Ad Astra - Don "Flea" Flye '55

Donald Guy Flye

Donald Guy Flye, 80, of Federal Way, died Wednesday July 17, 2013 at his home. He was born on February 17, 1933 in Tacoma, Washington to Guy M. and Cleo B. Flye. Don is survived by his daughters, Dana Robison, Kelly Applegate, his son in laws, Gunn Robison, Derek Applegate, his grandchildren, Ashlan, Connor, Ty, Grady, Cassidy, Raegan, and his partner and friend of 16 years, Kathy Thatcher. Don was a long time resident of Tacoma until attending college at the University of Washington. He graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and was a loyal member of Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity.

Don was an accomplished competitive tennis player representing the UW in 1952, 1953 and 1957, winning four Pacific Coast Conference division championships. Some of Don's many tennis accomplishments include winning the title of National Junior Men's doubles champion in 1951 and playing at Wimbledon in 1955. In 2005, Don was inducted into the Tacoma Pierce County Sports Hall of Fame and continued playing competitive tennis through 2012. Don had a lengthy career at Boeing, retiring in 1988. He will long be remembered for his twinkling blue eyes, witty sense of humor, passionate point of view and competitive nature. Family service will be held Thursday, July 25, 2013 at Mountain View Cemetery. Memorial details for friends can be obtained on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/404011273051884/ under the events and file tab. In lieu of flowers contributions can be made St. Judes Hospital.

Published in The Seattle Times from July 22 to July 23, 2013

Luncheon - July 2013 - Dave Betts '06

Dave Betts '06 talks about the One Acre Fund and its very effective program for farmers in Africa

   It’s a long ways from Spokane to Kenya where the past three years have found Dave working with One Acre Fund. OAF is an innovative NGO (non-government organization) that operates like a business as it provides life changing services to poor rural farmers (http://www.oneacrefund.org/our-approach/program-model/). Though still a relatively young NGO, OAF has received a number of awards including a recent #18 ranking on the Global Journal's list of Top 100 NGOs. 

Dave noted that 75% of the world's poor are farmers, and Kenyan farmers live on $1-2 per day.  The One Acre Fund does not provide financial assistance to the farmers.  Rather they provide fertilizer, see, planting techniques, training, etc.  In a province in West Kenya a 5 person ex-pat staff works with a field team of 250 to coach/train/guide the farmers to increased productivity and more profitable marketing of their production.  

Dave has already accumulated a lot of experience.  His first year after graduation he spent working with a start-up in the sports sector --  Your Sports.  Dave's father was one of the co-founders of the Spokane Hoopfest, so sports is a part of his DNA.

From there he put his degree to work as a field engineer on rigs in the Montana/Wyoming/North Dakota in the oil/gas fields. His specialty was being a measurements engineer for the lateral drilling.  

Dave Betts '06 and fellow classmates at the July luncheon

Dave took his project management skills and joined Construction for Change.  This is a non-profit that builds schools and other buildings in Africa.  Construction for Change was previously the beneficiary of the undergraduate's Major Project, and some of its founders include Mike McEvoy '05 and Jamie Stoner '05  (Stoner previously presented to our graduate luncheon group.) 

Luncheon - June 2013 - John Buller '69

John Buller '69 speaking to the June graduate luncheon

John Buller '69 was the Chair of the 2013 Seafair.  Being the chair is no small feat, because SeaFair is one of the largest community celebration/events in the world.  

John shared his insider view of Seafair – ranging from the hydro races to the Pirates, to the many community parades, to the newly incorporated Fireworks.  One of the amazing facts is that SeaFair may also be one of the largest events almost totally manned by volunteers. 

John Buller '69 is a man who has held many positions in Seattle since his student days – restaurant owner/operator, marketing at Macy’s (aka Bon Marche), head of the UW Alumni Association, and President of Tully’s to name a few. 

Steve Miller '79 - May 2013 Luncheon

World Class water skier -- Steve Miller '79

WOW!  What can you say about a world class water skier who spent nine years as a water ski instructor for Club Med?  Obviously an icon of leading a good life in his younger days.  

After adding a wife and daughter to his family unit, Steve gave up the Club Med life to return to the family business, American Distributing.  The business allowed him to continue his water ski passion, and Steve shared the story of entering competitions that resulted in a rise to the peak of water ski competition.  He participates to this day in water skiing competitions on a local, national, and international level.

Steve's presentation not only covered stories of his world competitions, but he also brought gear and skis to show the impact of current technologies to reduce injuries, speed the competition, and lighten the equipment drag.  

  

Notes from Luncheon: 

Gary Craig ’61 showed up sporting a new replacement ankle. Reports that one of the leading doctors for ankle replacement practices in Everett, WA.  Gary went south to the Desert to make the discovery that the best doctor was back in Everett.

Peter Apostolou ’46 returned from McMinnville, OR where he visited Delford Smith ‘54 and Del’s Evergreen company – air cargo and transport services, Evergreen Aviation and Space Museum, farming thousands of acres of hazelnuts, operating Evergreen Vineyards, and producing Spruce Goose wines, as well as operating a new water park – all located in the Willamette Valley near McMinnville.  You may have seen tv adverts for the new water park which is noticeable for the 747 that tops the water park. 

Tim Corrigan ’02 invited fellow Fijis to attend events he is organizing as an alumni of the new Buerk Center at Univ. of Wash.  Buerk Center for Entrepreneurialism is the new name for the nationally recognized Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.   Tim’s day job is at Umpqua Bank.

Bo Morgan ’47 returned his copy of “Veteran’s of Sigma Tau – WWI and WWII”.  He reported it to be a well-done and nostalgic read.  Copies of this book authored by Gordy Ringoen ’60 are available on a loaned basis. 

Andrew Scully ’80-UCLA joined the luncheon to share his comments on “Not for College Days Alone”.  Andrew had the good fortune to marry a gal from the Pacific NW.

Doug Boushey ’77 broke out of his retirement routine to attend the luncheon….and support our speaker along with other members of Steve’s class – Roger Collins ’79, Bruce Tuesley ’79, Steve Franceschina ’79, and James McCurdy ’79.

Rush Recs  -- Rush Co-Chairs 2013 

Rush is in full momentum – as of our May Luncheon, they had 11 commitments for the class of 2017.  They are looking for more quality guys to rush, so your recommendations are requested.  Below is the information for reaching either of the Rush Co-Chairs. Use web site, www.FijiSeattle.com to submit your rec online, or contact the rush chairs directly.

Ben Emanueals ‘15                                                    Mikey Oien  ‘15

Email:                         BenEmanuels@hotmail.com                                     Moien@comcast.net

Cell:                            (206) 595-7994                                                          (509) 496-0765  

Bob Sternoff '78 - April 2013 Luncheon

Bob Sternoff  '78

Bob Sternoff - Class of 1978    

On short notice, Bob stepped up to the podium to provide an interesting program for our group.  And true to his reputation, Bob proved to be an interesting and provocative speaker.  

It’s an interesting time for Bob, because he’s just making the jump from elected office (City Councilman for City of Kirkland) into developing a “country club” version of a shooting range facility.  He is continuing his 20+ years in real estate development, but now he’s adding a bit of the up-scale club atmosphere to his development of this pioneering business concept.  If he’s on target, then he is introducing a new concept for a socially acceptable environment for gun enthusiasts.  This may be an emerging trend for the times.  Once proven, it lends itself to being rolled-out across the country.  Bob talked about his marketing strategy centered on a mobile app.  You can download Bob’s app @ www.MyGunMyRange.com  You can reach Bob at Bob@SternoffNW.com     

Luncheon notes: 

Nice to see Ron Crockett ‘61 walking around so confidently on his week-old hip.  Ron reports the stadium project is on time and on budget.

Peter Apostolou ’46 is looking very pirate-like with his new eye patch.  Debonair to say the least.

Nice work on the first Golf Tournament to benefit the Sigma Tau Scholarship Fund.  Organizers include Imants Holmquist ’02, Kelly Kolstad ’00, and Richard Maloney ‘11

Our graduate relations guy from the House is busy competing in the “Splash” fund raiser being held by the DG’s.  If you’re inclined to donate to support Erik ‘15, here is his email:    ErikNothstein@hotmail.com

Pete Stiles ’63 reported his business is busy with outplacements of Naval personnel.    

Interesting new business idea from Bob Sternoff ‘78 – and thanks to Bob for stepping in to be the program at the last minute.

Clay Loges ’68 reported on his presentation to the 2013 Tourism Summit introducing the official mobile app for Washington Tourism.   VisitWA on iPhone/iPad and Android smart phones. 

Kyle Griffith '02 - March 2013 Luncheon

Kyle grew up working in his family’s business founded by his father, Hal.  Currently, Kyle is the Vice

President of their company,  Great Western Pacific.  Kyle serves as the operations manager for Pier 57 and the waterfront restaurants and shops located on the Pier. In addition to Pier 57, the family’s company also owns and operates the Crab Pot and Fisherman’s Restaurants located in Bellevue, Washington and in Southern California.  Kyle spoke at our March luncheon. 

Seattle's "Big Wheel" owned and operated by Great Western Pacific

Guest blog post by Gordon Hodge '86

The Seattle Great Wheel - Kyle Griffith Class of 2002

For those interested in entrepreneurship and what makes America great (despite what makes America not so great…lots of red tape and bureaucracy for businesses interested in change and growth), we were treated to a captivating presentation by Kyle Griffith (’02) about his and his father’s (Hal Griffith) quest to develop The Seattle Great Wheel which now graces Seattle’s Pier 57.   In the early 1960’s Kyle’s dad ran and leased a fish restaurant on the pier.  Through some term in the lease the Griffith family came to own Pier 57.  Beginning in the 1970s Hal Griffith attempted to put a Ferris wheel in a park along the piers to add an attraction to the area but faced too much red tape.  This was before the now iconic Santa Monica pier Ferris wheel was built so an opportunity was lost for Seattle for some time.

Roll the clock 30 years forward.  With the viaduct construction work due to temporarily disrupt business along the Seattle waterfront the Griffiths (this time with Kyle old enough to be an active part of the business) resurrected their idea of a Ferris wheel but rather than deal with the daunting red tape that they faced earlier when trying to build it in the waterfront park, they began exploring the potential for building a wheel on the pier.  Given that the wheel they had in mind was to be the largest on the West Coast (almost two times the size of Santa Monica’s) and weighs 280,000 pounds this was an engineering undertaking to say the least.

Kyle reviewed through slides the removal of a significant number of pilings that held up the end of their pier.  Many were over 100 years old and were simply inverted trees.  Replacing those pilings were massive tubes driven to the bedrock with a couple of huge pile drivers that were designed to minimize disturbance of the marine life around the pier.  These were then filled with more than 550 tons of concrete!  The wheel materials came from various places around the globe including Kansas, Germany and Switzerland.  The wheel itself cost approximately $10 million and the reconstruction of the pier and related supports made for an all-in cost of about $30 million.  Quite an investment.  Completed in the early summer of 2012, the Seattle Great Wheel rises 175 feet above the pier and extends 40 feet over the water. 

The wheel officially opened on June 29, 2012 in time for one of the more pleasant Seattle summers in recent times and attendance is on pace to exceed 1 million in the first year, which is ahead of plan.  For a ticket price of $13 for adults and $8.50 for children, up to 300 passengers in 42 fully enclosed gondolas get three turns of the wheel, which takes 15 minutes.  There is even a glass bottom VIP gondola with a $50 ticket price.  In response to a predictable question from our audience, “has anyone gotten lucky on it yet?” Kyle suspects the Wheel has already several members of its “mile high” club equivalent.  Kyle himself “got lucky” in a way as he proposed to his bride on the Great Seattle Wheel!  Those amongst us that had ridden the Great Wheel remarked how nice the personnel were and all enjoyed the experience.  Kyle mentioned that many of the employees are lift operators from local ski areas. 

For those that have not had a chance to ride the Great Seattle Wheel Kyle indicated he would make tickets available at the next Fiji luncheon, but c’mon guys its only $13 and who knows you might even get lucky!

David Gravenkemper '93 -- January 2013 Luncheon

David Gravenkemper '93 and Jack Rhodes '60

After sampling a few corporate jobs, David left his parents speechless as he headed to Tacoma to sell tickets for the mighty Tacoma Rainiers.  He opted to pursue his passion for sports.

From this modest starting point, David has progressed through positions with the Anaheim Angels, the Seattle Mariners, the Tampa Bay Rays, the Seattle Sonics, and now the Univ. of Washington Athletics Department.

In his 7 years with Husky Athletics, he's developed a full-time sales staff, contracted with Ticketmaster to manage and track ticket sales, and developed sophisticated systems for analyzing and pricing tickets.

Apart from the primary efforts of the department to grow the number of season ticket holders for UW's many sports, David also talked about the newest trend of variable pricing for single game ticket sales.  He explained how the San Francisco Giants pioneered the practice a few years ago.  It's similar to pricing for airline tickets -- the prices can vary with supply/demand, pace of sales, popularity of teams......or lack of popularity.

Doug Leland '72, Todd Vecchio '88, and David Gravenkemper '93

Soon, when a big name team plays the Huskies at Hec Ed, the tickets will cost more than a game with a lesser name team.  The Univ. of Washington has contracted with Digoness of Indianapolis to receive pricing recommendations from their Sports & Entertainment Analytical Ticketing System (SEATS).  The system evaluates "team performance, league position, opponent, scheduling, and other econometric and behavioral factors."

The Huskies are the second NCAA Division 1 school and the first PAC 12 school to implement SEATS for its athletic programs. Several times a week, David and two other members of management at the Athletics Department meet to review the pricing recommendations and to adjust the pricing for the tickets.

David has also proved to be a good problem-solver for brothers who need assistance with ticketing challenges.  If you need the help of our in-house expert, contact David at Ticket Sales for the UW Athletics Department.  

Some of the 70's era attending: Mark Tsutakawa '75, Ray Paxton '73, John Flower '73, and Tom Napa '74