Page 1 - The Alpha Nus - Summer 2015

Alpha Nu Building Association of Theta Chi, Inc. | Summer 2015 | Georgia Institute of Technology Alumni Offce | P.O. Box 80828, Atlanta, Georgia 30366 | www.gt-thetachi.org Alumni From the Spotlight: Don W. Beck Jr. ’68 Alumni President Brothers, Editor’s Note: For this edition of the newsletter we’re shining the Spotlight on Don Beck Jr. ’68. From the hometown of Pensacola, FL, Don came to his summer we look Tech in pursuit of his Bachelor of Science degree. As an active he served the Tforward to vacationing chapter as Historian and Axeman. He was also a participant in the campus with family and catching Army ROTC program and served two years active duty 1970-72. Before up with old friends. As we taking on his current position as Executive Chairman with Delta Data look toward fall, let me Software, Inc., Don was Chairman and CEO for 18 years. Before that, remind you of a few special events that you can Don worked for AFLAC for 29 years – 19 of those years serving as attend! Each year we hold a golf tournament, the State Manager of Georgia. His accomplishments include having a camping weekend in the North Georgia led a team of over 700 sales managers and sales associates, and Mountains, and a gathering for Homecoming. under his direction, Georgia was the top producing state for AFLAC The 34th installment of the annual Theta in 17 of the 19 years. He has also been inducted into the AFLAC Chi Alumni Golf Tournament, better known Hall of Fame. Today, Don enjoys spending time with his wife, Tammy, as The Tachi Classic, will be held this year in the mountains of Western North Carolina, playing golf, fy-fshing, on Saturday, August 1st at Bradshaw Farms cooking, collecting and drinking wine. He also loves quail hunting and Golf Club in Woodstock. Last year we snow skiing. His volunteer work includes working with the Georgia had 32 brothers participate and we raised Olympics, the Dancing Stars of Columbus (a beneft for the Alzheimer’s $4,581.73 for the Bruce and Cecil Fund to Association, Georgia Chapter), and teaching Sunday School. Don and his wife, Tammy. support the ANBA. If you have yet to attend this event I highly encourage you to do so! For information about the camping weekend “Te depth of the brotherhood was unique. Forty years November 6th – 9th please contact Jeff Smith ’76 at jefsmith1@comcast.net. There is plenty later we still have these close relationships.” - Don Beck of camaraderie, tall tales, and good food at the campsite in the Chattahoochee Forest. What led you to join Theta Chi? Homecoming is scheduled for Saturday, round in the house…for many years…and almost October 24th when the Yellow Jackets take I didn’t pledge a fraternity during the frst every room in the house…with great guys…many on the Florida State Seminoles. With the time quarter of my freshman year, but my roommate of whom are among my closest friends still today. TBA, plan on meeting at the chapter house and high school classmate, Kirk Scruggs ’68, Why did you join the Army? before kickoff to pregame. Home games have did pledge Theta Chi. After his initiation the a great Alumni turnout! We hope to see you following Spring, Kirk recruited me with the help I was drafted in the fall of 1970 following the there soon. Theta Chi for life and going strong! of Bill Spencer ’69. frst lottery in December 1969. As 1970 was my 6th year at Tech, I no longer had an automatic Ian Willoughby ’92 What did you enjoy most as an active Alpha Nu? deferment and given my relatively high lottery “called,” which would have ended any military ANBA President Life in the frat house. I have countless memories number (195-25), I decided to chance not getting and experiences that I treasure from living year- obligation. As most of my gambling experiences have gone, 195-25 was the absolutely last number drafted in 1970. To this day I have never played any lottery again! How were you able to transition from government fnance to working in sales? My last job in the military was working in a government accounting offce in DC. Transitioning into a sales position with AFLAC was completely comfortable, as I had worked in various sales jobs from an early age. In high school, I was the top salesperson in Junior Achievement for two consecutive years. In college, I sold AAA memberships, life insurance to college students and my favorite, cookware to young women as The active chapter men of Alpha Nu. Beck Jr. (Continued on Page 3)