The FBI's New York Division Graduates its Seventh Citizens’ Academy Class

Citizens’ Academy at Firing Range at Fort Dix
Photo Credit: FBI

On November 24, 2009, the New York Division’s FBI Citizens’ Academy held its 7th annual graduation ceremony at the Club Quarters Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. The 38-member class represented a wide demographic assortment of business, education, medical and other local professional communities. FBI Special Agent in Charge George C. Venizelos of FBI New York’s Administrative Division addressed the graduates and presented the certificates and Actress Carolyn McCormick of Law and Order served as the keynote speaker.

SAC George C. Venizelos with Law and Order Actress Carolyn McCormick Photo Credit: FBI	FBI Police Color Guard Photo Credit: FBI
FBI Citizens’ Academy President Michael Emmerman Photo Credit: FBI	Supervisory Special Agent Rich Kolko introduces Law and Order Actress Carolyn McCormick Photo Credit: FBI

SAC Venizelos addressed the group and complimented them on their dedication to the community and to public service, “This group of concerned and dedicated citizens showed true community spirit by being part of the FBI Citizens’ Academy.  We consider them members of the FBI family now and look forward to a long lasting relationship.  I know they will serve well as our advocates in the community.”

Michael Emmerman, the class President said, “This was an exciting and energizing program and speaking for the whole class, I know each of us got something special out of the experience.  We all have a much better understanding of what the FBI is and what they do each and every day to protect our country.  We have made some good friends with our classmates and the FBI employees and we look forward to interacting and helping out whenever and wherever we can.”

The overall purpose of the Academy is to establish and foster relationships and understanding between the FBI and the Greater New York community.  The Academy has given the public, civic, religious, and business leaders, as well as media executives, the opportunity to find out how the FBI operates and how vital their role.

FBI New York Field Office Citizens’ Academy Class of 2009
Photo Credit: FBI

2009 Graduates: Herman Amos, Zev Berman, Erin Browne, Isidro Cancel, Jeremy Carton, Steven Cooper, Joe D'Onofrio, Paul Dillane, Loretta Dym, Michael Emmerman, (Class President) Jay Findling, David Gold, Stuart Greenberg, David Haas, Luke Higuchi, Cameron Jackson, Peter Kulok, Anthony LaVecchio, Marta Lebreton, Brian Mahon, Connie Morinello, Mike Mustac, Daniel Nidus, Bola Omotosho (Class Secretary), Cynthia Polikoff, Ramon Ray, Russell Robertson, Moshe Satt, Louis Schenkel, (Class Treasurer)  Antonio Serrano, Debra Smith, Sridhar Srinivasan, Paul Tashjian, Laurie Venditti (Class Vice-President), Jason Weisberg,  Wesley Wiley, Gailene Windsor and Irving Wisner.

SAC George C. Venizelos with Citizens’ Academy Graduate and Class Secretary Bola Omotosho Photo Credit: FBI

SAC George C. Venizelos with Citizens’ Academy Graduate Marta Lebreton Photo Credit: FBI

Joseph Demarest, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Division said, “The FBI Citizens’ Academies are one of our most effective ways to outreach into the community.  This group of business, civic, and religious leaders that graduated from this class are all standouts in their communities.  During this class, we had the opportunity to discuss a wide variety of FBI issues.  The discussions were dynamic and I hope the class learned as much from us as we learned from them.”

The Barbershop Harmony Society Singing the National Anthem
Photo Credit: FBI

Special Agent Richard Kolko, spokesman for the FBI in New York, oversees the Citizens’ Academies and community outreach.  Special Agent Kolko added, “The Citizens’ Academy is an important method of interacting with so many different people in the community and establishing ties to our neighbors.  It is just one part of our overall outreach efforts.”

There is more information available on this and our other programs on www.fbi.gov.