Sigma Phi Epsilon - Auburn University

Generally SPEaking page 2 Alumni Volunteer Opportunities Available I hope this letter finds you well as we transition to spring. It was a busy winter for the Alabama Alpha. New executives have taken office, led by President Nicholas Caruso '17. The executive team attended a Carlson Leadership Academy in early February, preparing them for their terms and our national Balanced Man and substance-free initiatives. Risk management continues to be an important topic. The Chapter is taking steps to reduce our tiered risk rating so that insurance premiums will be reduced. I am pleased to see more of our men gaining offices on campus, improving overall grades, and working hard in the community on behalf of SigEp. Our recruitment efforts will be greatly aided by the improvements to the house. Members have been charged with recruiting this spring and summer so that the hard work is done prior to fall recruitment. If you know of a young man who would be a good fit, please let me know and I will coordinate with our vice president of new member recruitment. Membership will always be the lifeblood of our fraternity, and identifying the right men to help us maintain our manpower and standing on campus is vital. Finally, there are a lot of SFE Alabama Alpha alumni living within 50 miles of Auburn. Alumni are needed to serve on the Alumni Volunteer Corporation and Alumni Advisory Council. These are one-time per month meeting commitments to handle the business of the alumni board and mentor undergraduate executive members. We also need to develop the next Chapter advisor and counselor candidates. If you have time to attend weekly Chapter meetings and provide guidance to the undergraduate members, would you consider working with me and transitioning into that role in the next 12-18 months? We need to develop more bench strength for that position. It was never intended to be a lifetime appointment; the fraternity benefits from fresh eyes, ideas, and perspectives. Please think about becoming part of this service to your fraternity. If you would like more information on how to get involved in your area of interest, please contact me. Thank you for your continued support of Alabama Alpha. HFF, Andy Huggins '87 Chapter Counselor awfhuggins@gmail.com DCNR Commissioner Gunter Guy '78 Reflects on His Career, SigEp Membership G unter Guy '78 graduated from Auburn University with a degree in finance in 1978. He applied for law school, but took a year off before attending to work for the father of Alabama Alpha brother Mark Gasser '80. "That summer was bittersweet. I felt like I had failed because I hadn't been accepted to law school right away. However, Mark's dad gave me an opportunity to do something different and broaden my outlook. I was accepted to Cumberland Law School the following year, but that time off most definitely worked out in the end." After graduating from Cumberland with his juris doctor in 1982, Gunter took his first job with the Supreme Court of Alabama. He then served as the city attorney for the City of Montgomery for 17 years. Today, he is commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. "I feel like a good bit of luck and destiny brought me to this position," Gunter said. "The governor-elect, Robert Bentley, was looking for an attorney to handle the BP Oil Spill litigation and related issues, along with someone who had knowledge of hunting and fishing. I was asked to interview for the job, and after my first meeting with the governor, it seemed like I was destined to take this career path." For those men who are soon to graduate, or have recently entered their first careers post-college, Gunter has some sage advice: "Pick a career that suits your personality; don't try to be somebody you're not. Learn how to interact with people. Success in business still requires people skills. Don't be afraid to try different types of jobs, because ultimately success is measured by doing something you love. Finally, don't be afraid of failure. Your ability to overcome failure is how you will be defined." Gunter has long reaped the rewards of his SigEp membership. He has a successful career, loving family, and many longtime friends. "Sigma Phi Epsilon was very good in helping me mature as a young person, particularly with people skills. Alabama Alpha gave me valuable friendships and a level of comfort when I first arrived at AU that helped establish who I was. You don't necessarily know it at the time, but looking back, it's clear that it happened." Gunter and his wife, Patsy, live in Pintlala, Alabama. They have two daughters: Catherine, a 2013 Auburn graduate and 2016 Cumberland School of Law graduate, and Ashley, who will receive her degree from Auburn in May. Both are recently engaged. You can contact Gunter at gunter.guy@dcnr.alabama.gov. Ask How You Can Get Involved Today!

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