Calamos Investments and Calamos Real Estate co-hosted a meet-and-greet event introducing members of the SEAL Future Foundation (SFF) to local business leaders Thursday, June 20, at CityGate Grille. SFF assists Naval Special Warfare Operators, or SEALs, to transition from military life to careers in the civilian world.
“Last summer Calamos participated in an SFF networking event in Chicago that led to the hire of a SEAL in transition, Chris Landis, as a research and development analyst at Calamos Real Estate” said Ken Witkowski, Calamos SVP real estate, business continuity & security. “His attitude, passion and dedication have been nothing but impressive.”
Witkowski was introduced to SFF by Calamos Investments CEO John Koudounis who has taken an active interest in supporting the organization.
Koudounis kicked off the event with a welcome and an introduction to three transitioning SEALs, Alex Ragula, Steve Drum and Jake Mart, who are exploring setting down roots in the Chicago area.
“Calamos Investments proudly hosts this SEAL Future Foundation event to support the well-being, education and careers of Navy SEAL veterans,” Koudounis said.
Ragula is pursuing an MBA at Chicago Booth School of Business with an interest in private equity and management consulting. Drum is a leadership trainer and consultant who recently launched a private practice. Mart has worked as an asset manager and is pursuing a career in commercial real estate.
SFF was founded in 2013 as the SEAL Future Fund and through 2018 has served more than 350 SEALs in transition. In 2019 its name was changed to SEAL Future Foundation to better capture its mission to create a pathway to success for transitioning SEALs through networking, internships and entrepreneur assistance.