Bart Fleming ’65

Bart joined Sigma Phi Epsilon in the fall of 1963 and graduated from the University of Arizona in 1966 with a BA in Political Science and Speech. In 1967 he was commissioned, 2nd Lt. U.S. Army, Military Police. Then he went onto be Chief of Police Operations, Ft. Dix New Jersey and Company Commander, 1st Battalion, 158th Police Brigade, Arizona National Guard. He served on the Faculty of the U.S. Army Reserve School.

As an undergraduate, he served as Chapter Rush Chairman from 1964-65; President, College Republican from 1965-66; and Anchor, KUAT evening news from 1965-66.

Brother Fleming’s professional career started as a stockbroker for E.F. Hutton and Company in 1969; He was appointed Chief Deputy Treasurer for the State of Arizona in 1971. Then he was appointed Arizona State Treasurer, (1973) by Governor Jack Williams to fill a vacancy in the constitutional office. At 31, he became, and remains, the youngest Constitutional Officer in Arizona History. He was elected Arizona State Treasurer in 1974. As the only Republican to be elected to the Executive Branch of Government in the disastrous Watergate election, Bart became the ranking Republican in state government.

During 1977 – 78, due to the resignation of Governor Raul Castro and the death of Governor Wes Bolin, Bart served as Acting Governor of Arizona whenever then Governor Bruce Babbitt was out of state.

Bart was elected, in 1976, a delegate to the Republican National Convention in Kansas City, pledged to Ronald Reagan. He served on the Executive Committee of the Platform Committee and co-chaired one of its subcommittees. Four years later he was named to the 100 Americans for Ronald Reagan Committee.

In 1979 Bart was named President of the Fiscal Policy Council, a think tank in Washington D.C., focusing on issues related to political economy. In 1983, He was asked to serve in the Administration of President Ronald Reagan. His initial position was Associate Administrator, for Management, of the Health Care Financing Administration, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the agency responsible for the Medicare and Medicaid programs.

Subsequently, he was appointed, Executive Associate Administrator, and Acting Deputy Administrator of the agency. During his tenure at the agency, he oversaw the operating and program budgets for both federal healthcare programs. He frequently testified before the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee.

The accomplishment of which he is most proud, during service in the Reagan Administration was demonstrating that it is possible for government to do more with less. He planned and executed the downsizing of the agency from 5,000 employees to 4,000. This was accomplished over two years without resorting to a formal Reduction In Force (RIF). During the two years the mission of the agency intensified as it implemented three Congressional mandates, the first programmatic reforms in Medicare since the program’s inception in 1967.

In 1988, he left the Reagan Administration to found an association of hospitals that served elderly populations in retirement communities, in rural areas and inner cities. The association began with 5 member hospitals and grew to nearly 100 members. The association was successful in getting legislation passed that gave relief to rural Medicare intensive hospitals.

In subsequent years he led strategic initiatives for Pricewaterhouse Coopers, LabOne, and Mitretek Corporation, focusing mostly on national health policy. At Mitretek, however, Bart was asked by the U. S. Boundary Commission of the U.S. Department of State to conduct a review of the management and operations of the Commission in its joint operations with the Office of the Surveyor General of Canada, its Canadian counterpart. The study took place shortly after the attack of 9/11. The report contained implications for national security.

Bart “retired” in 2006, and returned to Arizona to spend time with his family and play golf. However, accustomed to the adrenaline producing environs of the nation’s capitol, he found an excuse to engage in consulting for several start-up banks, writing their strategic plans. He also consulted for several healthcare organizations seeking to enter the Arizona Market.

Bart was asked to substitute for a Spanish teacher at Gilbert Christian School who had fallen ill. When the teacher was unable to return to the classroom he was asked to take over the class for the remainder of the year. He taught Spanish the following year as well, and developed and taught a class in Public Speaking and Debate.

The next year Bart was recruited by Argosy University Online to work with active duty military, members of the Reserves and National Guard, veterans to help them enter the University and earn undergraduate and post graduate degrees.

Brother Fleming has, during his career, served on numerous Boards including; Phoenix General Hospital, March of Dimes, Christian Stewardship Ministries, Sharing Our Ministries Abroad, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is also a founding member of the AZ Beta Alumni Board.

Bart has authored articles for newspapers and magazines. He published, Epic, a public policy journal in the early 1980’s. Between 2001 and 2005 he was a regular contributor to the Wall Street Journal’s Opinion Journal Online. His views on public policy have been published on the Op Ed page of newspapers. Last year his article, “Is It Liberty and Equality, or Liberty Versus Equality” was featured in the inaugural issue of Tea Party Review. He, recently, authored an article for an opinion Blog, “Why Obamacare Must Be Repealed”.

He has been a guest lecturer at colleges and Universities, including, Thunderbird School of International Management, Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Washington University, St Louis, Missouri, the Thought Leadership Forum on Health Policy, Harvard University, the Federal Executive Institute, Charlottesville, Virginia.

He was a lay preacher and Bible teacher at Truro Episcopal Church in Fairfax, Virginia. He has written on Biblical topics and led men’s retreats for churches in Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Bart is married to Bethany and together they have two children and two grandchildren.

Bart says of his time in the chapter and service on the Alumni Board, “In my family and career I have been blessed beyond my ability to describe. When I was initiated into the active chapter of Arizona Beta, there was an examination prior to proceeding with ceremony. I will never forget my long time friend and Sig Ep Brother, the late Perry Bothe, asking me a series of questions as a preliminary to the ritual. One of those question, sadly no longer included in the ritual, was, did I believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God who died for me – or words to that effect. I dutifully answered that I did. But honestly I had no real understanding of the implications of the question or more importantly of the answer.

That didn’t become a reality until fifteen years later when I accepted the Amazing Grace of God offered through His son, Jesus Christ. One of the thoughts that came to mind when I reached the point of faith, was of that time in the small room with Perry just off the Kitchen. Over the years I have frequently reflected on my time at Sig Ep in the context of what I learned from the brotherhood. I came to understand that it was providence that ushered me through the big red door into fellowship with some terrific men into a brotherhood founded on the highest principles of faith, fidelity and friendship. Whatever I have accomplished in my career and in my family, no small portion is due lessons learned as a Sig Ep at Arizona Beta.

It was an education all to itself, an education to which only a few ever have access. I learned about living in a community; about living for something larger than my self. Those who have never participated in a college fraternity missed the opportunity to learn about managing a six figure budget, caring for a million dollar property, rejoicing in successes of the group; and of individual brothers like Bill Ridenour and Mike Farley. Both were Chapter Presidents, one Student Body President, and the other IFC President, going on to achieve success in their respective careers. Most certainly the skills they brought to bear in their professions were learned in service to the Fraternity and the University. Through one of the brothers I met the beautiful blonde haired, blue- eyed surfer girl from California who would be come my wife. I am grateful for the self-confidence gained from working for the success of the organization.

I – we owe a great deal to the 12 men who relatively late in the evolution of the Greek system at America’s universities had a vision for a special enterprise. I am grateful to the handful of men who took a chance in moving from a small frame house near Campus, to move into a 60 bed “mansion” not knowing whether they would succeed, but who had the vision and the drive to make it work. I am thankful for the men who took me through pledgeship, for the discipline, respect and sense of duty they imparted to me. I marvel at what and who followed us, several of whom became special friends as we struggled through three years of trying to save a sinking ship. But that effort, far from futile, laid the groundwork for a viable alumni association, ensuring a future for AZ Beta. Thanks to brothers who continue that work.