Events, News & More
Letter from the President
Posted: 7/24/2020
Dear fellow USNA alumni:
Welcome to the Columbus Chapter of the United States Naval Academy Alumni Association. I hope you use this site to keep informed of Chapter events and stay connected with alumni in Columbus and Central Ohio. In our region, there are more than 115 USNA alumni who have already expressed interest in participating in Chapter activities.
To provide the most worthwhile experience for local alumni, the Columbus Chapter leadership will focus on the following objectives:
• Maintaining an up-to-date roster of local alumni interested in participating in the Chapter;
• Providing ample and diverse opportunities for alumni and their families to socialize, network, and have fun;
• Leveraging local Military and Air Force Academy organizations to enhance the overall experience of our members;
• Supporting and interacting with Navy entities such as visiting Navy sports teams/clubs, the local Naval Academy Parent Club, and the Columbus Navy League;
• Hosting an enjoyable and engaging Army-Navy football event; and
• Communicating effectively and consistently with local alumni.
USNAAA Chapter Officers and Board Members are volunteers, and I encourage you to contact them to indicate your interest in activities and events. The leadership of the Columbus Chapter is:
• President – Tony Konecny 1979 – adkonecny@gmail.com
• Vice-President – Ben Sandman 2010 – bensandman2@gmail.com
• Secretary/Communications Director – Dave Goins 1984 – dgoins84@gmail.com
• Treasurer – Jim Waddell 1971 – jbwaddell@columbus.rr.com
• Shipmate Contact/Webmaster – Rob White 1994 – robwhite614@gmail.com
• Board Members
Jim Worthington 1960
Todd Forney 1986
Michel Plumley 2009
Additional information about Chapter Officers and Chapter By-Laws and can be found on the website. We also share frequent updates via various social media platforms:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/groups/100549757152451/
LinkedIn – USNA Alumni Association – Columbus Chapter Group
Twitter – @USNAAACbus
Instagram – USNAAACbus
Shipmate – Chapter News
I look forward to meeting you at our next event. I am excited about the Chapter’s future, and I hope you will join us in making the Columbus Chapter an organization in which you are proud to belong.
Go Navy,
Tony Konecny
A Message from ADM Samuel Locklear III ’77, USN (Ret.)
Posted: 6/22/2020
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U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation
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Our Core Values – USNA Alumni Association
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U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation
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Our Core Values: Special Committee
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U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation
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I hope you’re having a meaningful Memorial Day.
Posted: 5/24/2020
It’s the Memorial Day weekend, and many of us are thinking of shipmates we lost along the way. In central Ohio, there are typically many notable events and places where you can reflect and honor fallen servicemembers for their extraordinary sacrifices. Unfortunately, under the current COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, such gatherings have been curtailed, so I offer something you could do something virtually.
Check out the Naval Academy’s virtual Memorial Hall at https://usnamemorialhall.org. The site has excellent photos and class information, as well as extended biographies and links to other resources. Of the 109 Ohio Honorees there are five from Columbus:
Gordon Cone, 2LT, USMC (’29 age 25)
Harold E. Fisher, LTJG, USN (’42 age 22)
James H. Eversole, ENS, USN (’43 age 23)
Theodore Tallmadge, CAPT, USAF (’53 age 27)
Brian L. Cardiff, LTJG, USN (’73 age 25)
I am struck by how young they were when they died, and it reminds me of something President Reagan said, “Some people live an entire lifetime and wonder if they have ever made a difference in the world. A veteran does not have that problem.”
I hope that you and your families have a pleasant and safe weekend.
Go Navy,
Tony Konecny
Board Meeting Minutes – 5 May 2020
Posted: 5/21/2020
Board Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2020
Roll Call:
Present: Tony Konecny ‘79 – President; Dave Goins ‘84 – Secretary/Communications Director; Jim Waddell ‘71 – Treasurer; Rob White ‘94 – Webmaster; Eric Marquardt ‘07 – Shipmate Coordinator; Todd Forney ‘86 – Board Member; Michel Plumley ‘09 – Board Member.
Absent: Ben Sandman ‘10 – Vice-President; Jim Worthington ‘60 – Board Member.
Special Board Minutes from January 9, 2020 appointing Jim Waddell as Treasurer of the Columbus Chapter of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association were discussed. The minutes were unanimously approved by all present.
Treasurer’s Report. Presented by Waddell. Moved by Goins to be acknowledged and filed for audit.
- Konecny pointed out that $150 was donated in memory of Janet Maroscher, wife of Udo Maroscher (associate member of the Chapter). $50.00 was provided by Captain Chris Peppel, former CO of NOSC Columbus. The amount donated was in light of the Maroscher’s significant contributions to the Chapter and Navy organization throughout Columbus.
- White suggested that an entry be submitted to Shipmate notifying the Chapter of Jan’s passing. – ACTION.
- Forney suggested that a standard memorial document be prepared and approved by the Board such that future actions will be pro forma. Konecny and Forney will work on a document – ACTION.
Old Business – None
New Business
Board feedback on virtual meeting – tabled until more data is available;
How do we get more people involved:
- White suggested getting support from outside businesses for some chapter activities. For providing the expenses for refreshments, an organization could present information concerning their business to the chapter. In so doing, the business could advertise for customers or employees. Alumni attending would benefit from the networking opportunity.
- Forney suggested investigating a virtual Happy Hour. Konecny asked Forney to investigate and report his findings to the Board.
- Plumely suggested that at the time before an event such as the Founders Day Dinner alumni be presented with a plan for the year and allow groups to form in a competitive manner to encourage innovation and friendly competition. – ACTION
- Eric Marquardt requested to be relieved of Shipmate contact duties after 3 years of service to the Chapter. A new Shipmate contact will need to be assigned. – ACTION
Events
- Konecny discussed the existing scheduled events – Founders Day/Annual Meeting, lunches with speakers, and pub nights. Mentioned that due to COVID-19 pandemic, it may not be possible to schedule any events for the remainder of 2020. Encouraged discussion on other possibilities from the Board;
- Forney suggested that we consider a 3 level plan for the Founders Day/Annual Meeting in light of the 175th anniversary of the founding of USNA – schedule a normal event, schedule a “social distancing” event, schedule a virtual event. Depending on the state of “shelter-in-place” in September 2020, one of the options could be implemented. Also recommended considering a virtual happy hour.
Chapter scholarship status – Konecny discussed the intent of providing a scholarship to a worthy, needs-based central Ohio candidate to attend either the STEM Program or Summer Seminar at USNA. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all activities at USNA are cancelled so no scholarship will be offered for 2020.
Communications – Konecny discussed the various means of communication available to keep Chapter members informed. He encouraged use of all means to ensure the Chapter is well informed.
Webmaster report – White discussed:
- That the Columbus chapter was instrumental in getting the Alumni Association to get proper SSL certification for the national and chapter websites (Word Press);
- Explained that using technology could improve member experience. For example, alumni that move in or move out could be automatically identified thus providing for initial contact and recognition at some type of hail and farewell event – ACTION.
Action Items:
- Pro forma memorial procedures for personal events such as hospitalizations, deaths, etc. – Forney/Konecny
- Shipmate submission IRT Janet Maroscher passing and donation to Navy League. – Konecny
- Recruit new Shipmate contact person. – Boad
- Further discuss and design a process to incorporate Plumley’s suggestion (New Business #3) as an integral part of annual event planning. – Plumley/Goins
- Work with Webmaster to design a simple process to identify new alumni to the area in USNA.com database. – White/Konecny
Chapter Annual Dues Campaign
Posted: 2/19/2020
The Chapter’s Annual Dues campaign is in progress and will close February 29, 2020. Annual membership dues are $25. Both alumni and friends of the Chapter are invited to renew or join. If you have already sent your dues, THANK YOU!
Chapter treasury funds are used to pay for items such as:
* Challenge Coins presented to incoming midshipmen at the annual Hail and Farewell
* Chapter administrative expenses such as name tag holders, basic supplies, mailings
* Cost of dinner for guest speakers and other distinguished guests
* Covering meals for midshipmen and sea cadets at chapter functions
* Other necessary expenses as authorized by the Board
In 2020, the Chapter will sponsor a local student by paying tuition to attend either a Naval Academy STEM Camp or Summer Seminar. Your dues payments along with modest fundraising efforts allow the Chapter to make a difference for a deserving local student and support USNA.
Per the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association bylaws, an individual must be a dues paying member to be included as a voting member of the Chapter.
Dues payments may be made as follows:
Online using Zelle (payment can be directly deposited into chapter bank account. Must have a Zelle account. Use email address below to direct deposit)
Zelle (anthony_konecny@yahoo.com) use underscore between first and last name
2.5% processing fee (please pay $25.63 so the chapter does not have to absorb the cost of processing)
By Check
Make check payable to: USNA Alumni Association – Columbus Chapter
Mail to Chapter Treasurer:
Jim Waddell
1330 Wyandotte Rd.
Columbus, OH 43212
*** If you wish to make a donation above and beyond the annual dues amount or target an amount above the $25 dues to the STEM/Summer Seminar sponsorship, your contribution will be gratefully accepted.
Your dues and donations are much appreciated and will help our Chapter become more meaningful to members and our USNA community.
Please direct any questions to Dave Goins at dgoins84@gmail.com.
Dark Ages Pub Night
Columbus Chapter USNA Alumni Association
Dark Ages Pub Night
Saturday, February 29, 2020
5:30 – 8:00 pm
The Blarney Stone Tavern
2245 W. Dublin – Granville Rd (Linworth)
Worthington, OH 43085
No RSVP necessary Order from menu or bar
Beat Army!
Chapter Luncheon 19 June 2019
Posted: 5/31/2019
Columbus Chapter
U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association
welcomes Rear Admiral Steve Horton (USNA ’73) via video presenting facts and analysis of the 2017 USS Fitzgerald (DDG 62) collision.
19 June 2019
Heritage Golf Club
3525 Heritage Club Dr, Hilliard, OH 43026
Luncheon 11:30 – 1:00
Cost $27
Pay at the door by check or cash
RSVP by email to Dave Goins dgoins84@gmail.com
NLT 17 June
Please consider joining us for an in depth and current look at findings from the investigation into this recent tragic accident.
Dark Ages Pub Night
Posted: 3/4/2019
Columbus Chapter USNA Alumni Association
Dark Ages Pub Night
Thursday, March 7, 2019
6:00pm
The Wine Bistro
8231 N. High Street
Columbus, OH 43235
North High Street, 2 miles north of I-270
No RSVP necessary Order from menu or bar
Beat Army!
