WPAOG Podcast

In this episode of the WPAOG Podcast, host Jamie Enos sits down with Matthew Caldwell, CEO of the NBA’s Minnesota Timberwolves and WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx. Matt brings a unique leadership background shaped by his service as a U.S. Army Captain, his time at Goldman Sachs, and nearly a decade as CEO of the Florida Panthers, where he helped lead the team to back-to-back Stanley Cup championships. Caldwell, a 2002 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, also earned an MBA from Northwestern Kellogg School of Management and a J.D. from Northwestern University School of Law. He served five years in the U.S. Army, conducting combat operations in Iraq and peacekeeping in Kosovo. His business leadership has been widely recognized, including being named a South Florida Business Journal Ultimate CEO and receiving multiple “Forty under 40” awards. At just 36, he became the youngest CEO in U.S. pro sports when he took the helm of the Florida Panthers in 2016. This conversation explores the intersection of military discipline, entrepreneurial thinking, and executive leadership. Tune in to hear how Caldwell navigates organizational alignment, builds resilient cultures, and prepares to lead two professional basketball teams into a new era of growth and performance. Give us your feedback by taking our short survey. [https://forms.zohopublic.com/alumniservices/form/PodcastSurvey/formperma/nfBU4j2Yoe77IkGoTzPNmZsgY8Ifu3SVqiwRm4Lz8dA?] –  EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: (01:31) Leadership Lessons from Military to Sports (03:38) Building from West Point Foundations (08:24) Mentorship and Support from the Long Gray Line (09:53) Entrepreneurial Ventures in Sports (13:05) Advice on Career Pivots and Transitions – LINKS: Connect with Matthew [https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewcaldwell/] We’d love your feedback—take a minute to complete our short podcast survey [https://forms.zohopublic.com/alumniservices/form/PodcastSurvey/formperma/nfBU4j2Yoe77IkGoTzPNmZsgY8Ifu3SVqiwRm4Lz8dA] and help us make future episodes even better!   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the WPAOG Podcast, we’re joined by Erin Helle, AOG’s Executive Director of Strategic Development and Partnerships, about the bold efforts underway to transform Highland Falls and reforge the connection between the West Point community and its neighboring town. Erin shares the mission and vision behind the Hudson Valley Program, how AOG is investing in long-term community investment, and why this work is as strategic as it is deeply personal. From developing the CONNECT after-school program to forging productive partnerships with local leadership and developers, Erin outlines how trust building, infrastructure investment, and shared purpose are reshaping the Gateway to West Point. With a blend of authenticity and strategic insight, she reflects on what it takes to lead sustainable, community-first development and what success will look like five years from now. Listeners will gain a grounded perspective on place-based leadership, relationship-driven progress, and the long-term impact of aligning institutional values with community needs. This episode is essential listening for professionals working at the intersection of civic development, education, and strategic partnerships. Give us your feedback by taking our short survey [https://forms.zohopublic.com/alumniservices/form/PodcastSurvey/formperma/nfBU4j2Yoe77IkGoTzPNmZsgY8Ifu3SVqiwRm4Lz8dA?] –  EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: * (00:19) The Mission and Vision of the Hudson Valley Program * (03:15) The Connect Program: Impact and Benefits * (09:32) Key Partnerships and Collaborations * (18:56) Breaking Through Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles * (23:26) The  Future Vision and Long-Term Goals – LINKS: Connect with Erin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-helle-a99200111/] Connect with Jamie [http://www.linkedin.com/in/jamieenos] Hudson Valley Program: https://www.westpointaog.org/connections/wpaog-hvp-overview/ [https://www.westpointaog.org/connections/wpaog-hvp-overview/] . We’d love your feedback—take a minute to complete our short podcast survey [https://forms.zohopublic.com/alumniservices/form/PodcastSurvey/formperma/nfBU4j2Yoe77IkGoTzPNmZsgY8Ifu3SVqiwRm4Lz8dA] and help us make future episodes even better!   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the WPAOG Podcast, we sit down with LTC (R) Pete Selleck ’77, 2025 Distinguished Graduate Award recipient, to explore his extraordinary journey from West Point to global business leadership. With a legacy rooted in service, Selleck shares how his cadet experience shaped his values, influenced his leadership approach, and fostered lifelong connections. From commanding troops to mentoring the next generation, he reflects on the enduring power of purpose and community. Selleck is a monumental example of distinguished service to America across the private, governmental, and non-profit sectors. Commissioned into the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, he served in the 4th Engineer Battalion, 4th Infantry Division, before transitioning to the U.S. Army Reserve. He then began an extraordinary 35-year career at Michelin, culminating in his role as chairman and president of Michelin North America. His efforts were critical in supporting the Department of Defense during the Iraq War, supplying combat-grade tires for the MRAP vehicle—a contribution that saved countless lives. Beyond his corporate achievements, Selleck has dedicated decades to supporting West Point through admissions, alumni leadership, endowments, and community service. As LTG (R) Walter Ulmer ’52 said, “Few graduates in our history have amassed such a record of broad consequential achievement.” Listeners will come away with timeless leadership lessons on humility, accountability, and mission-driven work—from building elite teams to aligning personal purpose with organizational impact. This episode is essential listening for current and future leaders in military, corporate, and non-profit spheres alike. -- Key Quote: “ I knew that West Point really put an emphasis on leading people, and that turned out to be exactly right, and the leadership experience as a cadet, the things that you do as a young officer, as a platoon leader, as a company commander, those things are unparalleled. The type of responsibility you get as a 20-year-old is just amazing, and that just played out big time as I went into my Michelin career that it was just, you become a very natural leader because you do it. You can't learn leadership in a book. You have to actually do it. You've gotta make mistakes. You've gotta see successes, you've gotta watch other people. And that really played a huge role in my subsequent life after the Army. But I will say that being a company commander in the Army was probably the most challenging leadership job that I ever had. It was big, big responsibility.”  -LTC (R) Clyde A.“Pete” Selleck III, class of 1977 –  EPISODE TIMESTAMPS: * (00:21) Continuing the  Family Legacy at West Point * (04:53) Leadership Lessons from West Point to Michelin * (09:38) Defining Service to the Nation * (12:52) The  50-Year Affiliation Program and Legacy * (26:31) Lending Support to the West Point Admissions * (30:40) Advice for Future Leaders – LINKS: 2025 Distinguished Graduate Award Recipients [https://www.westpointaog.org/news/2025-distinguished-graduate-award-recipients/] Connect with Pete [https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-selleck-7a475a33/] We’d love your feedback—take a minute to complete our short podcast survey [https://forms.zohopublic.com/alumniservices/form/PodcastSurvey/formperma/nfBU4j2Yoe77IkGoTzPNmZsgY8Ifu3SVqiwRm4Lz8dA] and help us make future episodes even better!   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the WPAOG Podcast, we sit down with Mark Bieger, President and CEO of the West Point Association of Graduates, member of the Class of 1991, and West Point parent. From his early leadership development as a cadet to commanding troops in combat and now leading one of the Academy’s most mission-driven organizations, Bieger shares thoughtful reflections on service, connection, and building community across generations of West Point graduates. His leadership journey underscores a profound respect for tradition and a clear-eyed vision for innovation and impact. Bieger’s path is rooted in nearly 29 years of service in the U.S. Army, where he commanded at every level from platoon to brigade including combat operations in Iraq. He later brought his strategic acumen to higher education, serving in senior leadership roles at the University of South Carolina and Louisiana State University. Now, as CEO of WPAOG, he leads with a commitment to transparency, mission alignment, and serving both the Academy and the Long Gray Line. His approach blends operational excellence with deep empathy and an unwavering belief in the power of connection. Listeners will gain insight into how Bieger balances tradition with innovation, how AOG programs are creating powerful generational bonds, and how the organization defines success through the eyes of its graduates. This episode is a must-listen for leaders in nonprofit strategy, alumni engagement, and anyone who values mission-first leadership grounded in service. -- Key Quote: “ My one request of our graduates, that I repeat over and over, is to be connected. Connect with your classmates, if you haven't in years, connect, reconnect, strengthen that bond that exists in the class. Connect with your alma mater. Connect with our great Academy. And then in whatever way inspires you, connect with your Association. I think those connections will be rewarding, they'll make you feel really good about the path that you've been on, and it will inspire you for thoughts about what to do in the future.” -Mark Bieger, WPAOG President & CEO -- Episode Timestamps: * (00:53) West Point Association of Graduates: Mission and Vision * (03:18) Defining Success and Leadership Principles * (07:11) Balancing Tradition with Innovation * (12:54) Supporting the Academy and Developing Leaders * (17:22) Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement * (23:38) Encouraging Connections and Final Thoughts -- LINKS: Connect with Mark [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-bieger/] Learn More about WPAOG [https://www.westpointaog.org/] We’d love your feedback—take a minute to complete our short podcast survey [https://forms.zohopublic.com/alumniservices/form/PodcastSurvey/formperma/nfBU4j2Yoe77IkGoTzPNmZsgY8Ifu3SVqiwRm4Lz8dA] and help us make future episodes even better!   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the WPAOG Podcast, we sit down with Kathleen Widmer, class of 1983, and a 2025 Distinguished Graduate Award honoree. From helping launch the Women’s Lacrosse team as a cadet to leading in both the military and private sector, Widmer shares powerful stories of perseverance, leadership, and service. Her journey reflects a deep commitment to others and a belief that real leadership starts with humility and humanity.   Widmer’s path is defined by lifelong service and standout leadership — from breaking barriers as one of West Point’s early women graduates and a pioneering field artillery battery commander, to shaping healthcare access as a senior executive at Johnson & Johnson. She was instrumental in forming the Women’s Lacrosse Team at the Academy, led veteran hiring programs in corporate America, and helped restore the Wounded Warrior Project as board chair. Through it all, she’s remained a committed supporter of West Point, exemplifying the values of the Long Gray Line across every chapter of her life.   Listeners will gain insight into how West Point prepared her for command and crisis leadership, how she led teams through the pandemic and major corporate transformations, and why she believes the most effective leaders lead with their humanity. This episode is a must-listen for professionals, leaders, and cadets who want to learn what it truly means to lead with impact. -- Key Quote: “ The other thing that West Point really did for me that helped me in industry is you build stamina at West Point. You don't get to opt out of hard stuff. You have to do everything. You have to get up every day early. You have to follow a schedule that puts too many things in front of you to do, then you can actually accomplish, and you have to filter all the time what's important and focus on those things. And, you know, being a senior leader in industry is the same. If you try to do everything instead of prioritizing and filtering, and figuring out. What's important, you, you just sort of run yourself in circles. And honestly, don't accomplish much. But there's a, there's a stamina that you build at West Point, and it's the same kind of stamina that I think you have to have in industry to be, every 30 minutes somebody's giving you dense, complex information that you need to make a decision about. And then 30 minutes later, it's a completely different topic, and they're doing the same thing. And then it's the next 30 minutes, and it's sort of like you need to train for it, and West Point prepares you for that.” -- Episode Timestamps: * (00:50) Following the Family Tradition and Decision to Attend West Point * (03:51) Kathleen’s First Days at West Point * (08:00) Founding of the Army Women's Lacrosse Team * (15:24) Leadership Lessons from West Point * (19:07) Transition to Civilian Career and Leadership in Industry * (33:09) Advice for Current Cadets – LINKS: Connect with Kathleen [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathleen-widmer/] View all of the 2025 Distinguished Graduate Award Nominees   [https://www.westpointaog.org/news/2025-distinguished-graduate-award-recipients/] We’d love your feedback—take a minute to complete our short podcast survey [https://forms.zohopublic.com/alumniservices/form/PodcastSurvey/formperma/nfBU4j2Yoe77IkGoTzPNmZsgY8Ifu3SVqiwRm4Lz8dA] and help us make future episodes even better!   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.