Eric Wortman, Communications Director
Congressman Salazar Announces Nominations for U.S. Service Academies
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman John Salazar, 3rd Congressional District of Colorado, is pleased to announce his nominations of the following students for potential appointments to the U.S. Service Academies’ classes of 2013. Throughout the highly competitive academy selection process, the following students demonstrated outstanding qualifications of excellent leadership potential, a commendable academic record, good moral character, and the motivation to serve as an officer in the United States Armed Forces.
Air Force Academy
Brian Ford, Alamosa John Lavengood, Durango
Micah Hoogeveen, Clifton Jonathon Waldow, Olathe
Brett Brunner, Dolores Jordan Potterton, Grand Junction
Marshall Stout, Pueblo West Clinton Sefcovic, Pueblo
Christine Jun, Pueblo Jordan Ward, Pueblo
Buddy Kinder, Steamboat Springs Ryan Wallway, Grand Junction
Evan Hanson, Hotchkiss
Naval Academy
Whitney Huber, Pueblo
Matthew Atwood, Pueblo West
John Wright, Crested Butte
Military Academy at West Point
Erik Seidel, Gunnison
Benjamin Fox, Grand Junction
Kenneth Medina, Pueblo West
Merchant Marine Academy
Christian Holcomb, Rangely
Congressman John Salazar also extends his personal, heartfelt thanks to the community members who volunteered their time, energy and expertise to the interviewing process.
This year, the interview panel in Grand Junction was comprised of the following men: Greg Merschel, U.S. Marine Corp veteran and current real estate agent; Jim Hougnon, West Point graduate and 28-year Army veteran, currently the Municipal Services Director for the city of Montrose; and Randy Brown, a Creighton University Law School graduate who currently has his own law practice.
The panelists for the Pueblo interviews included the following: Dr. Mark Gose, 28-year Air Force veteran, and current chair of the Political Science and History Department for Colorado State University, Pueblo Campus; Col. Jeff Chostner, local attorney and Pueblo County Commissioner; and Dr. RJ Schultz, 28-year Air Force veteran, and current president of the Pueblo Historical Aircraft Society.
These nominations were determined by a competitive evaluation process conducted by a Community Merit Selection Committee, comprised of former military personnel. These students will now compete with other nominees nation-wide for final appointments. Congressman Salazar is very proud to nominate these students for appointments to the U.S. Service Academies.
The Congressman’s office will begin accepting applications for the next year’s nominations after January 31, 2009. Please contact his Grand Junction office at (970) 245-7107 to request a packet or go to his web page to get further information at: http://www.house.gov/salazar/Academy.htm
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