Blanca Rosas

Dear ANSO Familia,

It has been an honor and a tremendous pleasure to have served this amazing professional organization!

I am proud of ANSO’s achievements, particularly in our ability to provide meaningful professional development and outreach opportunities. With that in mind, I would like to highlight some of our accomplishments over the last two years:

• Increased ANSO’s membership by 200%.
• Completion of ANSO Strategic Plan.
• Improved ANSO’s website and effectively increased social media communications.
• Contributed to the Coast Guard Underrepresented Minorities (URM) study by providing feedback about challenges in the U. S. Coast Guard.
• Contributed to Services’ Recruiting efforts.  ANSO identified speakers and participated in a myriad of recruiting, educational, and community outreach events promoting the Sea Services as employers of choice.
• Coordinated numerous professional development events such as two annual symposiums and 20+ virtual leadership and mentoring events.
• Partnered with other sea services and professional organizations to mentor cadets, officers and enlisted members, and civilian personnel.
• Nominated 10 members for ANSO and Latina Style awards.
• Directly contributed to future Hispanic officer selections/acceptances to programs within the Sea Services.
• Celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month and created awareness about the Hispanic’s culture.

All these accomplishments were possible thanks to the support of our volunteers! I want to thank our members, Board of Advisors, Chapters, Lifetime supporters, partners, and sponsors for your support and guidance. I would also like to give a special shout-out of appreciation to CDR Jose Rosario, National Vice President, and members of the Board of Directors (2019-21), for their tireless work, guidance, and support. I want to also extend a special thank you to my predecessor, Rear Admiral (Ret.) William Rodriguez, for his leadership and mentoring. Our organization continues to grow in exciting ways, and I am humble for the opportunity to be a part of it. Thank you all!

As I come to the end of my term as National President, I am excited to welcome our new cadre. They are eager to continue our mission and I am certain they will successfully fulfill their predecessors’ shoes!  Over the next couple of weeks, CDR Rosario and I will do a complete turnover to ensure a smooth transition. Please join me in welcoming:

National President: CAPT (Ret.) Roy Love, U. S. Navy
National Vice President: LCDR Rolando Jesus Machado, Jr., U. S. Navy
National Treasurer: LCDR Edwin Ortiz, U. S. Coast Guard
USMC Enlisted Representative: Alfonso Ramos Jr., Veteran, U.S. Marine Corps
Master-At-Arms: CAPT James Kirby, U. S. Navy
U. S. Coast Guard Executive Champion: Dr. Gladys Brignoni

Again, I cannot thank you all enough for your support and dedication to me and ANSO.  I hope that you will give Roy and Rolando the same support and dedication! I wish them the best in their future journey as part of our growing familia! 

As a Lifetime member, I will continue to support ANSO and will be available to assist and mentor anyone that desires it. Do not hesitate to reach out to me via email or social media.

Ahora es, ANSO! Adelante con ANSO!

CDR (Ret.) Blanca Rosas, USCG
La Presidenta de ANSO, 2019-21

On behalf of ANSO, Happy Veterans Day!

Congratulations to the United States Marine Corps on 244 years of remarkable service to our Nation. 

On behalf of ANSO and our members, Happy Birthday!

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/04/13/6-facts-about-the-u-s-military-and-its-changing-demographics/

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/09/10/the-changing-profile-of-the-u-s-military/

 

Congratulations to the United States Navy on 244 years of remarkable service to our Nation. 

On behalf of ANSO and our members Happy Birthday!

 

ANSO wants to join the Nation in reflecting
on the many ways Hispanics have had a profound
and positive influence on our country through their
strong commitment to family, faith, hard work, and service.

Sunday, 4 August 2019, marks the Coast Guard’s 229th birthday.
Reference – https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDHSCG/bulletins/255be28

Retired Navy Commander and WWII veteran Curtis McGaha turns 100 years old today (August 3rd).

Curtis D. McGaha was born in Roosevelt County, New Mexico on August 3, 1919. He graduated from Portales High School in 1938, then attended Eastern New Mexico University and New Mexico State University before entering the Navy in 1941.

Curtis was a flight instructor until 1943 when he joined a Pacific Fleet Fighter Squadron, flying F4F Wildcats from the Escort Carrier USS White Plains. He flew over 50 combat missions in the battles of Saipan, Tinian, Palau, Leyte, and the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, three Air Medals, two Presidential Unit Citations and numerous campaign and service medals.

Curtis served in the Navy for 28 years, retiring as a Commander. He then worked as an Employment Officer with the Colorado Division of Employment and retired from there after ten years.

Curtis lived in Colorado Spring from 1963 to 2012, where he is a life member of Centennial Sertoma Club and was recognized as Sertoman of the Year in 1982, 84, 90, and 92. As a Sertoma volunteer, he constructed over 300 wheelchair ramps and over 100 other handy man projects for the disabled.

He currently lives in Fort Collins, Colorado.

For more information, contact Gale McGaha Miller at galemcgahamiller@msn.com

Curtis McGaha, circa 1942

Curtis McGaha and daughter Gale McGaha Miller, 2019

Hola ANSO Familia!

It is with great pleasure and humility that I want to thank the members of ANSO for electing me to serve as your 15^th National President.  I feel very honored by the support and trust you have demonstrated to me.  I am grateful to you for giving me this wonderful opportunity to lead ANSO for the next few years and working with CDR Jose Rosario, the Board of Directors (BOD), and all ANSO members to make this organization even more successful.  I will strive in every way to be worthy of your confidence and to fulfill my duties the best I can. 

As I commence this journey, I will use the guidance and mentorship of those who held this position before me. I would like to thank RDML Will Rodriguez, USN (Ret.) and Maj Kevin Cortes, USMC (Ret.) whom for eight years served and led this organization through tough times to accomplish great things.  As I take on this new role, I also want to thank our current BOD members, who were elected and appointed to serve with me for the new term. Thank you to MajGen Frederick Padilla (USMC), LCDR Rolando Machado (USN), Mr. Matthew Paredes and all other members who were nominated for your commitment to ANSO and continued support.  I am looking forward to continue working with all of you to take ANSO to the next level.  

ANSO has made a real difference in my life and the lives of many of you.  Our members are passionate leaders and mentors who are dedicated to our mission. We continue to cultivate great professionals in the Sea Services by fostering the personal growth and professional development of officers, enlisted and civilian personnel.  That is why it is extremely important that all members do their part for the continued success of ANSO.

My goal during my term as President of ANSO is to find innovative ways within our organization to continue promoting cultural awareness within ANSO’s five pillars: Resources, Membership, Recruitment, Professional Development, and Community Outreach.  Although, ANSO’s vision and mission are mostly guided towards Hispanics, yet it is not all inclusive to Hispanics.  ANSO provides professional development opportunities and mentorship to Hispanics in the Sea Services but it also affords the same opportunity to other ethnic groups.  By doing so, it creates an environment that actively promotes cultural awareness, which is key to improve communication and work relationships; all essential for a successful career.

Ahora es, ANSO!  I firmly believe that cultural awareness is the path for better relations, collaborations and to push our members further in their careers.  In this way, ANSO can contribute to building stronger Sea Services. We should never forget where we come from and be proud of our cultures because it makes us who we are…and we are strong diverse service members. 

Ahora es, ANSO! It’s Time.

Time to give us your feedback.

Time to get involved and contribute to our organization.

Time to continue our legacy… uno y uno mas con ANSO!… Adelante con ANSO!

I am certainly happy to win these elections but I am also perfectly aware of the hard work that is to be done during the next years of my presidency.  The time has come to fulfill the commitments given and I am ready for it.  But any efforts would be of little use without your active support and collaboration.

I am calling on all of you now to work together to continue our mission.

Ahora es, ANSO!

Very respectfully,

Blanca Rosas
La Presidenta de ANSO