For the second time in a row, members of the Chanticleer Intelligence Brief (CIB) did not meet for the CIB Banquet, which marks the culmination of the semester. The Banquet takes place to recognize the hard work of members, analysts, senior analysts and members, and to renew their pledge to make the organization even stronger in the coming year. This semester’s celebration marked the 10th CIB Banquet, in the tradition of the group’s first-ever banquet, which was held in May of 2016. But the coronavirus pandemic did not stop the CIB from doing its work, and the organization was still able to present this semester’s awards, albeit in a virtual fashion.

On behalf of the CIB Executive Team, CIB faculty mentor Dr. Joseph Fitsanakis recognized the longstanding work of our Chief Operations Officer, Derrick Storzieri (pictured), who was awarded the CIB Achievement Award. This recognition is offered by the CIB 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.

Derrick Storzieri

Four awards were presented to CIB Senior Analysts. The Intelligence Analysis Award, presented for delivering the highest-quality analytical product during the semester, was won by the CIB’s Europe Section, which consists of senior analysts Jared Gott and Joshua Altman. The Intelligence Forecast Award, given for achieving the most successful analytical forecast record in the semester, was presented to the CIB’s Middle East and North Africa Section, which consists of senior analysts Sandra Ataalla, Hannah Clegg and Hannah Crumpton. The Intelligence 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. It was presented to CIB Senior Analyst Sandra Ataalla, who is a member of the the organization’s Middle East and North Africa Section.

The Best Intelligence Essay Award recognizes the best written analytical product of the semester. It went to Kennedy Smith, a North America Senior Analyst. Kennedy’s analytical topic for the semester was: “The Mexican State’s War on Drugs” Her final analytical product was deemed to be the best quality by a review committee composed of intelligence professionals.

During the ceremony, CIB members who achieved the status of Analyst were recognized. The CIB also 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 Regional Expert Award, which is given for distinguished semester-long performance as a CIB member. The award winners were: Tate Few (North America); Jacob Vaughan (Latin America), Clay Penegar (Europe); Vladislav Chugunov (Russia); Kristian Nesheim (Africa); Ryan Freyland (Asia); Jack Melnik (Middle East); and Michael Habgood (Special Topics).

The final recognition of the evening went to the CIB Special Topics Desk, headed by CIB Officer Sophie Sherwood. The desk won this semester’s CIB Weekly News Trivia Quiz for the third time in a row, with 77 points, just 2 points ahead of the Middle East Desk and 4points ahead of of the Europe Desk. Africa came in fourth with 70 points.

The CIB wishes to thank all of its Executive Team officers, its senior analysts and analysts, as well as its members, for a highly successful semester, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Our organization looks forward to continuing to strengthen our work and output in the semesters 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.