Page 11 - FCA Diamond Point Sept 24_Edits
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AT THE FOREFRONT
Finance Connection – Friends of Finance (Cont’d)
A group of 28 FoF members experienced five great rounds of golf with superb weather, dinner
gatherings, community music shows; and for some a pickleball competition - (Bill Cannon
(undefeated winner), Al Runnels, Chris Forsythe, Ken Johnson, Pat Riley and Bob Speer); all
providing for a great time and memorable experience.
FoF 2024 Annual golf outing in the Villages Florida. Kneeling from left to right: Tim Robertson, Pat Riley, Tommy Morehouse, Arty Arteaga,
Ed Stanton, Tom Spainhour. Standing, from left to right: Robert Cook, Ed Roden, Pat Shine, Curt Rauhut, Tim Wansbury, Bill Cannon,
Jeff Kovach, Mike Reagan, Rich Shrank, Bob Speer, Mo Denny, Chris Forsythe, Ken Johnson, Derald Emory, Dave Coburn, Jimmy
Stephens, Brian Patterson, Al Runnels, Roger Scearce, Doc Bower, Kurt Saulsbury (not in photo: Jim Watkins
Then in June, a group of 12 FoF members took advantage of a unique opportunity in Michigan. The
founder and CEO of SAAM and the President and CEO of Gentex Corporation hosted our group near
Holland, MI. The CEO of SAAM, Rob Qualls, had met several of us through MG (Ret) Dave Coburn,
when he was the Commander, US Army Financial Management Command (USAFMCOM). Rob Qualls
was impressed with our military backgrounds and finance missions, as well as our camaraderie and
annual FoF gatherings. He passed along our stories to Steve Downing, President and CEO of Gentex.
Long story short, this resulted in SAAM and Gentex hosting us in Michigan, where we enjoyed
heartwarming social gatherings, an impressive tour of Gentex’s corporate headquarters and
insightful mission and operations briefings, to include Gentex’s hiring and support of military
veterans.
Gentex and SAMM companies sponsored FoF outing at American Dunes, Michigan, June 2024. Kneeling from left to right: Bob Speer,
Arty Arteaga, Brian Patterson. Standing, from left to right: Dave Mallory, Rich Shrank, Bill Cannon, Roger Scearce, Dave Coburn, Pat
Riley, Matt DeRosa, Robert Moses, Al Runnels
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