A unique way to serve our nation

As Terry Drabant graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1965, he realized the occasion was both happy and sad.

"It was a relief to have completed four years of arduous training, rigorous academics, and sacrifices," he recalls. "Yet, there was sadness at the prospect of leaving the tight bonds established with my classmates and squadron mates."

Drabant was not commissionable at graduation and left the Academy to start his career with one of the most prestigious blue chip firms of the time, IBM. After two years of working on the commercial side of the business, he yearned for greater challenges. "I was just not satisfied and did not feel I was contributing at scale to the company's growth," he says.

Drabant transferred to IBM's nascent Federal Business Unit, which included contracts with the military. He viewed this time at IBM as a means to fulfill his service obligation. As his accomplishment grew at IBM, and subsequently at Lockheed Martin and a private investment firm, so did his realization of what had fueled his success.

"It took me some ten years to recognize how much of my career success was attributable to all that I learned at the Academy. The more successful I became, the more I felt there was a debt to repay to my school," he says. "Eventually, I had the fulfilling opportunity to lecture at the Academy in Systems Engineering and Behavioral Sciences."

Because of his philanthropic endeavors, Drabant was invited in 2007 to help launch the organization that developed into the Air Force Academy Foundation. After 16 years of service on the board of directors, he is now an emeritus director.

"I have a 'blue ocean' strategy of seeking involvement with new markets that seek to eliminate disadvantages," Drabant says. "I was drawn to the Foundation by its mission and the opportunity to help build an organization focused on transparency. It is the best board I have ever served on - we all have the same goals of doing the right thing for our Academy."

Drabant's generosity toward the Academy includes a future legacy commitment to USAFA through his estate. In addition to his philanthropic support for the Academy, he has created an organization named Starfish that provides guidance and opportunities to young men who have come from challenging circumstances.

For more information about estate planning and leaving your legacy, contact Dale Zschoche, P'10 at [email protected].