FBI Miami Announces Nominee for Director’s Community Leadership Award

MIAMI—Robert F. Lasky, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Miami, announces the nomination of T. Willard Fair for the 2018 Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA).

Mr. Fair, the President and CEO of the Urban League of Greater Miami, Inc., received the nomination based on his organization’s “We Rise Education Village” initiative that began in 2017.

The “We Rise” initiative was introduced into 13 K-12 public schools in Dade County, Florida, using a curriculum based training program designed to strengthen the entire community from senior citizen services, housing, economic development and other factors. The goal is to transform the Liberty City area of Miami into a stronger community.

Mr. Fair graduated from Johnson C. Smith University in 1961 with a B.A. in Sociology and earned a M.S.W degree from the Atlanta University School of Social Work in 1963. In addition to his position at the Urban League, he serves on several boards of directors including the Miami Business Forum.

The DCLA was created in 1990 as a way to honor individuals and organizations for their efforts combating crime, terrorism, drugs, and violence in America. The special agents in charge of each of the FBI’s 56 field offices nominate a worthy recipient each year as a way to recognize those who are making a difference in their communities.

Face of Defense: Military Service Aids Softball Coach’s Leadership Development

By Air Force Airman 1st Class Pedro Tenorio, 82nd Training Wing

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas, Feb. 23, 2018 — Airman 1st Class Rachel Riley’s journey to become a member of the Air Force is an adventure just a couple explosions short of a Michael Bay movie epic.

Cue opening shot.

Riley, who hails from Arlington, Texas, loves softball. She said her passion for the sport would lead her to traveling from the U.S. to Austria where she coached a team for an Austrian league.

Yet, Riley heard the call of the sweet summer breeze of Texas, and she returned to her hometown to teach and coach at the high school she graduated from.

Something, though, was eating at her; something she has always thought about.

Military Service

"Serving the military has always been in the back of my mind," said Riley, who now serves as an Air Force Reservist. She’s training here as a 366th Training Squadron electrical power productions apprentice, and is scheduled to graduate Feb. 14.

"I don’t like feeling like I’m tied down, being able to come in and learn a skill set I could use in the civilian world. It’s kind of a win-win," Riley said. "I grew up working on cars with my dad. I love working with my hands and getting dirty. For the first four weeks I was the only female in the school house and that was interesting. But after spending seven weeks with 45 other women, it was also kind of nice. Overall, I’ve enjoyed every second of it. It’s challenging -- in a good way."

Riley finds she can also be a leader in the Air Force. Although she has been coaching and teaching people practically her whole adult life, the teacher has become the student since she joined the Air Force Reserve on Sept. 19, 2017.

The Air Force “taught me a lot as far as coaching goes," Riley said. "Being surrounded by the leadership we have, it’s kind of nice to be back on the team, you know? As a coach, you’re on the outside looking in. Now being a part of the team, it’s a lot of fun.

Teamwork

“My softball girls, they have to listen to me,” she continued. “These people, they didn’t have to. So, I was trying to figure out: How do we connect? How do we get on a level of understanding and work together as a team?"

Riley also said she’s gained a lot of knowledge here from training instructors and commanders. She plans to bring the new knowledge and people skills back to her civilian job.

When she graduates, Riley said she plans to pick up where she left off in her civilian life. Balancing her roles as a coach, teacher and her new life as an airman might appear tough, but it seemed to not affect the young woman.

"It’s been a bit tough adjusting the different lives,” Riley said. “Trying to stay focused here, but still be involved back home. Both sides have been awesome to support what I’m doing though. [There’s a] huge support group back home and here. I value being a part of something bigger than yourself."

Hanover Cares Named FBI Richmond 2017 Director’s Community Leadership Award Recipient

Special Agent in Charge Adam S. Lee of the FBI Richmond Division, announces the selection of HANOVER CARES as the Division’s 2017 Director’s Community Leadership Award recipient.

HANOVER CARES is a coalition that improves community awareness of substance abuse issues through the development of engagement opportunities for youth and parents. Through the creation of programs, sponsoring and attending events, posts on social media, and the establishment of youth advocacy groups, HANOVER CARES works to target and reduce substance abuse in the Hanover County and central Virginia area.

Several activities that HANOVER CARES support include:

•     Hidden in Plain Sight – educates parents on possible signs of drug and alcohol use;
•     Just Say Something, I’m Listening – provides parents with tools to make the conversation of drug and alcohol use a little easier;
•     Sticker Shock – youth from the program place STOP or WAIT stickers on alcohol cases at grocery stores to remind buyers it’s illegal to purchase alcohol for anyone under the age of 21; and
•     Compliance Checks – supports the compliance checks performed by the Hanover County Sheriff’s Office and the Town of Ashland Police Department to ensure local businesses are checking identifications and not selling to underage consumers.

HANOVER CARES also sponsors high school students attending a week-long Youth Alcohol and Drug Abuse Prevention Project each summer, and partner with Mother’s Against Drunk Driving to have a Power of Parents program included in new driver’s licensing ceremony packets.

This organization has hosted several screenings of the FBI/DEA film “Chasing the Dragon” and numerous Drug Take Back Days. As recently as October 2017, HANOVER CARES partnered with Henrico and Chesterfield counties to host “Revive RVA: Regional Solutions to the Opioid Crisis” wherein the goal was to examine and identify solutions to the increasing issues of heroin and opioid abuse in central Virginia.

“From a law enforcement perspective in today’s society, where alcohol and drug abuse are so prevalent, it’s invaluable to have an organization such as HANOVER CARES available to educate and provide resources to parents and youth,” said SAC Lee. “The programs that HANOVER CARES initiated and the cooperation they have demonstrated with law enforcement and other prevention-minded organizations has made them as asset to the community and very deserving of the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award. Congratulations!”