GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. - Continuing the tradition of remarkable keynote speakers at the annual JUCO Banquet, recently retired Navy SEAL and Grand Junction High School graduate Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator Karl “Gus” Gustavson has been selected to share this year’s message. The Banquet will be held on Friday, May 22, at the Grand Junction Convention Center starting at 7:00 pm. The ten qualifying teams for the NJCAA Division I Baseball World Series will be in attendance before tournament play begins the next day.
 
“Gus Gustavson is a homegrown American hero with an incredible story,” said Darren Coltrinari, Tournament Director for the JUCO World Series. “He grew up attending JUCO games before going on to a remarkable career of service, teamwork, and courage. For these 10 teams to reach Grand Junction, they need to demonstrate these qualities, and Gus exemplifies that message.”
 
The Gustavson family moved to Grand Junction in 1985, where Gus graduated from Grand Junction High School in 1997. During his career in the US Military, Gustavson served in a Special Operations unit for 22 years, including five years at SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2 and 16 years at Naval Special Warfare Development Group, also known as SEAL Team 6. Through his time in the service, he completed 15 deployments to 9 different countries. 12 of those deployments were to active combat zones. Gustavson was awarded various combat commendations, including three Bronze Star Medals with combat valor, the Purple Heart Medal, 5 Joint Service Commendation Medals with combat valor, three Presidential Unit Citations, and various other joint and individual awards. He also spent 2 years as lead selection and training instructor for SEAL Team 6’s rigorous selection program, known as “Green Team”.
 
Gustavson retired from the US Military in June of 2024 and now resides in Durango, Colorado, with his wife Deanne. He currently holds a position as Director of Operations for Community First Project, a nonprofit organization with the mission of training law enforcement officers for response to active shooters and critical incident situations, utilizing retired special operations personnel as instructors. Not one to shy away from a challenge, Gustavson also enjoys competing in triathlons, adventure races, obstacle course races, and mixed martial arts.
 
The general public is able to attend the JUCO Banquet on May 22 and listen to Gustavson’s story. Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, April 22nd, and can be purchased at www.jucogj.org. The JUCO tournament begins on Saturday, May 23, and game tickets can also be purchased at the same website.