GOOD WORKS & GOOD TIMES
Spy Museum, William Webster Honor George H.W. Bush
Georgetown Celebrates Holidays, Accomplishments
BY R OBE RT DEVA NEY
BY SEL M A KH EN ISSI
Like a good spy, former President George H.W. Bush was nowhere in the room when he was formally recognized as the recipient of the International Spy Museum’s first-ever Webster Award. A former CIA director, Bush was given the award a few months ago at his home, but that didn’t stop more than 600 members and supporters of the U.S. intelligence community from gathering for the William H. Webster Distinguished Service Award Dinner at the Ritz-Carlton on 22nd Street Nov. 29. “I, like many in this room, strongly believe that the stories and extraordinary tradecraft, when they can be revealed, should be shared with the public and also our leaders in government,” Webster said. “It’s important so that they will well understand and appreciate the incredible dedication, sacrifices and often personal dangers the men and women of our U.S. Intelligence Community and those of our partner countries face daily to keep us safe.”
On Dec. 7 in Riggs Library, one person’s absence was noted at Georgetown University’s annual yuletide gathering with its neighbors: President John DeGioia, who was in China to work on a commission addressing climate change. “This is the first time he’s missed this in 17 years,” said Provost Robert Groves. The hospitality was readily apparent; it was as if attendees were invited to a Christmas dinner, what with the hors d’oeuvres that made reference to the traditional ham and turkey. To cap off the meal, people could pick up cookies shaped like snowflakes or angels and dip them in hot chocolate. The party also celebrated the contributions Georgetown University has made in the District. The university calls itself D.C.’s number-one private employer. Chris Murphy, vice president for government relations and community engagement, stressed the university’s “work to advance the common good,” which involves a focus on local issues and the formation of “mutually supportive partnerships” with a variety of groups: schools, nonprofits, businesses and D.C. government agencies.
Former ODNI General Counsel and partner at WilmerHale Benjamin Powell, AS Solution’s Vice President of Global Business Development Robert Jenkins, CIA Director Mike Pompeo and the Spy Museum’s Executive Director Peter Earnest.
Georgetown University Provost Robert Groves, Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Monica Roache and G.U. Vice President for Governmental Relations Chris Murphy. Photo by Robert Devaney.
Masked or Not, Capital Speakers Chat It Up at OAS The Capital Speakers Club of Washington, D.C., Inc., turned its annual winter gala into a Venetian Masquerade Ball Dec. 2 at the Organization of American States on 17th Street. Capital Speakers — which began in the White House under Bess Truman as a way to teach congressmen’s wives speaking skills — has grown to include 600 influential women who are members, from congressional wives to ambassadors and business owners, all to promote an exchange of ideas and to foster mutual understanding among women of different nations by means of public speaking. Photos by Neshan H. Naltchayan.
Spy Museum founder Milton Maltz, Lynda Webster and William H. Webster, former director of the FBI and the CIA.
Marsha Muawwad, president, Capital Speakers Club, Angela Moore, Rafik Muawwad, M.D., and Kathleen Shehadeh.
Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats and wife Marsha Coats with gala emcee and CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer.
Spy Museum President and COO Tamara Christian of Chertoff Group and former NSA and CIA Director Gen. Michael Hayden.
Venetian Masquerade Ball chairperson Charo Abrams with her husband Larry Abrams.
Bruce Neal and Angela Moore.
GMG, INC.
DECEMBER 20, 2017
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