Please Vote For Our Classmate Gary Durante for Vice-President of the Alumni Association

Gary G. Durante, 1980, Mt Pleasant, SC (www.citadel80.com/gary.html)

EDUCATION: BS, Biology, The Citadel, 1980; MS, Chemistry, Auburn University, 1987; MA, The Naval War College, 1996; PhD candidate, North Central University, PhD to be awarded October 2005 .
CITADEL ACTIVITIES: Cadet Activities: Corporal, Staff Sergeant, Captain, “T” Co. & “O” Co., R/S; Junior Sword Drill; Summerall Guards; Guidon Staff; The Round Table; President's Advisory Committee; The Brigadier Staff; Honorary Society; Biology Club; Crew lettermen.
Alumni Involvement: Director - District 1 (2002-2005) Life Member, The Citadel Alumni Association; The Citadel Alumni Association Strategic Planning Committee – Member; Election Committee (2003); Class Co-Chairman, The Citadel Foundation; The Brigadier Club Century Club Member; The Brigadier Fund Raising Committee - 2003 Rookie of the Year; Host Family, Class of 2006.
OCCUPATION: Senior Program Manager, Scientific Research Corporation, North Charleston, SC.
MILITARY SERVICE:  US Navy Retired - Commander, 1980-2001; Major Program Manager – Acquisition - Communications (Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command); Shore command commanding officer (Space and Naval Warfare System Center, Guam detachment); Executive Officer (Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, Charleston); Fellow-Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group; Acting Chief of Staff, South Carolina Naval Militia.
MEMBERSHIP & OFFICES HELD: Chairman of the Board - Guam Special Olympics; Public affairs and golf coach - Newport, RI Special Olympics; The Exchange of Charleston - Director; Charleston Chamber of Commerce - member; Navy League - member; AFCEA – 1 st Vice-president; golf coach - Mason Preparatory School.
AWARDS & HONORS: Meritorious Service Medal (2), Navy Commendation Medal (4), Navy Achievement Medal (2), Who’s Who in Executives and Professionals (2006-2007)
MARITAL STATUS: Married 21 years to the former Pamela Fisher of Charleston, SC; one child, Elizabeth, a ninth grader.
CANDIDATE'S STATEMENT :   The Citadel's principled leadership development (PLD) goal is critical. I’ve committed my PhD study in leadership and ethics, plus my military experience, to this goal by working with the Krause Leadership Initiative and the CAA committees. As a part of PLD, I interact with the corps weekly and serve as a mentor to the cadet leadership. Preserving the Fourth class system and strengthening the Honor system are a must. As a district director since 2002, I’ve actively worked on these issues. The alumni voice must be heard. It is best heard when projected by the best informed.