President’s Message

November 2026

As we move into November, I am reminded of how fortunate we are to be part of an organization that continues to grow, make a difference in our communities, and strengthen its relationship with the FBI.

First, congratulations are in order! On November 2, our newest Birmingham FBI Citizens Academy Class will graduate, adding 25 new alumni to our growing family. Since our first class in 2003, more than 600 individuals have graduated from the Birmingham Citizens Academy. That represents more than 600 people who have had the opportunity to gain a better understanding of the FBI's mission, its challenges, and the extraordinary work being done every day to protect our communities and our nation. Welcome to our newest alumni! We look forward to having you involved in the years ahead.

Our commitment to community service continues to be an important part of what we do. Be sure to read the article in this newsletter about our latest Elder Fraud and Scam Prevention presentation in Birmingham. These educational programs are especially important as criminals continue to find new and increasingly sophisticated ways to target our senior citizens. By sharing information and helping people recognize the warning signs, we have an opportunity to make a real difference in protecting our friends, neighbors, and families. I encourage everyone to help us identify additional opportunities to bring these presentations to churches, senior centers, assisted-living communities, and other organizations serving our seniors.

We also have an exciting opportunity coming up on November 19, when almost 30 of our chapter members will travel to Huntsville for a tour of the FBI Redstone Campus. This is a unique opportunity to see firsthand one of America's most important law enforcement technology and operational centers. The FBI's growing presence at Redstone represents an important investment in the technology, resources, and capabilities that will help meet tomorrow's law enforcement and national security challenges. I know this will be an outstanding experience for everyone attending, and I look forward to hearing their impressions.

And now, it's time to mark your calendars!

Please make plans to join us in Cullman on Tuesday, December 1, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. for our Annual Membership Meeting. This is an important opportunity to reconnect with fellow alumni, reflect on what we have accomplished during the year, discuss what's ahead, and enjoy the fellowship that makes our organization special. I hope to see a great turnout from both our Birmingham and Huntsville-area members.

I also want to take this opportunity to recognize and thank the men and women of the FBI Birmingham Field Office and our FBI partners in Huntsville. Their continued support, willingness to share their knowledge, and commitment to our Alumni Association make these opportunities possible. We are fortunate to have such a strong relationship with the Bureau, and we should never take that partnership for granted.

As always, I encourage each of you to stay involved. Attend our meetings, participate in community outreach, volunteer when opportunities arise, and invite other alumni to join you. Our strength is not simply in the number of members we have, but in what we accomplish together.

Thank you for your continued friendship, support, and commitment to our chapter. I am proud to serve alongside you, and I look forward to seeing many of you in Huntsville and Cullman over the next few weeks.

Fidelity. Bravery. Integrity.

Let's continue putting those values into action!

Sincerely,

Rish Wood