ASQ Section 0511 August 2013 Meeting Announcement

Wednesday, 14 August 2013

updatedAmphora, Vienna

updated377 Maple Ave W Vienna, VA 22180

updatedDirections to the Amphora in Vienna

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Ward Nickisch COL Retired

Ward Nickisch

Short Narrative/Description:

Speaker Background:

A retired Army Colonel and experienced business executive with a record that reflects the ability to identify requirements, design and implement programs, manage resources and achieve results.
He has developed and managed annual budgets approaching $50 million; and directed the operation of organizations with up to 900 personnel performing duties at multiple locations around the world.
He served as a member of the United States delegation to international negotiations and has coordinated a variety of sensitive activities with the Department of Defense, the Department of State and the Central Intelligence Agency.
He is a Retired Partner of a venture capital fund that provided $1-3 million in debt and equity financing to growth-stage small businesses.
He currently serves as a Project Manager and Senior Consultant with Serco Inc. in direct support of major Army programs related to military benefits and critical behavioral health issues.
Colonel Nickisch is a small businesses owner; has served as an officer or director of six private companies; and is currently on the Board of Directors of two national non-profit charitable organizations.
He is a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA); along with the Association of the US Army (AUSA) and the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).
He was appointed to a Citizens Advisory Committee and to a special County Commission Task Force by the Board of County Supervisors of Prince William County, Virginia; he is the Vice President of the Gainesville (Virginia) Ruritan Club; and a member of the local chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution.
While in the Army, he held many prominent positions, including:
  • Director of Casualty and Memorial Affairs: Responsible for all casualty reporting and functional systems through a network of 39 offices worldwide. Responsible for the prompt and accurate notification to the next-of-kin of the death or serious injury of soldiers and for providing assistance for the disposition of remains, final arrangements, securing benefits, and settling personal affairs. Supervised the nationally recognized forensic laboratory with the responsibility for the search, recovery, identification and repatriation of the remains of American service members missing from all prior wars and conflicts. Directed the Army s POW/MIA Affairs and Family Outreach Program. Served as a senior member of the United States Delegation to the first bi-lateral talks with the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea which resulted in agreement to conduct the first joint recovery operations into North Korea beginning in 1996. Subsequent negotiations set the framework for similar missions in the following years. Served on the Department of Defense Special Task Force which planned and implemented the events relating to the disinterment and identification of the remains of the Vietnam Unknown from the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery in May 1998.
  • Deputy The Adjutant General of the Army: Assisted The Adjutant General in implementing personnel programs, personnel services, and personnel systems to support the readiness of Army units and to sustain the well-being of soldiers, veterans and their families through major divisions including: Personnel Services Support, Personnel Information Management, Army Awards and Decorations, Retirements and Separations, Military Records, Promotion and School Selection Boards, Army Education Programs, Officer and Enlisted Evaluations, and Casualty and Memorial Affairs. Assisted and supported the Physical Disability Agency and the US Army Institute of Heraldry.
  • Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel / G-1, US Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM): Responsible for military and civilian personnel policy development and program execution for this Army Major Command organized with 20 major subordinate brigade-level commands and over 16,000 soldiers and civilians. The command was responsible for conducting the Army s multi-discipline intelligence mission worldwide. Supervised a staff of approximately 60 personnel responsible for the administration of military and civilian personnel management, equal opportunity, safety, morale and welfare activities, human resource programs, personal affairs, family support and non-appropriated fund activities, and military intelligence personnel proponency. Major functions included military and civilian personnel assignments, career management, career development, and maintenance of civilian personnel position classifications and occupational guides.
  • Commander of two companies in Germany and a Battalion with the XVIII Airborne Corps at Ft. Bragg, NC:
He is a graduate of the US Army War College (Carlisle Barracks, PA); the US Army Command & General Staff College (Ft. Leavenworth, KS); the University of Northern Colorado (Greeley, CO) with a MA Degree in Business; and of South Dakota State University (Brookings, SD) with a BS Degree in Wildlife Management and Biology.
In addition to his many military awards and decorations, he has been:
  • Designated by The Secretary of the Army as a ‘Distinguished Member of the Regiment’
  • Inducted into the US Army Adjutant General’s Corps Hall of Fame
  • Awarded the Horatio Gates Gold Medal (2nd Award) for Superior Lifetime Achievement, presented by the Adjutant General’s Corps Regimental Association
  • Honored with the Pulse Award (Making an Impact) from Serco Inc.
  • Recognized as a ‘Tom Downing Fellow’ by the Ruritan National Foundation
Colonel Nickisch and his wife reside in Gainesville, VA.

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Reservations: Cost for dinner is $30.00 per person if reservations are made by the deadline (the Friday before the meeting), $35 if otherwise. There is no charge to attend for the presentation only. To register with or without dinner please use our on line reservation form which can be used up to the Sunday before the meeting. If you wish to make a reservation after the Sunday before the meeting or your plans change, please contact arrangements13@asq0511.org, and let us know.

Schedule:

5:30pm - 6:30pm Monthly Board Meeting
6:30pm - 7:00pm Registration & Networking
7:00pm - 8:00pm Dinner
8:00pm - 9:00pm Section Business & Presentation

Meetings are open to all ASQ members as well as to the public.

Next Meeting:
Wednesday, 11 September 2013 - Northern Virginia Section 0511 Thirtieth Anniversary Dinner

Call for Speakers!!!
Would you or someone you know like to speak at a future ASQ meeting? We're always looking for volunteers. Be creative! Exercise your public presentation skills! Earn recertification credits! Get a free dinner! Please contact programs13@asq0511.org.