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Alumni in the News

At Norwich, you developed leadership traits — discipline, integrity, confidence, loyalty, and honor — for you to excel in any profession.

Read below, and follow the external news source links, for stories of Norwich alumni demonstrating leadership and WickGrit in their work or service lives.

Alumni Spotlight

Brig. Gen. Tracey Poirier '96Brig. Gen. Tracey Poirier '96

The Vermont Army National Guard on Wednesday (July 26, 2023) celebrated the first woman to be promoted to brigadier general.  

During a ceremony at Camp Johnson (Colchester, VT), Col. Tracey Poirier acknowledged the promotion gives her greater visibility, but said she is more interested in being available to and mentoring officers who want to reach the rank of general.

“When you start to climb up the ranks, one of the things you learn is that generals are like everybody else and we’re just trying to get the job done,” Poirier, 49, said in an interview after the ceremony.

Poirier, who works full time as the director of the Joint Staff, overseeing all military branches, said she plans to continue those efforts and noted that she works directly with the new sexual assault prevention and response team created with federal funding. “I don’t want to say what other women feel, but I hope they feel supported,” she said.

See the MSN article   |   See vtdigger story   |   See wcax.com report

read past alumni news


Ryan Kelly '11Ryan Kelly '11
August 23, 2023
Ryan, a four-year member of both the Norwich University football and baseball teams, was recently promoted to Athletic Director at Long Island University (LIU). "I am forever grateful for my time at Norwich," Ryan said. "It has been the essential qualities of leadership and foundational skills from Norwich that have had the greatest impact on my career. Those qualities are at the core of who I am..." See the full article (links to Norwich athletics site).


John Kleinhans M’16John Kleinhans M'16
August 15, 2023
Congratulations to John on being named the new Assistant Director of Finance for the City of Danbury, CT. Prior to his appointment, Kleinhans served as the city’s government affairs and communications advisor. See Facebook post.


Steve Gagner '03 & M'17
August 15, 2023
Gagner, the former battalion commander of the Army Mountain Warfare School and founder of 14th Star Brewing Co., has served in the Army for the past 28 years. He retired Friday, Aug. 11, to start a new career in academia as a member of the teaching faculty of the University of Vermont Grossman School of Business. See the full article (links to news site).


Aliah Curry '15Aliah Curry '15
August 13, 2023
Eight years after capping off one of the most historic careers in Norwich athletics history, Aliah Curry '15 was formally inducted into the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Hall of Fame. See the full article (links to Norwich athletics site).


Michael_R_Weimer NU'15SGT MAJ Michael Weimer '15
August 4, 2023
Congratulations to SGT MAJ Michael R. Weimer on his recent appointment as the new Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army. As the service's top enlisted leader, Weimer oversees the force and assures they are ready for war. His new role also requires Weimer to serve as the face of the U.S. Army, along with supervising personnel issues within the branch. See the full article (links to Norwich news site).


Doug Farnham '11Doug Farnham M'11
August 3, 2023
Vermont Governor Phil Scott announced that he has appointed Doug Farnham as chief recovery officer, following the catastrophic July flooding. Farnham has served as the deputy secretary of the Agency of Administration (AOA) since December 2021. In his new role, Farnham will incorporate and coordinate Vermont’s flood recovery efforts with the ongoing historic community revitalization work that is underway as the result of pandemic-era recovery funds. See press release
and Facebook post.


Edgardo Moreno NU'93CAPT Edgardo Moreno '93
July 28, 2023
Norwich alumnus CAPT Edgardo Moreno crowned 30 years of service to his nation at a special retirement ceremony held last week at the National Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola, FL. In a full-circle moment, Moreno accepted his certificate of retirement onboard the Naval Air Station Pensacola, the same place his naval tenure began as a carrier-based helicopter pilot three decades ago.  See the full article (links to Norwich news site).


Baylee Annis '14Bailey Annis '14
July 18, 2023
Norwich University Women's Rugby welcomes back Baylee Annis '14 as new head coach. The ultra-successful former Norwich student–athlete will take the helm of the dominant women's rugby program starting immediately. Annis was a part of a true golden era of women's rugby at Norwich. From 2010-14 the program won almost 92% of its games. Annis in her final year as captain helped the rugby program finish 40-0 between 15s and 7s, and win National Titles in both 15s and 7s. See the full article (links to Norwich athletics site).


Joseph Bajorski '88Joseph Bajorski '88
July 18, 2023
Joseph Bajorski '88 has been recognized by Bestagents.us as a 2023 Top Agent! Joseph is currently working at Commercial Services Realty in Connecticut.  See more (links to financial news site).


Patrick Cooper '12Patrick Cooper '12
July 15, 2023
Patrick has been named the new Director of Economic Development for Patrick County in Virginia. His new position will begin on August 7, 2023. Cooper is currently employed by the Virginia National Guard as a supervisory logistics management specialist and works out of its Richmond office. See more (links to news site).


Daniel Nichols '03Dan Nichols '03
July 13, 2023
The Foundry Associates, a leading developer of quality commercial space in Rhode Island, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dan Nichols as President. Dan, through being part of the last 20 years of development at The Foundry and ALCO Campus, has proven his development and management skills. See more (links to business news site).


Maj. Gen. Robert D. Burke '89Maj. Gen. Robert D. Burke '89
July 13, 2023
After 34 years with the military—30 of those years being spent with the Indiana National Guard—Knightstown (IN) resident and New Hampshire native Major General Robert D. Burke has retired. See more (links to news site).


Sean P. O'Brien '90Sean P. O'Brien '90
June 28, 2023
Geocomp, Inc., a subsidiary of Sercel, announces a change in its top management. Sean P. O'Brien, PE, will become its new President. He will focus on growing each of Geocomp's four divisions: Monitoring, Testing, Consulting and Products. See more (links to news site).


Eric Lagerquist '92Erik Lagerquist '92
June 22, 2023
Congratulations to Eric on his new role as Senior Project Manager with Pond & Company Federal Group! In this role, he will leverage his extensive experience in military civil engineering, project management, and leadership to support Pond’s Air Force clients in the U.S. and throughout the world. See more (links to Pond’s website).


Six sailors who serve aboard the U.S.S. Nebraska, a ballistic missile submarine.Noah Richwine '19
June 16, 2023
Noah talks about life on a submarine with the Grand Island (NE) Independent. "It is incredibly demanding but also incredibly rewarding, in my opinion. The job we do, we don't take lightly — the fact that we have an incredible amount of destructive capability on board, the gravity of that situation," Richwine said. See more (links to news site).


Anthony Facos '95 & M13. Photo courtesy Jeb Wallace-Brodeur, Seven Days (VT)Anthony Facos '95 & M'13 
June 5, 2023
Former longtime Montpelier (VT) Police Chief Anthony Facos is taking a new job. Facos, who has been the Director of Enforcement and Safety with the VT Department of Motor Vehicles for almost three years, will serve as the liaison to federal, state and local law enforcement agencies with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Burlington (VT). See U.S. Attorney’s Office press release.


Capt. Derrick Eastman M'14CAPT Derrick Eastman M'14
June 2, 2023
Captain Derrick W. Eastman took the helm of the Patrol Squadron (VP) 30, Pro’s Nest, as its 46th commanding officer onboard Naval Air Station Jacksonville, June 2. Eastman relieved Capt. Jonathan E. Spore. More than 400 friends, family, and past/present Maritime Patrol & Reconnaissance warriors attended the ceremony. See more (links to news site).


COL Trevor W. Hough '95COL Trevor W. Hough '95
June 2, 2023
Col Trevor Hough ’95 is hailed as a hero for aiding in stopping attempted carjacking and capturing a robbery suspect. See more (links to news site).


Madyson Moore '15Madyson Moore '15
May 18, 2023
Congratulations to Madyson Moore on being named the new Head Women's Hockey Coach at the University of Dubuque. See more (links to university website).


Rear Adm. John Gumbleton ’89Rear Adm. John Gumbleton '89
May 4, 2023
President Biden nominated Norwich alum Rear Adm. John Gumbleton '89 for vice admiral and deputy commander of the United States Fleet Forces (USFF). See the full article (links to Norwich news site).


Joanna Owen Schmergel '99Joanna Owen Schmergel '99
April 10, 2023
Joanna's Boston Bridges Initiative works to connect city kids and suburban kids through art. See more (links to news video).


Michael Agnes '20Michael Agnes '20
April 3, 2023
Petty Officer 3rd Class Michael Agnes, a native of Jefferson Township, supports versatile missions while serving at Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 2. Agnes joined the Navy two years ago and today, he serves as an aviation rescue swimmer. See more (links to news article).


Brent White '05 (l.) and the Matthew Rodman family (r.)Brent White '05 & M'07
and Matt Rodman '05
March 27, 2023
Brent (left in photo) on his journey to the Boston Marathon: "I learned from social media that Matt Rodman '05 has a son who is an open-heart patient at Boston Children's Hospital. In September 2022 I reached out to Matthew and his family (all at right in photo) to see if they would support my application to run the 2023 Boston Marathon with their son, Nathaniel as my patient partner. I am pleased to pass along that I was accepted to the BCH 2023 Miles for Miracles Boston Marathon team."
See the full article (links to Norwich news site).
Link to donate to Miles for Miracles.
See a prior story of Nathaniel  Rodman's police escort to a Spring '21 surgery.


Jason Everman M'17Jason Everman M'17
March 6, 2023
Jason, a former band member of Nirvana, Soundgarden and Mind Funk, later became a US Army Ranger and Green Beret. Inspired by a Navy SEAL friend, Everman abandon his musical career and entered the Army in 1994 at the age of 27. See more on warhistoryonline.com.


Ron Gray '74 (l.) Tom Donnelly '84 (r.)Ron Gray '74 and Tom Donnelly '84
February 20, 2023
Ron Gray and Tom Donnelly joined forces in Saint Cloud, FL to battle our nation's veterans' addiction and homelessness issues. The Transition House, Inc.’s Veterans Program is designed to engage homeless veterans and guide them toward independence through employment and permanent housing. See  www.thetransitionhouse.org/veterans-program.


Shane Morgan '94BG Shane Morgan '94
February 17, 2023
Last month, the Eliot, ME native and decorated veteran rose to the rank of one-star brigadier general, the fourth-highest level among Army officers. A celebration was held Jan. 27 at the U.S. Army Field Artillery School in Fort Sill, OK, where Morgan resides with his family and is the 56th commandant of the school. See Facebook post.


Pete Bue '11 (left)LCDR Peter J. Bue '11
February 17, 2023
Congratulations to Pete, who recently took command of USS PATRIOT (MCM 7) homeported in Sasebo, Japan.
See Facebook post and see more about Pete.


Kevin Cardinal '12Kevin Cardinal '12
February 13, 2023
Atlanta-based Blue River Development LLC hired registered landscape architect Kevin Cardinal as director of land development. At Blue River, he will work on design, engineering and land development, including securing land-disturbance permits and managing projects from conception to the final plat and turnover to builder. See more (links to industry article).


Jason Vitug M'07 Jason Vitug M'07
February 11, 2023
MBA alumnus and “Happy Money Happy Life” author Jason Vitug discusses effective budgeting in the Money Talks News podcast. Learn the tricks and tools of budgeting: See the full article and access the podcast.


Col. Shane P. MorganCol. Shane P. Morgan '94
January 27, 2023
Commandant of the Field Artillery, Col. Shane P. Morgan, was promoted to brigadier general during a ceremony at Fort Sill, OK. Surrounded by both his immediate and Army families, Morgan took the field to officially don the rank of brigadier general. See the full article (links to news site).


Warren J. Curd '67Warren J. Curd '67
January 25, 2023
Warren was honored at the Military Aviation Museum in Virginia Beach, VA (also on Facebook) for completing 11,000 hours of volunteer service. An active docent since 2011, Warren generally talks with guests and leads tours three times every week. Warren also received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award after completing 4,000 hours of volunteer service.


Michelle LeBlanc ‘92Michelle LeBlanc '92
January 9, 2023
After building her unique service dog training program over the past eight years, Michelle LeBlanc wants to take Vermont Paws & Boots “to the next level”—that means securing a larger facility that will allow more room for the veterans and first responders she matches with dogs in her comprehensive training course. See the full article (links to news site).