2023 Candidate Statements

Posted byMatthew Elias

Classmates –

In an email on 1 September 2023, I announced the Class Officer candidates for the 2023-2028 term.  That list of candidates is:

President

  • Kevin Lynch
  • Glen Woods

Vice President

  • Christopher Dougherty
  • Matthew Elias

Treasurer

  • Kevin Liddy

Secretary

  • Vince Balderrama
  • Walter Sharp

Trustee-at-Large

  • Charles Cone       
  • Lawrence Galvin
  • Robert Novak
  • John Semcken
  • Francis Webster
  • Randle Yarberry

Each candidate was given the opportunity to provide a statement on why they were interested in the position, why they would be a good candidate, and any goals they may have for the Class over the next five years.  Those statements will be available on the Class of 1978 wepage (www.usna1978.org) for your review starting on 11 September.  I highly encourage you to review these statements before the polls open on 21 September.

The election will be run through the SignupNow webpage.  This is the same site that is being used for our 45th Reunion registration.  If you have already registered for the Reunion, you will use the same login account to vote.

Even if you have not registered yet, you will need a login account with SignupNow to be able to vote.  It’s a very simple process:

  1. Go to https://www.signupnow.events/Home.aspx   Scroll down to our Class site.
  2. First, set up your registration account by clicking on the green tab “Classmates Register Now”. Once you have filled in the information to set up the account, you will need to go back to site to Log In.
  3. Login using the e-mail you put in your registration account and your password. 

Balloting will open online on 21 September and be open through 5 October.  The Candidate Statements will also be available on the voting site.  Results of the election will be announced at the Class Meeting on Saturday, 21 October, before the Navy-Air Force football game.  I will put out an email shortly before the voting opens with any final gouge that you need to know.  We hope you will take the time to vote and have a say in how our Class will operate over the next five years.

Now – a shameless plug for the Reunion.  Our 45th Reunion will be held in Annapolis on 19-22 October 2023.  There will be a number of events and opportunities for everyone to catch up/reconnect with Classmates and Company mates.  The 45th Reunion committee, led by John Cooke, has spent a lot time making sure that the weekend will be memorable. Don’t miss out on the fun – register today.  Any questions about the Reunion can be addressed to Reunion Committee Chair, John Cooke jgcooke@1978.USNA.com or 410-570-6366 or his wingman, your class scribe, Vince Balderrama (canoeu78@aol.com or v19b78@yahoo.com cell- 315-708-9214.

If you have any questions or concerns about the election, please don’t hesitate to contact:

Your vote counts!

All the best,

Brett Ayotte, Chairman, 2023 Election Committee