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FBI Norfolk Citizens Academy Alumni Association received the 2026 Gold Star Chapter recognition for excellence in chapter leadership, operations, and quality performance.

The Gold Star Chapter designation is granted to FBI National CAAA affiliate chapters that demonstrate a commitment to the community outreach mission of their partnership with the FBI. This prestigious recognition acknowledges the dedication of chapter boards and members in attaining excellence in achieving high quality outreach programming, community engagement, and operating standards.

“It’s an honor to recognize the Norfolk chapter for its excellence in chapter leadership, operations, and performance,” said Kelly Lopez, Acting President of FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Association.

The Norfolk chapter has received the designation each year since the program was launched in 2024.

Brian Dugan, former Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Norfolk Field Office, was the featured speaker at last evening’s Monthly Chapter Membership Meeting. The program was held at the United Jewish Federation of Tidewater in Virginia Beach.

FBI Norfolk Citizens Academy Alumni Association members met last evening at the Doubletree Hotel in Norfolk for its New Year Kick-off Dinner and Meeting. The annual event provides an opportunity for the board of directors and chapter members to reflect on the accomplishments of the past and learn about opportunities for the coming year. Special guest speakers included Dominique Evans, Special Agent in Charge (SAC), and Michael Peasley, Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC), of the FBI's Norfolk Division. SAC Evans provided an overview of the outreach focus and operational priorities for the Norfolk Field Office.

During the meeting, chapter member Terry Legg was presented the Warren-Thrush Volunteer Achievement Award honoring his community outreach service. The Award was established in October 2013 to recognize FBI Norfolk Citizens Academy Alumni Association members that drive social change impacting our communities through integrity and volunteer leadership skills in support of the FBI Norfolk Division. Terry is a 2016 graduate of the FBI Norfolk Citizens Academy Program.

Terry Legg, a 2016 graduate of the FBI Norfolk Citizens Academy program and member of FBI Norfolk Citizens Academy Alumni Association, was presented tonight with the Warren-Thrush Volunteer Achievement Award honoring his community outreach service. The Award was established in October 2013 to recognize FBI Norfolk Citizens Academy Alumni Association members that demonstrate exceptional leadership skills in driving social change through community outreach, education, and service programs in support of the FBI Norfolk Division’s mission and goals.

Terry is a resident of Portsmouth, Virginia.

FBI Norfolk Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBI Norfolk CAAA) was designated a 2025 Gold Star Chapter for excellence in leadership, operations, and quality performance.

The Gold Star Chapter designation, created in 2024, is granted to FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Association affiliate chapters that demonstrate a commitment to achieving the community outreach mission of their partnership with the FBI. This prestigious recognition acknowledges the dedication of the chapter board of directors and members in achieving excellence in outreach programming and high quality operating standards.

FBI Norfolk Citizens Academy Alumni Association Named a Gold Star Chapter

(Detroit, Michigan; June 27, 2024) – Today, FBI Norfolk Citizens Academy Alumni Association was recognized as a 2024 Gold Star Chapter for excellence in leadership, operations, and quality performance.

The Gold Star Chapter designation is presented by FBI National Citizens Academy Alumni Association to affiliate chapters that demonstrate a commitment to achieving the mission and goals of their community outreach partnership with the FBI. This prestigious recognition acknowledges the dedication of the chapter board of directors and members in achieving high quality operating standards.

“Chapters receiving the Gold Star Chapter designation personify the highest merits of the FBI and the FBI National CAAA,” said Richard Schwalberg, president of the FBI National CAAA. The recognition was announced at the Association’s 17^th Annual National Leadership Conference in Detroit, Michigan.

FBI Norfolk Citizens Academy Alumni Association is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization that works in partnership with the FBI Norfolk division to deliver community outreach, education, and service programs. Its members are graduates of the FBI Citizens Academy, a comprehensive program that gives business, religious, civic and community leaders an inside look at the FBI.

The CAAA held its annual Kickoff Dinner on February 10, 2024 at the Virginia Wesleyan University in the Boyd Dining hall area. The event was attended by 40 members and guests and featured SAC Dugan presenting on the past year in review with the FBI and a look ahead to the many things planned for community outreach with the FBI Norfolk CAAA. There was the usual "White elephant" gift exchange which has proven to be very entertaining and fun. 

The Warren Thrush Volunteer Achievement Award this year was presented to Ms. Cynthia Bell for her outstanding service during the 2023 calendar year.

The evening was rounded out by our CAAA President giving a year in review of all the things we as a chapter had accomplished. from the many outreach events we supported , to the LE Symposium,  and with us receiving our 7th in a row award for Chapter Excellence in Operations. The event was a fun time for all and well received. We hope that many more of you will join us in the future at this great event. 

Pictures from the event can be found in the Alumni section. 

A news article by WAVY TV 10, on the Future Agents in Training program that is hosted every year by the FBI and supported by the CAAA.

https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/norfolk/hampton-roads-students-exposed-to-fbi-future-agents-in-training-program/

During the FBI National CAAA Leadership conference held June 28-30, 2023,  in Boston, Massachusetts, the Norfolk FBI CAAA received its 6th award in a row for Chapter Excellence in Operations. 

During a July 26 keynote at the FBI Atlanta Cyber Threat Summit, Director Christopher Wray warned that cybercriminals are weaponizing artificial intelligence—and the resulting threat will only worsen as machine-learning models become increasingly sophisticated. 

Wray also explained that the FBI’s authorities under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, enable our efforts to combat international cybercriminals. He identified 702-powered successes and stressed the urgency of reauthorizing that portion of the federal law. 

Complete story:  https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/fbi-director-lays-out-bureau-s-stance-on-artificial-intelligence-at-cyber-threat-summit?utm_campaign=email-Immediate&utm_medium=email&utm_source=stories&utm_content=%5B1659776%5D-%2Fnews%2Fstories%2Ffbi-director-lays-out-bureau-s-stance-on-artificial-intelligence-at-cyber-threat-summit