as a head coach, with a 49-39 mark at Army.In this episode of On Point and the West Point Association for Graduates ‘Character Cut' series, Coach Monken talks about the interview process to become the Army West Point head coach, growing the football program as a leader, and the improvements to come for Army football in the future. Coach Monken also talks about the highly anticipated Michie Stadium Preservation Project.---------------“Don't make it about the wins and losses. It's not, it's about trying to maximize who we are, and maximize the potential of each individual, and maximize the potential of the team, and try to be as good as we can be. And so I think that's a challenge every day and every week. And every new game is an opportunity to improve and to measure ourselves against who we were the previous week or the previous season. And, so I think that's important to have that challenge rather than just having it be about a win or not.” - Coach Jeff Monken---------------Episode Timestamps(02:05) Looking back on football in 2021(03:38) Jeff's improvements to come in football 2022(05:12) Impact of the senior class on current team leaders (07:08) Jeff's transition from assistant to head coach(07:54) Jeff's perception of the Army job prior to becoming head coach(08:22) The interview process for Army West Point head coach(11:31) Jeff's initial steps as head coach(13:24) Biggest strides made early on in Jeff's army football program(15:49) Growing the army football program as a leader(17:12) Impact of Senior classes on the program(19:27) Jeff's take on the value of feedback(20:26) Impact of Mike Buddy on guiding the football program(21:48) Michie Stadium Preservation Project---------------LinksJeff Monken's TwitterRich Demarco TwitterWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
This episode features an interview between Dr. Yasmine Kalkstein, the Lead Character Integrator and Associate Professor at United States Military Academy at West Point, and Dr. Jeffrey Peterson, the Director of the Character Integration Advisory Group (CIAG), at the United States Military Academy.Dr. Peterson served on active duty for 28 years in a variety of leadership and staff positions in the United States, Korea, Cuba, and the Middle East to include a combat battalion command during “the surge” in Iraq. After command, he served as the director of West Point's economics program from 2008 – 2014. In 2012, Colonel (Ret.) Peterson was the Director, Center for the Army Profession and Ethic (CAPE) where he led the effort to publish the Army's first doctrinal manual on the Army Profession and Ethic. Formally, while serving as the Chair for the Study of Officership at West Point from 2015-2021, he stewarded the West Point Superintendent's capstone course on officership, designs character and leader development programs, and advises senior academy leaders on the state of West Point's Honor System. He is a 1987 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, followed by the MIT Sloan School of Management, and holds a PhD in Policy Analysis from the Pardee RAND Graduate School.In this episode of On Point, Dr. Peterson discusses the diversification of the United States Military Academy over time in terms of gender, ethnicity, and race, and how as the army and society evolve, so too do the challenges being faced related to the complexities of behavior and character. He also talks about how the launch of the Character Integration Advisory Group is aimed at tackling this issue. The initiative helps launch a fourth pillar at West Point that teaches specific things about character education while still weaving character development into other programs to bring a coherent, cohesive, holistic, and progressive approach to the issue.---------------“One of the things we recognized is that, while we're doing several activities that contribute to character, we weren't taking a holistic and integrated approach to this. And so we needed an organization whose full-time job was to bring in expertise and have the time and resources to look at character development across the academy and bring it into a coherent, cohesive, holistic, and progressive approach from day one on our day, all the way through commissioning, and then ideally continuing on for the rest of their life.” - Dr. Jeffrey Peterson---------------Episode Timestamps1:37 - Introducing the Character Integration Advisory Group2:12 - Pillars of the West Point developmental programs3:04 - Character as the fourth pillar of development3:24 - The Simon Center and the four colored books7:39 - Interdisciplinary hiring at the CIAG11:55 - Relationship between wellness and character15:07 - Compliance with the honor code and acting virtuously17:20 - Explaining the Character Growth Seminar21:26 - The goal of improving character development at West Point22:44 - The Souffle Scenario26:08 - Integrity and relational skills in character development28:30 - Impact of COVID on interpersonal communication32:32 - Cadet basic training introducing squad journaling36:36 - The 47 month deliberate, holistic, and progressive character education process39:12 - The value of the CIAG---------------LinksConnect with Dr. Jeffrey Peterson on LinkedInConnect with Dr. Yasmine Kalkstein on LinkedInWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
This episode of On Point features an interview with Rob Schneider, Chief Content, Development and Strategy Officer at Learfield. Rob has an accomplished background in corporate development and strategy. He drives innovation and acceleration across the content, data, and digital product teams at Learfield. In this role, he strategizes on how to support growth and development within the sports, media, and entertainment industries. Rob currently serves on the advisory boards of Stadia Ventures, Courtside Ventures, and Big Media Holdings. Rob served in the 82nd Airborne Division of the U.S. Army as an infantry officer, graduating with honors from the United States Military Academy and earned his MBA at the Columbia Business School.In this episode of On Point, Rob talks about why he commissioned for infantry and how networking was so important to help him advance professionally after serving in the military. He discusses the steps it took to get his career started, including the importance of transitioning to new experiences and executive leadership roles. As well, Rob provides insights on sports and video gaming, and how Learfield is at the forefront of their future.---------------“Ultimately, my job here is the same as being a platoon leader in a lot of regards, right. I mean, it's to provide direction, it's to provide resources, to clear the brush so my team can be successful. It's important that I stay close to the business, not micromanage it. But, be close enough to appreciate the challenges that my team has and help build the trust and respect in experience to get things done. Let them know that we're all in the trenches together.” - Rob Schneider---------------Episode Timestamps(1:48) Segment: AAR - After Action Review(3:53) Rob's West Point experience(6:13) Why Rob commissioned for infantry(7:47) Rob's experience shifting gears post military(10:32) Networking after West Point(11:55) Segment: Situation Report(16:00) Rob's experience at Learfield(17:16) Why Rob remains at Learfield(18:47) Rob on the importance of transitioning to new experiences(20:53) Impact of COVID on Learfield(23:00) How Learfield is approaching esports(25:33) Rapid fire questions(27:44) Segment: Standard Operating Procedure(29:51) How Rob's West Point experience shaped him as a leader(32:26) Segment: Giving Back---------------LinksRob Schneider's LinkedInRob Schneider's TwitterTim Hsia LinkedInLance Dietz LinkedInWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
This episode of On Point features an interview with General Stan McChrystal, Co-founder of the McChrystal Group. Following his retirement from the US Army after 34 years, McChrystal founded the McChrystal Group, which is an advisory team that partners with businesses to improve the performance of their organizations and help build resilient and adaptable teams that can win in today's dynamic environment.A retired four-star general, Stanley McChrystal is the former commander of US and International Security Assistance Forces (ISAF) Afghanistan and the former commander of the nation's premier military counter-terrorism force, Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC). He is best known for developing and implementing a comprehensive counterinsurgency strategy in Afghanistan, and for creating a cohesive counter-terrorism organization that revolutionized the interagency operating culture. As founder of the McChrystal Group McChrystal Group, he specializes in leadership consulting, leadership training, executive coaching, strategy alignment, team-building, transparency, communications, disciplined execution, networked organizations, and keynote speaking engagements.In this episode McChrystal talks about wanting to follow in his father's footsteps to attend West Point and be a military hero. We learn about his initial struggles at West Point, and how he went from the bottom of his class to improve his standing on the Dean's List. He provides insight about navigating life as a junior officer, and then as a general officer in high stakes situations. McChrystal discusses a Rolling Stone article about his command group and how he handled the fallout and changes to his career that led to starting a new business. He also provides thoughts on mentorship, transitioning from the military to civilian life, and the importance of taking care of yourself. --------------"I will tell you the people who decide whether you are successful, ultimately in the army, are your peers. Because as you go up that pyramid gets a bit narrower. Decisions are made when people, your reputation, what people say about you, whether people trust you, that sort of thing. And it goes all the way into promotion boards. And so I would say that think about being respected, being the kind of person people want on their flank, being the kind of person they want their son or daughter or brother or sister to work for. You be that person, and most of the rest of it just sort of takes care of itself." - General (Ret.) Stanley McChrystal--------------Episode Timestamps(01:44) Segment 1 - AAR(02:05) Entry to West Point and Military Career(02:59) First years at West Point(07:59) West Point Academic Standing(08:49) Meritocracy at West Point(10:45) Mentors and Relationship with father(13:30) Transitioning from Military and West Point(15:55) Experience as a Junior Officer(20:37) Progressing Through Ranks(25:55) Time as Commanding and General Officer(32:25) Building Mentorships(35:45) Rolling Stone Article(40:30) McChrystal Group(41:27) Segment 2 - Sit Rep(41:50) Running a Business(44:45) McChrystal's Big Four(46:55) Empowering Teams(48:45) Segment 3 - SOP(49:15) Taking Care of Yourself(54:45) Staying in Rhythm (56:23) Foundations Built from Military and West Point(57:55) Segment 4 - Giving Back(59:45) Lessons from Sports--------------LinksStan McChrystal LinkedInStan McChrystal TwitterWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
This episode features a conversation between Dr. Scott Parsons, Character Education Integrator for the Military Program at the United States Military Academy at West Point, and Dr. Tom Harrison, Director of Education at the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues at the University of Birmingham.Dr. Harrison's specialist interests include character, cyber-wisdom and the internet, character education and virtue ethics, and youth social action and citizenship education. He researches, publishes and gives presentations in the UK and internationally in these areas. He also develops resources and training programmes for schools, the voluntary sector and other organisations. In this episode of On Point and the West Point Association for Graduates ‘Character Cut' series, Dr. Harrison talks about how he coined the term ‘cyber-phronesis,' its relevance at West Point in training young leaders, and the models he came up with for cultivating character in children. He also talks about his most recent book that focuses on how to cultivate character in your children so they can flourish online.---------------“The path to full wisdom is never really completed. I don't think any of us can say that we're ever fully wise in kind of a moral sense, mainly because new situations and challenges come at us all the time. Look at the number of new quandaries and dilemmas that just living in the digital age has thrown up and et cetera. But it is considered that, you know, we hopefully become more wise over time.” - Dr. Tom Harrison---------------Episode Timestamps(01:47) Introducing Dr. Tom Harrison(02:44) About Tom's book, Thrive –how to cultivate character so your children can flourish online(06:25) Coining and defining cyber-phronesis(08:58) The relevance of phronesis at West Point(10:11) Phronesis in a combat setting(10:55) Explaining the ‘thrive' model(15:10) Using the ‘react' model as a young leader(18:54) Virtues in Tom's life---------------LinksDr. Tom Harrison TwitterDr. Scott Parsons LinkedInWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
This episode of On Point features an interview with retired United States Army Officer and current news commentator, Barry McCaffrey. For his service in the military, McCaffrey was awarded three purple hearts, two silver stars, and two distinguished service crosses, the second-highest U.S. Army award for valor. In 2010, McCaffrey received the West Point Association of Graduates of the United States Military Academy's Distinguished Graduate Award. He also served in U.S. President Bill Clinton's Cabinet as the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy.In this episode, McCaffrey talks about his time at West Point, including relationships with classmates, being a cadet, and the mentorship gained while in attendance. He goes into his time in Vietnam and the military's recovery after the war, as well as his post military experience working for the Clinton administration. McCaffrey also provides insight into what he thinks makes a great mentor and leader.---------------"I think that one of the differences I've encountered in civilian life is that leadership development is much more of a challenge. The military has an engine that's taking bright, capable people - selecting them for promotion, selecting them for schooling, and that doesn't go on almost anywhere else." - Barry McCaffrey---------------Episode Timestamps(01:30) - Interest in Military and Father's Impact(02:43) - West Point Experience(04:29) - Closeness of Classmates(05:38) - Seeing MacArthur's Speech in Person(07:35) - Being a Cadet(08:50) - Mentors and Leaders at West Point(10:25) - Vietnam War Experience(16:27) - Rebuilding the Military and Recovery from Vietnam(19:20) - Leadership Experience(23:35) - Post Military Experience in Government(26:35) - Working with President Bill Clinton(30:50) - Leadership Lessons Across Career in Military and Civilian Life(40:09) - SOP: Favorites Mentors and General Powell(48:17) - Core Habits and Routines to be a Successful Leader and Better Person(52:42) - Giving Back Segment: Advice for Someone New in their Career who wants to be a Great Leader(56:35) - Use and Power of Twitter---------------LinksBarry McCaffrey LinkedInBarry McCaffrey TwitterWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
This episode of On Point features West Point graduate and technology entrepreneur, Ben Faw. As co-founder of AdVon commerce, Ben helps the company to harness proprietary software to create value in e-commerce. He has expertise in consumer internet with a focus on tech, e-commerce, and media. Prior to AdVon, Ben served as a platoon leader and executive officer in the 25th infantry and was Co-Founder at BestReviews. Ben has been published by the Harvard Business Review, CNN, BusinessInsider, and many more. In this episode, Ben talks about his journey to West Point, experiences in his military career, and following his interest in the business world. He provides some blunt advice on what it's like being an entrepreneur, and shares insight about the importance of having a team around you that you can go to war with, learning and growing in everything you do. ---------------"At the end of the day, it takes a different form factor right? In the business world you're not in a uniform. But, I will tell you, if you consistently show up at the right places and you consistently show up early and you're consistently hyper prepared, you will probably succeed in whatever you put your mind to in the private sector and with your transition and everything else." - Ben Faw---------------Episode Timestamps(01:07) Interest in military and business(01:49) What led to West Point(02:48) Focusing on economics studies(04:00) Mentors(05:35) AAR Segment and postgrad life(06:58) Post grad journey(09:10) Career path and entrepreneurship(12:15) LinkedIn Experience and concept of sales(14:51) SitRep - AdVon Commerce(16:56) Getting back to entrepreneurship(18:50) Building teams(23:25) Future of AdVon(26:00) SOP - Help along the journey(29:20) Habits for success(31:55) Giving Back - Advice for younger vets interested in starting a business(34:55) Parting Advice---------------LinksBen Faw LinkedInBen Faw TwitterBen Faw BlogWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
This episode of On Point features a conversation between Lisa Benitez, the Chief Diversity Officer at the United States Military Academy West Point, and Herman Bulls, International Director and the founder of JLL's Public Institutions Business Unit. Herman also serves on several high-impact public, private and not-for-profit boards including USAA, The American Red Cross, The Military Bowl, Comfort Systems USA, American Campus Communities, and the West Point Association of Graduates. He is founder, President, and CEO of Bulls Advisory Group, a real estate and management advisory firm. Herman completed 12 years of active duty service with the United States Army, and retired as a Colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves in 2008. He is part of the West Point graduating class of 1978 and received a MBA from Harvard Business School.In this episode, Herman talks about leading the initial charge for diversity, equity, and inclusion at West Point. As well, gives insight into how the school has continued to expand those efforts across the organization from the board, staff, and faculty to athletics, admissions, and alumni. He helped establish, and was the first chair, of the AOG board's diversity committee, and continues to support West Point AOG to be the most connected and inclusive alumni group in the world. ---------------“When we were focusing on it [Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion], my intent was that I certainly want it to be totally inclusive and we need to make sure we include all of our graduates for all minorities. We need to include everybody. However, my objective, when I set this up, was to say, we're going to focus on the African-American graduate body and we're going to get them engaged, and we're going to make this academy better for everybody. That was the intent of it.” - Herman Bulls---------------Episode Timestamps(00:40) Herman's Involvement in Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives(03:55) How Diversity and Inclusion was initially received at West Point(05:45) West Point Diversity Conference(09:30) Diversity and Inclusion Representation among Staff and Faculty(11:55) Establishment of Diversity and Inclusion Committee as Part of Board(12:55) Herman's Role as Chair of Diversity and Inclusion Board(15:00) Diversity and Inclusion Representation for Athletes(15:51) West Point Special Interest Groups(16:50) Corporate Governance(17:15) Diversity Makeup within Board and Advisory Committee(20:44) Importance of Candid Conversations(24:10) Minority Visitation Program and other Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives(28:00) Need for Resources(28:45) Diversity and Inclusion Role in West Point Alumni Connectivity(35:45) Herman's West Point Experience vs. his Son's(40:25) Philanthropy and Margin of Excellence Program(47:00) Post Graduate Scholarship Distribution and Awards for Minorities---------------LinksHerman Bulls LinkedInHerman Bulls TwitterWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
This episode features part 2 of a discussion between the honorable Robert McDonald, the new Chairman of the WPAOG Board of Directors, and Todd Browne, the president and CEO of AOG. Bob and Todd continue to speak about their shared vision for the future of AOG as it continues its mission to become the most highly-connected alumni body in the world for members of the Long Gray Line. They go over the efforts WPAOG is making to coordinate and encourage alumni connections and help provide a clearer path for what's ahead.As a highly distinguished leader and civil servant, Bob shares insights and his vision for AOG. Complementing his vision, Todd discusses more immediate strategies AOG is implementing to ensure growth, connections, and valuable services to members of the Long Gray Line. Their efforts are geared towards supporting the US Military Academy and Margins of Excellence that drive West Point to continue to be the world-class institution it's been for over 150 years.-----------------"On the aspect of keeping people connected, and all these programs. I mean, it's not just to keep people connected for the sake of being connected. If we are successful at keeping them connected, then this grad network is really helpful to its fellow graduates. I mean, that's really, that's really the essence of what we're trying to do. You know, make it so that the, the network serves its fellow members and the academy. In the final analysis, that's really what we're all about." - Todd Browne“The alumnus, the graduate is at the center. It's the desires of the graduate that are driving the infrastructure, the system. It's not somebody imposing something saying “here's what we think you need to do.” It's really the graduate who's at the center. And that's really what service is all about.” - Robert McDonald-----------------Episode Timestamps(01:55) - What Does WPAOG Do?(07:00) - Giving Back to the Community(10:00) - Important WPAOG Projects(15:50) - AOG Facility Support(25:00) - Morale Welfare Recreation(27:40) - Vision of 2030 Plan-----------------LinksTodd A Browne LinkedInRobert A. McDonald LinkedInWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
This episode features part 1 of a discussion between the honorable Robert McDonald, the new Chairman of the WPAOG Board of Directors, and Todd Browne, the president and CEO of AOG. Bob and Todd share their mutual and individual goals and vision for AOG. The organization continues to grow and is aimed at fulfilling its mission to serve the Long Gray Line by becoming the most highly connected alumni body in the world.As a highly distinguished leader and civil servant, Bob shares insights and his vision for AOG. Complementing his vision, Todd discusses more immediate strategies AOG is implementing to ensure growth, connections, and valuable services to members of the Long Gray Line. Their efforts are geared towards supporting the US Military Academy and Margins of Excellence that drive West Point to continue to be the world-class institution it's been for over 150 years.------------“In today's divisive, politically charged environment, I always come back to West Point. I come back to duty, honor, country. I come back to military officers choosing to be a-political. And, when I look at the force that West Point is and will always be for good in our country - it really is a guide post, a shining light for what we can be. And, I think our graduates live with that everyday.” - Robert McDonald“Five years ago we put in place that vision statement for the Long Gray Line to be the most highly connected alumni body in the world. And, then paired with our mission to serve West Point and the Long Gray Line - two simple statements. But, really when you think about it, it's really two key words: Serve and be Connected. And, if we are successful at the AOG in keeping the Long Gray Line connected, then the Long Gray Line is like a force for good to help both other graduates and the institution of West Point. So, that's why it is really critical that we stay connected. Because the Long Gray Line is a powerful force when pulled in the same direction.” - Todd Browne------------Episode Timestamps(04:00) - Robert McDonald discusses new role as Chairman of the WPAOG Board of Directors(06:00) - WPAOG Initiatives for 2022(07:30) - Importance of alumni being connected(09:00) - AOG as a hub for connection(09:35) - AOG Activities, Initiatives, Programs(10:50) - Human Centered Design and West Point Graduates (13:40) - AOG Moments that Matter(17:20) - Transitioning and Life After the Military(22:05) - Design of AOG(26:03) - Making Connections with other Graduates(27:15) - Where Does AOG Want to Be(31:20) - Personalization and Outreach for AOG(33:20) - Comfort and Connections Between Graduate Entrepreneurs(35:50) - Importance of Data to Help Graduates(38:00) - Guiding Graduates (40:00) - Advice for How Graduates Can Better Connect with Eachother(44:50) - Finding My Next Mission------------LinksTodd A Browne LinkedInRobert A. McDonald LinkedInWest Point Association of GraduatesOn Point Podcast
Hello and welcome to another episode of On Point. In this episode, Eddie makes a huge announcement you won't want to miss. Along with the announcement, we want to wish you and your loved ones a happy and healthy holiday season and a great start to your New Year! --------------------Links:Connect with Old Grad Club on LinkedInwww.oldgradclub.com
This episode features an interview with Taylor Justice, Co-founder & President of Unite Us. Unite Us is an outcome-focused technology company building coordinated care networks of health and social service providers. Since launch in 2012, Unite Us has raised $195m in venture funding.On this episode, Taylor talks about how there really are no rules as an entrepreneur, how he raised subsequent rounds of funding for Unite Us, and why he believes it's so important to keep that sense of purpose, even after serving.-----------------“There are no rules. And I use it like and I'd tell people at business school, this as well, who are in finance or consulting, there's this formula that you can run through to make that career jump. And you do X, Y, and Z. It's going to give you some results. Whereas in entrepreneurship, there are formulas that you can follow. But you have to break down those walls because when there are no rules, then you get to define what the world then sees or how they perceive certain things.” — Taylor Justice-----------------Episode Timestamps:*(2:05) - Segment: AAR - After Action Review*(5:40) - Taylor's first entrepreneurial endeavor*(10:00) - Where the idea for Unite Us came from*(16:28) - Going to Columbia Business School and meeting his co-founder*(29:10) - How Taylor raised subsequent rounds of funding for Unite Us*(23:10) - Segment: The Sitrep - Situation Report*(35:20) - Segment: The SOP - Standard Operating Procedure*(40:40) - The habits that Taylor's held onto through his success*(47:35) - Segment: Giving Back-----------------LinksConnect with Taylor on LinkedInFollow Taylor on TwitterFollow Eddie on TwitterConnect with Old Grad Club on LinkedInwww.oldgradclub.com
This episode features an interview with Danny Hwang. Danny is the Founder & CEO of education technology company Point Avenue, and a Partner at NPX Capital.On this episode, Danny shares the major setbacks he overcame at West Point, how mentors like his brother shaped his life, and what you should be striving for instead of work-life balance.-----------------“First is what I call work-life harmony. There's no such thing as work-life balance because that automatically assumes that those are two competing forces. And I always remind people including myself, that if you want to build success, the grinding, the hard work, the sacrifice, that is a must. There are no freebies.” — Danny Hwang-----------------Episode Timestamps:*(2:12) - Danny's four major setbacks while at West Point*(4:55) - Where the Army took Danny after West Point*(6:05) - Post military life for Danny where he wanted to go/do*(8:46) - Danny and his brother's close-knit relationship*(14:06) - Measuring success at NPX Point Avenue*(18:01) - All the different aspects of NPX*(21:15) - Segment: SOP - Standard Operating Procedure*(25:47) - Where Danny got his discipline from and when it began*(27:37) - What Danny's motivation is and how it compared to his past*(32:07) - Giving Back-----------------LinksConnect with Danny on LinkedInFollow Eddie on TwitterConnect with Old Grad Club on LinkedInwww.oldgradclub.com
“If we can just start to feel comfortable in our uncertainty and embrace it and be patient with it and understand that this is a process that's evolving for, can stay true to ourselves. Beautiful things emerged from uncertainty. And it's really hard, man. It's easy for me to say. It's very hard to do. But I find that the true artists of life, the people who tend to redefine themselves across different chapters of their lives that continue to grow, they've been able to dance with uncertainty and embrace it and use it as a, as a stage to grow. Man, the sooner we realize that as veterans, life becomes not this thing that you must endure, but this dance that you get to experience.” — Socrates Rosenfeld---------------Episode Timestamps:*(3:00) - Transitioning from the military to the private sector*(7:10) - First stop post-deployment: Guatemala *(11:15) - Turning journal entries into reality*(16:30) - Leaving McKinsey and taking the leap and how to take it for yourself*(20:40) - Starting a company with your family*(25:25) - What launch day of Jane Technologies was like*(28:50) - What Socrates is focused on today with Jane and what he envisions for the future*(33:30) - Segment: The SOP*(37:35) - Segment: Giving Back Links:Connect with Socrates on LinkedInFollow Eddie on TwitterConnect with Old Grad Club on LinkedInwww.oldgradclub.com
“My chairman of the board for team RWB, First Captain in West Point class of 1991, Doug McCormick says that bias for action is very important because you're going to learn a lot just by rolling up your sleeves and doing. And so even if you start something and it only lasts for two years or three years, or it doesn't succeed — it might very well be setting you up for success in some arena or some way that you didn't expect.” — Mike Erwin-------Episode Timestamps:*(2:05) - Pitching at West Point and Mike's overall experience*(4:25) - Balancing Team Red, White & Blue and the military *(6:40) - When an idea becomes a living-breathing entity*(8:05) - Scaling a non-profit organization*(12:30) - The guiding mentors that helped Mike along the way*(15:40) - Mike publishes his first book: Lead Yourself First: Inspiring Leadership Through Solitude*(19:10) - Mike's new book is coming out soon: Leadership is a Relationship: How to Put People First in the Digital World*(25:00) - The next phase of leadership, psychology, and humanity*(29:40) - How Mike balances everything he has going on*(32:00) - The Sitrep*(36:50) - What stresses Mike out and how he reframes his thinking*(39:40) - Giving Back LinksConnect with Mike on LinkedInFollow Mike on TwitterPre-order his upcoming book: Leadership is a Relationship: How to Put People First in the Digital WorldFollow Eddie on TwitterConnect with Old Grad Club on LinkedInwww.oldgradclub.com
“We raised our hand and said, ‘I will defend against all enemies foreign and domestic,' and I do that every morning. I don't raise my hand, but I go out there for the mission. And J&J, being a fortune 50 company, is not only a target because it's healthcare and because it's created a vaccine, but it's also part of the financial institution and is seen as a symbol of the United States. So [it's paramount] to make sure that our data is safe and our systems are safe so that the people who create the vaccines, who create the drugs, who create the bandaids that are used around the world every single day— they're free operate without being attacked or having to worry about their systems or data.” — Marene Allison-------Episode Timestamps:*(3:10) - Where Marene grew up and how she heard about West Point*(3:40) - What it meant to be the first class of women at West Point*(7:10) - Did Marene think she'd ever become CISO of J&J?*(8:40) - How Marene thought about her early career*(10:30) - How to prove people wrong *(11:30) - Joining the FBI*(19:27) - Joining Johnson & Johnson*(21:45) - The scope and magnitude of being the CISO for J&J*(26:50) - SOP - Standard Operating Procedure*(29:50) - The trust needed to be CISO of J&J*(33:24) - The Situation Report*(33:50) - Securing the J&J Vaccine*(36:05) - How the first shared interest group West Point Women came to be*(41:20) - What impact Marene wants West Point Women to accomplish *(46:50) - Giving Back LinksConnect with Marene on LinkedInFollow Eddie on TwitterConnect with Old Grad Club on LinkedInwww.oldgradclub.com
“You're never going to be able to scratch that itch, that service, and comradeship that we got that satisfaction from while in uniform. So if that's important to you, then find a way to keep that alive. Fallen Patriots is my calling from that perspective. I think that's important to almost all veterans is to keep that sense of purpose and service alive.” — David Kim-------Episode Timestamps:*(2:12) - Why David went to West Point*(6:20) - Jumping headfirst into the private equity world*(17:15) - How David thinks about career progression*(20:40) - The founding story behind Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation*(22:00) - The success behind the Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation*(25:00) - How to have a day-job and start a non-profit organization*(27:20) - The skill set overlap between Apax and Children of the Fallen Patriots Foundation*(31:20) - SOP - Standard Operating Procedure*(37:10) - What David currently focuses on*(39:40) - Giving Back LinksConnect with David on LinkedInChildren of Fallen Patriots FoundationFollow Eddie on TwitterConnect with Old Grad Club on LinkedInwww.oldgradclub.com
“You may forget what people say. You may forget what people do, but you never forget how people make you feel. And I know that's so true for me. And that doesn't mean you've got to tell people what they want to hear. Because leadership is about being able to have tough conversations and tough discussions. And people may not be happy, but in the end, I don't want to be liked. It'd be great if I'm liked, but I do want to be respected and that's critical.” — Herman Bulls-------Episode Timestamps:*(2:45) - What drew Herman to go to West Point*(4:45) - How Herman viewed his early career after West Point*(16:15) - The difference between networking and connecting*(19:19) - The power of paying it forward*(22:00) - The common theme of the various boards Herman sits on*(27:55) - How Herman draws upon his military experience in the private sector*(30:45) - What Herman's day-to-day looks like*(36:25) - How Herman thinks about his career currently*(39:26) - The SOP - The Standard Operating Procedure*(42:27) - The 6 critical skills to be successful*(53:42) - The things Herman has always wanted to implement & now can LinksConnect with Herman on LinkedInFollow Herman on TwitterFollow Eddie on TwitterConnect with Old Grad Club on LinkedInwww.oldgradclub.com
“And you just have to get up every day, face the challenges, regardless of how you feel. And I think a lot of the things we do, there's all kinds of external things that happen on a day-to-day basis. And a lot of times you sort of want to close your eyes and just avoid and pretend that maybe you don't have these troubles, but it's there. So you might as well open your eyes, face those things head-on and just go through it one by one. And you know, at some point there's going to be a better day and, and I think that's something West Point has just ingrained in me. And I think we were able to go through some tough times knowing that.” — Han Kim-------Episode Timestamps:*(2:24) - The decision behind going to West Point*(4:10) - How Han thought about his career early on*(6:20) - Joining P&G after Stanford Business School*(12:30) - Co-founding and starting a fund early in your career*(21:28) - Altos Ventures first big breakthrough*(24:14) - Acknowledging reality*(29:30) - Some of Altos Ventures' investments and their investing memos*(33:45) - The Sitrep - The Situation Report*(38:15) - The SOP - The Standard Operating Procedure*(43:09) - Giving Back LinksConnect with Han on LinkedIn Follow Eddie on TwitterConnect with Old Grad Club on LinkedInwww.oldgradclub.com
“The folks that have worked for me and gone on to do amazing things—far more successful than me—is what I'm most proud of in my life. And part of that is inspiring them and pushing them and believing in them, and that's leadership.” — Chris Hsu-------Episode Timestamps:*(2:35) - Chris' father's influence on Army+West Point*(5:40) - Character defining moments at West Point*(11:50) - Successfully transitioning from West Point to the private sector*(13:45) - Advice to new grads*(17:00) - Career transitions and how to pivot *(19:45) - Answering the call and making an impact*(24:30) - Being the person that people think of first*(27:30) - The Sitrep - The Situation Report*(27:45) - Running Zibo *(30:40) - How Zibo came to life and the idea behind it*(35:15) - Customer Acquisition Strategies *(38:55) - How the pandemic affected Zibo*(44:30) - The future of Zibo *(47:50) - SOP - The Standard Operating Procedure*(52:30) - The Importance of Giving Back and parting advice LinksConnect with Chris on LinkedIn Check out Zibo Follow Eddie on TwitterConnect with Old Grad Club on LinkedInwww.oldgradclub.com
“I'm a big fan of what I call ‘hold my beer moments.' What are those things that you're going to look back on in life and say, ‘Gosh, I regret not doing that' versus, ‘That was crazy, but how cool that I had a chance to do that.'” — France Hoang-------Episode Timestamps:*(0:24) - AAR *(0:50) - Getting airlifted out of Vietnam at the age of 2*(2:15) - Why France's parents decided to settle in the U.S.*(4:40) - Joining West Point*(6:15) - Post West Point *(10:25) - Becoming Chief of Police and SWAT team Commander *(16:00) - Preparation meets opportunity*(18:25) - Re-deploying at the age of 35 to the Special Forces*(22:00) - Getting involved in aerospace *(26:50) - The love of learning *(30:55) - What France would have done differently*(32:25) - The Sitrep - The Situation Report*(35:20) - The founding story of boodleAI*(39:00) - SOP - Standard Operating Procedure*(41:25) - Giving BackLinksThe Long Gray Line by Rick AtkinsonFollow France on Twitter Connect with France on LinkedIn Connect with Frank on LinkedInFollow Eddie on TwitterConnect with Old Grad Club on LinkedInwww.oldgradclub.com
“The key to success is how do you pick the 10 or 15 or 20 things to be the right things. You're not going to get them all right. But if you waste your time on the wrong things, that don't make any difference, you're not going to succeed. And so I really encourage people to be thoughtful about how you spend your time, because you're going to realize that time becomes your most critical resource.” — Frank Finelli -------Episode Timestamps:*(1:59) - Frank's reason to join the military *(3:50) - Post West Point*(4:59) - Frank's time at MIT*(9:09) - The serendipity of Frank's decisions *(13:45) - Joining the Carlyle Group *(15:46) - The Sitrep *(18:00) - How Carlyle thinks about the new innovations in the aerospace/defense industry*(20:30) - How Frank maintains his network*(21:55) - Setting up a career after serving in the military*(24:30) - How Frank mentors people*(26:15) - SOP - Standard Operating Procedure *(29:20) - How to break into private equity LinksConnect with Frank on LinkedInFollow Eddie on TwitterConnect with Eddie on LinkedInwww.oldgradclub.com
“My daughter just graduated from college. And my oldest son asked her, ‘what's the best advice dad ever gave you?' She said: ‘Simple, if you're the smartest person in the room, you need to find another room.' My career has been defined by being around talented people.” — John Robb ‘91 -------Episode Timestamps:*(01:45) - AAR - After Action Review*(5:30) - Life after West Point*(8:30) - How John got involved in Bernstein Wealth Management*(11:10) - How John thought about investment management early in his career*(13:30) - Get involved with local societies earlier rather than later*(15:20) - The difference between investing at Berstein and AOG*(22:10) - The Sitrep - The Situation Report*(25:15) - The unique characteristics of investing West Point's endowment vs. other universities*(27:40) - The best advice John gave to his daughter and how he's made career decisions*(30:25) - The early fears and challenges John had to overcome when starting Stone Creek*(35:45) - What Stone Creek is today vs. what John thought it was going to be in 2016*(44:35) - How to manage your time*(49:45) - How to think about long-term investing*(56:15) - John's mentors and how they've helped him*(59:40) - SOP - Standard Operating Procedure LinksThe Innovator's DilemmaConnect with John on LinkedInFollow Eddie on TwitterConnect with Eddie on LinkedInwww.oldgradclub.com
“Think about spinning the board around and sitting on the other side of it and saying, how would I beat me? And I think if you do that really well, I think there's a lot of reasons why being your own enemy in that context is something that's a really valuable skill for thinking aggressively about how to improve your own ideas, about how to improve your own plan, and how to improve your own team.” — Jason Crabtree---------Episode TimestampsEpisode Timestamps:*(2:00) QOMPLX's founding story*(5:00) The press coverage of ransomware and its overall uptick*(8:00) The structure of the criminal enterprises *(11:00) The main habits that have allowed Jason to be successful*(13:00) The similarities and differences between West Point/Deployment and running QOMPLX*(16:45) The similarities and differences between growing teams as young military officers and as a private sector CEO*(19:30) A crash course on leadership and team dynamics *(22:55) How QOMPLX is different from its competitors*(25:55) QOMPLX's acquisitions to date*(29:35) The future of QOMPLX and the problems they are trying to solve*(33:20) Jason's learnings on the SPAC process*(37:05) How funding affects QOMPLX's mission*(39:30) The future of society with QOMPLX achieving its mission LinksConnect with Jason on LinkedInCheck out QOMPLXFollow Eddie on TwitterConnect with Eddie on LinkedInwww.oldgradclub.com
“You've got to be competent in what you're doing and you've got to communicate it properly. You have to have courage to step up and stand out. A lot of leadership is about getting out in front and staying out in front and taking the shots that are going to come your way. I think West Point and the military does a very good job of exposing younger people to that fact and they hand you a lot of responsibility early on and make you accountable. It stands you in good stead for a business career as well.” — Bill MurdyEpisode Timestamps:*(2:40) AAR & Bill's reason for going to West Point*(7:30) Bill's entrepreneurial journey begins*(10:20) Aggressively take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves *(12:14) Bill's most rewarding part of his career*(15:55) SOP - Standard Operating Procedure*(18:20) A core part of leadership is getting out in front*(19:20) The Sitrep — the Thayer Leader Development Group*(23:30) Getting shot at with real bullets and how it compares to fighting for your company*(26:00) Giving Back — advice for younger people LinksConnect with Bill on LinkedInThayer LeadershipFollow Eddie on TwitterConnect with Eddie on LinkedInwww.oldgradclub.com
“My advice to young people is to focus on the purpose and the values of the organization you're going to, the character of the people in the organization. Forget about the job title, forget about the salary and focus on the things that really matter and that are enduring because those things aren't enduring.”---------*(2:00) Bob's purpose*(3:45) How Bob's North Star developed*(6:00) Bob's childhood in Indiana*(8:30) West Point days*(10:25) Post-West Point*(13:30) Leaving the military and joining the private sector*(15:40) Procter & Gamble gain Bob*(18:00) Don't fixate on a particular position*(22:25) The hardest decision Bob had to make *(24:40) Equating leadership in the military vs. leadership at P&G*(27:00) How P&G operates*(29:45) Developing empathy as a business leader*(31:00) Inventions are almost never used for their original purpose*(34:00) What Bob did before joining the VA*(35:42) If it weren't for the VA, American medicine would be nowhere*(36:50) Lessons learned while at the VA*(41:00) The courage needed to run the VA*(43:15) The next generation of the VA*(45:20) Bob's core advice for younger vets
On Point brings you candid conversations with veteran business leaders about how they lead, drive change, and find success. On Point is a show for veterans, as well as anyone who wants to learn business and leadership lessons from some of the top innovators in the world. It's a show for those who want to learn from the best, push their career forward, and stay on the cutting edge.
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