President’s Message

September 2026

What a great time to be a member of the FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association!

Our 2nd Annual All-Class Reunion, held Thursday, August 27, at the Huntsville-Madison Chamber of Commerce, was an outstanding success. We had a record turnout of more than 50 alumni, making it one of the largest gatherings our chapter has held. It was wonderful to see Citizens Academy graduates from across the years reconnect, share stories, and strengthen the friendships that make this organization so special.

A very special thank-you goes to Community Outreach Specialist Jasmine Felts for putting together a fun and entertaining FBI Game based on Jeopardy. It was a great way to test our FBI knowledge—and generate a few laughs along the way!

We are also grateful to Salt Factory Pub and Twin Peaks for providing a wonderful assortment of food and snacks for our members. And a special thank-you to Regional Manager Bobby Blankenship for his generosity and support. Our Reunion was held at the Chamber through the efforts of Alumni Ashley Engles-Ross. Ashley is Vice-President, Small Business, at the Chamber and was a wonderful host for our event. Thanks Ashley! Thanks are also due for our Huntsville Vice-President Terry Turpen, who helped co-ordinate all the moving pieces!

We were privileged to hear from Assistant Special Agent in Charge Michael Kochanowski, who provided an excellent update on the reduction in crime across the United States and discussed the FBI’s expanding work with our local law enforcement partners. He also shared information about the current and future plans for the FBI’s Redstone Campus, giving us an exciting look at the Bureau’s growing presence and capabilities in North Alabama.

We also announced that another FBI Citizens Academy Tour is being planned for November. Watch for details coming soon. These tours provide our alumni with a unique opportunity to see firsthand the facilities, people, and mission of the FBI.

Perhaps the most important presentation of the evening was on fraud, scams, and the increasingly creative ways criminals are stealing Americans’ hard-earned money. FBI Intelligence Analyst H. Walter shared information that every member of our community needs to hear. The presentation was a powerful reminder that these criminals are constantly changing their tactics—and that awareness and education are among our best defenses.

That is why our chapter is taking the message beyond our membership.

Plans are underway for Elder Fraud presentations at assisted-living facilities and other locations in both Huntsville and Birmingham during October and November. I want to thank David Little and Claudinette Purifoy-Fears for taking the lead in coordinating these important community outreach efforts.

Now we need your help.

If you know of a church, senior center, assisted-living community, civic organization, retirement community, or other location where seniors gather, please let us know. If you can help us get an Elder Fraud presentation in front of your congregation, organization, residents, or community group, we want to hear from you.

This is exactly the kind of community service that makes our Alumni Association so valuable. We have the opportunity to take information from the FBI directly into our communities and potentially prevent someone from losing their life savings to a scam.

And, of course, it isn't all business!

Be watching for announcements about social events in both Birmingham and Huntsville coming up over the next several weeks. One of the great benefits of being part of the Citizens Academy family is the opportunity to build friendships that continue long after graduation.

Finally, I want to again express my appreciation to the FBI Birmingham Field Office and our FBI partners in Huntsville for their continued support of our Alumni Association. The access they provide, the information they share, and the time they invest in our members are truly appreciated. The relationship between the FBI and its Citizens Academy alumni is a partnership worth protecting and strengthening.

Thank you for being an important part of this organization. I look forward to seeing you at one of our upcoming events—and, more importantly, I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together in the communities we serve.

Fidelity. Bravery. Integrity.

Those aren't just words. They are values we can put into action.

Sincerely,

 Rish Wood
 President
 FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association
 Birmingham Chapter