FBI 2008 Director’s Community Leadership Award

On Thursday, January 15, 2009, at 10:00 a.m., Laurie J. Bennett, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Buffalo Field Office, will present the FBI Director's Community Leadership Award (DCLA) for 2008 to John Schunak, President/Lead Consultant of Quality Management Practices, LLC and President Buffalo Chapter of InfraGard.

The DCLA is presented on behalf of the Director of the FBI, and was created in 1990 as a way to honor individuals and organizations for their efforts in combating crime, terrorism, drugs, and violence in America.

InfraGard is a Federal Bureau of Investigation program that began in the Cleveland Field Office in 1996. On June 14, 2000, the Buffalo Field Office established a chapter in which Mr. Schunak is a founding board member. InfraGard is an association of businesses, academic institutions, state and local law enforcement agencies, and other participants dedicated to information sharing and and analysis efforts that provides intelligence to prevent hostile acts against the United States.

Mr. Schunak has been the president for the past three years and has been instrumental in growing the Buffalo Chapter with his extensive connections in the business community. Under his leadership, he has increased membership from 172 members to over 260 members. After completing the FBI's Citizens' Academy in the fall of 2006, it was apparent that he could develop the chapter and take InfraGard to the next level, with his background in parliamentary procedure and leadership. His extended involvement with the banking community has furthered the development of cyber protection measures through preventative initiatives.

Mr. Schunak is a dedicated community volunteer in both the Western New York Boy Scouts and his church. He denotes his time and countless other community activities promoting a safer community. For these reasons the FBI believes he is meritorious of the 2008 DCLA.

Mr. Schunak will accept the 2008 FBI DCLA on Thursday, January 15, 2009 at the Buffalo Field Office, One FBI Plaza at 10:00 a.m. For those members of the media who are interested in attending the award presentation, please arrive at the Buffalo Field Office by 9:45 a.m.

Below is a list of previous recipients of the DCLA:

• 1993: JoAnne Hudecki, Capital Campaign Coordinator, Kids Escaping Drugs
• 1994: No Submission
• 1995: No Submission
• 1996: *Gregory R. Hill, Coordinator, Community School #53
• 1997: Vincent Spadorcia, President, Middle City Neighborhood Association (MCNA), Niagara Falls
• 1998: Michael Dundon, Certified Employee Assistance Program Coordinator, Town and Village of Hamburg
• 1999: *Donald Dade, Executive Director, Coalition for the Redevelopment of Unified Community Involvement and Leadership, Inc. (C.R.U.C.I.A.L.)
• 2000: City of Rochester Youth Anti-Violence Initiative
• 2001: Richard J. Gallagher, Director, Alcohol and Drug Dependency Services, Inc.
• 2002: State Incentive for Community Action (SICA), WNY United Against Drug and Alcohol
• 2003: University Community Initiative (UCI) Regional Community Policing Center
• 2004: Fathers Armed Together to Help Educate Restore and Save Group (F.A.T.H.E.R.S.)
• 2005: Luke Moretii, Anchor/Reporter. WIVB-TV (CBS affiliate)
• 2006: Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), WNY Chapter
• 2007: Frank Mesiah, President of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)

* denotes deceased recipients