Starliners
From 1967 through 1977, Bowie (Md.) Senior High School sponsored an extracurricular jazz band called The Starliners. The Starliners was a relatively standard big band, with 5 reeds, 4 trombones, 4 trumpets, piano, bass, guitar, and drums. Often the band was augmented with additional percussion, vibes, French horns, an extra trumpet, and vocalists. At times, there were as many as 23 of us on stage. The band leader during its entire existence was Lt. Col. Joseph G. Carley (USAF, retired). He was paid a salary of $1 per year by the county Board of Education.
Giving back
I have been remarkably fortunate in life. Growing up in a suburban middle class family, I got a great education in public schools and graduated from a state university with a valuable engineering degree. I have been employed at good companies, run a successful consulting business, and co-founded a very successful ventured-funded startup. A long while ago, I began to think about how I could pay back some of this good fortune I have had.
Introductions
Since this is the first time most of you will have run into me, I guess I should introduce myself. I’m currently retired, by choice. I advise venture funded startups. I am currently working with Aerohive Networks. Previously, I advised Agito Networks which had been acquired by Shoretel. I also volunteer my time to the Jazz Archive project at KCSM-FM, digitizing the third largest jazz LP collection in the world. I serve on the board of San Jose Jazz, a service organization that provides music education programs and presents the San Jose Jazz Festival.
