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.

Mr. Gottlieb will discuss the Battle of Leyte Gulf, formerly known as the Second Battle of the Philippine Sea. It is generally considered to be the largest naval battle of World War II.

Mr. Gottlieb is a local historian on subjects of political and military history.  He was formerly a professional curator of naval history and the Technical Director of Exhibits at the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in NYC.  In these roles, Mr. Gottlieb worked regularly with veterans of all services towards the creation of exhibits accurately illustrating the history of 20th century warfare.

From 1989 through 1997, Mr. Gottlieb coordinated with all branches of the armed services and National Guard towards the preservation of historic ships, aircraft and armor from around the world, and has facilitated the recovery of scores of artifacts from warships slated for demolition from reserve fleets.

For the past ten years Mr. Gottlieb has refocused his professional efforts towards reaching out and addressing the growing needs of aging veterans and their families.  In addition to maintaining a private practice as a Counselor and Certified Senior Advisor in Norwalk, CT, he is a field instructor for Sacred Heart University.  Mr. Gottlieb offers Pro-Bono counseling services to soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mr. Gottlieb served as an Auxiliary Officer of the United States Coast Guard for 17 years and for 4 years was Commander of Flotilla 7-2, 1st District (Southern Region), Sector Long Island Sound North.

Mr. Gottlieb will discuss the Battle of the Philippine Sea, a decisive naval battle of World War II which eliminated the Imperial Japanese Navy’s ability to conduct large-scale carrier actions.

Mr. Gottlieb is a local historian on subjects of political and military history.  He was formerly a professional curator of naval history and the Technical Director of Exhibits at the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum in NYC.  In these roles, Mr. Gottlieb worked regularly with veterans of all services towards the creation of exhibits accurately illustrating the history of 20th century warfare.

From 1989 through 1997, Mr. Gottlieb coordinated with all branches of the armed services and National Guard towards the preservation of historic ships, aircraft and armor from around the world, and has facilitated the recovery of scores of artifacts from warships slated for demolition from reserve fleets.

For the past ten years Mr. Gottlieb has refocused his professional efforts towards reaching out and addressing the growing needs of aging veterans and their families.  In addition to maintaining a private practice as a Counselor and Certified Senior Advisor in Norwalk, CT, he is a field instructor for Sacred Heart University.  Mr. Gottlieb offers Pro-Bono counseling services to soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Mr. Gottlieb served as an Auxiliary Officer of the United States Coast Guard for 17 years and for 4 years was Commander of Flotilla 7-2, 1st District (Southern Region), Sector Long Island Sound North.

Mr. Barbieri will discuss the job of the scenic designer in theatre. A brief discussion of the challenging job of the theatrical designer, his position in the collaborative team, and how he turns the written word into real and practical settings for the stage.

Peter Barbieri Jr. is the Associate Artistic Director and Resident Scenic Designer for Curtain Call Inc. in Stamford Ct. He is also the founding director of Shakespeare on the Green, Stamford’s free outdoor Shakespeare company.

An established force in theatre since 1979, his work has been seen gracing the stages of many of New York City’s premier theatre companies such as The York Theatre, The Classic Stage Company and The Roundabout Theatre Company.

Regionally, he has designed sets for The Westchester Broadway Theatre, Theatre By The Sea, The Riverside Theatre and The Walnut Street Theatre.

Abroad, he has worked in Shanghai China, San Paulo Brazil, and Copenhagen Denmark. Current projects include scenic designs for The Hostage, Little Shop of Horrors and Sister Act.

Robert B. Fiske, Jr., local attorney, will reflect on major and timely issues based on his long career in private and public practice. He will cover the antitrust suit against the NFL brought by the US Football League, with the lead plaintiff being Donald Trump. In the current public debate, the U.S. has by far the highest rate of prison incarcerations in the world, and he will comment on causes and possible steps for remediation of the problem. Questions can be raised on a number of subjects he has covered, e.g. the Whitewater investigation, the Three Mile Island nuclear plant accident, and recovery of investor losses from the Madoff Ponzi scheme.

Bob was born in Darien and graduated from Yale University and Michigan Law School. He spent his entire private practice with the New York law firm of Davis Polk & Wardwell. In public service, he was Assistant United States Attorney (1955-57) for the Southern District of New York and then was the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District in 1976-1980 where he was successful in many high level prosecutions. In 1994 he was asked by then Atty. Gen. Janet Reno to be the Independent Counsel for the Whitewater investigation. A member of The American College of Trial Lawyers, he served as its president in 1991. Last year he published his memoirs, Prosecutor Defender Counselor.

Yesterday, Today and Looking Towards Tomorrow

Eugene Madara

Connecticut Air & Space Center, founded in 1998, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation located in Stratford, Connecticut on a site which is truly unique in global aviation history. The location was Igor Sikorsky’s first factory in Connecticut. The first practical helicopter flight (piloted by Mr. Sikorsky himself) took place less than one hundred yards from our location. During World War II, on our site, the Chance Vought aircraft company designed and produced, among other aircraft including the first post-War jets, the Corsair fighter plane which played a major role in winning the War in the Pacific. The first practical aircraft turbine engine was perfected and produced in Connecticut Air & Space Center’s building.

Edward McGuinness

Connecticut Air &Space Center’s dedicated volunteer men and women, representing multiple generations, fulfill our Mission Statement; “Honor, Preserve and Educate” by honoring the State’s global aviation pioneers, preserving Connecticut’s aviation history through artifacts preservation and aircraft restoration, and educating especially current and future generations about Connecticut’s unique aviation history achievements through display of our collection and by community outreach sharing this historic heritage knowledge through presentations and traveling exhibits.

Today we have on display 3 jets, 8 helicopters (including the S-60 Flying Crane which was the first flying crane and Igor Sikorsky’s last personal design), an FG1-D Corsair (the official State of Connecticut Plane), the only full-size Gustave Whitehead No 21 Flyer Replica in the Western Hemisphere that has actually flown and many unique aviation science and industry artifacts often brought to us by family members wishing to share their family’s aviation history.

Looking Towards Tomorrow: In addition to our on-going Sniffens Lane operations, the Connecticut Air & Space Center has recently leased from the City of Bridgeport, the historic 1929 Curtiss Hangar and is in the process of raising tax-deductible donations (money, materials/equipment, expert construction services, etc.) to restore the building to its historic appearance. During its long history, the Curtiss Hangar hosted, among other historic aviation personages, Amelia Earhart, Charles Lindbergh, Howard Hughes and “Wrong Way” Corrigan, and was the Airport base for the Corsair testing and training flights during the War. This space will be the home of the Corsair as its centerpiece, surrounded by other historic aircraft, engines, artifacts and STEM education-focused displays.

Eugene E. Madara has specialized in finding innovative and cost-effective solutions to complex business problems utilizing corporate, commercial and international law since 1972. Formerly Senior Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary and Regional Counsel for North America for ABB Inc., Mr. Madara has dealt extensively in both commercial and governmental sectors throughout the United States, Europe, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East. Utilizing a background in the power, oil & gas, petrochemical, and automation industries, Mr. Madara served as chief counsel to the company in the structuring and negotiation of the first U.S. – Soviet joint venture company in the Soviet Union. He was also the principal architect of and served as Global Legal Counsel for ABB’s Frame Agreement Project, structuring and negotiating globally-applicable equipment, technology and services supply agreements with multinational customers.

Mr. Madara has written a number of non-lawyer training tools including “Basic Commercial Law – A Layman’s Guide to Contracts”, “Terms Toolbox”, “Project Risk & Structuring”, and “Multiple-Party Project Guidelines” emphasizing practical understanding and application of commercial transaction legal principles to shorten the interval between Request for Proposal and booking the order. He has also conducted extensive Sales & Marketing training (to audiences of 25-800) regarding taking products and technologies to market directly and through third parties such as Sales Representative/Distributor networks and licensing, as well as designing and implementing Business Ethics Compliance programs.

He has been a lecturer at Pace University Law School regarding international project risk structuring and financing, a guest speaker at the Practicing Law Institute, the American Corporate Counsel Association, the National Foreign Trade Council, and has testified before the United States Senate regarding international trade. Mr. Madara is also co-inventor of a U.S. Patent entitled “Process for Internet Ordering of Industrial Products.”

Mr. Madara obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree magna cum laude from St. Anselm College and his Juris Doctor degree with honors from The University of Connecticut School of Law and completed the Senior Leadership Development Program at the International Institute for Management Development, Lausanne.
Contact Information:
emadaralaw@yahoo.com
Tel: 203 268 2224
55 Laurel Drive
Easton, Connecticut 06612-1754

Edward McGuinness lives in Milford Ct and is married with 2 sons. Ed is currently employed as Sr. Engineering Manager, Engineering Support at the Hubbell World Headquarters in Shelton Connecticut. He obtained his Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Haven, a Master of Science Degree in the Management of Technology from Fairfield University and has extensive training in Project Management. Currently, Mr. McGuinness is the Project Manager, Chief Mechanic and Project Engineer for the Igor Sikorsky Memorial Corsair Restoration Team, serves on the Connecticut Air & Space Center Board of Directors and as Treasurer. Ed’s drive to make the restoration project a great success is inspired by his Uncle Ed (USMC) who was lost in action in the Korean conflict and his Uncle Bill, who as his first job in the Marine Corp, worked on and maintained Corsairs.
Contact Information:
emcgns@optonline.net
Treasurer@ctairandspace.org

Tel: 203 314 2739
40 Snowapple Lane
Milford, Connecticut 06460

Connecticut Air & Space Center
201 Sniffens Lane
Stratford, CT 06615

John B. Donovan is retired as a communications adviser to senior corporate executives, domestic and foreign, and the founder of a discussion forum for diplomats and business leaders in New York.

John will be speaking about his experiences a half-century ago pertaining to the Cold War — in Cuba, Vietnam, Berlin, and Washington. He is the son of the late New York lawyer James Donovan, whose story has just been dramatized by Steven Spielberg in the film “Bridge of Spies,” recently nominated for six Oscars. In the climax of the movie, James Donovan, played by Tom Hanks, negotiates the exchange of Soviet master spy Rudolph Abel for the American pilot at the center of what was called the U-2 affair. John himself was detained briefly in East Berlin the following year in an incident that also related to the KGB in a curious way.

Later that year his father negotiated with Fidel Castro for the release of the men captured at the Bay of Pigs, and John accompanied him on one of his negotiation trips as they traveled across Cuba with Fidel Castro – a situation that almost included a bizarre assassination attempt against Castro.

A resident of Norwalk, John is an alumnus of American University’s graduate program in world affairs from the standpoint of communication and is co-author with Pablo Perez-Cisneros of After the Bay of Pigs. He is a former vice chairman of the NY Metro Committee for UNICEF and the author of a book of Bible stories for children.

Charlie Dowd, who is currently Senior VP of Operations for Harbor Yards Sports & Entertainment in Bridgeport, will talk about the funny and not so funny things that have occurred in his over 22 years of senior management experience in minor league baseball and other sports.

He has served as General Manager of the New Haven Ravens and Connecticut Defenders (Norwich, CT) in the AA Eastern League, and CEO and General Manager of the Atlantic League (independent) Bridgeport Bluefish and Newark Bears.

Charlie, who resides in Madison, has a BA degree from CCNY and a Juris Doctorate from the Western New England College School of Law.