Craig Bowling, Special Agent U.S. Department of Homeland Security, will speak about “Digital Jihad: A 13 Year International Investigation that Finally Brought the Godfather of Terrorist Websites to Justice.”

With over 18 years of investigative experience as a federal agent, Homeland Security Investigations, Special Agent Craig Bowling has spent the last 15 years conducting and supporting complex international terrorism investigations. Most recently, Special Agent Bowling concluded a 13-year investigation that resulted in arrests and convictions for offenses including terrorism and espionage. Special Agent Bowling also has investigative experience with narcotics-related smuggling, money laundering, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) violations, export violations, and child exploitation-related violations. Additionally, as a Computer Forensics Agent, Special Agent Bowling has conducted scores of digital forensic examinations and led numerous computer and Internet-related investigations.

Special Agent Bowling has provided training to federal, state, and local law enforcement. He has testified in federal court as a subject matter expert and his research into computer and Internet-related crime has been published in peer reviewed academic journals.

Special Agent Bowling holds Bachelor of Arts degrees in Criminal Justice, Sociology, and Foreign Languages and Literatures and a Master of Arts degree in Criminal Justice, all from Washington State University.

Arranged by Bob Smith

Evonne Klein

Ms. Klein is a graduate of Fairfield University, receiving a Masters degree in Corporate and Political Communications as well as her Bachelor’s degree. She also completed course work in Economics and Comparative Government at Oxford University, the London School of Economics, and the University of London.

A resident of Darien, she entered public service on the Darien Board of Selectmen, serving from 2001 to 2009 including three terms as First Selectman.

In 2013 recently-elected CT Gov. Dannel Malloy consolidated existing housing activities into the Department of Housing, and appointed Ms. Klein as its Commissioner in 2013, where she still serves.

Click here for expanded bio.

David will present an overview of the project that he and Penny Glassmeyer have proposed for the redevelopment of the approximately 6 acre area across from the Darien Playhouse.

Working with Robert A.M. Stern, the Dean of the School of Architecture at Yale University, and one of the leading architects in the United States, David and Penny have created a plan to transform the downtown of Darien into a more pedestrian friendly place, one where people can comfortably live, work and play. This large scale project will incorporate a mix of luxury housing, retail, office space, public parking and a “town green”.

Information about the project can be found at www.yourdowntowndarien.com .

R. David Genovese founded Baywater Properties in 2001, following a 12-year career in real estate investment banking in New York and London.

Prior to founding Baywater, David served as Co-Head of Real Estate Investment Banking for Credit Suisse First Boston. Previously, David served as a Managing Director in Bankers Trust Company’s Real Estate Investment Banking Group. Through the course of his career in investment banking, David was responsible for a variety of transactions valued in excess of $15.0 billion, including mergers and acquisitions, equity offerings, bond offerings, securitized financings, bank loans, and principal investments.

David is an honors graduate of Colby College and The London School of Economics and Political Science. David also received an MBA from The Wharton School of The University of Pennsylvania.

David is currently a member of the Board of Directors of The Human Services Council of Norwalk, The Darien Athletic Foundation and The Real Estate Finance Association of Connecticut. David has served as a member of the Board of Overseers of Colby College, and as a board member of the Darien Technology and Community Foundation, the Darien YMCA, the Darien Historical Society, and Darien Revitalization, Inc. In 2007, David was named as one of the “40 under 40” business leaders in Fairfield County, Connecticut.

Information about Baywater Properties can be found on www.baywater.net.

Stuart Gibson is an international consultant with over 20 years’ experience working with cultural organizations and governments undergoing economic and political transition and post-conflict development.

Gibson has worked extensively in the countries of the former Soviet Union, Eastern and Central Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East. He is a UN senior international expert on museum management and organization, cultural policy, and the financing of culture.

He is currently Secretary to the International Advisory Board of the State Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg, Russia), a UNESCO advisor to the Uzbekistan Ministry of Culture and Sport on the development of museums and tourism, and advisor to the Kurdish Regional Government (Iraq) on museums and archaeology. Gibson is a frequent speaker and lecturer on cultural and management issues.

The talk will explore Kurdistan and its quest for independence. The events of the past couple of years have changed the Iraqi landscape possibly forever. These events have simultaneously brought into question many geopolitical assumptions not only about Iraq but the Middle East and beyond. One crucial element in this unfolding drama is the autonomous region of Kurdistan in northern Iraq – its role in combating ISIS, its turbulent relationship with the Baghdad government, its evolving relationship with Iran, Syria, and Turkey, and its longstanding aspirations for independence.

Kurdistan, which has been an unflinching ally of the United States for over 20 years, is a pluralistic society embracing Kurds, Armenians, Turkmen, Yazidis, and Christians. Its capital Irbil is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world dating back to 6,000 BCE. Despite suffering horribly under the Saddam regime, it nevertheless remained steadfast in its resistance to that repressive rule. Since the end of the first Gulf war it is been unwavering in reclaiming its heritage and cultural identity and erecting a viable political and economic social order as an independent region in Iraq. Since the emergence of ISIS, it has been transformed into a haven for those persecuted and disowned throughout the region and has also emerged as a key player in confronting the ISIS threat.

Deborah and Janice will talk about the new Stamford Hospital which will open in September 2016 and the new branding campaign that has been launched recently. They will discuss the critical quality criteria and measurements that make Stamford Hospital best in class. They will also discuss the value, dedication and breadth of nearly 600 volunteers at all the Stamford Health Center locations.

Deborah Fedeli has been employed at Stamford Health since 2002, and is the Director of Patient-Centered Services.  She is responsible for several departments including: Volunteer Services, Spiritual Care, Integrative Therapies and Concierge Services; and her primary role is overseeing the  education, implementation and integration of the Planetree philosophy of patient-centered care throughout the organization.

Deborah is a fellow of the Healthcare Advisory Board, is certified in Therapeutic Touch, and is a Reiki practitioner.  She is currently pursuing a BA in Religious Studies at Sacred Heart University, as well as a certification in Palliative Care.

A native of Stamford, Deborah enjoys Yoga and Pilates, is an avid Dallas Cowboys and Boston Red Sox fan, and an amateur writer.

Janice’s close affiliation with Stamford Hospital started on the tennis court when a friend asked her to join the volunteer program. That was over 35 years ago. Her volunteer position led to a part time job; full time; and then to the position of Manager of Volunteer Services.

Janice has seen the small community hospital grow through many phases to becoming a state-of-the-art institution. She has been an active participant on several committees: Ethics; Schwartz Rounds; Pastoral Care; Patient and Family Partnership; and in preparation for the new hospital, Facilities Master Plan – Experience and Education.

Janice plans to come full circle upon retirement but will have a difficult time deciding which volunteer position she will choose.