Joint Asia FAO Social 22 February (1630) at Hulu's

Joint Asia FAO no host social Friday, February 22 at 1630 at Hula’s Island Grill off of Lighthouse Road in New Monterey!

More details to come here (including Evite link).  

November FAO/RAO/RAS/PAS Events

November FAO Events

09 November

1730-UTC

Conversations in Carmel.  

Norman Naimark, the Robert and Florence McDonnel Professor of Eastern European Studies at Stanford University and author of several important books on the Balkans, discusses the current state of affairs in that part of Europe. http://fsi.stanford.edu/people/Norman_M_Naimark/

Recommended for 48C’s and 48E’s.

Please comment or contact for event RSVP information.

15 November

1130-1400 

“Cybersecurity: Are We Headed Towards a Cyber Pearl Harbor or 9/11?” 

Dr. Dorothy E. Denning, NPS.  World Affairs Council Luncheon.  Location:  Rancho Canada Golf Club, Carmel Valley Road. Cost:  $25.  Reservation form found at:

http://www.wacmb.org/WACMB/Upcoming-WACMB-Programs.html

Recommended for all FAOs.

15 November 

1600 & 1900(T) 

EFMP.  

Presentation by Presidio of Monterey Exceptional Family Member Program and Medical representatives to ensure that FAOs and their families understand the impact of the EFMP on future assignments and to facilitate preparation for OCONUS PCS.  The 1600 presentation is confirmed; the intent of the tentatively scheduled duplicate presentation at 1900 is to offer spouses the opportunity to receive the same information.  More to follow on confirmation of the 1900 presentation.  Even if you do not have EFMs or dependents, you need to attend to understand the implications of this program on you and on FAOs who will work for you in the future.  

Mandatory for all Army FAOs.

29 November 

1600-1730 

IRT Panel.  Several FAOs who have recently completed IRT or who possess unique FAO experience conduct a panel presentation and answer questions.  Participants include LTC James Morris (48G), MAJ Kevin Steele (48D), MAJ Kip Kowalski (48D), and CPT Don Cinnamond (48J).  Location:  DLI Post Theater.

Mandatory for all Army FAOs.

14-18 January – Joint FAO Course, Phase I.

Author Nataly Kelly Speaks on the Role of Translation 23 Oct 2012

Author Nataly Kelly Speaks on the Role of Translation 

1215, 23 Oct 2012, Irvine Auditorium, MISS

Silcon Valley African Film Festival 12-14 October!

Silcon Valley African Film Festival 12-14 October!

The 3rd annual Silicon Valley African Film Festival to be held this weekend at the Community School of Music and Arts (CSMA), 230 San Antonio Circle, Mountain View, CA 94040

This year's festival is scheduled from October 12-14 and will showcase 35 films from 15 different African countries in one weekend. Film screenings will be held throughout the weekend, starting with an opening ceremony / Red Carpet reception on Friday evening (5:30 PM), daily film screenings on Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 AM and a closing / awards ceremony on Sunday, October 14 at 7:00 PM. Event highlights include a parade of flags, African drumming and dance performances, workshops, panel discussions, post-screening talks with filmmakers, food and an African market.

Another main feature of this year's festival is the "African Diaspora Summit - exploring the role of Diaspora Africans in the African Renaissance" on Saturday, October 13 at 4PM.

FAOA Monterey Fall Social Thursday 18 October at the Crown and Anchor

NOTE:  This event has been changed from the 11th to the 18th.

FAOA Monterey Social Thursday 18 October at the Crown and Anchor

You should be able to see the Evite here (if you have any issues viewing it, comment with your email and we will send it to you).  


FAO/RAO/RAS/PAS/International Students/Interested Professors:

Please join us for the Fall 2012 FAO Association of Monterey social event.  If you know of any FAO's that may not have received this invitation please let them know.  This event will not be formal and spouses are welcome.  Drinks and appetizers will be available at your own cost.

Please send any specific questions to: tvbrooks@nps.edu

• 
  Host: Tom Brooks (FAOAM Social Coordinator)

• When:
  Thursday, October 18 at 6:00 PM
• Where:
  Crown & Anchor150 W Franklin St Monterey, CA 93940

NOTE:  Next month we will have COCOM Specific Socials.

"What is Happening in Russia Talk" on 6 October

What:     "What is Happening in Russia?"

Who:     A talk by John Burk, Retired Russia Specialist, DLI Russia Language Graduate, and former      
              Navy Chaplain

Where:  Carmel Valley Library

When:   Saturday, 6 Oct, 1015

LINKS for further information:

http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/inc/pr/20120920/cvlibraryrussiatalk.pdf
http://www.allsaintscarmel.org/the-rev-john-h-burk/

Bio:

Mr. Burk graduated from the Russian program at the Defense Language Institute in 1961 and spent three years with the Army Security Agency as a German and Russian Linguist and Intelligence Analyst. He has done extensive study and travel in Russia, with most recent trips in 2005, 2008 and 2011. He holds a B.S. in Life Science from Union College, an M.A. in Theology from Seabury Western Theological Seminary, a Masters in Library Science from San Jose State University, and post graduate work in Anthropology from the University of Utah. Mr. Burk has worked as a U.S. Navy Chaplain, a low income housing specialist for the Episcopal Dioceses of Utah, Rochester, and San Joaquin, and s a Senior Librarian for the California Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections State Prison. He is currently active in the Monterey History and Arts Association, the Carmel Foundation and Casa Serrano Docent program.

Other October events:

2 October, 7 PM

From the UN Association, Monterey Bay Chapter-- a great event and opportunity for all FAO/RAS/PAS interested.

The Arab Uprising:  Implications for US Policy and the Role of the UN

Who: Ms. Nadia Hijab, Palestinian/Syrian author, journalist and development specialist.  Co-founder, Al-Shabaka, The Palestinian Policy Network

When: Tuesday, October 2, 2012 Time: 7:00 PM

Where:  Irvine Auditorium of the Monterey Institute of International Studies (499 Pierce at Jefferson in Monterey)

Other:  Free admission, an informal meet-the-speaker reception will follow the program

11 October, 1730-UTC, Conversations in Carmel.  “Fusun, Akarsa, PhD, head of the Science Education Department at Boğaziçi University in Istanbul, is doing research on the cultural interface between Eastern and Western business people.  She has some fascinating and sometimes amusing stories to tell about ways we misinterpret one another's social cues which affects the success of our interactions.  She will also share with us her personal thoughts on the current geopolitical trends in Turkey.  Professor Akarsa is a visiting professor at MIIS this year.” 

NPS STUDENTS AND FACULTY, PLEASE COMMENT WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS EVENT.

9 November, 1730-UTC, Conversations in Carmel.  “Norman Naimark, the Robert and Florence McDonnel Professor of Eastern European Studies at Stanford University and author of several important books on the Balkans, will help us sort through the current state of affairs in that part of Europe.  What is still in store for Serbia and Kosovo at this time? How have these countries recovered, or not?  What is important for us to understand about the effect of the Balkan situation currently on the EU and the world? ”

NPS STUDENTS AND FACULTY, PLEASE COMMENT WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON THIS EVENT.

International/Expat Blogs to Check out

We have added some international and expat blogs! (you can find them on the right column of our blog)

They aren't all done by military families but they all have an international focus--many of them are family blogs about living overseas.

If you know of any that we are missing, comment here with the URL and we will add it.  

NOTE:  Listing of blog on this site does not imply endorsement by FAOAM, DOD, or US Navy.

NEW FAO/RAS/PAS moving to Monterey for NPS or DLI???

NEW FAO/RAS/PAS moving to Monterey?

The FAO Association of Monterey is happy to help you out with any questions you might have about the move out here, class registration, books etc.

Most people end up buying books online but you can also check out CALLDIBS.  It's a free app on ITUNES--basically a CraigsList for people associated with the military.  Anyway, people are also starting to post their books there.  You can usually get away with not having any books the first week of class.

You can comment here with questions, or email me at FAOAMWebmaster@gmail.com.  I will probably be slow in responding till after Friday since that is when my finals are done.  

Nadia Hijab Talk on the Arab Uprising 2 OCT 2012- Great event for Africa and Middle East FAO/RAS/PAS

Nadia Hijab Talk on the Arab Uprising 2 OCT 2012- Great event for Africa and Middle East FAO/RAS/PAS

From the UN Association, Monterey Bay Chapter-- a great event and opportunity for all FAO/RAS/PAS interested.

The Arab Uprising:  Implications for US Policy and the Role of the UN

Who: Ms. Nadia Hijab, Palestinian/Syrian author, journalist and development specialist.  Co-founder, Al-Shabaka, The Palestinian Policy Network

When: Tuesday, October 2, 2012 Time: 7:00 PM

Where:  Irvine Auditorium of the Monterey Institute of International Studies (499 Pierce at Jefferson in Monterey)

Other:  Free admission, an informal meet-the-speaker reception will follow the program

LINKS:

http://www.unamontereybay.org/UNA_Monterey_Bay/Future_Events.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nadia-hijab/

Biography

Europe and Eurasia FAO/RAS/PAS Reception this Monday 10 SEP 2012

Europe and Eurasia FAO/RAS/PAS Reception this Monday 10 SEP 2012

Europe and Eurasia FAOs/RAS/PAS:

You are invited to a free reception to be held as part of the Joint FAO Program Eurasia Course.  

Details:  

Time:  Monday, 10 SEP 12, 1700-1830, 

Location:  Quarterdeck, Herrmann Hall, Naval Postgraduate School.  

Other:  Free food; cash bar.  No RSVP required.

Bring your spouse and take advantage of this opportunity to meet senior FAOs working in the region.

Have lunch 17 Sept with Ambassador Fred Hof and learn about Syria

Have lunch with Ambassador Fred Hof

Passing on information below about an event from the World Affairs Council.  He will be speaking the following day at DLI--more information available on that event here.

On Monday, September 17, Ambassador Fred Hof will be the guest speaker at the World Affairs Council of Monterey Bay monthly luncheon, on the topic of: 

“U.S. Policy Toward Syria: Moving Past Assad” 

Fred Hof is the State Department’s Special Advisor on Transition in Syria, and holds the rank of Ambassador.  A former U.S. Army officer and Foreign Area Officer, Hof is a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School.  His professional life has focused largely on the Middle East, and he has held senior positions in both the State Department and Defense Department.  In his talk, he will discuss U.S. policy toward Syria, engagement with the Syrian opposition, and efforts to reintegrate Syria into the international community. 

The lunch will begin at noon at the Rancho Canada Golf Club on Carmel Valley Road in Carmel.  There is no charge and no reservations are required if you want to only listen to the lecture, which will start at about 12:45; auditors will be seated at 12:40.  If you would also like to have lunch, the cost is $25 per person for World Affairs Council members and NPS students (a special rate for students!), and $35 for others.  For lunch reservations, please fill out the attached reservation form and send it in by the deadline of next Thursday, September 13.  

If you have questions, need directions, or would like more information, please see the World Affairs Council website: http://www.wacmb.org/WACMB/Upcoming-WACMB-Programs.html.   

FAOAM Meeting this Thursday (6 SEP) at 1200

FAOAM Meeting this Thursday (6 SEP) at 1200

Interested current students and faculty are welcome to attend our meeting this Thursday in GL322.  We will be discussing future events as well as future opportunities to serve as part of the team!  

The FAO Association of Monterey is a great way to begin an interagency networking process that will prove crucial throughout the careers of all FAOs/RAS/PAS. 

Feel free to comment here if you have more questions or email us as faoamwebmaster@gmail.com.

Former Army FAO Ambassador Fred Hof Speaks About Syria 18 SEP 2012

Former Army FAO Ambassador Fred Hof  Presentation on Syria 18 September 2012

Who: Special Advisor for Regional Affairs Ambassador Fred Hof

What: Presentation on Syria

When: 1600-1730, 18 September 2012

Where: DLI, Weckerling Center, Gold Room.  

This event is open to all NPS and DLI students.  He is giving a similar presentation in San Francisco.  The following is from that site:

Ambassador Frederic Hof, US Department of State’s Special Advisor on Transition in Syria, will provide remarks regarding US policy, engagement with the Syrian opposition and efforts to reintegrate Syria into the international community. While the focus remains on removing the Assad regime, stopping the violence, and easing the refugee situation the State Department is also looking at what comes next for the Syrian people.

Ambassador Hof will also discuss the challenges ahead for Syria, including the formation of a transitional government, protection of all ethnic and religious communities, drafting a new constitution, holding elections, economic revitalization and reinstating rule of law.

Ambassador Hof is a 1969 graduate of the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service and began his professional career as an Army officer.  He is a Vietnam veteran and served as a US Army Middle East Foreign Area Officer, studying Arabic at the Foreign Service Institute in Tunisia and receiving a Masters Degree from the Naval Postgraduate School.  He served as US Army Attaché in Beirut, Lebanon and later in the Office of the Secretary of Defense as Director for Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Palestinian Affairs.

His full biography can be found here.

FAO Association National Elections Open Online Until 28 August

National FAO Association National Elections Open Online Until 28 August

If you are a member of the National Foreign Area Officer Association then you can vote in this year's Board of Governors elections.  

If you are not a member of the national FAO Association, consider joining.  $30 gets you a year long subscription to the magazine, as well as access to exclusive job postings and discounts at FAOA events.  

Membership isn't limited to military FAOs either; the Association is a great networking tool.   

The elections message below pasted from the excellent FAO Association Website (you can vote there):

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

VOTING IS NOW OPEN FOR THE FOREIGN AREA OFFICER ASSOCIATION ELECTION

NAME AND BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH FOR EACH PERSON NOMINATED FOR A POSITION ON THE FOREIGN AREA OFFICERS ASSOCIATION BOARD OF GOVERNORS:

The following Foreign Area Officers Association (FAOA) members, in alphabetical order, have been nominated for a position on the Board of Governors. Biographic sketches have been lightly edited to make them roughly the same in length and emphasize FAO assignments and experience. Current elected Board of Governors members running for re-election are indicated with an asterisk (*). Those elected will serve a three-year term beginning 1 October 2012. Voting will be on line at the FAOA website from time of this posting until 28 August 2012. That date – 28 August 2012 – is the official date of the election and no vote will be accepted after 1700 hrs Eastern Daylight Time.

You may vote for up to six members.

1. Michael (“Mike”) Dugan, CAPT USN (Retired)

Captain Dugan’s military and civilian work experience carried him all over the world. As a reservist on active duty he served in the Philippines, Japan, Thailand, Somalia, and Oman. When recalled to active duty in 2003 he was Navy Central Command Liaison Officer to CJTF-5 in Baghdad. While assigned to Pacific Command he was deeply involved in planning for three iterations of Exercise Cobra Gold in Thailand; he also worked on many joint exercises with Japan while stationed at Barbers Point, HI. During Operation Deny Flight (Kosovo) he was chief planner of NATO and Italian air forces. In civilian life, working for Lockheed Martin he was leader of over 200 contractor pilots, sensor operators, and mechanics in Afghanistan. Mike is near-fluent in the Italian language. If elected to the Board of Governors, Mike is particularly interested in using his experience to serve as Editor-in-Chief of the FAO Journal of International Affairs. Mike lives in the National Capital Area.

2. Jonathan Dunn, MAJ US Army, Russia/Eurasia FAO.

Major Dunn is a policy analyst and international affairs specialist in conventional arms control at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). He previously served as assistant professor at the United States Military Academy, where he taught courses on Russian and European politics, international relations, and comparative politics. Major Dunn has also served in many command and staff assignments as a cavalry officer in the U.S. Army, including a six-month deployment to Bosnia-Herzegovina and a fifteen-month deployment to Iraq as a troop commander. He holds a M.A. in International Relations & International Economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He has volunteered to become editor-in-chief of the FAO Association Journal of  International Affairs if elected. He resides in the National Capital Area.

3. Michael R. Ercolano, LTC USMC, Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia FAO.

Lieutenant Colonel Ercolano currently serves as Marine Attaché, USDAO Manila, the Philippines. He began his military service as an enlisted Marine and has more than 21 years of active military service. He is a graduate of the Joint and Combined Warfighting School and is a Distance Learning student at the Air War College. Michael’s other FAO assignments include duty as a research fellow, Osaka University School of Public Policy; as Defense Logistics Agency Liaison Officer to US Forces Japan; and Chief of Staff, Ministry of Interior Transition Team, Baghdad. Mike has held a number of senior leadership positions in civilian organizations and has served as a fiscal/budget officer during several military assignments. He resides in Manila, The Philippines.

* 4. Michael Ferguson, COL USA (Retired), Africa FAO. FAO Assn Board of Governors Member, currently President Emeritus and Sponsorship Committee Chairman.

Colonel Ferguson is a member of the DIA Attaché System Hall of Fame, the Infantry OCS Hall of Fame, and is a member of the Board of Directors, National Military Intelligence Association. He has been an enlisted Medical Platoon Sergeant (Viet Nam and Korea) an Infantry Officer (Germany and Turkey) and has extensive executive and hands-on experience in intelligence collection, operations, planning, and training. He is a recognized expert on African affairs, with broad inter-agency experience as an African analyst, including five tours in Africa as a Defense Attaché (Ethiopia, South Africa, Tunisia and Cameroon). Mike also served two years as the first Chief of HUMINT Training and Professional Development as well as the Dean of the Defense Attaché School with additional responsibility for the STC program and the Defense Debriefing School. Colonel Ferguson is a life member of the FAO Association, was a charter member of the FAOA Board of Governors, and served as the second President of the Association. He is currently an independent consultant. Mike resides in the National Capital Area.

*5. John Haseman, COL USA (Retired), Southeast Asia FAO. FAO Assn Board of Governors Member, currently Assistant Editor of the FAO Journal International Affairs, and Chairman of the FAOA Elections Committee.

Colonel Haseman is a member of the DIA Attaché System Hall of Fame. He entered the Army FAO program in 1974, shortly after it was established, and from 1974 through his retirement in January 1995 he “single tracked” as a FAO. His FAO assignments included Commander Udorn Field Office, Udornthani, Thailand; Army Division Chief, US Defense Liaison Group Jakarta, Indonesia; Assistant Army Attaché to Indonesia; Senior Analyst for Southeast Asia, ACSI, Army HQ; Defense and Army Attaché, Rangoon, Burma; and Defense and Army Attaché, Jakarta, Indonesia. He served 2 ½ years in combat in Vietnam, with the 9th Infantry Division (1967-68) and as a district-level advisor (1971-73). He is author or co-author of four books and numerous book chapters dealing with Thailand and Indonesia; more than 250 of his news and analytical articles on Southeast Asia political-military subjects have been published in journals in the US, Europe, Asia, and Australia. He is fluent in the Indonesian language and also speaks Thai and Burmese. ColonelHaseman has been a member of the FAOA Board of Governors since 2009, and has volunteered to be Copy Editor for the FAO Journal. He resides in Colorado.

6. Brian Hobbs, LTC USAF (Retired), Northeast Asia/China RAS (FAO).  FAO Assn Board of Governors ex officio (non-voting) Member.

LTC Hobbs has provided significant contributions to FAO Assn events and is now seeking expanded responsibilities as an elected full Board member. He served as manager for the 2010 FAO Assn Black Tie Dinner, and served on the committee for the 2011 and 2012 Black Tie Dinners. Brian also serves on the FAOA Membership Committee. Brian began service in the Intelligence career field, and retired from the Air Force as a fully qualified Foreign Area Officer/Regional Affairs Strategist (FAO/RAS) for China and Northeast Asia (Japan & Korea). He has proficiency in the Chinese, Japanese, and Korean languages. He taught Chinese and Japanese at the U.S. Air Force Academy, and taught Northeast Asian international relations and U.S. foreign policy as an exchange officer to the Korea Air Force Academy. His final assignment was to Air Force HQ, International Affairs (SAF/IA) where he conducted Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and political-military relations with Northeast Asian countries, and also established the new Air Force FAO career field, Regional Affairs Strategists. He recently returned to his FAO background, joining the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF F-35) Program Office as a Japan FMS Analyst. Brian resides in the National Capital Area.

7. John (“Jack”) Kruse, LCDR USN, Africa FAO.

Lieutenant Commander Kruse is currently pursuing a Master's degree in National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School. As the child of a Marine FAO, he lived in Morocco for a portion on his youth and fondly recalls playing soccer with the children of the diplomatic Maghreb elite. In previous military assignments, LCDR Kruse deployed to the Persian Gulf aboard USS Nimitz and subsequently served three years as the Safety Officer for Commander Helicopter Sea Combat Wing Pacific, where he developed a safety instruction program recognized as best practice Navy-wide. LCDR Kruse's following tour was in the Pentagon on the CNO N3N5 Staff as the Africa Desk Officer, during which the Navy Foreign Area Officer community selected him for accession. Notably, Jack created a week-long DC inter-agency indoctrination course for all Navy FAOs headed to Africa Security Cooperation assignments. He has written about African culture and literature, and life in the Pentagon and as a grad student, since 2010 at his blog "For Unofficial Use Only" (www.fuuo.blogspot.com).  Jack currently resides in Monterey, CA.

* 8, Kurt Marisa, COL USAF (Retired), European RAS (FAO). FAO Assn Board of Governors Member and currently FAO Assn President.

Colonel Marisa retired from active duty in July 2012. His final assignment was as a Deputy Director in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence. Colonel Marisa was a career intelligence officer who became an Air Force European FAO and Regional Affairs Strategist (RAS) in 1998. He served as Military Attaché to Saudi Arabia, Air Attaché to the Kingdom of Denmark and Greenland, and Defense Attaché to Suriname. He has also had military assignments in Germany and Korea and deployments to Saudi Arabia and South America. Colonel Marisa has an M.S. in International Studies from the Institute of Social Studies (ISS) in The Hague, Netherlands, and an M.S. in Strategic Intelligence from the National Intelligence University (formerly JMIC).  He is a graduate of the Air War College, from which he wrote and published his course paper on the integration of Attaché and Security Assistance programs, contributing at the SECDEF level to the current DoD Senior Defense Officer (SDO)/DATT program. Colonel Marisa has served on the FAOA Board of Governors since 2004, as Vice President from October 2009 to May 2011, and as President from May 2011 to the present. Kurt resides in the National Capital Area.

9. Jason (“Brad”) Nicholson, MAJ (P), US Army, Sub-Saharan Africa FAO.

Major Nicholson currently serves as Chief, Office of Security Cooperation, US Embassy Kampala, Uganda. His previous FAO assignments include a tour as the Foreign Area Officer at US Embassy Tanzania; the Lebanon, Syria, Israel desk officer for J5, JCS; and as the Deputy Branch Chief, Middle East and Africa (G-3/5/7), the Army Staff. Major Nicholson is fluent in both French and German. In addition to his various international affairs positions Major Nicholson is a frequent contributor to the FAO Journal, the DISAM Journal, and other publications. Major Nicholson is a member of the Editorial Review Board for the FAO Journal. Brad has long been involved with administering extracurricular organizations and is currently serving as Vice-President for Memberships, Team Army Cycling (a USA Cycling sanctioned club), and as a member of the Alumni Advisory Board for the Georgetown University Public Policy Review. Major Nicholson resides in Kampala, Uganda.

*10. Graham Plaster, LT USN, EUCOM FAO.  FAO Assn Board of Governors Member, currently Secretary and Webmaster.

Lieutenant Plaster is a Liaison Officer supporting US military deployed to UN Peacekeeping missions in Israel, Egypt and Iraq. He previously served as a Surface Warfare Officer aboard the USS Reuben James (FFG 57) out of Pearl Harbor, deploying in support of OIF and OEF to the Persian Gulf. Subsequently he joined the staff of Destroyer Squadron One in San Diego and deployed in support of Counter Drug Operations in South America. He also served as Assistant Dean of Students at the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island. While there, Lieutenant Plaster completed a Masters degree in Humanities at Salve Regina University with a thesis on electronic democracy in Iran. He built an internal wiki for student collaboration and knowledge management. After selected as a Naval Foreign Area Officer, he studied Arabic at DLI. While in Monterey, he became webmaster for the Foreign Area Officer Association of Monterey. He now serves as webmaster for the FAO Assn.  He is currently writing a book on social media influences on democratization in Iran. Graham resides in the National Capital Area.

11. James (“JB”) Shelton, COL USAF (Retired), European FAO.

Colonel Shelton began service in the US Marine Corps, including a combat assignment in Vietnam. A former C-130 and C-5A pilot, JB’s air force career included assignment as Assistant Air Attaché to Italy; Commander of the USAF 696th Intelligence Group (Humint) and principal liaison for Humint exchanges with Germany, Korea, and Japan; Chief of the Middle East, Africa, and Strategic Counterterrorism Operations, DIA; Dean of the Joint Military Attaché School; and Deputy Executive Director of the Defense Humint Service. Since retirement, JB has worked as a consultant on defense and intelligence matters. He was Program Manager for the design, development, and implementation of the Near East/South Asia Center for Strategic Studies. He currently serves as Director of Operations for JTG Inc., providing language and cultural services, analysis, and operations support across the Intelligence Community and commercial sector. He supports the FAO Association as co-chairman of the FAO Assn Pentagon FAOA Heritage Display initiative. JB resides in the National Capital Area.

12. Michael Trahan, COL US Army (Retired), Africa/Middle East/Western Europe FAO.

Colonel Trahan had a varied career in policy and security assistance assignments and filled command billets up to the brigade level. His most recent assignments included Deputy Director for Middle East and Africa, DIA; Deputy Director for Near East and South Asia, OSD-ISA; Senior Military Assistant to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs; J3 Plans Officer at CENTCOM; and as Political and Military Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Near Eastern Affairs. Mike holds a BA in History from Texas A&M University and a Masters in National Security Affairs from the Naval Postgraduate School. He is also a graduate of the State Department Senior Seminar. He is a linguist in Arabic and Hebrew and also speaks French and German. Colonel Trahan retired in 2005 and worked at senior executive levels of several international defense and aerospace corporations. He is now President of Alternate Axis, his own consulting company to the defense and aerospace industries. Mike lives in the National Capital Area.

LINK:
http://www.faoa.org/Default.aspx?pageId=498955&eventId=530114&EventViewMode=EventDetails