LETTER FROM OUR PRESIDENT

Happy 2024 and a safe, prosperous and healthy year of the Dragon to all of you and your families. Despite challenges and some painful losses, Golden West is doing better than ever. Our European programs continue to prosper and the growing unrest in the world only makes our products and support more in demand. USAFRICOM is showing interest in our PSSM program and we are doing some upcoming outreach in the Americas.

Our Thailand program continues supporting our friends at TMAC, HDR&D and MARFORPAC. Cambodia continues to develop DPAA support capacity while sustaining world class EHP operations. In Vietnam, Golden West continues to support Residual Capacity Management team building with the Quang Tri PMC while we work directly with customers in Hanoi trying to reestablish a desired effective training program.

In Fiji, training continues to go well while we continue to struggle with administrative procedures. Adan is planning a trip to RMI this quarter to conduct equipment maintenance and prepare for the deployment to Wotje in May or June.

In the Philippines, CJ and Wayne are doing hero work, focusing customer requirements and constructing a complex proposal for a long-term project involving both Caballo Island and Corregidor in Manila Bay.

The European program is extremely busy with PSSM and EOD Training projects all over the map. From Georgia to Albania, Northern Macedonia to Kosovo, our teams are doing great work and keeping customers well served. We are seeing forays into Africa and some investigative visits in the Americas, so the future continues to look bright.

Swim for Life continues to have an impact. Our relationship with the Global Health Advocacy Incubator has enabled us to expand our program to Huong Hoa District in western Quang Tri. This district poses a significant challenge due to geography, economics and a large ethnic minority population, but success there will help to create a standard program that can be replicated in other places.

As we move into 2024, I’m excited about our improving relationships with donors and potential for more and better programs in the future. As always, thanks to all of you who make these things happen.

WELCOME TO THE BOARD

Bob Seddon, Col. (Ret.)

We are delighted to announce our latest appointment to the Golden West Humanitarian Foundation Board of Directors, Bob Seddon, Col (ret). Bob brings decade of EOD, Ammunition Management, and team leadership experience.

Bob retired in from the British Army as a colonel in 2011 with 27 years of service. Whilst serving he filled a range of practical EOD, weapons intelligence, special projects, and related policy appointments. He commanded an EOD squadron in Great Britain and a regular regiment in Northern Ireland. He has completed operational tours of duty in Northern Ireland, the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan. In his final Army appointment, he was the Principal Ammunition Technical Officer and the British Army’s Competent Authority and Inspector for IED disposal, weapons intelligence and explosive safety.

He was awarded a Queen’s Commendation for Bravery for his actions in Baghdad, Iraq, and a Commander-in-Chief’s Commendation for Gallantry for his work in the United Kingdom.

Since leaving the army his focus, as a Chartered Engineer, has been on explosive threat mitigation in both the ammunition safety management and the counter IED domains. He has worked with a variety of international organisations, including the United Nations Mine Action Service and the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (Ammunition Management Advisory Team). Much of his work has been in low capacity and conflict-affected environments in the Middle East and North Africa. In the commercial domain he has served as a non-executive director with a number of UK based companies and has provided strategic support to clients across the globe.

Outside of work he is a keen mountaineer and hunter; he is at his happiest in the hills with a rifle.

INTERVIEW WITH STEVE STUEHSER

Attorney, FBI Agent & Firearm Destruction in Cambodia

In our ongoing series of interviews with our team members making a significant impact in humanitarian efforts, we had the privilege of sitting down with Steve Stuehser, a former FBI agent turned Technical Advisor for the Golden West Humanitarian Foundation’s (GWHF) Ammunition Management and Firearms Destruction Program in Cambodia.

Steve’s journey from a practicing attorney in Las Vegas to a 20-year career as an FBI agent and now a crucial role with us in Cambodia, is emblematic of his commitment to public service.

Throughout his distinguished FBI career, Steve managed a range of challenging cases, including African-based money laundering schemes, wildlife trafficking, and human trafficking issues, particularly in Southeast Asia. His ability to collaborate effectively with foreign law enforcement and military personnel, from the grassroots level to high-ranking officials, provided him with invaluable skills that have seamlessly transitioned into his current role with GWHF.

Steve’s dedication to humanitarian causes and his love for the people and culture of Cambodia led him to retire from the FBI and embrace an opportunity to continue making a difference in the region. His role involves the responsible destruction of small arms and light weapons, contributing to the safety and stability of Cambodia.

GWHF: What motivated you to join the FBI?

SS: I was a practicing attorney in Las Vegas for 3-yrs or so prior to the September 11 attacks. There was very little satisfaction for me in law so when I felt the patriotic urge to contribute in some way, I applied to the FBI and after a long wait, was accepted. I recently retired after over 20 years of service.

GWHF: In what ways does your background in law enforcement contribute to your approach to humanitarian issues, SAWL, HMA?

SS: I was fortunate during my time in the FBI to manage our African Organized Crime program, which dealt primarily with two issues:

Firstly, African-based money laundering schemes, primarily Nigerian, and wildlife trafficking originating in Africa (ivory, rhino horns, pangolins, etc.) and transiting through SE Asia with destinations primarily in China.

Secondly, and even more importantly, I handled many human/sex trafficking cases while working in the region. Without a doubt, knowing how to work closely with foreign law enforcement and military personnel, from the street-level investigators to the heads of these powerful organizations is a skill learned that translates well to my current assignment in Cambodia.

GWHF: What motivated you to transition from the FBI to working with Golden West in Cambodia?

SS: My family & I have lived in East Asia for 8 years (China, Japan, Cambodia, and Vietnam), the last 4 being here in Cambodia/Vietnam. We love it here, primarily because of the people. There is a gentleness and innocence about Cambodians that we love being around. When I retired in March of this year (2023) and when the opportunity to return to live and work in Cambodia presented itself, it seemed the natural thing to do.

I consider myself a weapons junkie. I’ve always enjoyed shooting, taking apart and reassembling weapons. This is the perfect job for me as I get to handle firearms, I would never have been able to otherwise. It’s been a good thing for me to be able to see refurbished versions of most of the weapons we are destroying mounted on displays as teaching tools for RCAF personnel. Many of them have fascinating histories, to include when and where they were produced and how they ultimately ended up in Cambodia.

GWHF: Thank you so much for your time and service Steve.

PROGRAM UPDATE

Swim For Life Vietnam, recently attended the World Conference on Drowning Prevention 2023 in Perth, Australia. This prestigious event provided an outstanding platform for engaging with partners, rekindling old connections, and establishing new ones. Our team was excited to showcase our case studies and discuss the outcomes of our recent drowning prevention efforts in Vietnam.

The conference, featuring experts from 51 countries, started with a panel discussion entitled “Policy and Swimming – Shaping Global Strategy and Mobilizing for Local Action.” We were proud to see our partners from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator and members of Vietnam’s Health Ministry contributing significantly. This interaction underlined our commitment to empowering children with swimming skills and enhancing drowning prevention strategies.

The conference left us inspired and more determined than ever to advance our drowning prevention efforts in Vietnam. This is accomplished by generous support from Golden West and collaboration with our valued partners in the Global Health Advocacy Incubator and Campaign for Tobacco Free Kids.