Organizing Committee
Leaders serving on the organizing committee come from many different backgrounds and sectors. This will contribute to an immersive experience that captures the attention of students, teachers, and Americans across our great country.
Chuck Albanese (FAIA)
Dean Emeritus of the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture at the University of Arizona (UofA). In addition to his 40-year career as an educator he was also founder and active partner of a successful architectural firm. Chuck is now retired but is an active musician and artist exhibiting his work in numerous galleries not only in Arizona but in California, England and Greece. Chuck is a proud co-creator of the on campus USS Arizona Memorial Mall.
Susan Coffee
Former Miss Texas who was widowed early when her Marine Corps aviator husband was mortally wounded in a training exercise. She raised 2 children while developing careers in modeling, fashion, retailing, theater, writing, broadcasting and public speaking. Later in her career she married Navy aviator Captain Jerry Coffee who had spent 7+ POW years in the Hanoi Hilton with other notables. Together they flourished as a couple with their blended families while spending time writing, public speaking, promoting philanthropic projects in DC, Africa and Hawaii. Jerry and she collaborated in his book "Beyond Survival". Susan currently splits time between DC and their Aiea home that overlooks the Pearl Harbor Memorial while Jerry's final resting place is in Arlington National Cemetery.
Paul Kettleband
Native Idahoan having been born, raised, educated and technically trained here. He has built his life around the things he liked to do most in mechanics and metal. With that he joined his equally talented father to create their family owned metal fabrication business Earth and Structure. In and around central Idaho when thinking metal fabrication just contact Paul because metal is his life.
Craig Killman
Native San Diegan and a forty year veteran in the commercial real estate industry in San Diego. Craig is a Managing Director with JLL, having spent the last 22 years of his career with them. Craig has focused his energy in the retail space and has negotiated hundreds of transactions with notable clients including AMC Theatres and Bank of America. Craig grew up sailing, rowed crew at San Diego State and settled in Carmel Valley where he raised his family. His son Maxx received his Navy commission through the University of Michigan ROTC program and recently received an honorable discharge as a Lieutenant. His last duty station was in support of SEAL Team 7. Craig and wife Michelle having been surrounded by generations of family wearing military cloth and as community activists are enthusiastic about the prospects of creating a USS Arizona replica for educational, ceremonial and military recruiting purposes.
Joe "Solo" Kunkel
Grew up in Nebraska and graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1994. Getting advanced academic degrees, flying F-15's and F-22's while being decorated with a Distinguished Flying Cross for valor, he climbed the Air Force leadership and command ladder. "Solo" was recently promoted to Major General and is currently the Air Force Director of Force Design, Warfighter Integration and Wargaming operating from his Pentagon office.
R. Michael Murphy
Grew up in a small farm town in Wisconsin. He graduated from Marquette University High School in Milwaukee, the University of Arizona in Tucson, and the Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management in Phoenix. After graduate school, Mike joined General Motors Overseas Operations and lived in Scotland, Eastern Europe, Greece, and West Germany for five years. Murphy Development Company, with Mike as its CEO, master-planned and completed over 10,000,000 square feet of corporate industrial and R&D/technology buildings in San Diego for Fortune 500 companies.
William S. Potter
Growing up in NW Ohio and graduating from University of Arizona, getting and taking his OCS Army commission to Vietnam, he eventually followed a career in the food service industry, farming and venture capital. Throughout his career he has worked and lived in all 4 corners of the country. He and his wife Linda in addition to raising 3 accomplished daughters have constantly involved themselves in community "giving back" and "playing it forward" philanthropic activities. Most recently while conceptualizing the USS Arizona replica project he joined the USS Idaho Commissioning Committee while lending support for the USS Arizona Legacy Foundation.
Hayward L. Sawyer
As part of the post-World War II "baby boomer" generation his family eventually settled in Southern California where he was educated. Excelling in academics, sports and community service, he took his SoCal lessons to Oklahoma's Southern Nazarene University where upon graduation he received a Marine Corp Commission via their Officer Candidate School program. The Marines challenged him and while in Vietnam he received a Purple Heart and Navy Commendation as a Captain at Guantanamo Bay Naval Air Station, Cuba 2 years later. Post military his business life was launched with Ross Pero's EDS. From an executive position he dealt internationally in oil, gas, financial services, real estate and the insurance industry. No matter where he lived Hayward has involved himself with local community activities, philanthropic organizations (especially military related NGO's) where service and giving back have been priorities.
Scott Talcott
Scott Talcott – Grew up a proud Air Force brat. Scott’s father flew C-130s in Vietnam. His grandfather flew B-24s and was a POW in World War II. Scott and his wife, Marie, have two daughters and a son. He has served in leadership roles for small technology companies, worked in international finance in Frankfurt and London, and led PR and marketing for several companies. Scott is blessed to work at the Freedom Foundation.