Peter Igoe – Nuclear Submarine Operations

At our regular Zoom meeting on Wednesday, April 29, Peter Igoe (Tom Igoe’s brother) will lead a discussion on US nuclear submarine operations in the ’60s. This period was a tense time when our country and Russia were engaged as fierce competitors below the surface of the Atlantic.

Peter, who served as a Naval officer on two nuclear boats in that era, will describe operation of the main elements of the submarine’s nuclear propulsion system (including design and management of the reactor on board), the central role of Admiral Hyman Rickover in the development and oversight of strict nuclear safety standards for the US sub fleet, the command structure on board ship, the rules of engagement for a nuclear missile launch, and key advances in nuclear submarine technology that have taken place since the decade of the’60s.

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Peter was born in St. Louis, MO, in the summer of ’42. He attended college at Yale and was accepted into the US Navy “Regular” ROTC program. Peter graduated in 1964 from Yale with an AB in economics and was commissioned as an Ensign in the Regular Navy with a 5-year active duty commitment. He was immediately accepted into the US Navy nuclear submarine program and, after 18 months of training, served on two boats, the USS John Adams, SSBN 620 (5 Polaris patrols), and the USS Haddo, SSN 603 (special operations).

Following his service in the Navy, Peter obtained an MBA in finance from Stamford and went to work for Xerox, becoming Senior Vice President and CFO of Xerox Publications/Field Publications. Thereafter, he held the position of VP, Worldwide Operations, for Rodale Press.

Peter is married, with 3 children, 5 grandchildren and an 8-week old yellow lab who arrives home on May 2. He and his wife Ruth reside in Amelia Island, FL, and have a summer place on Beaver Island, in northern Lake Michigan.

Here is his presentation: Submarine Igoe

“Professor” Hester will lead a discussion of last week’s viewing of  “Rising Tide: Climate Change and the World’s Oceans” from the Great Decisions series published by the Foreign Policy Association.

You can view the documentary it at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA1ZxzkUHNI

Accepting that Climate Change is real and as a result, sea levels are on the rise, around the world. The video and next week’s discussion focuses on what we as citizens of the United States and citizens of the World can do about it. Is a reduction in the projection of average global temperature of 2 degrees Centigrade possible by 2050? Can the United States make a meaningful contribution by itself? Can, and should, the US be the global leader in reducing the causes of climate change?

Harris is a lecturer at NCC’s Lifetime Learners program.  He plans to use some of this material in a course planned for next year.  Harris’s CV Hester, Harris

The meeting will be held virtually.  Logon credentials will be sent separately.

“Professor” Hester will introduce the documentary “Rising Tide: Climate Change and the World’s Oceans” from the Great Decisions series published by the Foreign Policy Association.

Accepting that Climate Change is real and as a result, sea levels are on the rise, around the world. The video and next week’s discussion focuses on what we as citizens of the United States and citizens of the World can do about it. Is a reduction in the projection of average global temperature of 2 degrees Centigrade possible by 2050? Can the United States make a meaningful contribution by itself? Can, and should, the US be the global leader in reducing the causes of climate change?

This is the first of a two part presentation. The documentary that we will see in Part 1, is 26 minutes long.  You can view it at  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA1ZxzkUHNI  Next week, Harris will discuss the questions raised above and take your comments and questions. Credentials for the meeting will be sent by email.

Harris is a lecturer at NCC’s Lifetime Learners program.  He plans to use some of this material in a course planned for next year.  Harris’s CV Hester, Harris

Charles Salmans will speak on production of the B-24 bomber at Willow Run, MI.  It is an inspiring story of American industrial might focused on defeating an existential foe.

Tim Pettee is President of the Greens Ledge Light Preservation Society Inc., a 501©3 entity whose mission is to restore and preserve the Greens Ledge Lighthouse in Long Island Sound.  We all know the light as a scenic landmark.  It seems very strongly built but it is at risk without repair and maintenance.   Tim will talk to us about the fascinating history of the light what his organization is doing to preserve it.

See: https://www.savegreensledge.org/

Tim grew up in Westport, raised four children with his wife Sheila in New Canaan and has been a Rowayton resident since 2014. In addition to his work with Greens Ledge Tim is on the board and chair of the finance committee for the Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk and on the Athletics Directors Council at Boston University, his alma mater. When not at the light, Tim is Chief Investment Officer of AIG Sun America Asset Management.

Arranged by Peter Tombros

Anne Keefe, Associate Artist, and Bruce Miller, Company Manager, will speak to the DMA about the history and future of the Westport Country Playhouse, a 90-year old non-profit institution that is by far the largest and most prestigious professional theater in Fairfield County. The mission of the Playhouse is to enrich, enlighten, and engage the community through the power of professionally produced theater worth talking about. Their presentations will include insights on the upcoming season, including a string of five riveting plays and Script in Hand play readings that are intended to deepen relationships with audiences and artists.

The Playhouse

Westport Country Playhouse is a 90-year-old LORT “B” theater in Westport, Connecticut. With a $5MM operating budget, the Playhouse is by far the largest and most prestigious professional theater in Fairfield County. 

The mission of the Playhouse is to enrich, enlighten, and engage the community through the power of professionally produced theater worth talking about and the welcoming experience of the Playhouse campus. The not-for-profit Playhouse provides this experience in multiple ways by offering live theater experiences of the highest quality under the artistic direction of Mark Lamos; educational and community engagement events to further explore the work on stage; the New Works Initiative, a program dedicated to the discovery, development, and production of new live theatrical works; special performances and programs for students and teachers with extensive curriculum support material; Script in Hand play readings to deepen relationships with audiences and artists; the renowned Woodward Internship Program during the summer months for aspiring theater professionals; Family Festivities presentations to delight young and old alike and to promote reading through live theater; youth performance training through Broadway Method Academy, WCP’s resident conservatory program; and the beautiful and historic Playhouse campus open for enjoyment and community events year-round.

The Playhouse Person

The Playhouse Person takes pride in what occurs on the stage. They feel a part of it, an ownership. They develop an “I can do that” attitude in taking on new and challenging tasks that support that work. They care, and they pay attention to detail and presentation. They are organized. They work smart, communicate, and take initiative. They are proactive. They follow through, and follow up, without being asked. They are self-motivated, yet they work with their colleagues with trust and ease. They think outside of the box, pull up innovative ideas, and go above and beyond expectations. They are fiscally responsible and have an impact on the bottom-line. They are respected and appreciated for their endeavors. They are happy. And happy employees make for happy artists, donors, and patrons. We are collectively committed to a constant expansion and reimagining of who can be a Playhouse Person.

Anne Keefe, Associate Artist

Currently an Associate Artist at Westport Country Playhouse, Annie served as Playhouse Artistic Director, with Joanne Woodward, in 2008 and as associate artistic director from 2000-2006, also with Ms. Woodward.  At Westport Country Playhouse, she co-directed with Ms. Woodward a production of David Copperfield, directed readings of And Then There Were None, Harvey, Bedroom Farce, A Song at Twilight, Chapter Two and many more, as part of the popular Script in Hand program which she curates.  She appeared in A Holiday Garland and a reading of Arsenic and Old Lace with Ms. Woodward and Christopher Walken.  In the fall of 2007 she served as assistant director to Gregory Boyd on the Hartford Stage production of Our Town with Hal Holbrook.  Formerly she stage managed both at Long Wharf Theatre (27 years) and at McCarter Theatre in Princeton, New Jersey.  Broadway transfers she stage managed include: The Changing Room (with John Lithgow), The National Health (with Rita Moreno), Spokesong (with John Lithgow), Watch on the Rhine (with George Hearn and Jan Miner) and the Off-Broadway transfer of American Buffalo (with Al Pacino).  Other Broadway credits include: Death and the Maiden (with Glenn Close, Richard Dreyfuss, and Gene Hackman, directed by Mike Nichols), Hamlet (with Ralph Fiennes) and Night Must Fall (with Matthew Broderick).

She has been involved over the last 25 years with the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp Gala, directing both the 2018 and 2019 events.  Ms. Keefe has served on the board of the Westport Country Playhouse and on the board of the Cultural Alliance of Fairfield County.  She has taught the third year stage managers at the Yale School of Drama. She was awarded the Del Hughes Award for Lifetime Achievement by the Stage Managers’ Association. In October of 2012, she was honored by the Connecticut Women’s’ Hall of Fame as one of 10 Women of Distinction as well as receiving the Westport Arts Award for Theatre. In 2016 she received the Tom Killan Award from the Connecticut Critics Circle. She lives in Weston with her husband, writer/playwright David Wiltse and has three accomplished daughters as well as four beautiful grandchildren.

Bruce Miller, Company Manager 

Bruce is a graduate of Marietta College. He spent six years teaching elementary and middle school social studies and English in rural Ohio. After a brief stint as an historical interpreter at Colonial Williamsburg, he spent 22 years running his family’s hardware business in Milford. Bruce managed the Stamford regional office of the US Census in 2000 before joining the Playhouse as house manager. He became Operations Manager in 2001, served on the construction committee during renovations, and has been Company Manager for 18 years. His wife, Beth, is a retired teacher, certified Master Gardener, and an ever-present Playhouse volunteer. Their daughter, Sarah, is a personal trainer working in Manhattan.

2020 Shows     90th Anniversary Season

Next to Normal
music by Tom Kitt
book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey
directed and choreographed by Marcos Santana

April 14 – May 2, 2020

This 2009 Tony Award-winning hit musical and winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama gives a groundbreaking look at a family in crisis, while pushing the boundaries of contemporary musical theater. From the director/choreographer of the Playhouse’s 2019 hit, In the Heights.

“…brave, breathtaking…a feel-everything musical…”

THE NEW YORK TIMES

 Tiny House
a new comedy fresh from its world premiere by Delaware’s Resident Ensemble Players
by Michael Gotch
directed by Mark Lamos

June 9 – 27, 2020

Fireworks fly in this new comedy when family, friends, and quirky neighbors come together for a July 4th barbecue at the off-the-grid, isolated mountain paradise of a young, urban couple. 

“Zippy, breezy comedy…”
BROADSTREETREVIEW.COM

 Ain’t Misbehavin’
conceived by Richard Maltby, Jr. & Murray Horwitz 
directed and choreographed by Camille A. Brown

July 14 – August 1, 2020

The 1978 Tony Award® winner for Best Musical as you’ve never seen it before! A dance-filled, reimagined, sassy, and sultry musical celebration of legendary jazz great Fats Waller from director/choreographer Camille A. Brown (2019 Tony Nominee for Best Choreography, Choir Boy).

“…zing and sparkle…”
THE NEW YORK TIMES

 Antigone
by Sophocles
a world premiere translation and adaptation by Kenneth Cavander
directed by David Kennedy

September 29 – October 17, 2020

A determined young woman bravely defies a king in this thrilling drama about the nature of power and resistance. This classic play speaks across centuries to those living in a climate of fear and polarization.

“A drama that wants hearing and heeding.”
VARIETY

Blues for an Alabama Sky
by Pearl Cleage
directed by LA Williams

November 3 – 21, 2020

As the creative euphoria of the Harlem Renaissance succumbs to the harsh realities of The Great Depression, a community of friends resolves to keep their hopes and dreams alive.

“…an extraordinary achievement…”
VARIETY

Arranged by Tom Igoe

Art Gottlieb

One of our most popular speakers returns to talk about WWII submarines and the men who sailed them.

DARIEN MEN’S ASSOCIATION

Announces a Special Presentation by:

Arthur N. Gottlieb, LCSW, CSA

US Pacific Fleet Subs   

of World War II

Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, US submarines made the hazardous journey to the shipping lanes off the coast of Japan, only to have their torpedoes bounce harmlessly off the sides of enemy ships without exploding.  Only after two years of bureaucratic wrangling was the “Silent Service” finally supplied with reliable torpedoes that would lead to the virtual elimination of Japanese shipping.

Josh Geballe is the Commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) for the state of CT.

DAS houses a number of distinct programs that comprise the business functions of state government, including information technology, human resources, procurement, facilities and real estate, construction services, fleet, workers compensation and the state’s website ct.gov.

Our divisions are united in a common mission:

• Support Connecticut’s Growth – To serve our citizens, businesses, state agencies and other branches of government by providing the highest quality services at the lowest possible cost.

• Drive Continuous Innovation – To increase the efficiency and effectiveness of state government using best practices from the public and private sectors.

• Provide Rewarding Careers – To attract and retain a workforce of talented, dedicated public servants committed to leading our great state forward.

BIOGRAPHY

Josh Geballe brings 18 years of experience in the technology industry as a business executive, investor, advisor and teacher. He was most recently Vice President and General Manager of Digital Science at Thermo Fisher Scientific (NYSE: TMO), a global scientific technology company. His business unit provided a cloud-based software platform that helped scientists generate insights that improve human health and our quality of life, and helped lead the company’s overall digital strategy.

Josh joined Thermo Fisher when it acquired his software company, Core Informatics, LLC, in March 2017. As CEO, he led that company through a period of substantial growth, investment and value creation for its stakeholders. Under Josh’s leadership the company was recognized multiple times as one of Connecticut’s fastest growing companies and best places to work.

Josh joined Core Informatics in 2013 after 11 years at IBM, where he held multiple international executive roles spanning general management, finance and strategy. Josh served as Vice President of a market-leading division of IBM Global Technology Services, with full responsibility for a half billion dollar business. Earlier in his IBM career Josh served as Chief Financial Officer for two multi-billion dollar IBM business units, including serving as Vice President and CFO for IBM’s Global Technology business in Europe.

Josh has served on the Board of Directors of the Guilford Savings Bank, the Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA), the United Way of Greater New Haven, the Connecticut Technology Council, and the State of Connecticut Tech Talent Advisory Committee. He holds an MBA from the Yale School of Management, where he has also served as a visiting lecturer, and a BA from Yale University. Born and raised in Branford, CT, Josh currently lives in Guilford, CT with his wife and two children.

Arranged by Gary Banks

For those familiar with the television direct response mega-hit Smart Spin, Warren Tuttle was the person behind the scenes helping to orchestrate its overnight success. Teaming with a Boston based inventor, Tuttle selected an explosive path to market. With almost 10 million units sold so far, SmartSpin continues to be prominently featured at major retailers throughout America. Warren also teamed to initiate the market launch of several other innovative kitchen products including MISTO, The Gourmet Olive Oil Sprayer, which has sold over 5 million units around the world to date, and The Toss and Turn Pan, one of the best selling cookware frypans in the US in 2005. Warren has also helped numerous housewares product patent holders obtain licensing agreements with major U.S. manufacturers and has counseled many inventors who went on to start their own small businesses.

Warren currently serves as the President of the United Inventors Association, the nation’s largest 501c3 non-profit dedicated to inventor education and advocacy.

Warren focuses on external product development for Lifetime Brands of Garden City, New York, the world’s largest manufacturer of kitchen utensils and a major supplier of food prep and tabletop products to America’s major retailers. Lifetime Brands manufactures and markets over 30,000 products under multiple brand names including Farberware, Kitchen Aid, Cuisinart, Pedrini, Mikasa, Towle and Pfaltzgraff; introducing over 4,000 new products each year. There is great enthusiasm for looking outside the company for innovation, particularly patented new products. Warren has initiated almost 100 new product licensing agreements with Lifetime Brands.

Additionally, Warren helps with the Open Innovation program at Techtronic Industries NA of Anderson,South Carolina, manufacturers of Ridgid and Ryobi power tools and Hart hand tools. As an outside contractor, he screens and serves as a liaison for innovative external product submissions for the mutual benefit of both the companies and inventors. He also works closely with Direct Response Television stalwart Merchant Media of Marlborough, MA who has launched many successful TV products over the past 20 years.

Prior to developing and marketing products for the housewares industry, Warren owned 5 of his own gourmet specialty kitchenware stores (The Complete Kitchen of Southern CT), a prepared food and catering business (The Good Food Store of Darien, CT), a nationally recognized cooking school and a partnership in a kitchen design business. Food and Wine magazine once described The Complete Kitchen as “one of the finest gourmet stores in America”. Warren began his career as a department store buyer of cookware and small appliances in New York City (Abraham and Straus of Brooklyn, NY).

Arranged by Bob Howe

Video of his presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvVDuyB_sQI

Arranged by Gary Banks

Video of his presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bwfg0L9FKYA&t=18s

NORTH KOREA:  THE LAST STALINIST STATE        

 North Korea has been the object of President Trump’s international desires for more than two years.  He and the North Korean leader, Kim Jung Un, have met twice in elaborately staged sessions that have on the surface been devoted to the so-called “denuclearization” of the Korean peninsula.

But those up-and-down efforts have been criticized by several experts as simply extended photo opportunities, a chance for both leaders to gain world wide exposure for one of the most intractable military and geo-political situations on the planet.

CNN’s David Fitzpatrick, who has traveled to North Korea twice and earned an EMMY Award for his role in a ground breaking CBS News report on the famine in North Korea, will examine the North Korea of today and of yesterday, which are in fact striking in their similarities.

Genuine progress may in fact occur between the United States and North Korea but the odds of success are slim indeed.

Fitzpatrick will explain why in detail and discuss his two trips to a nation that’s rightly been called The Hermit Kingdom.

DAVID FITZPATRICK BIOGRAPHY

A member of DMA and a Darien resident for 35 years, David Fitzpatrick is currently a Staff Writer for CNN’s flagship prime time newscast,  “Anderson Cooper 360.”   Fitzpatrick has been at CNN as an anchor producer, senior executive producer and investigative producer since 2001, with the exception of a year sabbatical in 2017.

Prior to joining CNN, he spent 25 years at CBS News in a variety of editorial positions, including service as a producer in the network’s Washington, Los Angeles and London Bureaus.  He has also served as the network’s Bureau Chief in Chicago and later, National Editor.   He joined the CBS Evening News as a producer in the late 1980s and subsequently joined “60 Minutes” as a producer attached to the late Morley Safer.   He also was a producer for two other CBS News newsmagazines, “Eye to Eye With Connie Chung” and “Public Eye With Bryant Gumbel.”  Upon leaving CBS News in 1998, he joined the staff of the ABC News prime time newsmagazine “20/20.”

During his career, he has worked for CBS News, ABC News and CNN on assignment across the world, including time in Iran during the hostage crisis, in Poland during the Solidarity uprising, throughout the Middle East, Africa, Central and South America.   He’s also been assigned to work in New Orleans during the Katrina disaster, in Indonesia for the devastating tsunamis of 2004/05 and in Malaysia for the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight 370.

He and his wife Adria Bates have three adult children, now scattered throughout the United States.

Arranged by Alex Garnett

Vide of his resentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdC_QNtcEsA&feature=youtu.be

Red Jahncke

Red Jahncke is a self-trained, later-in-life conservative columnist writing in a deep blue state.  He will share how he evolved professionally and what it is like practicing his craft in CT.  The format we will use for his talk will be similar to what we use for some of our discussion groups.  Prior to his talk, read his articles posted below.  He will use them as a springboard for a lively and informative discussion.

Red Jahncke is a nationally recognized columnist, who writes about politics and policy. His columns appear in numerous national publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, The Hill and USA Today, as well as many Connecticut newspapers. Red’s columns are featured on Real Clear Politics and CT Capitol Report, often leading to TV and radio interviews. He has appeared on national shows including Closing Bell on CNBC and Willis Report on Fox as well as The Real Story on Fox 61 in Connecticut.

Red is the founder and CEO of The Townsend Group International, LLC a business consulting firm headquartered in Connecticut. Earlier in his career, he was an investment banker at E.F. Hutton and J.P. Morgan Chase specializing in financial institutions.

Red was raised in Connecticut, where he and his wife have raised four children. He is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Business School.

His website is: The-Red-Line.com

Arranged by Alex Garnett

Presentation video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu8cq6gIdfI