Old Grad Podcast

Episode 21 - Mark Bieger (A4)

Mark talks about the job of being Chief of Staff of West Point and gives us a behind the scenes look at a lot of the inner workings of West Point. 

Episode 23 - John Palcisko (H2)

John Palcisko recalls his time in company Happy 2. We talk about football, the prep school, Adult ADHD, the Army, recruiting and much more. We take deliberate time out to remember our fallen classmates Pete Graff and Yu Shik Kim.

Episode 22- Anthony DeToto (A3)

Tote recalls his adventures starting at the Prep School. We cover topics of youth sports, the Army CASA program, managing rich people's money and the meaning of life. Totes is a masterful networker as well as a thoughtful and caring guy. 

Episode 20 - Kevin Berry (H-1)

Root Hawg or Die - COL (ret.) Kevin Berry joins us for Episode 20 of the old Grad Podcast- the one year anniversary of our first podcast. We talk about Kevin's career starting out in Ft. Bliss Texas and his journey through life with wife Monica and their 3 children. Kevin talks about the numerous stories with company H-1 classmates as well as his experience on the basketball team while at West Point. Kevin had the unique honor to be on the staff of the Chairman of the Army 3 Chiefs (Casey, Dempsey and Odierno) all in a short period of time. Kevin talks with great pride of his daughter Kayla's upcoming movie that profiles her brother KC's struggle being bipolar https://www.gofundme.com/f/mental-health-king-of-the-world?fbclid=IwAR2W3gfTo9mRuL69hTLRw7FwAXco9Z1Bjspj9B_WV1RNc_dLBKtixydr9OY 

Episode 19 Matt Louis (A-1)

Matt is the author of Mission Transition - which has been affectionately referred to as the "Ranger Handbook for a military transition." Matt and his wife Michele live in Cincinnati and they have 3 boys. He has been a senior leader at Deloitte for the past 15 years, and has worked in other large companies such as General Electric and Proctor and Gamble. 
He dedicates his book to our class:
To the members of the West Point class of 1991 – my classmates, my brothers and sisters in arms. You inspired me to write this book and you inspire me every day with your outstanding achievements and incredible efforts in all facets of life. I pray this work is worthy of our heritage and meets the ever-growing needs of the sons and daughters of this great nation that we have all sworn to support an defend. 

Episode 18 Anthony Noto (G2)

Anthony Noto talks about his journey from Prepster to CEO of Sofi. 

Episode 17 Keith Brown (G-4)

Keith talks about his journey from High School, to Soldier, to Prep School to West Point. As a young private he was recognized as USAREUR Soldier of the Year - the award was given to him by LTG Chambers - father of his future roommate Dave Chambers. He talks about his experiences at West Point from the Gospel Choir to the Sprint Football Team. At Engineer OBC,  his girlfriend Leslie drove 10 hours and showed up late at night at the BOQ. Keith was playing in a poker game with classmate Blace Albert when Leslie showed up at the door. Much to everyone's surprise, Leslie proposed to Keith that night in front of everyone. They've been married for 27 years and have 4 children (2 Boys, 2 Girls) Blace (named after Blace Albert), Brittain, Kammann & Chatham. We talk about Ranger School, the Army, transitioning out of the Army, work, life etc. We especially remember fallen classmate Carl Every. 

Episode 16 - Kim Evans (G3)

Kim Evans (G3) - was commissioned in the Medical Service Corps and served 6.5 years on active duty including a company command at Walter Reed. She has resided in Greenbay Wisconsin for the past 18 years and is getting ready to relocate to the warmer climate of Dallas in a few weeks. She and our classmate Ken Evans (H3) started dating during yearling year and were married the day after graduation in 1991. They were stationed together in Germany for their first assignment. She left the Army and relocated to Wisconsin to work as a healthcare administrator and Ken had several jobs including working for the Greenbay Packers. Tragically we lost Ken in 2009, Kim bravely tells the story of perseverance following his death. 
 
 

Episode 15 - Paul Smolchek (D1)

Paul lives in West Palm Beach Florida and has two children ages 24 and 17. He is getting ready to paddleboard 83 miles to raise money for Piper's Angels a non-profit that raises money to support families who have children living with Cystic Fibrosis. We chronicle his journey from recruited football player to cadet to Army Officer. Paul was originally planning to play football for Navy, but then fell in love with West Point during a recruiting visit. He received a nomination to go to Navy, but was accepted to West Point - it took some work to convince his local congressman to make the change. During the podcast we talk about several D1 classmates, and funny nicknames that inevitably get created during the time at West Point. His tac officer Captain Morgan was most notably referred to as "blinky" due to a nervous eye twitch. We had several other laughs including some funny ranger school stories.  

Episode 14 - John Abercrombie (C4)

John Abercrombie first met his wife Shannon (USMA '93) when she was a plebe in his company. Oddly enough he ended up taking Shannon's sister to 500th night. Years later John and Shannon would connect back up in the Army. John tells the painful story of losing Shannon to a stroke some years later. He was left as a widow single dad with three boys ages 9,7 and 4 at the time. Today John Jr. is a Firstie at West Point and was the starting field goal kicker on the football team. #2 son James is a Cow, and #3 son Benjamin is a senior in High School with a Letter of Assurance from West Point to join the incoming class of 2023. John is a State Farm Agent and is based out of Phoenix, Arizona.