LtCol Alex Plechash, USMC (Ret.) '75
Upper Midwest Chapter Trustee
Alex Plechash graduated from the Naval Academy with distinction in 1975, being the No. 1 ranked Marine and Aerospace Engineer in his class, receiving awards for both. During his First Class year, he won both a Burke Scholarship and a Guggenheim Fellowship and was honored to have been nominated for a Rhodes Scholarship. He later earned an advanced degree from the University of Chicago. In addition to his studies at the UC Graduate School of Business, he also did some graduate work in high energy astrophysics research at the University's Fermi Institute working on the Cosmic Ray Nuclei Experiment - a Space Shuttle-launched project dealing with the origin of the universe.
After the Naval Academy, as a freshly minted 2nd Lt., he went to the Marine Corps Basic School at Quantico where he received the top award in Military Skills (marksmanship, physical fitness and public speaking), graduating at the top of his class. Subsequently earning his Naval Aviator wings, he transitioned into the F-4 Phantom and eventually logged close to 2000 hours in jets of various types. As an FMF pilot, he earned a number of aviation designations including Air Combat Tactics Instructor, Weapons Tactics Instructor, and Fleet Test Pilot. Intending to apply for the Astronaut program, he was compelled to leave active duty for family reasons, remaining in the Marine Reserve until 1993.
In his civilian career, he progressed through a series of operations, sales and executive management positions with a few Fortune 500 companies including Exxon and Oracle before transitioning into Investment Banking and the Financial Services field. He currently works for FOLIOfn, a web-based online brokerage company headquartered in McLean, VA.
Alex has been deeply involved in a variety of veteran issues and organizations including being President of the Upper Midwest Chapter of the USNAAA which has seen a significant increase in member participation and programs. He is also in his seventh consecutive year (tenth in total) as a Blue & Gold Officer, for which he was twice awarded top recognition in the Area. In addition to his leadership in USNA-related activities, he was recently re-elected as President of the Twin Cities Council of the Navy League.
In 2003, he began to get involved in politics. Since then, he has been given ever-expanding roles in grassroots organization and Republican Party leadership. He is a Precinct Chairman, Senate District Treasurer, Congressional District Vice Chair, State Central Delegate and was elected to the Minnesota Delegation at the National Republican Convention held in St. Paul in 2008. In addition, he has been actively involved in a number of campaigns at the state and federal level including having been the Minnesota Veterans Coalition Director for John McCain. He also served in similar capacities for Senator Norm Coleman and Congressman Erik Paulsen. Although he has repeatedly been asked to consider running for elected office, he has declined. However, he is keeping the door open for future possibilities either as an elected legislator or as a senior level federal agency appointee - something he is more favorably inclined to consider.
In 2007, he was asked to join the Executive Board of Tee it Up for the Troops, a 501(c)3 charitable organization which has raised millions of dollars in support of veteran & military family initiatives around the country. Virtually 100% of funds raised go to support organizations including The Wounded Warrior Project; Fisher House; Blue Star Mothers; Operation Backpack; Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund; Operation Hometown Gratitude; Military Order of the Purple Heart; Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home; Disabled Sports; and Families United - just to name a few. Additionally, he was a member of the executive planning committee for the inaugural Defenders of Democracy Day held in St. Paul in 2008.
Due to his high profile as a veteran leader in the state and his effectiveness in various legislative initiatives, he was asked by Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty to head up the pre-commissioning task force for the USS Minnesota, one of the next Virginia-class nuclear submarines to be commissioned in 2014. However, that task force is still in its formative stage.
Apart from his military/veteran related activities, he is currently in his third year as an Executive Board Member and Finance Chair of the Perpich Center for Arts Education in Minnesota; a state agency that includes a residential arts high school and state-wide arts education and outreach program.
Habitually service-oriented, he recently completed a 3-year stint as a deacon for Christ Presbyterian Church of Edina; the fifth largest Presbyterian church in America. In that capacity, he oversaw their largest community outreach program called Families Moving Forward – a program for homeless families.
Alex and his wife Denise reside in Wayzata, Minnesota. Of note is that both he and his wife are volunteer firefighters for the city; something they both love to do. Alex has two daughters, Anne and Amy, who were both born on March 30th - two years apart. He calls them his "golden twins." In addition, he has one grandchild - Aiden Alexander ... USNA Class of 2030!