Thursday, December 15th, 2011

I just got back from our company’s annual holiday party for staff, board members and VIPs, where we distributed these fabulous commemorative coin gift sets recognizing the 150th Anniversary of the Congressional Medal of Honor, courtesy of the US Mint and the Congressional Medal of Honor Foundation. The CMOH Foundation is co-chaired by Bruce Whitman, the CEO of Flight Safety International, and a recent Veterans Advantage TopVet, who we also honored at our event.

Let me tell you – they make great gifts, and family heirlooms. For more information, about the Medal of Honor commemorative coins click here .

Coins may be purchased directly online from the U.S. Mint by clicking here. — But hurry, this offer is good only through Friday, December 16, 2011 before this limited edition gets discontinued from circulation.

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Thursday, June 30th, 2011

With the last Space Shuttle mission scheduled for July 8, we want to introduce you to our TopRank, Col. Doug “Wheels” Wheelock of the US Army and NASA, the commander of the International Space Station (ISS), Expedition 25. Long-time friend Mark Sullivan introduced us to “Wheels” recently, and we’re grateful he did. There’s an adage that says true success comes to those who genuinely and freely share their gifts with others. Col. Wheelock embodies that adage. He is truly an inspiring individual with a deep respect for those who serve and those who need a little extra inspiration in order to serve. Enjoy!

Tags: International Space Station, nasa, Space Shuttle
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Monday, June 20th, 2011

As we celebrated on our Facebook page last week, Happy 236th Birthday to the US Army, and a special “Thank You” to all my fellow Army Vets.

Special recognition to Ed Fuller, this month’s TopVet, an Army Vietnam Vet, who rose to become President of Marriott’s International operation.

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Friday, December 10th, 2010

And yes, he’s logged more miles than George Clooney in last year’s hit movie “Up in the Air.”

We honored Fuller as a Veterans Advantage TopVet last week, in recognition of his Army service and extraordinary professional achievements at Marriott, proving once again, that the skills gained through military service are invaluable in building great companies.

I was joined by Peter Eldredge from our Board, and Roy Asfar, our VP of Marketing. We listened to Fuller cover the world’s capitals and datelines like we talk about our neighborhood coffee shop. Ed is also building world-class hotels in a land he once visited as a young LT. braced for war: Vietnam. For those of us who served in Vietnam, we marvel at how much the world has changed in our lifetime!

And now that he is nearing 40 years of service with the same employer, working with Navy Veteran and CEO J.W. Marriott, Fuller is planning a change of pace in a year or so  - writing books, hitting the speaking circuit and teaching at UC-Irvine. In the meantime, there’s plenty of work to do and Ed always has his bag packed, so he can get it done!

Marriott's Edwin D. Fuller with Veterans Advantage Founder & CEO Scott Higgins

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Tuesday, September 28th, 2010

It seems to have become peak season on the newswires for those who are linked by military service. I was pleased to see that Lowell C. McAdam, a Veterans Advantage TopVet Award recipient last summer, was promoted from CEO of Verizon Wireless to President and COO of the corporate parent, Verizon Communications Inc.

“The Board’s selection of Lowell to this key, central position underscores its commitment to reward success while working with me to prepare our company for an executive transition in the future,” Verizon CEO – and fellow Veteran – Ivan Seidenberg said in a news release.

Elsewhere, in sports, soon-to-be football Hall of Fame Quarterback Kurt Warner, linked to our military thanks to his Marine Corps wife, is hoofing it on Dancing with the Stars, and turning quite a few heads.

Finally, a friend was excited to pass along an email that he received from the International Space Station (ISS) 200 miles above the earth. His friend and West Point graduate Douglas H. Wheelock, assumed command of the ISS last week, and became the first Active Duty Army Astronaut to do so. Congrats Wheels!

Tags: astronaut, dancing with the stars, nasa, verizon
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Friday, August 20th, 2010

Just crossing the wires — Ernest Borgnine, a man who served his country and knows how to play a Vet, will be receiving the Screen Actors Guild lifetime achievement award. The former star of the hit 60′s comedy “McHale’s Navy” served 10 years in the U.S. Navy, including a re-enlistment so he could serve during World War II. Borgnine went on to co-star in “AirWolf,” a 1980s military-themed action drama where he played a WWII Veteran. A great patriot and a fine actor!

Tags: TopVet and TopRank, world war 2, wwii
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Wednesday, August 4th, 2010

We visited the headquarters of Wendy’s / Arby’s Group last week to honor its CEO Roland Smith with our TopVet Award.  Like most West Pointers, he has a strong  desire to do things in a big way. But I must say, I’ve rarely seen it on this scale. A lot of us are athletes with some notable accomplishments, but have you ever met a guy who just successfully climbed Mt. McKinley, shoots an 81 in golf, having played only 4 times in the last 4 years, and bowls on average over 200? Look no further than the corner office of this $12 billion company. Is there anything this guy doesn’t do well?!

Kidding aside, Roland’s diverse range of talents is only exceeded by his desire to lead people and assist his employees to reach their personal dreams. His track record at this goal is impressive…read more about our TopVet here.

Tags: roland smith, TopVet and TopRank
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