While ACP has been growing steadily across the country, June 21st marked the first official ACP network in Europe. ACP Mentors and Protégés came together at the Special Forces Club (SFC) in London, England. The SFC was founded at the end of World War II to preserve the bonds between fellow soldiers, but for this networking event it also provided the perfect venue to further ACP's mission of strengthening the bonds between America's soldiers and its private sector leaders. Attendees included three ACP Mentors that are all alumni of Goldman Sachs, David Hopley, Peter Cirenza, and Alex Bark, as well as four ACP Protégés, Sean O'Keefe, Don Gomez, Erik Lindemann, and Steven McGregor.
David Hopley, ACP Mentor and a member of the club, gave a brief history of the organization and then presented all ACP attendees with a lapel pin of a paratrooper, one of the club symbols.
"The event was also another opportunity for me to meet with my mentor, Peter Cirenza, a former partner at Goldman Sachs and current instructor at the London School of Economics (LSE). Since my transition from the 101st Airborne to working in private equity, Peter has helped me gain a better understanding of the different components of the finance industry and provided invaluable advice on how to develop my career," said ACP Protégé, Steven McGregor. McGregor graduated from the US Air Force Academy, is a former Captain in the US Army and is a recipient of the Purple Heart as well as several other awards and commendations for his military service.
Erik Lindemann, a former Surface Warfare Officer in the US Navy, who is mentored by Goldman Sachs alumnus, Alex Bark, said that "When I moved to London to finish my JD/LLM degree at LSE, I never expected to find a community of US military veterans, let alone a group of accomplished professionals that would volunteer to Mentor us. Working with Alex has been a great experience. Anytime I have a question or need advice - professional or personal - I know I can call or email Alex and he'll get right back to me. Alex is a great sounding board. I'm glad to have become part of the ACP program and would highly recommend ACP to any veteran." Lindemann received the GWOT Service Medal among multiple other sea service deployment ribbons while serving in the Navy.
