Category: Speaker Announcements (Page 6 of 29)

Video Presentation

As the daughter of a Pan Am Captain in the 60’s, Lucia Renshaw learned to navigate before she learned to drive. She had a full passport before she had a savings account. And she knew the Pan Am flight schedule better than she knew her class schedules.   What she didn’t know was the story about her father’s role in WWII.

Not that she didn’t try.  One time, while holding up a calendar of famous Pan Am “first flight” planes, she asked her father, “which ones did you fly?”  He replied simply and shortly:  “All of them.”

Four years ago, she started poking around to find his story. When she uncovered a thread of a story about her father, then Lt. C. Downer Renshaw (USAAC), flying Photo Reconnaissance in the Caribbean in 1939, she pulled the thread.  What she found launched her into the story of pre-war political intrigue, Pan Am’s roles in World War II, and the excitement of the then new field of aviation.

In elaborate deals forged by Pan Am’s founder Juan Trippe and FDR himself, the airline created a supply chain that ran from Miami all the way to the top of the world in China. And DMA member Don Loomis’ dad was one of the pilots.

Lucia, whose father also took part in this vital war effort, will tell the story of these secret missions and give history of the airline throughout its wartime operation.

Lucia Renshaw was born and raised in Westport, CT, and went to Staples High School. In 1975, she graduated with degrees in Business and Political Science from the University of San Francisco.  It’s a long way from Westport made even longer by the fact that to get there by Pan Am, she had to fly first to London or Guatemala.

After a 35-year career in Marketing Management in Financial Services, she was able to expand her hobby of family history research.  Her real passion lies in helping people discover the history of their ancestors who served in the Civil War and World War II.  She is currently using her skills to find the children of her father’s colleagues from the war years of Pan Am to share what she has learned with them. Don Loomis, Jr. was one of those treasured finds.

Lucia currently lives in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, Bruce Covill.

Don Loomis is an active DMA member, having presented recently in the Current Affairs group on Voting Rights and with Mark Nunan on the war in Ukraine.

Don Loomis is a graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service. He spent three years active duty with the US Navy concluding as CIC Officer aboard USS Hammerberg DE-1015; eight years residency in Rome, Italy while working as a consultant with Syncronamics; returning to the US in 1978 he worked in shipping and concluded as senior consultant with Fisher International in Norwalk, where acquired language skills in French, Spanish and Italian were instrumental in building a world-wide database on the pulp and paper industry.  Don has been retired since 2014.  Don, and his wife Daniela, split their time between Darien and Daniela’s family home in Formia, Italy . . .  when not visiting daughter Deborah and 3 grandchildren in Washington DC.

Both Don, and Lucia’s dads, joined Pan Am in August 1940 and went on to participate in what became a crucial logistics supply route across the South Atlantic, over Africa, out to India where supplies were then flown “Over the Hump” into China  – this vital logistics life-line became  known as . ..  The CannonBall Express!!

Summary

Don Loomis, a DMA member, and Lucia Renshaw, who grew up in Westport, connected through their fathers’ work with Pan American Airways (Pan Am) during World War II. The presentation revealed Pan Am’s crucial role in secret supply missions to China and other parts of the world during the war (and even before the US entered the war).

Lucia Renshaw shared her personal story of discovering her father’s role in World War II, despite him never speaking about it during her childhood. Her father, a Pan Am pilot, was part of the company’s involvement in creating a vital logistics supply route, known as the “Cannonball Express,” which spanned from Miami to Brazil, across the South Atlantic to Africa, and then first to help the British at El Alamein, then extended to India, where materiel was sent over The Hump to equip the Chinese in fighting the Japanese. Lucia’s journey of uncovering her father’s contributions led her to dive into the broader history of Pan Am’s involvement in the war effort.

Don Loomis pointed out that his father and Lucia’s trained together for the young Army Air Force before being seconded to Pan Am on the same day in August 1940 along with over 100 other US Army pilots when Pan Am agreed to help the supply effort but needed more pilots. Both men participated in what became a critical logistics operation that helped support the war. Pan Am, under the leadership of its founder Juan Tripp, became instrumental in building a global aerial supply route, which included constructing airfields in Central and South America and Africa and facilitating the transport of military supplies (and planes for our allies) across vast distances. This operation involved forging deals between Pan Am, the U.S. government, and international allies to create the infrastructure necessary to support the war effort. To all accounts, this was done more expeditiously (and secretly) than if the government itself had undertaken it.

The presentation touches on the geopolitical context of the time, such as Germany’s growing influence in South America and its control of airlines in the region, which posed a threat to the Panama Canal and other US strategic interests in the Caribbean. The U.S. government, in collaboration with Pan Am, worked to eliminate Axis control of South American airlines (which required German pilots and crews) and build a system of air bases under the guise of commercial development.

Lucia detailed the challenging conditions faced by pilots during these missions. Planes were often stripped down to bare essentials; crews had to navigate dangerous and unpredictable weather conditions over vast distances in aircraft which were often without oxygen or pressurized cabins. Pan Am continued to develop refined routing, weather forecasting, and crew rotation to enhance efficiency eventually reducing supply times from over 40 days to over 40 hours. It also involved setting up an African airline network, which invoked recollections of a former DMA member and father-in-law to a current member who had been a pilot in Pan American Airways Africa.

The presentation concluded with a discussion on the legacy of Pan Am’s wartime operations and the personal connections between the presenters’ families. Pan Am’s efforts were recognized as a significant contribution to the Allied victory, and its work during World War II left a lasting impact on aviation and global logistics.

Selective  Bibliography on Pan Am

Video Presentation

John Odermatt began his career in 1982 where he served as a New York City Housing Police Officer, patrolling public housing developments.  John’s promotions with the Housing Authority Police and subsequently the New York City Police Department rise to the rank of Assistant Chief.   His assignments include the Executive Officer of the NYPD’s Intelligence Division where he was the coordinator of the 55^th United Nations General Assembly, Special Session and responsible for the security and coordination with Federal Agencies of over 300 dignitaries visiting New York City.

In 2000, John was detailed to New York City’s Office of Emergency Management as the First Deputy Commissioner located in 7 World Trade Center. After surviving the 9/11 attack, Mayor Rudolph Giuliani gave him responsibility for the coordination of over one hundred agencies for disaster recovery. In April 2002, Mayor Michael Bloomberg appointed John as Commissioner of New York City’s Office of Emergency Management. During his tenure he lead recovery efforts for several notable New York City emergencies including the 2003 Blackout.

Following a distinguished career of more than two decades in law enforcement and emergency management, John joined the private sector in 2004 where he led the Office of Business Continuity for Citigroup. He reengineered the program to be a leader in resiliency, crisis response and pandemic planning.   In 2011, John was named Global Head of a new Fraud Surveillance Unit. Finishing his assignment at Citi as the Global Head of Security Services where he was responsible for governance oversight for physical security at Citi facilities around the world and Citi’s crisis management program. He and his team provided centralized coordination, management, and mitigation of countless crisis events, ranging from incidents at local branches to significant international events across the globe.

Under John’s leadership, Citi has become known as a leader in resiliency, crisis response, and pandemic planning. Over the last three years, John had demonstrated that expertise in emergency management, and he had been a leader and critical partner to functions across the firm as we all navigated through the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. From organizing deliveries of crucial supplies to employees impacted by the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010; supporting recovery efforts after the U.S. hurricanes in 2012, and again in the Caribbean in 2017; spearheading the company’s response to COVID and supporting our EMEA-based team’s efforts to safely evacuate Citi employees and their families from Ukraine, John and his team have literally helped save lives throughout his tenure.

In February 2023, John opened a startup firm,  Ashwood Advisors. A company to provide clients with Resiliency, Business Continuity and Security Services.   Additionally , John is concurrently the Director of Crisis & Incident management for Charter Communications in Stamford Connecticut.

John is a graduate of St. Joseph’s College.  In June 2003, he received an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from St. Joseph’s College.  John also holds a master’s degree in Management from New York University.  He is a graduate of Columbia University’s Police Management Institute. John has a daughter Meline and a son Thomas, both graduates of Fordham University. 

Summary

John Odermatt shared his experiences as during 9/11 as the First Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Emergency Management located in 7 World Trade Center (WTC). On 9/11, he was in his office in 7 WTC when the first plane hit. After the South Tower was struck, he and his colleagues quickly evacuated, moving to a safer location before the collapse of both towers.

John shared details the dangers he and his team faced, such as smoke inhalation and injuries from falling debris. He recalled the loss of colleagues, including 343 firefighters and several friends. His role in the aftermath was critical in coordinating the cleanup and recovery efforts, which lasted months. He spoke about the challenges of stabilizing the site, including ensuring the safety of buildings surrounding Ground Zero and managing the removal of 1.4 million tons of steel.

John explained the broader efforts to manage the crisis, including the eventual reestablishment of communications and the rebuilding process; and the lessons learned in emergency preparedness, particularly in building redundancies and practicing crisis management.

John also touched on his passion for educating others about scams that target the elderly, a cause close to his heart after his mother was nearly victimized. He offered his services on this challenge to DMA members pro bono. He can reached by DMA members at odermatt@ashwoodadvisors.com

Robert Dilenschneider, a longtime Darien resident and DMA member,  is frequently called upon by the media to provide commentary and strategic public relations insights on major news stories. He has counseled major corporations, professional groups, trade associations and educational institutions, and has assisted clients in dealings with regulatory agencies, labor unions, and consumer groups, among others.Bob formed The Dilenschneider Group in October, 1991. Headquartered in New York and Chicago, the Firm provides strategic advice and counsel to Fortune 500 companies and leading families and individuals around the world, with experience in fields ranging from mergers and acquisitions and crisis communications to marketing, government affairs and international media.

Bob has written a number of books, including this summer’s The Ultimate Guide to Power & Influence: Everything You Need to Know.

Prior to forming his own firm, Bob served as president and chief executive officer of Hill and Knowlton, Inc. from 1986 to 1991, tripling that Firm’s revenues to nearly $200 million and delivering more than $30 million in profit. He was with that organization for nearly 25 years.

He started in public relations in 1967 in New York, shortly after receiving an M.A. in journalism from The Ohio State University, and a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame.

In 2012 The Dilenschneider Group established the Civility in America Lecture Series, which features many of the nation’s leading thinkers from a wide variety of professions and provides a perspective on what must be done to restore civility in our country.

Speaker arranged by Tom Igoe.

Summary

Robert Dilenschneider spoke of the key principles for leadership as the importance of honesty, listening, compromise, and admitting mistakes in leadership. He spoke about the upcoming election, stressing its significance and urging people to vote despite the challenges posed by the candidates. Furthermore, he touched on the global impact of political leaders and emphasizes the need for better leadership, both in the U.S. and internationally.

Bob offered his views on the media, social media’s impact on society, and the importance of effective crisis management. Drawing from his professional experiences, he shared insights into the importance of surrounding oneself with capable teams during crises, admitting mistakes promptly, and learning from them. He drew examples from prominent figures like FDR, Jack Welch, and consumer products such as Tylenol, illustrating the lasting impact of leadership decisions on public trust and organizational success.

In summary, his talk discussed leadership, power, responsibility, and influence in the context of business and politics, with a focus on integrity, decision-making, and the importance of civility in a polarized society.

Video of the Presentation 

September 11, 2001 disrupted so much of our society, our security, our sense of safety. It also changed our relationship with our flag. After 9/11, the flag became ubiquitous—flying in communities, businesses, at events, and “flying” flat as decals everywhere. It has also been co-opted by partisanship. Yet we all remember an earlier time when it was not just about patriotism; it was also a whimsical theme that celebrated Americanism…just an easier way of life for us, perhaps with greater innocence. No one can remind of the imagery of that era like Kit Hinrichs, with his rich collection of amusing and idiosyncratic applications of the stars and stripes.

From one of the world’s leading graphic designers comes a stunning tribute to America’s most enduring icon-the Stars and Stripes.The Revolutionary Congress resolved in 1777 that “the flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white, that the Union be 13 white stars in a blue field representing a new constellation.” Since that time, the American flag has been raised high in wartime triumph and peacetime celebration; burned in fervent protest; sewn lovingly onto quilts, caps, pillows, and bags; appropriated by the commercial sphere to sell goods as varied as cigars, and designer clothing, and rock-and-roll albums; and faithfully honored every 4th of July to celebrate America’s independence. This collection of more than 3,000 Stars and Stripes artifacts ranges from Civil War-era banners and Native American braided moccasins to an early 20th-century “friendship” kimono and original flag art by several of the world’s leading designers.

Kit Hinrichs, noted graphic designer and American flag collector, will give a profusely illustrated talk on America’s national icon—the stars and stripes. His conversation will include facts, myths and legends behind the flag over its nearly 250-year history.  Kit will discuss how this single piece of cloth has enmeshed  itself into our American culture from its 18th century origin until today.

Kit’s assemblage of American memorabilia numbers in the thousands. His only family heirloom, a 36 star handsewn wool flag sewn by his great, great aunt in 1865, is the corner stone of the collection.

In addition to historical flags, the collection now includes Navajo Weavings, Toy Soldiers, Antique Quilts, Political Buttons, Patriotic Posters, Children’s Toys and Games, Anti-war images, Postal Stamps, Tobacciana, Historic Photographs and volumes of pieces of Ephemera.

Kit Hinrichs served as principal in several design offices in New York and San Francisco and spent 23 years as a partner in the international design consultancy Pentagram, before opening Studio Hinrichs in 2009. His design experience incorporates a wide range of projects, including brand development, promotion, packaging, environmental graphics, editorial and exhibition design. He is also a noted American Flag collector and founder of the Stars & Stripes Foundation.

Kit’s work is included in the permanent collections of the Museum of Modern Art, New York, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Denver Museum of Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the Letterform Archive. In addition to authoring “Narrative Design,” he has co-authored other books on design .including “Typewise” and “The Pentagram Papers.” He co-founded @issue: The Journal of Business and Design.

Kit has had flag exhibitions in museums across the country, including New York, Louisville, Doylestown,, Reno, Los Angeles and San Francisco. He is an author of “Long May She Wave” A Graphic history of the American Flag. He is in the process of creating a new American flag book for the 250^th anniversary of the United States, titled “Broad Stripes/Bright Stars “,

Summary

In this illustrated talk, Kit Hinrichs shared his personal passion for the American flag, discussing its history, myths, and facts. His personal collection includes more than seven thousand flag-related memorabilia, with an early inspiration being a 36-star wool flag sewn by his great-great-aunt in 1865. This vast collection also includes historical flags, Navajo weavings, toy soldiers, and antique quilts. Hinrichs described his joy in exploring the iconography of the American flag.

During the presentation, Hinrichs engaged the audience with a quiz about the American flag’s history and myths. The questions ranged from who designed the American flag (not Betsy Ross, but Francis Hopkinson, for which he was paid two jugs of rum) to the legalities of flag burning (it is both a form of free speech and the official method of retiring a flag). He also touched on how the flag’s design evolved with the addition of new states, and the longest-serving flag design being the 50-star version, in use since 1960.

Hinrichs elaborated on his collection of American memorabilia. Over the years, this passion grew into a substantial collection of over 7,500 items, including flags, postcards, toy soldiers, cookie molds, spoons, and compacts. He highlighted items from significant historical moments, such as World War I fans, patriotic women’s magazines, and stamp cancellations featuring the flag.

The talk moved through various ways the flag has been represented in American culture, from military formations creating “living flags” in the early 20th century to art, product packaging, and propaganda. Hinrichs shared insights into folk art and fine art representations of the flag, with examples from Native American beadwork, Navajo textiles, and Depression-era quilting.

Hinrichs also explored the commercialization of the flag, including its use in advertisements, product branding, and promotional materials. He cited examples of flags on candy boxes, tobacco tins, and advertising banners, showcasing how the flag permeated everyday American life.

In a lighter moment, he shared anecdotes about collecting, including buying entire sets of toy soldiers just to acquire a single flag bearer figure. His collection features over 500 flag bearers, each with unique details that represent different aspects of American history.

The talk ended on the topic of the flag in times of war, particularly its use in propaganda and as a symbol of patriotism. From World War I posters to the iconic image of the flag-raising at Iwo Jima during World War II, Hinrichs illustrated how the flag has been a powerful tool for rallying national pride and support during conflict.

In closing, Hinrichs shared a personal design he created after 9/11, a tribute to the first responders and victims of the tragedy. He left the audience with a deeper appreciation for the multifaceted history of the American flag and its continued significance in American culture.

The event concluded with a brief Q&A session, where Hinrichs addressed questions about flag myths, including the belief that the flag should never touch the ground (which is false, as long as it is not damaged), and confirmed that the U.S. flag is unique in being designed to adapt to the addition of new states. The presentation offered a rich exploration of the American flag’s cultural, historical, and artistic significance.

Video Presentation

Roger Silva is the founder and owner of Live Well PT, LLC, a concierge physical therapy service for the client who wants a private one-on-one wellness program or physical therapy in the comfort of their home.  He is a Licensed Physical Therapist with over 23 years working in homecare, outpatient, and inpatient facilities treating people with neurological and orthopedic impairments.

Roger is the former Director of Clinical Education and Professor at Connecticut State Community College Norwalk’s Physical Therapist Assistant Program. He received his Master and Doctoral degree in Physical Therapy from the University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences.

He is married with 2 children in college and works out of Norwalk. Needless to say he is an active athlete in pickleball and hockey.

Summary

Roger Silva, a licensed physical therapist with over 23 years of experience, delivered an insightful presentation on the importance of physical therapy, especially for older adults. As the founder of Live Well Physical Therapy, a concierge service providing one-on-one therapy sessions at home, Roger focuses on improving quality of life through movement, strength, flexibility, and injury prevention. His talk emphasized the critical role of physical activity in maintaining independence, preventing falls, and reducing the risk of conditions like arthritis and osteoporosis.

Roger explained that physical therapists (PTs) evaluate, diagnose, and create personalized treatment plans to address movement dysfunctions, whether due to orthopedic or neurological issues. He highlighted the benefits of physical therapy, which include restoring mobility, increasing strength, maintaining bone density, and enhancing flexibility. These factors are essential for preventing injuries and maintaining independence in everyday life.

One of the central themes of Roger’s talk was the importance of preventing falls, particularly for older adults. He explained that lower body weakness, vitamin D deficiency, and poor balance contribute to the increased risk of falling. Roger also touched on environmental risks such as slippery floors, uneven surfaces, and poor lighting. He emphasized that regular strength and balance training can significantly reduce the risk of falling and the associated injuries, such as hip fractures and concussions.

In addition to injury prevention, Roger stressed the importance of reducing pain and minimizing the use of medications, particularly opioids. He advocates for addressing the root causes of pain through physical therapy rather than relying on painkillers. Roger encouraged the audience to engage in regular physical activity, even if it’s as simple as walking, stretching, or light resistance training, to maintain cardiovascular health and overall well-being.

He also addressed questions from the audience, offering practical advice on using canes correctly, the role of aggressive physical exercise in cardiovascular health, and the benefits of aquatic therapy for those with conditions like diabetes or arthritis. Roger concluded by reinforcing the importance of staying active, consulting with a PT for personalized exercise plans, and focusing on maintaining balance, strength, and flexibility as the key to enjoying a healthy, independent life

Arranged by Frank DeLeo

Video of Presentation

 Possible Revolutionary War Soldier Burials, Ridgefield, CT

In December 2019, the discovery of skeletal remains beneath an early 18^th Century house near the site of a pivotal Revolutionary War battle could be the first time in state history that soldiers from the Revolution have had their remains recovered from the field of battle.

Subsequent excavations by the interim state archaeologist, Nick Bellantoni, with assistance from the Friends of the Office of State Archaeology, Inc., and University of Connecticut graduate students, have yielded skeletons of robust adult men lying in a mass grave that appears to be haphazardly dug. The burials are located in the area of the Revolutionary War Battle of Ridgefield (April 27, 1777) and may be associated with the battle.

The current state archaeologist and the state archaeologist emeritus will discuss the Battle of Ridgefield, archaeological excavations, material culture studies and the projected forensic analyses of these potential military burials.

Dr. Nicholas F. Bellantoni serves as the emeritus state archaeologist with the Connecticut State Museum of Natural History at the University of Connecticut. He received his doctorate in anthropology from UConn in 1987 and was shortly thereafter appointed state archaeologist. His duties primarily included the preservation of archaeological sites in the state. He serves as an Adjunct Associate Research Professor in the Department of Anthropology at UConn and resided as former presidents of the Archaeological Society of Connecticut and President of the National Association of State Archeologists.

His research background includes the forensic archaeology and faunal analysis from eastern North America. Nick is the author of two books written for the general public: The Long Journeys Home: The Repatriation of Henry Opukaha’ia and Albert Afraid of Hawk and “And So The Tomb Remained”: Exploring Archaeology and forensic Science Within Connecticut’s Historical Family Mausolea. He has been excavating in Connecticut for almost 40 years.

Speaker suggested by Gary Banks.

Speaker Summary

Nick took us through a fascinating story of an archaeological dig and project he is still currently working on in Ridgefield, CT. In the process, he helped us understand that archaeology is so much more than just digging up old bones and artifacts. It’s an integrated field of study that combines a knowledge of history, several scientific disciplines and technologies, and perseverance that he and those he’s working with are using to turn the discovery of skeletal remains during the renovation of an old home into an investigation of a burial ground from the Revolutionary War in Ridgefield.

Nick opened with a brief explanation of the role of the State Archaeologist and how he became involved in this project after it was determined by the State Police and Medical Examiner that skeletal remains discovered in November 2019 when a dirt cellar floor was being leveled in preparation for further work was not a crime scene. Rather, it was determined the bones were over 100 years old and, therefore, needed to be investigated as a potential archaeological site. Nick noted that, given the location of the bones in Ridgefield and his knowledge of the Revolutionary War in the area, he immediately hypothesized that these remains might be associated with the War. But he also mentioned the importance of not drawing conclusions without the appropriate data to support them – this simply became part of a hypothesis to be explored. In this context, Nick took us through a brief history of the raid on the Danbury arsenal and the Battle of Ridgefield that ensued as the British tried to return to Westport after the raid.

Nick talked about the first step in the analysis of the remains being an initial BioAnthropology Summary of the buried individual including gender, age, size, obvious injuries, etc. to provide insights into who this might be and why they were buried on the site. Based on the findings, including no evidence of obvious injuries or battle artifacts (e.g., musket balls), two hypotheses emerged: Revolutionary War burials or a family burying ground. Shortly thereafter a second and then third and fourth sets of remains were uncovered as part of the excavation of the site by the archaeological team. The somewhat random orientation of the remains and lack of coffin elements lent credence to this being a burial ground for soldiers rather than family members.

Nick talked about some of the technologies they used to explore the larger site including ground-penetrating radar in the yard and basement as well as undertaking diagnostic imaging of the remains to gain further in sights into their identities. He also discussed details about the buttons found and the insights they provided (clearly late 18^th century but with no markings referring to military regiments).

Throughout the talk, Nick took us through the process of discovery, exploration, explanation and determination to support or refute hypotheses about what was found.  And he showed a list of a broad range of Biological Anthropology approaches and techniques that are employed as part of the analysis, including a detailed discussion of how isotope analysis from teeth and bones can provide helpful insights into determining the source of the bones.

Nick concluded by noting that the summarized data supports the hypothesis of a Revolutionary War burial ground although it lacks a key missing element since there are no signs of trauma or weaponry. The analysis is on-going with the hope that a final report will be completed by the end of this year. If the hypothesis is proven  that this is a military burial ground, the remains will be reburied with full military honors, something that is uniquely done for U.S. military remains.

Video Presentation 

The Art and Craft of Dowsing

Dowsing is a technique for searching for underground water, minerals, or anything invisible by observing the motion of a pointer (traditionally a forked stick) or changes in direction of a pendulum in response to unseen influences. Leroy Bull will take us through the art and craft of dowsing including: how we presently intuit these techniques work; different types of dowsing using information, maps and remote viewing; establishing a signal system so you can understand the answers you get; and more.

Leroy Bull is an international master dowser, author, prior president of the American society of dowsers, (ASD) and the international coordinator for the ASD. Bull served on the ASD board of trustees for 14 years. He has been dowsing for over 68 years on all kinds of targets: water, people, pets, minerals, pipes, wires, time capsules, and more. Leroy has successfully dowsed over 3300 water wells on 4 continents and 4000 earth energy projects. He has taken 12 trips to Japan to find time capsules for schools while on T.V.  Leroy has been in the New York Times three times, in Smithsonian and more recently in Outside magazine.

Speaker suggested and arranged with the help of Ric Grefe.

Speaker Summary

In a narrative style, Leroy took us through dowsing, how it works and several personal experiences where he used dowsing to locate a range of things including water, someone who had drowned (as well as separately locating his boat and motor), a “missing” hiker who had simply gone off for a few days of alone time, several time capsules, wills, and more.  Leroy’s relaxed style and demeanor were reflective of the calm, controlled nature of a good dowser.

Leroy touched on the tools of the trade – elements of “the system” you use. These can include a “Y-rod” of two connected rods made from non-conductive material (e.g., wood, plastic) so they don’t interfere with the energy being emitted by the item being searched for, or a pendulum on a chain. Each tool reacts to the energy of the item being searched for, which has its own frequency that creates the reaction of the rod or pendulum in response to questions being asked about the search being conducted. The Y-rod is either pulled down (“yes”), up (“no”) or has no response when there is no response generated. The pendulum can swing back and forth or sideways as well as rotating 360 degrees.

Leroy spoke to how the process of dowsing is about “feeling” the energy in response to questions. His often-repeated catch phrase for the entire process and how it works was “it’s all out there in the vibes” to describe the energy and how it creates the sensory response to the questions that enables a dowser to find its target. He also showed how this can be done just using detailed maps of locations where the items being sought are located.

Leroy suggested that many/most people, if properly trained and with the right temperament, can learn to dowse. But he cautioned that there may be times when you might wish you hadn’t taken on a project since it could involve delivering bad news to someone who has hired you for a task, such as looking for someone who is missing and when the answer to the question of whether they are still alive is “no”.

Leroy shared stories of how he has used dowsing to find items, people, natural resources and more. He specifically noted that finding water is one of the easier things dowsers do and, in response to a question, indicated he has a 96% success rate in locating water.

Video Presentation 

An Update on Darien Town Government

Jon E. Zagrodzky serves as First Selectman for the Town of Darien, having been elected to this position on November 7, 2023. Jon’s prior Town roles include: member of the Board of Selectmen; member and chairman of the Board of Finance; member of the Town and Police Pension Board; member of the Public Works Garage and Ox Ridge School Building Committee Board; member and president of the Darien Historical Society.

Until his December 2023 retirement, Jon served as COO and CFO at Rhône Group, LLC, a middle market private equity firm, where he was responsible for finance, operations, human resources, administration, information technology, and business planning. Prior to Rhône, he was CAO and Chief Compliance Officer at Oak Hill Capital Management and before that spent 16 years at McKinsey & Company.

Jon earned a BA in Economics and Romance Languages from Washington & Lee University and an MBA from The Wharton School.  He is a commercial pilot and owns a Piper Seneca III. Jon moved to Darien with his wife, Sara, and their two children, Maggie and Jack, in 2005.

Speaker Summary

In front of one of our largest in-person and on-line audiences of the year, Jon discussed the role of the First Selectman in governing the town, his goals/philosophy as he does his job, and his thoughts on some of the key issues facing the town. After his prepared comments, which were punctuated by his sense of humor and engaging personal style, he took nearly 40 minutes of questions from the DMA audience across a range of issues that were on their minds.

Jon opened with a brief explanation of the Darien government structure, starting with the genesis of the representative town meeting concept of government that led to the creation of selectmen positions to run the meetings. He spoke to the role and powers of the First Selectman in what is a decentralized, dispersed power structure where many of the functions of town government do not fall under the direct control of the selectmen. As a result, his impact is often exercised through his ability to engage and influence those who control key commissions and boards, as well as his ability to impact them based on his right to reject or approve commissioners/board members.

Jon noted that the lens through which he evaluates issues and opportunities is tied to his vision of helping make Darien a place where people will say “only Darien can do that” to elevate and differentiate Darien from other towns. In this context, he spoke to 4 key aspects of his vision that he believes drives this concept:  the schools – over which Jon has no direct control; the town’s assets –both those owned by the town but also those being developed by commercial interests; “Hartford” – Jon’s catch-all for legislative and regulatory elements outside the town that can impact Darien; and, the people – both paid and volunteers that provide the support and services for the town. Jon commented about how volunteerism is such a powerful component of the town’s character. While Jon was very complimentary about the schools and their leadership, the town’s assets and how they are managed, and the people who bring commitment and years of experience to their efforts, he noted that there are opportunities to do a better job connecting/working with “Hartford” and the federal government to work collaboratively versus combatively to meet Darien’s needs. Jon specifically noted that he had been contacted by Senator Chris Murphy’s office and was told that there had been no contact between the Senator and Darien leadership for an extended period of time, something he plans to change.

He also talked briefly about Great Island and his personal goals for the development of the property to address three areas: nature preservation; a municipal asset of some sort (e.g., a pool); and the need for a commercial element. He noted that the Great Island Committee was in the final stage of identifying a consulting resource to help with the planning and development of the property. He also commented that the future long-term cost of developing Great Island could be as great as the acquisition cost.

Jon mentioned that there will be several senior town employees retiring soon and that filling these positions – and finding the right people for key positions, in general – are one of his key priorities. He concluded his prepared comments by reinforcing the importance of involvement and volunteerism, and his willingness to work with and help any groups/organizations that felt his involvement could be beneficial.

In the Q&A session, Jon addressed questions ranging from taxes/the town’s changing tax base, to concerns about speeding/dangerous driving around town, to traffic related to the development projects, to the best approach for affordable housing, and more. In response to several questions, Jon expressed great belief and confidence that the development projects underway in town have been well-planned and that the Darien of the future would deliver on his “only Darien could do this” vision.

Video Presentation 

The Changing Landscape of Entrepreneurship and Health Care: A Discussion with Steve Wiggins

 In an informal discussion with DMA member Frank Gallagher, healthcare industry entrepreneur and innovator Steve Wiggins will discuss his experience launching 7 start-ups in the 40 years since he first moved to Darien. One of his start-ups grew to rank among the Fortune 500 (Oxford Health Plans) and a recent one was sold in 2022 to CVS in a transaction valued at over $8 billion.  His newest two ventures, based in Norwalk, are building technology that will power the next generation of how health care is paid for and financed. His businesses continue to be at the intersection of technology and healthcare, where he has spent his career.

Steve has served two U.S. Presidents in Healthcare Advisory Roles and has an informed perspective on broader issues facing the nation’s healthcare system. He and Frank look forward to exploring how starting businesses in 2024 differs from 1984, and how the evolution of technology has changed how we launch, fund, manage and evolve businesses in an era that has been re-defined by remote work, artificial intelligence, and the emergence of Web 3.0 business models.

Steve Wiggins is a Minnesota native who started his first enterprise, a non-profit organization, upon graduation from Macalester College in 1978.  Accessible Space has since grown to have over 145 residential facilities in 16 states serving individuals with severe mobility impairments who require 24/7 support services.  Steve moved to Darien in 1984 after graduating from Harvard Business School to take a job at a start-up investment firm called General Atlantic.  He left General Atlantic to start Oxford Health Plans, which went public in 1992 and was sold to United Healthcare in 2004.

Steve was the co-founder of Health Partners, which built multi-specialty physician practices;  and the co-founder of Intelliclaim, which built software used by healthcare payers.  He was the founder and CEO of HealthMarket, a health insurance company serving small employers; and the Founder and CEO of Remedy Partners that built pioneering bundled payment programs for the federal Medicare program.  All were sold to public companies. His latest two ventures, Oxbridge Health and OpenNetworks, are incubating in Norwalk, CT.

Speaker suggested and arranged by Frank Gallagher.

Speaker Summary

In an informal Q&A discussion with Frank Gallagher, Steve told his story of “stumbling” into the healthcare industry after a college friend suffered a traumatic spinal injury. This led to a college honors project that resulted in a job offer and founding a non-profit, Accessible Space, to serve the needs of individuals with severe mobility impairments.

With healthcare now his career direction, Steve earned an MBA to obtain critical business skills and embarked on a long, successful career as a healthcare services entrepreneur and innovator leveraging his intimate knowledge and understanding of healthcare provider, payment, insurance, and regulatory systems to identify key needs and gaps that he could leverage into unfilled business opportunities. Like his college experience that led to Accessible Health, Oxford Health Plans grew out of a project in business school where Steve studied the growth of HMO’s and he saw an opportunity for a different business model/approach that ultimately led to the creation of this Fortune 300 company.

In another example of how understanding the details and inner workings of the services and payments aspects of the industry created a business opportunity, Steve talked about how leveraging data and knowledge about payment systems and bundled payment opportunities around episodes-of-care became the basis for Remedy Partners, another of his highly successful start-ups.

In response to Frank’s questioning, Steve provided an ungarnished view of the pros and cons of American healthcare, why he believes it underdelivers on value for its cost, where it excels and comes up short, and his thoughts on opportunities to improve it. Sadly, he believes the value is getting worse, not better. He talked favorably about the importance of new requirements around cost transparency and opportunities for value-based payment programs to improve the healthcare value proposition. He also compared the U.S to other countries he has done business in and, in general, voiced support for systems that require the patient to pay for a larger portion of the services as a route to improved outcomes and value. Steve noted how trends in consolidation among both providers and payers is increasing costs with little/no evidence of outcome benefits.

Steve commented on the extraordinarily high drug costs in the U.S. versus other countries which, in conjunction with rapidly growing insurance premiums, are major contributors to healthcare costs growing over 2 times the CPI. During the audience Q&A, this led to some good questions about why the U.S pays more for drugs and if/how controlling prices in the U.S might impact the willingness of drug companies to invest in development, with Steve clearly believing that cost limiters would not negatively impact drug development. Steve noted the astonishing fact that the annual price charged for new drugs approved last year was a staggering $323,000 per patient using them.

Due to the healthcare cost challenges to self-funded employers and families, Steve has recently started a new company designed to reduce their costs while still providing access to quality healthcare by leveraging “big data” to arrive at allowances for services and procedures that will save most consumers money while still providing the opportunity for “upgraded” service to those who can afford it/opt to spend more for more costly providers they might prefer.

Steve spoke favorably of Medicare, provided some thoughts on addressing its projected funding shortfall and noted that he has tried on 3 occasions to get the position running CMS – the Medicare and Medicaid management agency.  He said he might give getting the job another shot. He would likely be a great fit given his broad experience innovating in healthcare services, funding and payment systems and approaches.  \

Video Presentation 

The Lost Rock & Roll Negatives of Michael Friedman and the Stories Behind Them

After 50 years buried at the bottom of a file cabinet, Michael Friedman’s never-before-seen collection of photos from his time in the music industry was discovered by his wife, Donna Vita. This time capsule of the images and behind-the-scenes stories offers a front-row seat to music history. Music Manager and Producer Michael Friedman launched his career in the mid-1960s working with folk, blues, and rock & roll musicians who became legends. As an avid photographer with Pentax camera in hand, he kept a visual record of the artists he worked with and their performances, but he lost track of the negatives before he had a chance to print them. His book, EXPOSED: The Lost Negatives and Untold Stories of Michael Friedman by Michael Friedman and Donna Vita features 200 never-before-published photos of the best musicians of the late 60’s and early 70’s. Among them are Janis Joplin, The Rolling Stones, Mick Jagger, The Band, Levon Helm, Todd Rundgren, Kris Kristofferson, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, James Cotton, Ian & Sylvia, Johnny Winter, Gordon Lightfoot, Tom Rush, Rita Coolidge, and Albert Grossman. Other stories from inside the music business feature Bob Dylan, Bob Neuwirth, Clive Davis and George Harrison. Many of the photos in this book were featured at exhibitions at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019-2020 and California Heritage Museum in 2018. Michael will take us through his photographic history and insider’s stories.

Michael Friedman’s career in the music industry began in the early 60’s while in college at the University of Arizona where he started Borchetta/Friedman Productions & Coastline Records. In 1966 he worked in promotion and publicity for The Mamas and the Papas, Herman’s Hermits, The Turtles, The Hollies, Glen Campbell, and the Bee Gees. He transitioned to management when he signed and produced an unknown band from Philadelphia called Nazz, whose leader was Todd Rundgren.

In 1968 Friedman joined Albert Grossman, one of the most influential personal managers in the music industry. As Grossman’s assistant and later partner he worked with Bob Dylan, The Band, Janis Joplin, The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Odetta, Ian & Sylvia, Ritchie Havens, Gordon Lightfoot, and Peter, Paul and Mary. In Woodstock Michael helped Grossman create Bearsville Studios and produced some of the first albums for Bearsville Records.

In 1972 Friedman joined Bert Block managing Kris Kristofferson and Rita Coolidge. Friedman later joined Clive Davis as his Executive Assistant and Director of Associated Labels at Arista Records, where he also headed up the formation of Arista’s music video department where he worked with Time-Life Films to release the industry’s first video concerts for both The Kinks and Dionne Warwick.

In addition to music, Friedman’s other interests included antiques and design, and in 1983 he opened Friedman Gallery in Westport with a wide range of antiques including early American, folk art, art deco, native American and western antiques. His book Cowboy Culture; The Last Frontier of American Antiques was published in 1992. Friedman also founded Artafax, a European design store in Westport, the Ash Creek Saloons in Fairfield and Norwalk, and The Goose American Bistro in Darien.

Speaker Summary

Mike regaled us with behind-the-scenes stories from his years in the music industry that gave him a unique perspective on many music stars he got to know on a very personal level. He told the stories through the lens of the candid photographs he took over the years thanks to his access to these stars and the on-and-off-stage moments he shared with them, and how these photos and stories come to life in his book.

Mike began with becoming interested in music when he took up the drums while attending Staples High School in Westport, CT. That led to his first opportunity and exposure to the world of professional music when he sat in for the “incapacitated” drummer for Harvey and the Moonglows, which further fed his passion for music. He jumped forward to starting his first record label while in college and subsequently getting his real start in the industry when he got a job promoting several leading groups and, ultimately, producing Todd Rundgren’s first big hit, “Hello, It’s Me”. The untimely death of the head of the management company he was working for led to an opportunity to work with iconic industry manager Albert Grossman, which connected him with most of the musicians featured in his photos and enabled the relationships and friendships that provided the unfettered access to these stars and their performances that are the subject of these images. Working with Grossman also took him to Woodstock, before and after the ground-breaking music festival there in 1969, and the creation of the Bearsville Studio and Record label.

He shared some extraordinary photos of Janis Joplin, with whom he enjoyed a particularly close personal relationship, and who he described as wonderful, funny and very complicated. A series of these photos were used on her “Keep On Rockin” songbook and this montage is featured in his book. Mike told the story of attending the greatest rock concert he ever saw at Madison Square Garden accompanying Janis who wanted to see a young newcomer to the industry – Tina Turner – who was opening for The Rolling Stones along with BB King. This led to an impromptu invitation by Tina to have Janis join her on-stage to perform together. His picture of the young Turner was stunning. And his pictures of the Stones performing on the tiny, largely unprotected stage gave insight to his unusual access to the talent featured in his book.

Mike then moved on to discuss his relationship with Rita Coolidge and Kris Kristofferson (“the most amazing guy I ever worked with”) and an especially entertaining story of how he and Kris influenced their performance on The Dean Martin Show. As with the others, his stunning behind-the-scenes photos of Kris and Rita helped bring his story to life.

Mike closed with a long, amusing story of a meeting he attended between Bob Dylan and film producer Otto Preminger that led to Dylan duping Preminger into “hosting” a dinner for Dylan and his wife where Preminger was not allowed to attend so Dylan could show his wife some aspects of Preminger’s NY home that he found potentially inspirational for the redesign of their brownstone. No photos were shared but the story was a fitting close to a talk about someone who had a unique inside view of the professional and personal worlds of many music icons of the 60‘s and 70’s.

Video of the Presentation

Creating the New LaGuardia Airport

“If I took you and blindfolded you and took you to LaGuardia Airport in New York, you’d think, I must be in some third-world country.”  Vice President Biden, Feb 2014.

Well, LaGuardia Airport is now far from the disaster it once was. DMA member Dan Kolakowski and Steve Aspden, construction Project Directors on both Terminal B (Central Terminal) and Terminal C (Delta) at LaGuardia, will be discussing both the design and construction processes from 2016 through today. Why do the terminals function the way they do? How did it all get constructed while keeping the airport functioning with their full flight schedules? What was the impact of COVID on the project?   Those questions and more will be answered in this “The New LaGuardia Airport” presentation.

Steve Aspden is a Global Construction Executive with 44 years’ experience leading the development of major aviation, roadway and infrastructure projects, as well as commercial and hospital projects around the world. Throughout his career, Steve has led as Project Executive on internationally recognized projects including the A1 motorway in Poland, Mater Dei Hospital on Malta, Apple Park (Apple HQ) in Cupertino, CA, The United Nations Headquarters in NYC, LaGuardia Airport Terminal B and LaGuardia Airport Terminal C, accounting for more than $20 billion in project oversight.

Video Presentation