Old Grad Podcast

Grant Goldsmith shares his interesting story from being a Prep School Tac Officer to negotiating for the release of hostages subject to a insurance policy that he managed. Grant is leading the efforts for our 35th reunion coming up in October of this year. Bad to the bone. 

In this episode I talk to Shaun Green, Rich Meehan and Bret Petkus who were all recent attendees at the Association of Graduates Leadership Conference.  The AOG leadership conference brings together a cross section of the West Point community - Parents groups, West Point Societies, the Admissions Field Force and Class Leadership. 

Lance Ashworth chronicles his journey as a dedicated public servant from his time as a cadet, to Army Officer, FBI agent and now non-profit executive. www.fishkillsupplydepothistoricsite.org

This was recorded in January 2026. Scott and Jamie discuss class gift plans, reunion plan and other class business. The conversation also gets very "real" discussing Scott's Cancer journey into full remission and his perspectives on life. 

Joined by co-host and B4 company-mate Vu Pearson, we sit down with Dave Knellinger to trace his remarkable journey from Baltimore, Maryland, to West Point and through a multi-decade Army career. Dave reflects on his years teaching mathematics at the Academy— including the unforgettable morning of 9/11, when he and his cadets witnessed events that would forever shape their service and their lives....

Lucie Deile Kroettinger, Kami Iannaco Hall, and Kirsten Howe Johnson revisit the journey that bound them together at West Point. Over four years, they balanced academic pressure, military discipline, athletic commitment, and the emotional weight of simply trying to survive and thrive. Through their recollections, we hear how each woman’s background shaped her path, how their friendships evolved in...

Kevin has spent the last several years volunteering in Ukraine, supporting frontline medical evacuations, and bearing witness to the human cost of a war that continues to reshape the world. His reflections—on drone warfare, trauma, courage, moral clarity, and the resilience of the Ukrainian people—are raw, honest, and deeply human. From the battlefields of Iraq to the shelled streets of Kharkiv… f...

Matt and Mike Lisowski take listeners through the arc of their lives—from childhood as a Gold Star family in Georgia and Germany after losing their father, to the diverging but ultimately converging paths that led them to West Point. Mike’s detour through prep school and Matt’s start in college set the stage for their military careers in both the Army and the Navy. The brothers reflect on how loss...

Jim Walsh talks about his journey from West Point, to the Army, to senior leadership in the State Department. He fought off the Talaban, drug cartels and cancer in his 35+ year career. He talks about being the middle child of 3 West Pointers, and the emotional toll of career transitions. Co Hosted by companymate Jay DeJarnett and Norm Litterini. 

Tôi đã cuộc sống giấc mơ Mỹ. - translated from Vietnamese to English means "I have lived the American Dream" Hung Nguyen’s indomitable spirit has carried him through life—from escaping the fall of Saigon to currently confronting his battle with liver cancer. His journey is inspiring. You can view the youtube version of this at this link:   https://youtu.be/Nq5cYa45i8E

Fellow D-1 Ducks Tom Blake and Kevin Kearns fondly remember our fall classmate Brian Kleyensteuber who passed away April 23rd, 2025.  Tom, Kevin and Brian all branched engineers and became members of the small but mightly community of US Army Divers. Tom and Kevin reflect on the great loss to our class of one of the most cerebral, physically fit, and spiritual members of our class. 

Steve Havel (B1) talks about the challenges of fatherhood and supporting family members with addiction and substance abuse problems. Steve's bravery is discussing this important topic will undoubtedly be of service to some members of our class. 

In this repeat episode, we revisit with Mark and Holly West who are our local West Point ambassadors. We hear about their passion for serving the community of West Point and Highland Falls with their exciting venture Westy's - Where Craft Meets Community.

In this episode, co-host and companymate Tony Wizner joins John Cook as he shares his remarkable life journey. From his roots in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, to his time at prep school, West Point, and his distinguished 30-year Army career, John offers an inspiring look into his experiences. Together, we explore the high points of his service, as well as the profound challenges of losing soldiers in comb...

Reflections on OGP and Intentions moving Forward.  Name of deceased GraduateCompanyProject Leader Michael A. Aguilar F4 Shannon D. Beebe I3 Timothy H. Burnham E2 Andrew F. Clements A4 Kimberly L. Daffern B3 Russell A. Davidson E4 Anthony J. Detoto A3 Kenneth A. Evans H3 Carl T. Every E2 Todd D. Farrington B3 Peter C. Graff H2 Janet M. Greco Gibson C4 Joseph B. Gudenburr F2 Michael J. Haas I2 Willi...

Dede and Brian met at Beast in 1987 while in the same India Company for Cadet Basic Training. After our yearling year, Brian left to complete a mission with Church of Latter-Day Saints while Dede finished with our class. Today they are stationed at West Point and Brian is the Deputy Department Head for History.  We talk about their faith-filled journey while serving our country. 

In this episode we talk about Jason Marquith's journey from barely being 17 years old as a plebe at West Point to a lifetime of service to the Nation. We talk about the unique experience he had transporting his father across the country to meet his great granddaughter for the first time in his final days. 

Mark Livesay was joined by fellow company mate Norine D'Arcy Walker. We talk about the great experience in company Happy 2 and reminisce about barracks antics they called "Capers." Mark leads a team of people at Google and his internal bio reads as follows: Helping awesome people do amazing things for the best possible reasons Mark’s tried about every fun job [and a couple that weren’t] in aerospa...

Dave Dadich joined by fellow Hog co-host John Cook.  We talk about living every day like it could be your last.  Sign up for our class tailgate: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/usma-class-of-1991-football-weekend-tickets-970995693257

Tony served 30 years in the Army and retired at the rank of Colonel. He was commissioned as an Armor officer and then transitioned into acquisitions following his company grade time. He supported special operations command in that capacity which included multiple deployments in some unique situations. 

Mark Cramer commissioned FA upon graduation and served in Hawaii after attending DLI for Turkish. After the Army, he went to B-School at Thunderbird (U-Arizona) and worked in technology for a number of years before transitioning to residential real estate where he works with his wife Lisa. They have two children and reside in Denver - the location of our next mini-reunion. The first 20 minutes are...

Ron Lukow served 26 years in the Army as an aviator. In this podcast, he chronicles his journey from growing up in Mattoon Illinois (the youngest of five children in a military family) to West Point, the Army, and now at BAE Systems. He and his wife Kathy reside in Northern Virginia and have 2 children. Ron talks about highlights of his Army career including as commander of Task Force Comanche whe...

Brian Turner serves as the Associate Deputy Director of the FBI. He details his story from humble beginnings on the South Side of Chicago to becoming the 2nd most senior official in the FBI today.  Despite his meteoric rise through the ranks of our government, BT remains true to his roots and lives by his Leadership Philosophy: Character, Competence, and Empathy - all values that were instilled in...

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1OuArapr-keE5JtpyPZ3e7bp-fnSPO60s__QrM_IMba0/edit   Class of 91 Mini Reunion Lexington KY 18-21 April 2024  Marriott Lexington Griffin Gate Golf Resort & Spa 1800 Newtown Pike Lexington, Kentucky 40511   Critical Links: Hotel Room Block: Activity Sign Up Link:  What’s App Commo Link   Agenda:   Thursday 18 April: 10:00am Golf ($90 pp) or spa (book appts on yo...

Chuck served 30 years of active duty following graduation from West Point and retired as a Colonel. He now works as counsel for The Defense Threat Reduction Agency. DTRA is both a defense agency and a combat support agency within the United States Department of Defense for countering weapons of mass destruction and supporting the nuclear enterprise. Chuck takes us through his 30-year Army career a...