The 7th Annual Service Academies Global Summit
was held on June 15, 2021 – 100% virtual/online

Download the SAGS 2021 Agenda

Theme – Rebuilding Together!

Keynote Speaker:

MR. ALEX GORSKY (USMA ’82), CEO of Johnson & Johnson

The following speakers appears at SAGS 2021:

Featured

Mr. Rye Barcott

Co-Founder & CEO, With Honor

VADM (Ret) John Bird (USNA ‘77)

Senior Vice President for Military Affairs, USAA

The Honorable Charlie Bolden (USNA ’68)

12th Administrator of NASA ; MajGen, USMC (Ret)

Brig Gen (Ret.) Dana Born (USAFA ’83)

Faculty Chair, Senior Executive Fellows Program; Faculty Advisor, Black Family Graduate Fellowship; Lecturer in Public Policy at Harvard University; Distinguished Fellow in Moral Leadership with the HOW Institute for Society

GEN (RET.) Vince Brooks (USMA ‘80)

Director, Gary Sinise Foundation; Former Commander of U.S. Forces Korea, U.N. Command and ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command

VADM Sean Buck (USNA ’83)

63rd Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy

Mr. Herman Bulls (USMA ‘78)

International Director and Vice Chairman, Americas, Jones Lang LaSalle

VADM Jack Buono (USMMA ’78)

13th Superintendent of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

RADM Mark Buzby (USMMA ’79) USN (Ret)

Former Administrator of the United States Maritime Administration

VADM (Ret.) Walter “Ted“ Carter (USNA ‘81)

President, University of Nebraska; 62nd Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy

LTG Robert Caslen (USMA ’75)

USA (Ret.), 59th Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy

Lt Gen Richard M. Clark (USAFA ’86)

21st Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy

Mr. Doug Doan (USMA ‘79)

Founder, Hivers and Strivers

Maj Gen Sharon K. G. Dunbar (USAFA ’82) USAF (Ret)

VP, Cross-Company Business Initiatives, General Dynamics Mission Systems

The Honorable Michele Flournoy

Co-Founder and Managing Director, WestExec Advisors; Former CEO and Co-Founder, Center for a New American Security (CNAS); Former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy

Mr. Rob Gordon (USMA ’79)

Senior Advisor, Service Academies Global Summit; Chief Growth Officer, SBG Technology Solutions

Dr. Chris Howard (USAFA ’91)

8th President of Robert Morris University

RADM William Kelly (USCGA ‘87)

42nd Superintendent, U.S. Coast Guard Academy

The Honorable Robert McDonald (USMA ‘75)

8th U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Retired Chairman, President and CEO of Procter & Gamble

BG (Ret.) Mike Meese (USMA ’81)

President, AAFMAA; Visiting Distinguished Research Fellow, Institute for National Strategic Studies, NDU; Adjunct Professor, Security Studies Program, Georgetown Univ.; Former Head, Department of Social Sciences, USMA

BG Shane Reeves (USMA ’96)

15th Dean of the Academic Board, USMA

LtGen Lori Reynolds (USNA ‘86)

Deputy Commandant for Information and Commander of Marine Forces Strategic Command, USMC

Lt Gen Jay Silveria (USAFA ’85)

USAF (Ret), Executive Director of Texas A&M University’s Bush School of Government & Public Service in Washington, DC; 20th Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy

Ms. Jacqueline Stennett (USMA ‘90)

Vice President and Member of the Board of Directors, AcademyWomen

VADM Sandra L. Stosz (USCGA ’82)

USCG (Ret), Author; former Deputy Commandant for Mission Support; Former Superintendent of the United States Coast Guard Academy; First woman to command a U.S. military or service academy; First female graduate of the Coast Guard Academy to achieve flag rank

LTG (Ret.) Nadja West (USMA ’82)

44th U.S. Army Surgeon General; the first female, African-American lieutenant general in the U.S. Army; and the highest ranking woman to have graduated from the United States Military Academy.

“ As always, the SAGS event was superbly conducted and created connections that are of tremendous value to graduates (and future graduates) of the U.S. service academies. My thanks to the Organizing Team for all that you do! ”

— GEN (Ret) Stanley McChrystal (USMA ‘76), President, The McChrystal Group
“ SAGS is really a superb event. I’m delighted to have been a part of it and thankful for the amazing work that the Organizing Team did. ”

— GEN (Ret) Vince Brooks, (USMA ‘80), Director, Gary Sinese Foundation, Former Commander of US Forces Korea, U.N. Command and ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command
“ I am so impressed with the different people who are here - so many different service academy graduates! I am so glad to see all the service academies represented as well as a wide range of ages, as well as different industries, and those who are still in uniform and still serving. We have so much to share with each other! ”

— Kay Hire, USNA
“ SAGS is a top-notch event! The Organizing Team’s hard work brings incredible speakers and learning to our graduate community. Thank you for being influencers and networkers, and for your dedication to the super-community of service academy alumni. ”

— Cathy McClain (USAFA ’82), Chair, Air Force Academy Board of Directors
“ Congratulations on an incredible SAGS 2019! It was both pleasure to join you, an honor to be a guest speaker, and a privilege to meet so many inspiring graduates of our service academies! It reinforced to me just how fortunate my own personal journey since graduating from USNA has been to my life, my family, and my career. ”

— Carl C. Liebert III | CEO & President, AutoNation
“ SAGS 2019 was a very insightful and uplifting event for me. I enjoyed being around other like-minded professionals who understand the value of integrity, diligence and service. The panel discussions, the depth of information, the breakout sessions and the opportunities to fellowship and network gave me an emotional lift, a renewed focus and a lasting boost of encouragement. I especially enjoyed the breakout session on entrepreneurship. This was the primary purpose for me attending SAGS this year and the session did not disappoint. I left the session inspired, filled with ideas and made some important contacts who are willing to assist me in my effort to pivot in my professional life. ”

— Mr. Chris Magee, USMA ‘88
“ To say that my attendance at the annual Service Academies Global Summit was anything less than exemplary would be an understatement. If you're a service academy grad, I highly recommend you attend for several reasons. 1) SAGS puts you in a position to serve others through the many networking sessions. 2) SAGS is a huge professional development experience - whether you're still in uniform or not. You will hear the latest in cutting edge topics that affect our current world - leadership, cyber security, engineering, self-improvement, and many others. 3) Finally, you will walk away from SAGS with viable leads and helpful new relationships no matter what you do for work. ”

— Kris Yagel
“ SAGS brings together some of the brightest minds on the planet, individuals who are dedicated to solving seemingly intractable challenges with a focus on the higher good. If you want to be surrounded by difference makers and inspired, attending SAGS is a must! ”

— Alaina Love
“ I want to pass along a note about my experience at the Service Academy Global Summit. There have been very few times in my life where I have been in the company of that many accomplished and inspiring individuals. I look forward to the next event and will encourage others to come! ”

— Casey Gillikin, PE
“ SAGS fills a professional and career development gap most alumni didn't know we had, bringing the compelling firepower of insights, connections, and advice from "been there" influential insiders and experts. The impact of grads helping grads is incredibly forceful - a deep and powerful network.
This isn't another "networking" event. The Summit is about reaching the summit of who you can be, professionally and personally, with targeted focus areas and guideposts to the paths to success.
”

— Gretchen Idsinga
“ As military academy graduates we are all committed to the notion of lifetime service to the nation whether in uniform or out. The SAGS Summit is an invaluable forum to meet and share insights with graduates from all three academies and all walks of professional life. It’s an important gathering of those who are dedicated to continuing service, to professional accomplishment and to personal bonding. I highly recommend it! ”

— David Kim, Apax Partners
“ The Service Academy Global Summit was a great way to connect with hundreds of academy graduates, share best practices, and spur one another on to continue living lives of service to country and to others. ”

— Dr. Al Chase, White Rhino Partners
“ It was a privilege and pleasure attending the 2017 SAGS. As granddaughter, daughter, wife and mother-in-law of Naval Academy alumni; it was thrilling to see academy alumni coming together as family to share stories and support each other. As the Director of the SACC Conferences; it was even more exciting to meet and network with alumni and assist in their career transition. Thank you for including SACC in your conference and for inviting CDR Church USN (Ret) USNA ’67 and myself to speak with the alumni. It was phenomenal, invigorating and wonderful to be part of SAGS. ”

— Michelle Mazanec, Director, SACC Career Conference
“ I have attended USAF Academy graduate events, Service Academy Career Conferences, and Corporate Gray Service Academy events, and found the Service Academy Global Summit (SAGS) a unique addition to the service academy graduate networking and learning environment. From the ‘star-studded’ speakers to the wonderful cross-section of graduates in and out of uniform SAGS created a tremendous learning and networking opportunity. I especially loved the panel of entrepreneurs building strong companies with social consciousnesses! ”

— Chris Hauth, Col (ret) USAFA ’88, Manager, KPMG LLC
“ The Service Academy Graduate Summit was one of the most professionally and personally fulfilling events I’ve attended since graduating from USMA fifteen years ago. If you’re seeking advice or to help advise others, there’s no excuse to miss the next summit. ”

— Dave Gowel, CEO, RallyPoint
“ The SAGS was much like the service academies themselves -- unique, inspirational and critically important. Though we recognize the clear bonds we share with the fellow graduates of our respective institutions, it is the nation that will realize the true upside when we recognize the important voice ALL of us share when coming together for thoughtful discourse on critical issues of the day. ”

— Christopher Howard, President, Richard Morris University
“ The Summit brought home to me the strength of the academy network, reminding me of the vast network of people who share our key values and a commitment to service. Be it reconnecting with a classmate, speaking with a recent grad, or engaging with a distinguished graduate during one of the fireside chats, I was constantly in awe of the participants and proud of everything SAGS does to strengthen our bonds. ”

— Doug Pardo, USMA '00, New Politics, Senior Director
“ Congratulations on chairing an outstanding Service Academies Global Summit this year in Washington, DC. The Agenda was timely and relevant and the speakers were incomparable. From Secretary McDonald (USMA’75), to Administrator Bolden (USNA’68), to General Wolfenbarger (USAFA’80) and Admiral (Michel USCGA’85), the speakers brought their unique perspectives and wowed the participants with their personal stories and lessons learned in very distinguished careers. The feedback I received from participants was both glowing and appreciative for having had the opportunity to mix and mingle with fellow service academy graduates who are engaged and clearly ‘making things happen.’ This was a first class event and I am positive it will become an institution amount our distinctive and exceptional group. ”

— William “T” Thompson, Esq. ’73, Past-President & CEO, Association of Graduates, U.S. Air Force Academy

SAGS 2021 was honored to have USAA as a Presidential Sponsor, With Honor as a Platinum Sponsor, and PenFed as a Gold Sponsor!

Summary video of SAGS 2019. Watch and share this video on YouTube.

Dear Graduates and Friends of the U.S. Service Academies,

The Seventh Annual Service Academies Global Summit (“SAGS 2021”) will be held virtually/online and “live” on June 15, 2021. We expect attendance by 300-400 attendees representing all five service academies.

The Summit theme for SAGS 2021 will be “Rebuilding Together!” and the focus will be on rebuilding our nation, our communities and our institutions in addition to our businesses, careers and lives. SAGS 2020 was postponed due to the pandemic, and so our aspiration is to make this next gathering an incredibly relevant, inspiring and beneficial resource for U.S. service academy graduates to come together as a super-community of mutual support and help one another to rebuild, renew and recharge in the many ways that are needed today. We are confident that graduates who come to SAGS 2021 will derive tremendous take-home value that will be beneficial professionally as well as personally.

SAGS’ purpose is to develop, inspire and promote fellowship, leadership, professional development and service to society for the worldwide “super-community” of Academy graduates. SAGS is open to graduates of all five U.S. service academies as well as spouses/partners and guests of attending graduates. In 2021, we will place a particular focus on sharing and learning from our experiences of adapting to and rebuilding from the wide-ranging impact of the Covid pandemic.

Thus far, we have the honor of the following leaders being confirmed for SAGS 2021:

1) Mr. Rye Barcott (USMC) , Co-Founder & CEO, With Honor

2) VADM (Ret) John Bird (USNA ‘77), Senior Vice President for Military Affairs, USAA

3) The Honorable Charlie Bolden (USNA ’68), 12th Administrator of NASA

4) BG (Ret.) Dana Born (USAFA ’83), Faculty Chair, Senior Executive Fellows Program; Faculty Advisor, Black Family Graduate Fellowship; Lecturer in Public Policy at Harvard University; Distinguished Fellow in Moral Leadership with the HOW Institute for Society

5) GEN (RET.) Vince Brooks (USMA ‘80), Director, Gary Sinise Foundation; Former Commander of U.S. Forces Korea, U.N. Command and ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command

6) VADM Sean Buck (USNA ’83), 63rd Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy

7) Mr. Herman Bulls (USMA ‘78) International Director and Vice Chairman, Americas, Jones Lang LaSalle

8) VADM Jack Buono (USMMA ’78), 13th Superintendent of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

9) RADM Mark Buzby (USMMA ’79), USNA (Ret), former Administrator of the United States Maritime Administration

10) VADM (Ret.) Walter “Ted“ Carter (USNA ‘81), President, University of Nebraska; 62nd Superintendent, U.S. Naval Academy

11) LTG Robert Caslen (USMA ’75) USA (Ret.), 59th Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy

12) Lt Gen Richard M. Clark (USAFA ‘86), 21st Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy – tentative

13) Mr. Doug Doan (USMA ‘79), Founder, Hivers and Strivers

14) Maj Gen Sharon K. Dunbar (USAFA ’82), USAF (Ret), VP, Cross-Company Business Initiatives, General Dynamics Mission Systems

15) The Honorable Michele Flournoy, Co-Founder and Managing Director, WestExec Advisors; Former CEO and Co-Founder, Center for a New American Security (CNAS); Former Under Secretary of Defense for Policy

16) Mr. Rob Gordon (USMA ’79) Senior Advisor, Service Academies Global Summit; Chief Growth Officer, SBG Technology Solutions

17) Mr. Alex Gorsky (USMA ’82) ,CEO of Johnson & Johnson

18) Dr. Chris Howard (USAFA ’91), 8th President of Robert Morris University

19) RADM William Kelly (USCGA ‘87), 42nd Superintendent, U.S. Coast Guard Academy

20) The Honorable Robert McDonald (USMA ‘75) 8th U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Retired Chairman, President and CEO of Procter & Gamble

21) BG (Ret.) Mike Meese (USMA ’81), President, AAFMAA; Visiting Distinguished Research Fellow, Institute for National Strategic Studies, NDU; Adjunct Professor, Security Studies Program, Georgetown Univ.; Former Head, Department of Social Sciences, USMA

22) BG Shane Reeves (USMA ’96), 15th Dean of the Academic Board, USMA

23) LTGen Lori Reynolds (USNA ’86) Deputy Commandant for Information and Commander of Marine Forces Strategic Command, USMC

24) Lt Gen Jay Silveria (USAFA ‘85), 20th Superintendent, U.S. Air Force Academy

25) Ms. Jacqueline Stennett (USMA ‘90), Vice President and Member of the Board of Directors, AcademyWomen

26) VADM Sandra L. Stosz (USCGA ’82), USCG (Ret), Author; former Deputy Commandant for Mission Support; Former Superintendent of the United States Coast Guard Academy; First woman to command a U.S. military or service academy; First female graduate of the Coast Guard Academy to achieve flag rank

27) LTG (Ret.) Nadja West (USMA ’82), 44th U.S. Army Surgeon General; the first female, African-American lieutenant general in the U.S. Army; and the highest ranking woman to have graduated from the United States Military Academy.

The SAGS Organizing Team remains mindful of the challenges faced by many today as we work towards a future that’s safe, inspiring and meaningful for all of us. We consider it an honor to provide the service of bringing together our “super-community” in 2021 to draw strength and support from the ties that bind us.

Respectfully,

The 2021 Service Academies Global Summit (SAGS) Organizing Team

Ray Jefferson (USMA ’88), Chair
Rob Gordon (USMA ’79), Senior Advisor
Don Nelson, COO and Advisor; Former USNA & USAFA Professor, former USNA Assistant Director of Admissions
Luis Corzo (USMMA 2000), CFO
Dr. Tamara Broadnax (USMA ’89), Advisor; Board Member and Academy Women Coordinator for West Point Women
Fred LaTrash (USNA ’87), Member; Past President of USNA Alumni Association – Greater Washington Chapter
Jackie Stennett (USMA ’90), Advisor; VP of AcademyWomen
LtCol Matt Van Echo (USMMA ’00), Member

Thank You to Our 2021 Sponsors:

2021 Presidential Sponsors

2021 Platinum Sponsors

2021 Gold Sponsors

“For many reasons, the Nation needs the power, influence and camaraderie that the Service Academies beget amongst its alumni. Our example as a collective force is a shining light for our Nation. SAGS can be a world changing force by empowering and improving the lives of its participants and all the lives and institutions our Academy Graduates touch.”

— Ronald J. Steptoe, CMR, DABDA, Board Certified Diplomate of the American Board of Disability Analyst; CEO, Warrior Centric Health, LLC

“Through endeavors such as the Service Academies Global Summit, we as Officers can more effectively serve in uniform and beyond. We will have greater success as a community. Let us anticipate the success that such a future brings. The emergent properties of SAGS as an organization will provide greater resources, knowledge, and networks to accomplish our lofty goals. I eagerly await the next Summit when we once again remind ourselves of the responsibility to serve the world and its people.”

— Ensign Brandon A. Karpf, USN (USNA ’15)

SAGS is organized in cooperation with the West Point Association of Graduates (AOG), the USAFA AOG, the USCGA Alumni Association, the USNA Alumni Association – Greater Washington Chapter, and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Alumni Foundation – Washington, D.C. Chapter

Background Info on the U.S. Service Academies Global Summit

The Service Academies Global Summit (SAGS) is organized by alumni from all five U.S. service academies and is an annual professional refresher and a non-profit endeavor whose purpose it is to develop, inspire and promote fellowship, leadership/professional development and service for the “super-community” of graduates worldwide from the five U.S. Service Academies. This focus takes the following forms:

1) Fellowship – forming new friendships, relationships and opportunities for collaboration and engagement among graduates of the five U.S. Service Academies

2) Leadership/Professional Development – professional development and broadening to prepare us for the challenges and opportunities of today and tomorrow through the exploration of timely, relevant issues and emerging trends from different sectors and in diverse areas (e.g. geopolitics, leadership, business, technology, entrepreneurship, etc.)

3) Service – inspiring ourselves to live the missions of our alma maters throughout our lives, reflect upon how we’re presently doing so, and identify/advocate ways that we can continually contribute to the betterment of society

SAGS is an inclusive and relevant gathering of proven leaders from the business, government, military and NGO/nonprofit sectors who engage in networking opportunities, actionable learning, thought-provoking discussions and collaboration possibilities. Attendees describe it as a transformative experience that strengthens shared bonds and helps its participants to become even better leaders and members of society.

SAGS brings together a community of mutual support and provides an annual professional refresher – a respite from our busy lives wherein we can pause, reflect, recharge and be inspired – as well as a reunion and an opportunity to form friendships with alumni from one’s sister academies. SAGS Summits embody the five trademark qualities of informality, curiosity, fun, respect, and relevant, actionable content. SAGS is organized by volunteers and made possible by our partners, sponsors, speakers and advisors.

Find the full article here

The 7th Annual Service Academies Global Summitwas held on June 15, 2021 – 100% virtual/online