In this episode, Louis Gelinas, West Point Class of ‘11, shares how his Army experiences, especially managing people and operations under pressure, shaped his entrepreneurial path. Currently, the Director of Product at Rivet — a workforce management platform for trade contractors — was born from a simple but powerful idea: solve a real-world problem with the tools he wished he had in uniform. Louis also highlights the crucial role the West Point Entrepreneurs group played in helping Rivet navigate early challenges, secure vital connections, and ultimately hit key growth milestones.

Louis studied History and Chinese before serving as an infantry officer with assignments in Italy, Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Korea. After eight years on active duty — and growing his family to include four children — Louis returned home to Detroit, Michigan, to launch the next chapter of his career. Doubling down on his software development skills, he teamed up with local entrepreneurs to cofound Rivet, a workforce management platform built specifically for trade contractors. Today, as Director of Product, Louis leads a team of engineers, designers, and product managers, channeling the lessons from his Army days into building a platform designed to empower America's skilled trades workforce.

Throughout the conversation, Louis talks candidly about the challenges of staying focused in the fast-paced world of startups, how West Point’s leadership lessons still guide his decision-making, and why curiosity and community are critical to entrepreneurial success. From the early days of Rivet’s scrappy beginnings to winning the confidence of investors and customers, Louis’s story is full of valuable insights for anyone looking to build something that truly serves others. Plus, we dive into how staying relentlessly mission-focused — even when things get tough — can make all the difference.

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Key Quote:

“  Company Commander time is really where you get the heat of like the prioritization, ideally your company commander and your battalion commander are the people who are being like, there's 10 priorities, but we're gonna be able to really make time to be good at three of them. And as a platoon leader, ideally, you get to focus on the one thing we're gonna be training on.

This is gonna be our key task, this is gonna be our mission. But a big part of it is like somebody else decided to filter out the like 17 other things. The various aspects of the Army is gonna ask you to do. And that like intense focus on prioritization is like very important even as a Company Commander, is that you can kind of figure out like if you picked the right thing to focus on like not only do you succeed in your mission, but everybody's okay with the fact that you put a ‘C’ into, you know, this aspect of the third thing on the list because you did the most important thing. What is the most important thing is always gonna serve you well.”

-Louis Gelinas

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(01:19) Louis’ West Point Career and Transition

(04:21) Founding Rivet: Inspiration and Team Formation

(08:32) The Impact of West Point Entrepreneurs

(14:09) Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

(26:01) The Future for Rivet

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Learn more about the West Point Entrepreneurs Group

Connect with Louis

Learn more about Rivet

What does it take to be a great leader? In this episode, host Jamie Enos sits down with Lieutenant General (Ret.) Benjamin Freakley to unpack the essence of leadership, trust, and lifelong service. From his days at West Point, class of 75’, to commanding troops in combat, General Freakley shares hard-earned wisdom on building trust, listening to those around you, and leading with integrity. He also reflects on the unbreakable bond of the Long Gray Line, the power of mentorship, and how West Point shapes leaders not just for the Army but for a lifetime of service, the tenets of being on the Long Gray Line don’t end at graduation, but serve your lifetime.

Lieutenant General Benjamin C. Freakley serves as a Professor of Practice of Leadership at Arizona State University and a Special Advisor to ASU President Michael Crow. He co-founded the ASU Leadership, Diplomacy, and National Security Lab after retiring from the U.S. Army with over 36 years of service. A graduate of West Point class of 1975 and former Commanding General of the U.S. Army Accessions Command, he was responsible for worldwide recruiting and ROTC programs. Throughout his career, he led U.S. and international forces in combat, commanded at all levels, and played a key role in shaping future military leaders. His leadership experience spans from Operation Desert Storm to commanding forces in Afghanistan, and today, he continues to develop leaders both inside and outside the military.

The conversation also dives into General Freakley’s involvement with West Point’s 50-Year Affiliate Program and why mentoring the next generation of Army officers is critical. He shares invaluable advice for young leaders navigating their first roles in the Army—emphasizing the importance of humility, trust, and learning from non-commissioned officers. Tune in to hear why leadership is a lifelong commitment, how West Point’s values endure far beyond graduation, and what it truly means to serve.

Key Quote:

“ The essence of leadership of all the things we do is trust. Women and men either trust you or they don't. In and out of combat, it always just struck me that even an arduous training, a noncommissioned officer would ask her soldiers to do something and they would do it. And I would just reflect on, you know, why are they doing this? Why are they taking this chance? Why are they doing what they're being asked to do in and out of combat, and the essence of leadership is trust. And how do you get that trust? Integrity, competency, and getting results. You have to be a leader of integrity. You have to live the honor code at West Point your entire life. And women and men will follow leaders who are competent. We don't like to waste our time. We don't like to be caught up in inefficient moments. We don't like to walk up into a complete disaster of a mess and say, ‘what's going on here.’ We like to be around people who know what they're doing, who know their stuff and, and then leaders have to get results and people want to be on a team that wins.”

-LTG (R) Ben Freakley ’75

(0:26) Inspiration and Early Influences

(02:47) Leadership Philosophy

(04:45) For our Future Leaders

(10:57) How Family Can Mold Leadership

(15:32) The Long Gray Line and Lifelong Service

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Learn More About Lt. Gen. Benjamin Freakley

On this week’s episode, host Jamie Enos sits down with Brigadier General (Ret.) Jim Warner, Class of 1976, to explore a legacy of the Long Gray Line that spans generations. From his father’s improbable journey from a Depression-era farm boy to a four-star general to Warner’s path through West Point, this conversation is a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and commitment to service. Warner’s reflections on the Academy’s past and present—shaped by his experiences as a cadet, an officer, a class president, and a mentor—highlight West Point’s enduring mission to develop leaders of character. His powerful decision to donate both his and his father’s West Point rings to the Class of 2026’s Ring Melt Ceremony underscores the deep connection graduates share across time.

A distinguished leader in both military and civilian spheres, Brigadier General (Ret.) Jim Warner has spent his career developing learning organizations that drive mission success. As Chief Learning Officer of the Veterans Health Administration, he led the nation’s largest Continuing Medical Education program, delivering over 6 million CME credits to hundreds of thousands of healthcare professionals. His leadership extended to the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, where he shaped the professional development of officers and Army civilians worldwide. Warner’s military career included key command and operational assignments in combat zones, as well as strategic planning roles shaping national defense policy. His deep commitment to mentorship, education, and leadership development is evident in his work, ensuring that both soldiers and civilians continue to learn, grow, and serve with excellence.

This episode isn’t just about history; it’s about the future. Warner speaks passionately about the next generation of West Point leaders and their remarkable potential. With stories of courage, mentorship, and the unbreakable bonds formed at the Academy, he reminds listeners that West Point is not just an institution—it’s a force that shapes the character of those who will go on to shape history. Whether you’re a graduate, a prospective cadet, or simply someone who appreciates stories of perseverance and purpose, this episode is one you won’t want to miss.

Key Quote:

“If  you really want to accomplish something, it's about what you do with others, and how they respond to you and how you respond to them. So, that's one thing. The one enduring aspect of the West Point experience, I think, goes to first, the ethics of duty, honor, country, the notion that if you're going to be successful, in your own eyes, you've got to do it be able to be part of something bigger than yourself, something that's going to last longer than you do, that you can build something that carries forward to [the] future.”

– Brigadier General (Ret) Jim Warner

(00:32) The Family Legacy at West Point

(09:25) Jim's Path to West Point

(13:34) Ring Memorial Program

(20:01) Leadership Philosophy and Career

(25:56) Mentorship and Influences

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Connect with Brigadier General Jim Warner

In this episode of the WPAOG podcast, we are honored to speak with retired LTG. Nadja West, a trailblazing leader and West Point graduate from the Class of 1982. LTG. West shares her journey from cadet to becoming the Army Surgeon General and the first Black woman to achieve the rank of Lieutenant General in the U.S. Army. Her experiences provide valuable insights into leadership, resilience, and the importance of service to others.

LTG. West’s career is a remarkable story of firsts. As the Army Surgeon General, she led a vast organization with an $11 billion budget, overseeing 130,000 healthcare professionals who served more than 4 million beneficiaries. Her service included pivotal moments in military history, such as Desert Storm and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A dedicated mentor, she reflects on how her upbringing and West Point education shaped her approach to leadership and inspired others to achieve their potential.

This episode explores themes of perseverance, inclusion, and values-driven leadership. LTG. West discusses the importance of staying grounded, serving with integrity, and helping others succeed. Her reflections on her career and her continued commitment to mentorship offer inspiration to listeners of all backgrounds.

Key Quote:

“I think the hardest thing, the hardest lesson I learned, is that I got in my own way more than anyone else could have. That self-talk, that negative voice—'Why am I here? I don't belong here. I shouldn't be here. This is too tough.' A lot of that negative self-talk. As a leader, trying to recognize that in others and bring them out of it is important. You lead a whole diverse group of people, and some won't share or talk because they're probably thinking in their heads, 'What am I doing here?' You don't call them out like that, of course, but you let them know, 'Hey, you're a valuable member of the team. You do belong here. You're here for a reason.' There's a process that selected you to get here. Clearly, you met the standards of that process—someone felt you belonged. No one just said, 'Oh, let's let her in because it would be a nice thing to do.' I had to pass the physical tests, perform well academically, and meet all the criteria. I had to convince myself that I belonged there, and that took a lot of effort, energy, and wasted time.I think that’s one of the hardest lessons I learned.”

-LT. GEN. Nadja West

Episode Timestamps:

(01:49) Early Life and Family Influence

(06:15) Historic Moments at West Point

(18:53) The Inspiration Behind a Medical Career

(28:51) For the Next Generation of Female Leaders

(38:21) Reflecting on a Distinguished Military Career

(44:30) The Meaning of Selfless Service

Links:

Learn more about LT. GEN. Nadja West

In this episode of the West Point Association of Graduates Broadcast Network, host Ian Faison sits down with General Robert B. Brown, retired four-star general and current President & CEO of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA). General Brown shares his inspiring journey to West Point, where he was recruited by legendary coach Mike Krzyzewski, and delves into his experiences in leadership and service. His stories highlight the impact of mentorship, the complexities of leading both military and civilian teams, and his efforts to build cohesive, mission-driven organizations.

With 38 years in the U.S. Army, General Robert B. Brown, a retired four-star general, led from the platoon level to the largest Army Service Component Command in the Indo-Pacific Region, where he commanded 106,000 Soldiers as the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Pacific. A 1981 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, General Brown’s service took him worldwide, with deployments in Haiti, Bosnia, and Iraq. Beyond field commands, he held key roles in U.S. Army Europe, the Pentagon, and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. General Brown holds advanced degrees in education and national security and now serves as President & CEO of the Association of the United States Army, continuing his commitment to the military community.

General Brown also discusses AUSA's mission to educate, connect, and support the Army community, emphasizing the importance of telling the Army’s story and fostering a strong connection between the military and the American public. Through his leadership at AUSA, he continues to champion selfless service and the role of the Army in safeguarding national and global stability.

Key Quote:

“Oftentimes, when you're changing, you're fighting. The tradition, you're fighting the people that don't really want to change and you've just got to work it extremely hard. You have to have a strategy. How are you going to get there? What's the vision? You have to be passionate about it. You have to build champions of that and work it. And when it's the right thing to do, it's very, very difficult. And it takes a ton of effort, a ton of energy, but I will tell you, it is worth it when you succeed, and the Army must have it, they must have leaders that are willing to go out and make change where it's needed at the strategic level for certain, and it's the toughest, because it's always the toughest problems.”

-General Robert B. Brown

(00:26) Journey to West Point

(08:17) Transition to AUSA

(12:04) Challenges and Mentorship in the Army

(23:36) Balancing Personal and Professional Lives

(36:01) Leading Change in the Army

(42:40) Reflecting on Legacy and Future Goals

Connect with GEN Robert B. Brown

Learn More About AUSA

In this episode, we’re joined by Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Toven, Commander of the West Point Band, and Sergeant Major Carla Loy Song, a seasoned member of the band. Together, they dive into the legacy and impact of the West Point Band, an institution that has accompanied cadets through generations of milestones and ceremonies. The band, known as the "soundtrack to the cadet's 47-month experience," not only provides musical support at every significant event at the Academy but also fosters a deep sense of community and pride among cadets, alumni, and visitors alike.

Toven, a Pennsylvania native, brings extensive expertise in music and military leadership to his role. With a Bachelor’s in Music Education and Trombone Performance from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Music in Conducting from Eastman, he has dedicated his career to elevating the Army’s musical presence. His achievements include a Master of Military Art and Science from the Command and General Staff College, where he also graduated from several other esteemed courses, earning honors and multiple military awards. Meanwhile, Sergeant Major Loy Song, who joined as a trumpet player, now holds a dynamic position within the band, also singing and guiding groups such as the Benny Havens Band, a favorite among cadets.

Listeners are treated to stories of memorable performances, including a vibrant concert at the United Nations and collaborations with the New York Philharmonic. The episode showcases how the band adapts to modern musical demands while honoring its storied tradition, all the while enhancing the cadet experience and extending West Point’s influence within the broader community.

Key Quote:

“When the Army was looking at its band structure and trying to figure out what it should look like and how much of that structure we should have, et cetera, and we felt that we needed to articulate in a more concrete way, what bands do for the army. And so, across the army career field, some of us started to get together and who had done some research on our own in different pods, and start putting that together. And out of that was born the idea,’hey, we've got all kinds of research centers here. at the academy, why don't we make one that looks at the effect of music and sound on the human person?’ And so that's the charter of the research center, which opens us up to, the medical things, the performance enhancement, as well as what does music do to people and how does it motivate and inspire them and how can that be beneficial to the army?”

– LTC Toven

(00:16) The History of the West Point Band

(02:52) Recruitment and Training of Band Members

(13:13) Memorable Performances and Highlights

(16:35) Renovations and Future Plans

(21:44) Community Involvement and Academic Contributions

25:27 Music Selection Process and Upcoming Events for the Band

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Connect with LTC Toven

Learn more about SGM Loy Song

Learn more about the West Point Band

In this episode, we’re joined by Major Floren Herrera, Class of 2013, the recipient of the 2024 Alexander R. Nininger Award for Valor at Arms, an honor recognizing his extraordinary courage and leadership. As a distinguished graduate of the United States Military Academy and an esteemed member of the elite Scout Rangers in the Philippines, we explore the historical connections between the US and Philippine military forces, tracing back to the founding of the Scout Rangers by West Point graduate Captain Rafael Ileto. Major Herrera shares his personal journey, reflecting on his remarkable achievements, including earning multiple Gold Cross Medals for his bravery in combat. He recounts intense battles and daring operations, such as a rescue mission against terrorists and the pivotal Battle of Marawi, emphasizing his profound respect for the ultimate sacrifices made by his fellow soldiers.

Serving as the executive officer of the 2nd Scout Ranger Company during the Battle of Marawi, Herrera displayed exceptional bravery while leading his platoon through dangerous open terrain and seizing strategic positions to thwart enemy forces. His strategic acumen and bold maneuvers in the face of intense combat not only resulted in numerous enemy casualties but also saved the lives of many of his troops. Over the years, Herrera has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Star, three Gold Cross Medals, and a Wounded Personnel Medal, marking a career that has embodied resilience, tactical expertise, and a steadfast commitment to his comrades and country.

In this engaging episode, Major Herrera also reflects on the importance of resilience and decision-making under pressure, drawing from personal experiences at West Point and in the field. We explore valuable lessons learned from failures and how empowering team members to voice differing opinions can lead to better decision-making and ultimately save lives. The conversation wraps up with a spirited nod to the Army-Navy football rivalry, showcasing Major Herrera's unwavering confidence in his alma mater. Join us for a compelling exploration of leadership, sacrifice, and the relentless pursuit of excellence in the face of adversity.

Key Quote:

“That was a great training, actually, I failed there, but I'm thankful. I'm thankful. West Point showed me that weakness that I have, I'm thankful West Point brought that up on me, because there were a lot of instances in the Philippine Army where I used that learning, I have to make sure I have a positive ID of the enemy, I gotta make sure there were instances where, you're given, you were informed that, no, those guys are the enemy, so you were given an A1 info, all that stuff, but because of that experience of West Point,I gotta make sure I get a positive ID of the enemy. All that stuff. I gotta make sure you know, I'm not making decisions based on just because I'm getting pressured, just because I'm angry, just because all that stuff. I gotta make sure I gotta make sure that this is the right decision. And that, I shared that to the Philippine Military Academy Cadets.”

-MAJ Floren Herrera, 2024 Nininger Award Recipient

(00:00) Honoring Sacrifices and Leadership Transformation

(08:40) Leading From the Front

(12:13) Having Confidence in Combat

(30:41) Lessons Learned From Failure

(39:57) Empowering Soldiers Through West Point

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More about MAJ Floren’s 24’ Nininger Award

Learn more about the Alexander R. Nininger Award

In this episode, we dive into the transformative efforts of the Center for Enhanced Performance (CEP) at West Point with our distinguished guests, Colonel Darcy Schnack and Dr. Kat Longshore. Exploring the CEP’s mission, we focus on enhancing cadet performance through their key programs: performance psychology, academic excellence, and athletic academic support coordination. Discover how the CEP’s critical student success course integrates essential academic skills, like time management and organization, with mental skills such as goal setting and stress management to help cadets excel both at the Academy and in their future military careers.

Colonel Darcy Schnack, a distinguished graduate of USMAPS (1992) and the U.S. Military Academy (1996), brings a wealth of experience to her role as Director of the Center for Enhanced Performance. With advanced degrees in Sociology from Boston College and extensive service as an Army logistician, including two tours in Iraq, she has also taught Military Leadership at USMA. Currently, she is also the Head Officer Representative for the Army Volleyball team and enjoys family life with her husband, Troy (USMA ‘96), and their three children.

Dr. Kat Longshore joined the CEP in May 2020 as a Performance Enhancement Specialist and Lecturer, where she helps cadets and athletes reach peak performance. With over a decade of experience in mental performance coaching, Dr. Longshore has worked with National Teams, professional athletes, and collegiate programs. She also served as a visiting assistant professor at Lafayette College, teaching courses in sport psychology and related subjects.

In addition, we also delve into the extensive support CEP offers to cadets and faculty. Dr. Longshore highlights unique initiatives such as the mental training lab, which features innovative tools like virtual reality and tennis ball machines, and the popular egg chairs designed for deliberate recovery. We also explore the inviting atmosphere of the library’s mental skills lab, encouraging cadets to utilize these valuable resources. Tune in for an engaging and insightful conversation that sheds light on the CEP’s impactful approach to enhancing performance across all aspects of West Point life.

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“Overall, understanding that your well-being is a skill and something that you can affect, you know, what that is, I can take charge of. I can take charge of my own well-being. And I think we are a great entry into accessing wellness resources, that taking care of yourself and your own mental health and wellness is a really important thing to own. And so I think where CEP is going is helping to contribute to that effort in addition to development in the military, you know, academic and physical pillars.”

-Colonel Darcy Schnack

(01:07) Overview of the Center for Enhanced Performance

(02:39) The Academic Excellence Program

(04:55) Performance Psychology and Mental Skills

(15:54) Integration with Military Training

(23:17) Accessing CEP Resources

(29:33) The Future of CEP at West Point

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Connect with Dr. Kat Longshore

Connect with COL Darcy Schnack

Learn more about the Center for Enhanced Performance