Prior to the outbreak of the coronavirus in 2020, we used to host multiple client and friend dinner events each year.  We would have these events typically at excellent local restaurants in the South Bay and East Sacramento areas.  Due to the size of our investment firm and assets under management, we were able to engage top-tier analysts of multi-billion-dollar fund companies along with other informative professionals as keynote speakers.  Everyone involved thoroughly enjoyed these events and it was a great opportunity to hear from everyone about their views on the economy and discuss new investment strategies.  For the most part, these events were focused on educational topics of building and maintaining wealth.

We had to cancel these events due to the pandemic.  However, earlier this year during an Up Capital team meeting someone brought up these events and how much we enjoyed them.  Although we all agreed we wanted to start scheduling these events, we also wanted to make them more meaningful and memorable for everyone who attended. 

We decided to broaden the topics from just investing and have speakers who had unique life experiences or insights that we all could learn from. 

We kicked off our first 2024 Up Capital Dinner event on September 27 with long-time client and friend, retired Lieutenant Colonel Tom Dwelle, as our keynote speaker, held at not a restaurant but at Dwelle’s hangar at Auburn Municipal Airport.  This is not any ordinary hangar with oil on the floor and airplane parts hanging on walls.  The Dwelle family built a custom hangar that is near museum quality to display their impressive multi-million dollar collection of historic warbird planes along with their new corporate Citation Jet. 

The floors are polished, and the enormous hangar doors open wide on two sides to views of the Auburn landscape.  The night’s weather was perfect, complete with a brilliant western sunset.

To start the evening, pilots Ken Dwelle (son of Tom Dwelle, Sr), Ben Marsh, and David Holloway fired up the engines of three WWII North American T-6 Texan airplanes.  They taxied out for a three-ship formation flight display around the airport.  It’s a unique experience to hear one of these powerful nine-cylinder 600+ horsepower radial engines warm up.  Having three T-6s right in front of the hangar and then taxiing out was impressive. Ken has a smoke machine in his plane that adds great visual impact as they fly by.  Two lucky guests, Marius Van Zyle and Kimo Rebollo, son of Mike and Trudy Rebollo, were backseat riders for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.  Also, that night was Kimo’s 27th birthday on the 27th that added to the unique experience.   

The North American T-6 Texan planes played an important role during WWII training thousands of pilots to prepare for the German theater.  American military pilots played a critical role during WWII turning the tide of Germany’s advances and especially pilots flying the superior P-51 fighter that many credit to the defeat of the Nazi military.

Dinner was served once the T-6’s taxied back and shut down the engines in front of the hangar.  We had a wonderful catered dinner, dessert, and an open bar to set up for the evening speakers.

First up was Ken Dwelle who introduced all the planes in and around the hangar.  He provided great insight into the historical significance of each of the planes.  Ken spoke of his impressive USAF career that included flying the F-117 Stealth Fighter.  Ken, Tom Dwelle, Sr, and brother Tommy all raced in the Reno Air Races, and all have winning records that include track speed titles that some still remain unbroken.

Finally, it was time for Tom Dwelle, Sr to talk about his remarkable life.  He published a book, titled “Life in the Fast Lane” earlier this year about his life story and the reason I asked him to speak that night.  His book is full of great stories during his military years of training and becoming a multi-decorated fighter USAF pilot during the Vietnam War. 

Tom gave us impressive details flying in the cockpit at Mach 1 and later at Mach 2.  He discussed his role during the Cuban missile crisis flying the F-104 equipped with a nuclear bomb on alert to fire on command.  He exposed Dan Rather on his false claims against George Bush, Jr identifying the famous Killian letter was printed by a computer printer while the USAF still used IBM Selectric typewriters.  Tom was never shy to express his opinion or stand up for what he considered right.  He called out a Colonel on his error during a radio military debrief and chased out the mafia running a gambling ring in the officer’s hall.  Tom gave a chilling story of his commanding officer and lead pilot in Vietnam attempting to kill Tom by navigating him into the jungle trees.  This was unbelievably one of three assassination attempts on his life. 

The book has beautiful color pictures from his time in the USAF because Tom’s 35mm camera was always within arms reach, even in his fighter plane.  

After an hour of conversation, he only covered the first 50 pages of his book.  He didn’t have time to discuss his post-military career or how he and his three brothers after taking over the family business built Flyers into a multi-billion dollar enterprise.  It was during his time at Flyers, that he and his sons raced in the Reno air races setting course records. 

As a final close, we gave everyone attending a copy of Tom’s book that he autographed on their way out. 

You can read more about his life and buy his book at Tomdwelle.com.

What Does This Mean to Me?

These dinner events are amazing.  We love engaging with our clients and friends and creating memorable experiences.   Our next event is in San Jose at Maggiano’s Little Italy restaurant on November 13, 2024, starting at 5:30 pm.  During the evening you will have a chance to meet members of our company and fellow Up Capital clients.  After dinner, there will be a podcast-style presentation by Matt Marmorstein and Anton, hosts of Daybreak with Anton podcast.  In our typical fun and personal style, we will discuss hot topics that include:

• Is the future of AI Will Smith’s I Robot,  I Am Legend, or something different?

• Is the economy on the brink of a recession or ready to break out?

• Can the stock market three-peat a third consecutive 15%+ gain?

• What are investing opportunities and risks for next year?

• Why is the Federal Reserve lowering interest rates and what do they know that we should know?

• Five keys to making 2025 your best year ever!

Give us a call or send an email if you would like to attend.  We love to see you there!