June 18, 2008:      Bob Ravener

Bob Ravener is Senior Vice President, U.S. Partner Resources, for the Starbucks Coffee Company.  In this role, he is responsible for the leadership and support of priorities and initiatives affecting more than 100,000 hourly and salaried partners (employees), across more than 10,000 company-operated and licensed stores.

Before joining Starbucks, Mr. Ravener served as Vice President, Human Resources for The Home Depot.  He held this position for both the Store Support Center and one of three domestic divisions.  In this latter role, he was responsible for the HR leadership of 700 stores and more than 100,000 employees in 23 states.

Prior to joining The Home Depot, he was with Footstar, Inc., serving for three years as Vice President, Chief Personnel Officer for the second largest footwear retailer in the U.S. with a workforce of 22,000 and over 5,000 locations.  He then moved into operations as a Senior Vice President.  Mr. Ravener’s retail experience also includes start-up operations, new business development, and acquisition integration.

Before joining Footstar, Mr. Ravener spent eleven years with PepsiCo in positions of increasing responsibility, earning awards for leadership development and safety improvement.  His experience included roles as a senior HR generalist as well as benefits operations, safety and risk, and business re-engineering.

Mr. Ravener has been actively involved in the community through coaching youth sports teams and creating safe places for youth to play.  He has also served on his community board for the Boys and Girls Club and the Ramapo College Board of Governors.  In 2004, he was appointed by the Secretary of Labor to the President’s National Hire Veterans Committee and, in 2007, he was appointed to the Secretary’s Advisory Committee on Veterans Employment, Training, and Employer Outreach.

Mr. Ravener is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy and is past president of his class.  He also earned an MBA in General Management from New York University.

March 19, 2008:      Tay Yoshitani

Tay Yoshitani was appointed CEO of the Port of Seattle in January 2007.  As CEO, he implements policies set by the Port Commission and leads the Seaport, one of the largest container ports in North America, and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Prior to joining the Port of Seattle, he served as Senior Advisor to the National Association of Waterfront Employers from 2004 to 2007, providing industry expertise on port security and environmental issues.

Mr. Yoshitani served as Executive Director of the Port of Oakland from 2001 to 2004, where he led an expansion program to substantially increase the size of the seaport and the airport.  He oversaw environmental permitting and planning that enabled construction to begin on airport expansion using “green building” technology.  He also led the effort to transfer ownership and convert two military bases into container terminals and rail yards. By conducting environmental cleanup concurrently with seaport construction, he saved millions of dollars and nearly a decade of red tape.  Mr. Yoshitani also served as Deputy Executive Director from 1998 to 2001.

Mr. Yoshitani is credited with creating the first master plan at the Maryland Port Administration, where he served as Executive Director from 1995 to 1998.  As Deputy Executive Director of the Port of Los Angeles from 1989 to 1995, he oversaw the creation of the West Coast’s largest dry bulk export terminal.

Prior to becoming the Executive Officer of an engineering company in Viet Nam, he attended U.S. Army Airborne and Ranger training.  He served as aide-de-camp for the Commanding General, U.S. Army, Japan, and was honorably discharged at the rank of Captain.

In addition to his a Bachelor of Science from West Point, Mr. Yoshitani earned an MBA at Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration.

January 16, 2008:      Doug Roulstone

Captain Doug Roulstone, USN (Ret), Senior Vice President for Business Development for Thomas James International had planned to speak about his transition from military life to civilian business owner.

Unfortunately, Captain Roulstone was unavoidably detained and we missed a presentation that would have been be well suited to our group.

In lieu of another speaker, Walt Isler led a session where each attendee outlined their employment objectives.  In addition, Captain Pete Stiles, USN (Ret), President of VerticalPath Recruiting, gave some timely advice that was very helpful, particularly for career officers who are transitioning to civilian occupations.

November 13, 2007:      Sean Connaughton

Sean Connaughton is the Maritime Administrator for the United States.  In that capacity, he is in charge of the Maritime Administration, an Agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation.  The mission of his Agency is to improve and strengthen the U.S. marine transportation system to meet the economic and security needs of the Nation.

Sean specializes in maritime security.  He will speak on various security issues including port security, oil supply through the Persian Gulf, and his responsibilities with the Ready Reserve fleet.

Sean graduated from the U.S.Merchant Marine Academy in 1983 with a B.S. degree, a Third Officer (Unlimited Tonnage) Merchant Marine license, and a commission in the U.S. Coast Guard.  He served on active duty in the Coast Guard from 1983 to 1986, leaving to join the Naval Reserve until 2006.  Sean graduated with honors from the Naval War College in 1998 and was awarded the College's Franklin Reinaur II Defense Economic Award.

Following active duty, Sean worked as a civilian in the Office of Marine Safety at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C.  During this time he graduated from Georgetown University with a M.S. degree in 1988.  In 1988, Sean began working at the American Petroleum Institute representing companies involved in marine transportation.  He concurrently attended George Mason School of Law, graduating with a law degree in 1992.

Sean then entered into private law practice specializing in maritime and international law.  With a colleague, Sean appeared before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1999, successfully arguing a case involving marine transportation law.  He has published many articles on marine transportation and environmental issues.

Sean was elected Chairman at large of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors in 1999.  He served on this and other boards including the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments until September of 2006, when he was selected to become the Maritime Administrator.

September 19, 2007:      Greg Porter

Greg Porter is a co-founder and Principal of Bernston Porter and Company, PLLC.  This firm has achieved distinction as one of Washington State's 100 Fastest Growing Companies and the 11th largest CPA firm in the Puget Sound region.  Greg is on various boards and committees and he is the current Chairman of the Board of the Washington Policy Center.

Greg has numerous educational and professional designations.  He also played football for Washington State University and was named to the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame Scholar-Athlete Team.

Visit Bernston Porter and Company to learn more about Greg and his company.  You will also find a wide range of information on business financial planning, estates and trusts, taxes, and other related subjects.

May 16, 2007:      Karen Say

Karen Say is the owner and President of Saybr Contractors, Inc. located in Tacoma, WA.  She is also the Chairwoman elect for the Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. of Western Washington.

Ms. Say will talk about starting her business in 1997, the construction boom in the Puget Sound region, and the project manager opportunities currently available for military officers transitioning out of the service.

You can learn more about the Associated Builders and Contractors at the ABC, Inc. website.

March 21, 2007:      Linda Strout

Linda Strout was named Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Seattle in February 2004.  In that capacity, she provides oversight for the Port's legal, risk management, records management, health and safety services, corporate environmental, engineering, Port construction services, and the Port Police Department.

Ms. Strout joined the Port of Seattle in January 1989 and served as General Counsel from December 1991 through February 2004.  She was previously a principal in the Seattle law firm of Skellenger and Bender, where she practiced general commercial and municipal law.  Her practice consisted primarily of commercial and construction litigation, with an additional emphasis in real estate leasing and purchase and sales transactions.  She also assisted in tax-exempt financing for various Washington municipalities.

Ms. Strout earned a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Washington and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Puget Sound School of Law (now Seattle University).  She has been a member of the Washington Bar since 1979.  She served as President of the King County Bar Association from 1998 to 1999, and served on the Association's Board of Trustees from 1991 to 1998.

January 17, 2007:      Rob McKenna

Rob McKenna is Washington's 17th Attorney General.  As the state's chief legal officer, he directs 500 attorneys and nearly 700 professional staff providing legal services to state agencies, boards and commissions.

Attorney General McKenna will be speaking about current issues such as the election law cases and the Washington Education Association case soon to be argued before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Learn more about Rob McKenna and current legal issues at the Office of the Attorney Gereral website.

November 15, 2006:      Bill Center

Rear Admiral Bill Center, USN (Ret) has been President of the Washington Council on International Trade since April 2001.  The Council is a nonprofit, non-partisan association that advocates good trade policy and educates the public, elected leaders, educators, and the media about the role and importance of trade.

Admiral Center retired from the U.S. Navy in 1999 after 35 years istinguished service.  He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Affairs.

Admiral Center is a specialist in policy analysis, strategic planning and organization development.  He served as a senior advisor to the Joint Chiefs of Staff on arms control, non-proliferation, environmental matters, and international agreements.  He was General Colin Powell's deputy director for international negotiations and served in the same role for General John Shalikashvili.

In his final assignment, from May 1996 to May 1999, Admiral Center commanded the Navy’s third largest fleet concentration area, Navy Region Northwest.  He has earned numerous military awards including the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, and Defense Superior Service Medal. He is a sought-after public speaker and teaches the Graduate Seminar on U.S. Foreign Policy at the Evans School.

Since retiring from the Navy, Admiral Center has devoted himself to nonprofit leadership and volunteer work.  He is President of the Rotary Club of Seattle and an active leader in the Initiative for Global Development.

Admiral Center will discuss the effects of job movement overseas, its impacts on our economy, and why he believes we should not be too worried.

September 19, 2006:      Mike McGavick

Michael S. McGavick is the Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate running against incumbent Democrat Maria Cantwell in the 2006 general election.

Mr. McGavick was born in Seattle in 1958 and is a graduate of the University of Washington.  He was most recently the Chairman, President, and CEO of Safeco Insurance Companies.

Prior to joining Safeco, Mr. McGavick was a senior executive with Continental Casualty Company in Chicago, Illinois.  He was President and Chief Operating Officer of CNA's largest operating department.  With $3.5 billion in annual revenue, his department provided the majority of CNA's commercial insurance products.  His department was also responsible for managing CNA's relationship with its independent agency distribution system.

Mr. McGavick became Chief of Staff to U.S. Senator Slade Gorton after managing Senator Gorton's successful comeback campaign in 1988.  He later became the Director of the American Insurance Association's Superfund Improvement Project in Washington, D.C., where he was AIA's lead negotiator in working to transform the nation's Superfund environmental laws.  He was also a staff-member of the Seattle-based Washington Roundtable, a non-partisan policy research group composed of the CEOs of Washington State's largest corporations.

Mr. McGavick will focus his comments on national security and the ongoing war on terror.

May 17, 2006:      Stephen Doherty

Steve Doherty is a Denver business consultant, speaker, and author of the book To Father an American Champion.  This book is a compilation of inspirational stories of great American fathers conveying how they helped raised great American children.

Jack and John Elway  The legendary UCLA basketball coach John Wooden.  All-pro paralyzed football player Mike Utley and father Frank.  And more.  Steve Doherty believes that these families epitomize the ideals of raising great American children who are dedicated to the ideals of our heritage and freedoms and aware of the sacrifices occasionally visited upon us to preserve and protect them.

Steve Doherty is committed to the ideal that a world without American Champions and Heroes would be highly vulnerable to falling victim to its own apathy and inertia.  He believes strongly that to whom much is given, much is expected.

"America is a nation born of providence and history and fate have made us the world’s most benevolent and committed people to the ideals of human freedom.  Our heritage and thus our citizenship is bittersweet — equal part priveledge — equal part obligation.  We can and must influence the times through which we pass."

March 15, 2006:      James Yee

Former Army Chaplain James Yee (USMA '90) is the author of the book For God and Country and has been the subject of many recent media reports in television and newsprint.  Chaplin Yee will speak about his ordeal, focusing on the moral courage and bravery necessary to endure and stand against injustice and adversity.

After serving in the aftermath of the first Gulf War as a Patriot Missile Fire Control Officer, he traveled to Damascus, Syria, studying the Arabic language and traditional Islamic sciences.  An endorsement from the American Muslim Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Council brought Chaplain Yee back to active duty as a U.S. Army Muslim Chaplain in January 2001.

In September 2003, after being officially recognized twice for outstanding performance, his 10-month tour in Guantanamo landed Chaplain Yee in a naval prison for 76 days after being falsely accused of spying, espionage, and aiding the alleged Taliban and Al-Qaeda prisoners.  After months of government investigation, all criminal charges were dropped.

With his record wiped clean, Chaplain Yee tendered his resignation from the U.S. Army and received an Honorable Discharge in January 2005.  Upon separation he was awarded with a second Army Commendation medal for his “exceptionally meritorious service.”     

January 18, 2006:      Dino Rossi

Mr. Dino Rossi is a former Washington State Senator for 7 years, and candidate in the closest governors election in Washington State history.  As chairman of the Senate Ways and Means Committee, he was instrumental in helping close a record $2.7 billion shortfall.

Mr. Rossi will speak about his views on business, politics and life, coincidently the title of his book Lessons in Leadership, Business, Politics and Life.

Please join us to listen to this successful leader and fellow former public servant.

November 16, 2005:      Michael Kurilla

Lieutenant Colonel Michael "Erik" Kurilla (USMA '88) is Commanding Officer of the Fort Lewis based 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment (Stryker).  Lieutenant Colonel Kurilla's command recently returned from Iraq where he led them through some of the fiercest fighting of the Iraq insurgency in and around the city of Mosul. His battalion devastated the enemy in the area but not without cost as the battalion lost 12 soldiers and was awarded over 150 Purple Hearts.  Lieutenant Colonel Kurilla was twice wounded himself.

Lieutenant Colonel Kurilla's unit was highlighted by Michael Yon, an imbedded reporter who kept a detailed account of the battalion's actions.  We encourage you to visit Michael Yon's Online Magazine to read about the battalion.

Please join us for Lieutenant Colonel Kurilla's first hand account of what is really going on in Iraq.

September 21, 2005:      Mark Lund and Chris Kirchten

Mark Lunde (USNA '86) and Chris Kirschten (USNA '84) represent the Myrio Corporation, a Division of Siemens Communications.  Myrio is a 6-year old company that has grown from having just two client firms initially to over 70 client firms today.  Mark and Chris have been involved for the past five years helping drive the growth.

They will introduce us to the new industry of Internet Protocol Services and explain the current battle between telephone, ISP, and television companies.  They will predict where this battle head, how it will impact the consumer, and how their company is addressing these issues.  They will also share some of the struggles they encountered in building a new business.

Please join us for an exciting presentation.