Commander Anthony D. Konecny ’79, USN (Ret.)
Commander Anthony D. Konecny ’79, USN (Ret.) learned to love the Navy from his father, a World War II machinist mate, who always spoke fondly of his service. After meeting a midshipman who was the son of a family friend, Tony made the decision that he wanted to attend the Naval Academy while in second grade.
As a fifth grader, Konecny concluded that submarines would be his warfare specialty upon reading Run Silent, Run Deep by Captain Edward Beach ’39, USN (Ret.).
Konecny said the Academy instilled the values and confidence that would set him on the course for a successful career in uniform and later as a certified financial planner. Grateful for the foundation the Academy provided, Konecny is an active member of the alumni community. He is president of the Columbus (OH) Chapter of the Alumni Association, an Alumni Center plankowner and a member of the Alumni Association Board of Trustees.
He is also a Robert Means Thompson Society (RMTS) member by including the United States Naval Academy Foundation in his charitable trust. Konecny said he became an RMTS member in 2007 as a way to give back to the Academy for all it has done for him and to help ensure that the Academy continues to be a premier institution of higher learning.
According to Konecny, being an RMTS member is an easy and effective way to ensure that the Naval Academy is positioned to continue its mission of preparing midshipmen morally, mentally and physically well into the future. He added that the Foundation is there not only to support the Naval Academy, but to assist the Alumni Association in providing services such as career placement and mentoring to alumni throughout their lives.
“I was looking for a cause that was worthwhile and that would benefit from all my hard work,” he said. “What better place than the Naval Academy that takes the best sons and daughters of our nation and makes them even better leaders prepared to deal with the many and varied challenges ahead of us.”
Konecny, who spent 24 years in the Navy, served on several submarines including PINTADO, HENRY M. JACKSON and CAVALLA, and the submarine tender Hunley. As a mission commander at the On-Site Inspection Agency, Konecny conducted 15 Strategic Arms Reduction (START) and Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty Inspections in former Soviet Union countries. He was the deputy commander, at Submarine Squadron Seventeen and Commanding Officer of Navy Recruiting District, Ohio.
He said developing relationships and working toward a shared goal was rewarding whether it was in the Navy, helping clients develop a financial plan or serving in volunteer roles with the Naval Academy Alumni Association and Foundation.
“I like to think of myself as a people person,” he said. “My Naval Academy experience developed in me the confidence to easily meet people and encourage them to accomplish a desired goal. That has served me well as an Alumni Association Chapter President and a board trustee.”
Konecny and his wife Corinne are retired and reside in Worthington, Ohio.
Your gift, like Konecny’s, will help the Naval Academy continue to train midshipmen to become officers of competence, character and compassion. Contact the Office of Planned Giving at 410-295-4110 or plannedgiving@usna.com to learn more.