Fellow Classmates,
I hope this note finds everyone doing very well.
I write to you today to express my support of the Integrity, Service, Excellence (ISE) Group for the 2007 Association of Graduates Election of Directors. The group is made up of the following graduates: Mike Christy (’63), Fred Gregory (’64), Bill Stealey (’70), Mike Ott (’85), Frank Schmuck (’88), and Jereme Estes (’02). This inspiring group is made up of combat veterans, pilots, Air Force retirees, business leaders, community members, civic leaders, and devoted family members. Together they believe that Integrity, Service and Excellence are the values that have helped guide them through their very successful careers. They would like to continue to use these same tenets as AOG Directors, which as graduates we all so strongly believe in and understand.
I have had the fortune of getting to know Mr. Mike Ott through a mutual friend during my first assignment to Hanscom, AFB. Since meeting Mr. Ott, he has provided me with guidance, mentorship, and his career lessons learned inside and outside of the Air Force. Through our conversations, it is clearly evident that the character, integrity, and leadership that were instilled in him at the Academy have largely contributed to the success he has had throughout his professional career. When run correctly, he truly understands how powerful the AOG can be in fulfilling its mission and he remains committed to supporting the Academy and its graduates.
It was also during my first assignment that I was able to get to know and work with Mr. Jereme Estes having both been assigned to the same program office at Hanscom. Jereme was very well respected by the program office’s leadership because of his work ethic, professionalism, and job knowledge. It was well known around the office that he was always willing to help his fellow CGOs in times of need either professionally or personally. On several occasions Jereme expressed to me his desire to give back to the Academy for the significant positive impact it has had on his life. Jereme shares many of the same Academy concerns that we all have as recent graduates. Being a part of the AOG Board of Directors would provide Jereme the opportunity to give back and to have a true impact on our Academy and its graduates.
As more and more years come between our days at the Academy and the present, the AOG is becoming more important to our class and to us as individuals. The AOG is our only united voice that is heard at the Academy. It is important that our AOG’s Board of Directors represents the values and tenets that were instilled in us and weigh so much on the decisions we make during our lives. Graduates like Mike Ott, Jereme Estes, and the rest of the ISE Group will represent us well during the years to come because they remain committed to the Academy and the values that bind us together as a class and as graduates. Please consider this group during the Board of Directors elections this spring.
Thank you so much for your time and consideration.
Rene Ramirez (’01)
