TITLE: Congratulating Curtis Gene Raetz on his retirement from the Raytheon Company.

SUMMARY: Congratulating Curtis Gene Raetz on his retirement from the Raytheon Company.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Colonel Curtis G. Raetz (USMCR, Ret.) closed out a notable 16-year tenure with Raytheon when he retired from the company on April 3, 2015; and WHEREAS, A native of Casper, Wyoming, Curtis Gene Raetz was raised in the Middle East and graduated from George C. Marshall High School in Ankara, Turkey; he was subsequently awarded a full Naval ROTC scholarship to attend The University of Texas at Austin, where he earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering in 1976, and he went on to receive a master's degree in systems management from the University of Southern California and an MBA from the Naveen Jindal School of Management at UT-Dallas; and WHEREAS, Through the NROTC program, Mr. Raetz was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, where he served as a pilot for six years, logging 2,500 hours in the cockpit; after completing his active duty in 1983, he entered the Selected Marine Corps Reserve and continued serving on assignments until December 2006; over the course of his exemplary military career, he received numerous commendations, including the Meritorious Service Medal and two Navy Achievement Medals, and he attained the rank of colonel; and WHEREAS, This accomplished officer began his civilian employment as a manufacturing engineer at Texas Instruments in 1983, and in the ensuing years, he gained additional work experience as a program manager at SBS Engineering, Paradigm Simulation, and the Digital Pilot Corporation; and WHEREAS, In June 1999, Colonel Raetz started working at Raytheon, where he has distinguished himself in several management positions in information technology and systems; throughout his tenure, he has been recognized for his fine work with a number of accolades, including the 2004 Intelligence, Information and Services Employee of the Year Award, the 2002 IIS IT Outstanding Leadership Award, the 2001 C3i IT Award of Excellence for Outstanding Six Sigma Achievement, and the 2000 C3i IT Award of Excellence for Best Program Management; moreover, his final assignment with the company sent him to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for eight months; and WHEREAS, In all of his endeavors, Curtis Raetz enjoys the love and support of his wife, the former Lou Ann Holmes, with whom he has shared 37 rewarding years of marriage, and he takes tremendous pride in the couple's three children, Stephen, Kate, and Will; and WHEREAS, Curtis Raetz's dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence have earned him the respect and admiration of his peers, and he may indeed reflect with pride on his achievements as he embarks on the next exciting chapter of his life; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Curtis G. Raetz on his retirement from Raytheon and extend to him sincere best wishes for the future; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for Colonel Raetz as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives. Darby Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 2715 was adopted by the House on May 21, 2015, by a non-record vote. Chief Clerk of the House