On November 19, members of the Chanticleer Intelligence Brief (CIB) met at the Coastal Science Center Complex for yet another CIB Awards Ceremony and celebration. This is a longstanding CIB tradition that marks the culmination of the semester. The event aims to recognize the hard work of CIB recruits, members, analysts, and senior analysts, and to renew everyone’s pledge to make the organization even stronger in the coming year.

This semester’s celebration marked the 20th CIB Awards Ceremony, in the tradition of the group’s first-ever ceremony, which was held in May 2016. The membership of the CIB remained very prolific throughout this semester, and much solid work was completed by members at all levels of the organization. The Awards Ceremony provided the CIB with an opportunity to recognize a number of individuals and groups, who did outstanding work in the past several months.

During the ceremony, 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 Regional Expert Award, which is given for distinguished semester-long performance as a CIB member. The award winners were: Anna Howard (Americas); Morgan Polk (Europe); Ethan McWaters (Russia – second semester in a row); Olivia Connell (Africa); Austin Morton (Asia); Clay Brode (Middle East); Emily Falcon (China); Ryan Campbell (Cyber); and Noah Ankenbrand (Transnational).

Additionally, the editors of the CIB’s Weekly Intelligence Brief publication recognized one of the contributors this semester whose work for the publication represents the highest standards of content selection, analysis and written delivery. The award recipient was Ramon Morales (Russia).

The organization recognized its Critical Mission Center (CMC) directors and deputy directors, who served as Applied Intelligence Project Interns this semester. These were: CMC KILO Director Ryan Kelly, CMC X-RAY Director Connor Ellinghaus, and CMC BRAVO Director Emily Falcon. They were supported by CMC KILO Deputy Director Jack Goldberg, CMC X-RAY Deputy Director Ryan Campbell, CMC BRAVO Deputy Director Sophia Batchelder, as well as by 12 other Support Officers, who are now eligible to complete this internship as directors or deputy directors in a subsequent semester.

Awards were presented to the following Applied Intelligence Project participants: The Highest Quality Oral Intelligence Product Award, presented to the CMC Director with the best overall delivery of oral intelligence briefs, went to Ryan Kelly (KILO). The Intelligence Analysis Award, presented to the CMC Director with the highest-quality analytical effort during the semester, went to Connor Ellinghaus (X-RAY). The Support Excellence Award, presented to the Senior Analysts with the most dedicated overall contribution to the project, went to Jack Goldberg (KILO) and Sophia Batchelder (BRAVO). Finally, the Intelligence Dissemination Award, which recognizes the best-performing AIP briefer as seen by the customer, went to Emily Falcon (BRAVO).

The CIB’s Chief Operations Officer, Brandon Macallair, (pictured) was presented with 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.

On behalf of the CIB Executive Team, CIB Faculty Mentor Dr. Joseph Fitsanakis recognized the longstanding work of our graduating former Executive Officer, Madison Conway (China).

The final recognition of the evening went to the CIB Africa Desk, headed by Connor Ellinghaus. For the third time in a row, the Africa Desk won this semester’s CIB Weekly News Trivia Quiz. The Americas Desk placed second ahead of the Transnational Desk, which came in third. The China Desk narrowly won this semester’s Cool List Award, just a point ahead from the Cyber Desk.

The CIB wishes to thank all of its Executive Team officers, its senior analysts and analysts, as well as its recruits, for a highly successful semester. Our organization looks forward to continuing to strengthen our work and output in coming semesters. We also want to congratulate our graduating members and wish them our very best as they embark on their next steps in life.