Old Grad Podcast

Traci Fisher (D2)

Traci Cisek Fisher was recruited to play soccer at West Point directly from high school. She didn't know much about West Point before showing up the night before R-day to meet her soccer teammates at Holly Fishburne's house. This was the start of the very strong bonds she would form with the other women on the soccer team.  She strongly considered resigning during Beast, but was talked out of it by her D2 company mates. She has very fond memories of her 3 years on corps squad soccer as well as her times as a D2 Dragon. She was commissioned in Aviation and served her first assignment at Ft Stewart. She talks about her transition out of the Army as being one of her toughest challenges. "It totally sucked. I Went from landing in a 2 min window on an LZ to picking up cheetos in a mini-van.  Rough, rough time for me."  One of her outlets for dealing with the stress of transition was to focus on physical fitness and emotional wellness. This experience formed the basis for her life's work.  After creating the Wellbeingness® Model, specifically to take leaders through a scientifically based, concise and clear process to develop both mindset and health, Traci has combined leadership and wellness to give teams a new approach to health, leadership and outstanding personal, professional and organizational performance.

Episode 40 Beach Pace (E-1)

Beach Pace is CEO of Big Brother and Big Sisters Columbia Northwest,  located outside of Portland Oregon. She and her wife Jincy have been together for 18years, they have a daughter (Aidan) and son (Conor). She graduated and was commissioned as an ordinance officer. Her first assignment was in Italy where she led a highly specialized in EOD unit and eventually had a company command pre-advance course. She served a total of 7 years on active duty with her final assignment leading ROTC in Northern Michigan.  She spent several years working as a pharmaceutical sales rep before transitioning into social change-making. In addition to leading Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Beach is also an elected official in the city of Hillsboro Oregon. 

Episode 39 Vince Duque (A-1)

This was a very powerful conversation with Vince Duque talking about his journey through depression and suicide ideation. We talk about growing in pursuit of his American Dream; what it was like to be in A-1 "Be Straight or Be Gone"; accidentally allowing a classmate's car to roll into Lake Popolopen; managing actors and actresses on the set in Hollywood. This episode was filled with great tidbits of advice and insightful reflection. 

Episode 38 Jon Gerold (E-2)

Jon talks about his 28-year journey in the Army - he recently retired and is living in Pinehurst NC. We pay special tribute to our recently fallen classmate Anthony DeToto

Highlights from podcast 22 - Anthony DeToto

Episode 37 - Rich Gordon (G3)

Aloha - Rich joins us from Hawaii where he still works as a DA civilian following a full career as an Army Officer. We begin by talking about the benefits of meditation for mental well being. We reflect on Rich's journey going back to 1986 when as a freshman at the University of Utah he was accepted to West Point. Highlights include spending 6 months in Ranger school, branch transfer from Infantry to Aviation, company and battalion commands.  He and his wife Staci have been married 22 years and they have two daughters. 

Episode 36 - Charles Lipeles (C3)

Charles Lipeles just completed a 102 mile ultra running race. He was joined by company mates Paul Begalka and Brian Halloran who were his support team for the race. We begin by talking about the unique demographics of Company C3. There was a disproportionate number of Jewish Cadets in that company. We learn that this may have been the brainchild of a person working in the G1 at USMA. Charles, Paul and Brian have many stories going all the way back to July of 1987.  

Episode 35 Brian Mackey (A2)

Brian Mackey missed 2nd semester of yearling year due to a medical procedure to remove a benign tumor from his nasal cavity. He gives us a rare glimpse into the life of a December graduate.  He talks about the shared obstacles of navigating cow English in the final semester of West Point, as well as the unique advantage of being a "super firstie." 

Episode 34 - Luke Knittig (C4)

Luke Knittig is senior director of communications for the McCain Institute, responsible for strategic communications, media, external relations, events, publications, website, marketing and partnership activity.  He is also executive producer and host of the Institute’s groundbreaking  In The Arena podcast.
Luke previously served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, where he led high-visibility public relations initiatives, and advised the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, the Honorable Doug Wilson. Also in the Pentagon, he served as special assistant to General Peter Chiarelli, Army vice chief of staff, and public affairs officer for Army undersecretary, the Honorable Nelson Ford.
In the episode we talk about the influence that West Point has had on his life going all the way back to 1986.  
 

Special Episode - Stories of Fallen Classmates

Memorial Day - 2020. This special edition of the Old Grad Podcast is a collection of clips where fallen classmates are being remembered. We start and end remembering Bill Hecker who was Killed in Action. Also Ted Russ talking about flight school with Tommy McTigue; Holly West talking about Dave Reardon in peak form during football season; John Keenan talking about Paul Haggerty always getting to church despite how hard hit the town of Juarez the night before; Pete Gaudet remembering Rusty Davidson; and Mark West remembering Andy Clements. Kim Evans remembering her husband Kenny Evans.