Two West Point Graduates Named to GradPAC Leadership Positions

Dan Rice (USMA '88) and Peter W. Gaudet (USMA '91) have been named to GradPAC's Advisory Board. GradPAC is a national non-partisan political action committee comprised of graduates of West Point, Annapolis, the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. GradPAC holds as its mission the support of fellow service academy graduates who have served their nation with distinction and valor in uniform and now seek election to the U.S. House, U.S. Senate or the Presidency of the United States.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) May 14, 2004 --GradPAC Chairman Shawn N. Olds announced the appointment of Dan Rice and Peter W. Gaudet to the organizations advisory board today.

Rice graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1988, and he is a Senior Business Development Officer and Vice President at the U.S. Trust Company of New York. Gaudet is a 1991 graduate of West Point. He currently manages seven high net-worth alternative investment partnerships for Credit Suisse Asset Management (CSAM) in New York City.

I have often remarked that I do not know if I have met a more selfless, dedicated, philanthropic and innately-able leader than Dan Rice. Despite his service as an Airborne Ranger, his MBA, his fast-track business career or his community leadership, Dan is not about accolades, he is about action," said GradPAC Chairman Olds. Whether it is founding a non-profit to support our troops after September 11th, launching an organization to bring together service academy graduates from across the globe or providing leadership to protect our endangered species, Dan employs the same drive, determination, passion and conviction in all that he does. GradPACs candidates and staff will be greatly served by Dans knowledge, vision and example for many years to come."

Upon graduation from West Point, Rice served as a United States Army Field Artillery Officer for four years. Subsequently, he earned a Master of Business Administration from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University. Currently, he works at the U.S. Trust Company of New York in their private client division. In this role, he works with affluent families and foundations across the country to manage their wealth.

Rice is active in a number of veterans and national security causes. He co-founded Operation Enduring Support" to assist National Guard and Reserve soldiers deployed after September 11, 2001. He also serves as President of AcademyConnect, a national alumni association comprised of graduates of the federal service academies. Additionally, he is a member of the Business Executives for National Security (BENS) and a trustee for the USS Hornet Aircraft Carrier Museum. Rice also serves on the board of trustees of WildAid, an organization devoted to protecting our endangered species.

In 2003, Dan sought and hired a Los Angeles, California based production company to film a ten-part documentary on distinguished graduates of West Point, Annapolis, the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The television documentary is slated to be released in late 2004 with a companion book to follow.

Rice resides in New York, New York.

Before attending the United States Military Academy, Peter Gaudet was a member of the National Honor Society and captain of his schools football team. After graduating from West Point with a degree in Economics, Gaudet served as a Field Artillery Officer in the United States Army including assignments at Fort Benning, Georgia; Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Camp Casey, Korea; and Fort Lewis, Washington. Among other military awards and achievements, Gaudet earned both Airborne and Air Assault badges during his career.

Pete currently operates as the civilian version of our militarys 'silent warrior. His strengths lay in his resolve to deliver nothing short of perfection when called upon yet he expects no praise or glory for his accomplishments," said Chairman Olds. Just as he excelled in the Army, Pete has blazed a trail in the private sector in both the banking industry and as an entrepreneur, owning a restaurant in Manhattan. He is the consummate veteran, businessman, husband and father, and we are fortunate to have him as a part of our GradPAC family."

Upon leaving active duty in 1994, Gaudet joined the Merrill Lynch Private Client Group as a financial consultant while concurrently serving in Reserve Officer status as a Military Academy Liaison Officer for the West Point Office of Admissions. During that time, Gaudet also served on U.S. Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihans Academy Appointment Board as well as a class trustee on the West Point Association of Graduates (AOG) Board of Trustees.

In 1996, Gaudet joined Donaldson, Lufkin and Jenrette (DLJ) where he played an integral role in developing the firms alternative investment business. In 2000, he joined Credit Suisse First Bank (CSFB), a leading global investment bank with 89 locations in 37 countries on 6 continents, as a Vice President after its acquisition of DLJ.

Gaudet left the U.S. Army Reserve as a Captain in 2002, and he continues to be active in numerous causes and organizations which support West Point, charitable giving, military personnel and our nation.

Originally from Harrison, New York, Gaudet currently lives in Chappaqua, New York with his wife, son and daughter.

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GradPAC is a national non-partisan political action committee comprised of graduates of West Point, Annapolis, the U.S. Air Force Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. GradPAC holds as its mission the support of fellow service academy graduates who have served their nation with distinction and valor in uniform and now seek election to the U.S. House, U.S. Senate or the Presidency of the United States. For more information, log onto www.GradPAC.org or contact Thomas J. Ratcliff, GradPAC Press Secretary, at (866) GRADPAC.