The Honorable Allen Clark is a 1963 West Point graduate who served in Vietnam as a Military Intelligence officer involved in undercover intelligence operations against Cambodia assigned to the Green Berets). In June 1967, he was severely wounded in a mortar attack at Dak To, Special Forces camp and required 15 months of hospitalization for treatment after amputation of both his legs below his knees. He was awarded the Silver Star for Gallantry in Action, a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Air Medal and Combat Infantryman's Badge. He was president of Clark-Preston, Inc., a real estate investment company which he co-founded in Austin. From 1979-1981 he served as Special Assistant to Texas Gov. Bill Clements. In 1982 he was a candidate for Treasurer of the State of Texas. After nomination by President George H.W. Bush he was confirmed twice by the United States Senate—once as the Asst. Secretary for Veterans Liaison and Program Coordination, then as Director of the National Cemetery System of the Dept. of Veterans Affairs. He retired in 2005 as the Public Affairs Officer of the Veterans Affairs North Texas Health Care System in Dallas. His ministry to veterans suffering from combat operating stress may be found at his Web site www.combatfaith.com. In early 2007 his autobiography was published by Zenith Press, Wounded Soldier, Healing Warrior. He was interviewed by Larry King about his book on his May 17, 2007 program. 

As a participation, Hitachi Consulting gave away this autographed Bell X-1.  The aircraft was signed by BG Chuck Yeager.  Hitachi Consulting considered the award of the Bell X-1 particularly appropriate as this October represented the sixtieth anniversary of the first supersonic flight.

Mark Luetkemeyer is a Senior Manager with the Aerospace & Defense practice of Hitachi Consulting.  He has in excess of twenty years of experience in the DoD and the aerospace industry.  He has been involved in consulting engagements with: 

Steven’s Aviation, in conjunction with the SK Group, conducted a zero base review of business process and information technologies.  (1994—95).

Gulfstream Aerospace and General Dynamics Aviation Services, in conjunction with Aerospace Products International, conducted a zero base review of MRO and aftermarket business processes and information technologies.  (2002—04).

South East Piper, in conjunction with Aerospace Products International (API), established information technology capabilities to support of the stand-up of a $15—25MM Third Party Logistics Operations (2004).

Superior Air Parts, in conjunction with API, established information technology capabilities in support of the stand up of a Third Party Logistics Operation (2002).

Raytheon Aircraft, T-6 International Operations, in conjunction with API generated a proposed Third Party Logistics Operation to support international sales and deployment of the T-6 Texan II (2003). 

He was Vice President of Information Technology for Aerospace Products International (API) in Memphis TN.  In addition to standard IT responsibilities, he was a key participant in various business development activities and provided consulting and business services to API’s client  base. 

Immediately prior, he was Director of Management Information Systems for Bombardier’s FlexJet Operation in Dallas, TX. 

He has earned a Masters of Science in Cognitive Science from the University of Texas at Dallas, and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Dallas.