Members of the Chanticleer Intelligence Brief (CIB) met for the culmination of the semester on April 19, to recognize the hard work of officers, analysts and members, and to renew their pledge to make the organization even stronger in the coming semester. This was the third semi-annual CIB Banquet, in the tradition of the group’s inaugural banquet, which was held in May of 2016, and our second banquet, held in December last year. As always the event featured free food provided to all CIB members, which was enjoyed in a relaxed atmosphere.

At the opening of the awards ceremony, CIB faculty mentor Dr. Joseph Fitsanakis, recognized the hard work of departing CIB officers Michael Jones and Victoria James, who will be graduating in May and December respectively. Victoria has served the CIB from a variety of positions, including Communications Officer and head of the Middle East Section. Michael began his tenure at the CIB as an Officer Without Portfolio before becoming the group’s Quality Assurance Officer. Dr. Fitsanakis also presented the CIB Achievement Award to CIB Executive Director Blake Gutberlet, who will be stepping down after three semesters in the leadership of the club. The award is given by the Executive Team to an individual member of the organization who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in contributing to the CIB’s efforts.

Three awards were presented to CIB Analysts during the ceremony. The Intelligence Analysis Award, presented for delivering the highest-quality oral analytical product during the semester, was won by the CIB’s Africa Section. The section consists of Jake Mansfield (head of section), Austin Mahon and Casey Mallon. These analysts concluded the semester with the highest average evaluation score for oral briefings. The Intelligence Forecast Award, given for achieving the most successful analytical forecast record in the semester, was presented to the CIB’s Eastern and Southern Europe Section. The section is composed of Jeremy Lee (head of section), Troy Ramsbacher and Dylan Fleming.

The Intelligence Progress Award is given to an individual analyst whose work has shown the most progress during a single semester. This award recognizes a person who rose to meet the high standards of the CIB though constant improvement, dedication and hard work. This award was presented to Matt Pologe, an analyst with the CIB’s Asia Section, who specializes on North Korean security issues.

The Best Intelligence Essay Award recognizes the best written analytical product of the semester. It went to two analysts: Connor Kilgore (Asia Section) and Kayla ‘Ace’ Chambers (Western Europe Section). Connor’s analytical question for the semester was: “Will construction of the TAPI natural gas pipeline proceed in 2017?”. Ace’s analytical question was: “Who will win the French presidential election of 2017?”. Their final analytical product was deemed to be the best quality by a review committee composed of intelligence professionals.

In addition to Analysts, the CIB recognized its most promising members based on the consistency of their work this semester. The head of each membership desk nominated a member for the Rising Analyst Award, which is given for distinguished semester-long performance as a CIB member. The award winners were: Allison Reilly (Americas), Ashleigh Garrity (Russia), McKinley Sharpe (Europe), Cody Bronushas (Asia), Lindsey Hamilton (Alt.Desk), and Katelyn Montrief (Middle East).

The final recognition of the evening went to the Middle East Membership desk, headed by CIB Communications Officer Victoria James. The desk won this semester’s CIB Weekly News Trivia Quiz with with 63 points, nine points ahead of the Cyber Membership desk, which came in second place, and the Europe Membership desk, which came in third with 53 points.

The CIB wishes to thank all of its Executive Team Officers, its Analysts and its Members, for a highly successful semester, and looks forward to continuing to strengthen our organization in the future to come. We also want to congratulate our graduating members and wish them our very best as they embark on their next steps in life.