I ended up having to create a template for 2013 since it doesn't remember user settings.
(things like mm vs inches, stencils to load, etc).
I placed in a "my_templates" directory and pointed 2013 to it.
After using a given template a couple times, its listed on the left side.
I pin it....so now everytime I start visio, that template is at the top left.
(vs the right side which is the recent templates used).