2023 KDVA & KUSAF Honoree

Mr. Matthew Lee

HONORS CATEGORY:

U.S. Veteran

Accomplishments or support for the ROK-U.S. Alliance:

Event Supporting the 2023 MOAA Charities Golf Classic; Dinner event invitation by President Yoon from South Korea; Dinner with Minister Park Jin (ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs) on 2/3/2023; Grand Opening Event South Korea based company Intellian Technologies, Inc.; Event Changwon Sister City delegation visit in Baltimore, MD on 5/26/2023

Volunteer efforts:

Knowledge of Business Enterprise (KoBEusa.org) and U.S. International Development Center (USIDC.us) activities including but not limited to Pro-Bono Business Services, Fundraising Events, Community Outreach, Mentorship and Tutoring, Administrative Support, Virtual Events, Event Assistance, Board / Committee Membership, Volunteer Coordination, Direct/Emergency Community Service, etc.

Biography:

Matthew is a multi-lingual published author and speaker including Global Public Procurement Conference. He has a Master of Science, Electrical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University, and am a Goldman Sachs 10K Small Business Alumni. Matthew’s honors include Maryland Governor’s Citations, Korean Prime Minister’s Citation and Maryland TOP 100 MBE.As a former president of KADNO-WMA, Korean American Democratic National Organization (KADNO) Matthew helped to empower the Korean American communities throughout the nation through active participation in the political process and increase the representation of the Korean American community in government and the political process by supporting qualified Korean-American candidates to elected and appointed offices. For the Coalition of Asian Pacific American Democrats of Maryland (CAPAD-MD), the first Asian American and Pacific Islander Democratic Organization whose charter is recognized by the State of Maryland’s Democratic Party, Matthew has helped with small businesses and startup company mentoring, development, and stakeholder engagement at Knowledge of Business Enterprise Government Contracting Alliance (KoBE) Matthew has helped over 250 minority-owned small business members since 1996.  Matthew offers free consultation services to assist building small businesses in their objective to create mutually beneficial relationships with the U.S. Government, the largest purchaser of goods and services in the world. To streamline this process, Matthew has organized the necessary developmental factors into three distinct functional areas: Government Procurement Advocacy, Cross-Industry Networking, and Information Dispersion.

Statement from the nominator:

Matthew’s community objectives are to address economic development issues that critically impact minorities and socioeconomically disadvantaged communities by leveraging over 30 years of direct experience growing, managing, and mentoring small businesses and to provide leadership and policy advice in the areas of federal contracting, small business, and information technology.  He is highly skilled in small business and startup company mentoring, business and corporate development, and stakeholder engagement.  Matthew’s community work in Montgomery County includes founding and acting as president of U.S. International Development Center (IRS 501c3 registered charitable non-profit organization) assisting dozens of international businesses, establish companies in Maryland including Montgomery County.   Matthew’s strong communication skills have allowed him to effectively engage with diverse groups of people and convey complex ideas in a clear and persuasive manner. His accurate and quality controlled financial skills enable him to evaluate policy proposals critically and contribute insightful perspectives during committee discussions.

2023 KDVA & KUSAF Honoree

Mr. Rick Bogusky

HONORS CATEGORY:

U.S. Veteran

Accomplishments or support for the ROK-U.S. Alliance:

Rick Bogusky had a 24-year US Army career as a Field Artillery Officer and Korea FAO, serving 6 tours in Korea at all echelons of command and staff, and with close integration with the frontline ROK Army units.  His active duty service in Korea culminated as the executive officer to the Deputy Commander, Combined Forces Command, followed by a War College Fellowship to the Korea Institute for Defense Analysis.  Assignments off the Korean peninsula were still closely linked to security and support for the ROK-US alliance, including service as Chief of the Korea Division at DIA from 1993-1996 during the first nuclear crisis with North Korea.  Even after retirement, Rick continued to support ROK-US alliance indirectly in his role as Senior Vice President of CENTRA technologies, a defense contractor company (2001-2019) and directly in his final assignment to Korea as DTRA LNO to USFK/CFC from 2013 to 2017.

Volunteer efforts:

Highly active support and participation in KDVA events, journals, and media engagements.  Highly active in his local community and Church; leads a men’s group and volunteers as a lector.  During his time in Korea he would volunteer regularly to support the on-base Church and off-base engagements with the Korean community, including supporting Korean nursing homes/hospice and teaching English to a community of Korean nuns.

Biography:

Rick Bogusky had a 24-year US Army career as a Field Artillery Officer and Korea FAO, serving 6 tours in Korea at all echelons of command and staff, and with close integration with the frontline ROK Army units.  His active duty service in Korea culminated as the executive officer to the Deputy Commander, Combined Forces Command, followed by a War College Fellowship to the Korea Institute for Defense Analysis.  Assignments off the Korean peninsula were still closely linked to security and support for the ROK-US alliance, including service as Chief of the Korea Division at DIA from 1993-1996 during the first nuclear crisis with North Korea.  Even after retirement, Rick continued to support ROK-US alliance indirectly in his role as Senior Vice President of CENTRA technologies, a defense contractor company, from 2001-2019, and directly in his assignment to Korea as DTRA LNO to USFK/CFC from 2013 to 2017.

Statement from the nominator:

Rick Bogusky is an exemplar of selfless service, passion for the ROK-US Alliance and veterans, and love of country and family, American and Korean.  I witnessed his dedicated and humble service my entire life but words cannot do justice to adequately describe his quiet professionalism, humility, honest character, and service to others.  Hopefully three anecdotes will help shine a light on the character of this man, my father, to represent how he carried himself and served the Alliance.  During a visit to visit my Grandparent’s home in ChunChon, South Korea, I observed a drunken Korean man attempting to cross a busy street.  He fell, stumbling and cursing, as cars passed around him.  No one stopped to help him, except my father, who ran over to stop traffic and carry him to safety.  In the late 1990s while walking outside on Yongsan Army Garrison we stopped to honor retreat.  We noticed a group of young Army soldiers a short distance away casually talking and ignoring the national anthems from loudspeakers.  My dad calmly and respectfully reminded them to honor the flag.  Finally, father willingly stepped down from his position as senior vice president of CENTRA technologies in 2013 to serve in Korea as DTRA LNO to USFK.  This move was intentional to allow my parents to care for my mother’s youngest sister, severely handicapped, until her passing in 2017.  The themes of integrity, service to others before self, and duty were the hallmarks of his service to the ROK-US alliance.

2023 KDVA & KUSAF Honoree

CPT Tyler Williams

HONORS CATEGORY:

U.S. Service Member

Accomplishments or support for the ROK-U.S. Alliance:

Intelligence Officer, Air Defense of Seoul, Air Defense Intelligence officer for Suwon AFB Air Defense, Liaison, Perimeter Defense Suwon AFB, 10th ROK Air Force Liaison Suwon AFB

Volunteer efforts:

Supported Suwon Orphanage annual Christmas and Spring festival events, Suwon – American-Korean Friendship club

Biography:

CPT Tyler Williams was born in Temple, Texas not far from the Army base of Fort Hood. CPT Williams is the son of Brenda and David Williams. From an early age CPT Williams wanted to be a military man. CPT Williams wanted to serve in the Army as had his father, grandfather, and great grandfathers and follow in their footsteps. The family moved often and to several postings. CPT Williams attended High School in Niceville Florida and earned an associate’s degree from Northwest Florida State College and his Bachelor’s degree from University of Central Florida majoring in Political Science. CPT Williams entered the Army in 2014 and was commissioned in the Army Intelligence Branch. CPT Williams has spent the majority of his service in overseas posts in Germany, Poland, and Korea. CPT Williams is currently assigned to Germany and plans on making the Army his chosen career.

Statement from the nominator:

CPT Tyler Williams selflessly served in various intelligence assignments in the Republic of Korea from December 2020 to November 2022, volunteering to extend his tour during some of North Korea’s most prolific missile firings in the Korean Theater of Operations. CPT Williams expertly navigated and integrated Intelligence War Fighting Functions to enhance U.S./Korean “Fight Tonight” readiness on land, sea, and the airspace over and surrounding Korea. Handpicked by Army leadership to serve as liaison and ground defense coordinator to the 10th ROKAF Fighter wing, he was commended by 10th ROKAF for his war-fighting skills and integration of U.S. / ROK air defense strategies. CPT Williams built integration relationships with 8th U.S. Army, 7th Air Force and the ROK Air Force enhancing digital battle functions and leaving behind a legacy program that will continue to serve the U.S. / ROK alliance in the coming years. One of the enduring programs CPT Williams left behind was his passionate integration and continuing education of Korean Augmentation to the United States Army personnel (KATUSA) assigned to his unit. Intelligence cross training and unit integration of KATUSA’s was a priority that will continue to strengthen the bonds of the U.S. / ROK alliance today and for the future. If selected for this honor CPT Williams would continue to foster his relationships with his Korean counterparts to sustain our strong alliance.