Cliff Young
The GEM Program is honoring Cliff Young, Associate Dean of Faculty at the University of
Colorado Denver Business School, as a GEM’s Gem.
Young graduated from college in 1969 at a time when the draft was in full force just prior to the
lottery. “I realized I needed to make a decision or it would be made for me so I applied for pilot
training in the Air Force,” Young said.
He was accepted for Officer Training School and hence to pilot training at Webb Air Force Base,
TX.
“I went straight into the front seat of the F-4 and went through combat crew training in
California,” he said. “My first regular assignment was Kunsan, Korea in February 1972.”
On April 1, 1972 Young’s squadron was sent down to Vietnam where he spent the next six-anda- half months flying combat missions in both North and South Vietnam.
Young personally flew 102 missions with 34 over North Vietnam. He received two
Distinguished Flying Crosses and six Air Medals.
“I was in two Mig fights, one where the Mig snuck up behind me and fired a heat-seeking
missile at me. Thanks to my flight lead who saw the Mig and called for a max performance turn I
was able to dodge the missile,” he said. “The second attack was much more in my favor where I
was able to shoot down the Mig with a heat seeking missile.”
After Vietnam, Young went back to Korea and was a guest instructor pilot with the Korean Air
Force who was upgrading to F-4s. Returning home, he was stationed at Holloman Air Force
Base in New Mexico where he instructed pilots going into fighters.
“While I was at Holloman I was able to obtain my MBA through a special on-base program,”
Young said. “I resigned my commission in 1976 and went back to school to obtain my
doctorate.”
Briefly describe your current role and responsibilities.
I’m currently associate dean of faculty for the Business School. As such I oversee the faculty and
financial resources of the Business School. I also directly oversee the Global Energy
Management program.
What do you enjoy most about your position at the university?
I am most happy when I see that I can be of service to the School and programs at the university.
The faculty and programs are what drive the School. I want to be able to help as much as
possible.
Please share a story about GEM or working at the CU Denver Business School that will
entertain other students.
I was directly involved and worked with John Turner who developed and proposed the new MS
GEM program. As part of the process I presented the proposal to the regents of Colorado. One of
the regents asked me, “Do you mean that you have created a program that directly fits the needs
of the industry?” I of course acknowledged yes, to which she replied that we need more
programs like this. It turned out to be a very easy sell to the regents.