NIP Spring Luncheon Sparkles with Networking;

Industry out in force; Program features Inside Commentary from a “Most Reliable Source”

On 24 April, more than a hundred NIP members, active duty personnel and industry partners packed the Sponsored Tables at the NIP Spring meeting at the familiar venue of the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Tysons Corner. Despite a wet Spring, the weather cooperated with a brilliant sunny day.

Old shipmates and new gathered for a social hour prior to the formal program and luncheon.

Distinguished guests included RDML’s Tony Cothron, Sam Cox, Norm Hayes, and Senior Civilian Intelligence Officer of the Marine Corps, Mike Decker. DNI VADM Jack Dorsett was pinned down in an emerging meeting with the Navy Leadership, and sent his regrets, since he had planned on attending. NIP President Rick Porterfield was on critical IDA business in Singapore.

Chairman’s Remarks

“Today’s luncheon is one of two annual events held by NIP here in the DC area, the others being the Fall Annual Meeting- tentatively scheduled for October 16, 2009.

You can anticipate a full update then on the fundamental changes in Naval Intelligence with VADM Dorsett and his National Maritime Intelligence Center/ONI Leadership team.

I’d like to take a couple minutes as we are on the salad course to update you on the effort underway by your NIP BoD to increase the relevance of NIP to today’s professional. Our focus is on developing a first-class on-line presence; our vision is based on the pillars of professional development and education, networking and career support services where we assist today’s serving professionals with the experience of the past.

We’ve embarked on this effort with significant improvements in our on-line presence and a leadership seminar series of presentations at ONI.

We committed to increasing our effort at the chapter level in Navy Fleet concentration areas.

Much of what we’ve laid out takes money, and it is in short supply everywhere these days.

I’m reaching out to our Life Members to solicit donations to help accelerate our efforts. We have traditionally funded activities through membership dues, but that’s not sufficient to move us forward, so we’re putting together a Corporate Sponsorship program. Please she me if you are interested in a personal or corporate sponsorship of an upcoming issue of The NIP Quarterly.

I’d like to recognize the corporate entities that sponsored tables here today: McMunn Associates-Parsons, Oracle, USGC, Lockeed-Martin, KMS, IDA and Lou Martinez.

And for those of you here in the audience who are not yet NIP members, please consider becoming one. There is  much more to come on this.

Now, a toast: “To the women and men of Naval Intelligence!”

Presentation of the Herm Dworkin Award

Two special guests were on the podium: including NIP Member and second Director of National Intelligence John M. “Mike” McConnell and LT David B. Damato, USN, winner of the 2009 Herman Dworkin Award for distinguished maritime analysis.

Admiral Jacoby noted that the award, established in 1983, was intended to highlight performance by civilian or military analyst working on maritime issues who exemplifies Mr. Dworkin’s traits of analytic expertise, strength of character, initiative, industriousness and exactitude in analysis. Traditionally, The Dworkin award recognized those who supported operations against the once-great Soviet Navy. Those criteria have been broadened in recent years top recognize excellence in analysis and support across the expanse of today’s needs.

In his introductory remarks, Admiral Jacoby noted that this year’s Dworkin winner is LT David B. Damato, USN, who personifies that superb ethic across the expanse of requirements levied against Naval Intelligence.

This year’s award winner shatters long precedent. A native of Jacksonville, Florida, LT Damato enlisted in the Navy in June 1996 as a Nuclear Electricians Mate.  In April, 2000, he was selected for commissioning through Officers Candidate School after completing his BS in Human Resource Management from the New School University.

CAPT Paul Becker, the JICCENT Commander, noted in his endorsement that “the audience should not let the rank of the nominee detract from a twelve-year navy career- and that his combination of academic brilliance and professionalism that Herm Dworkin epitomized. Dave is really that good!

He pointed out that Dave had been hand-selected for his post as the Chief analyst, had volunteered for additional responsibility, conducted multiple deployments to Theater. During the course of the last one he was responsible for decisive action against four HVTs. There is no finer Team Player, coach or mentor than Dave Damato!”

A look through Dave’s bio demonstrates a long-standing commitment to excellence.

During his enlisted career, he completed Nuclear Electricians Mate “A” school, Naval Nuclear Power Training Unit and Naval Nuclear Prototype Training Command, where he served as a staff instructor qualifying as a Master Training Specialist.

Designated a Naval Intelligence Office in November, 2000, Dave reported to his first operational command, VAQ-141, at NAS Whidbey Island where he served as the Air Intelligence Officer, deploying with  Carrier Air Wing Eight in USS Enterprise during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

This operational experience stood him in good stead when he reported to USSOCOM in December 2003. During this tour Dave deployed to Iraq in support of ground combat operations.

Transferring to USCENTCOM in March 2007, he was assigned to the Joint Intelligence Center’s Counterterrorism (CT) Team where he is currently Team Chief for the Arabian Peninsula, Levant and CT Watch analysts.  In August 2007, LT he deployed again to Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.

In addition to the Dworkin Award, Dave has earned seven personal military medals for personal achievement. He is married to Vanessa Michelle Volpe and has two daughters, Grace and Abigail.

Citation to accompany the 2009 Dworkin Award:

“Lieutenant David B. Damato, United States Navy, distinguished himself by exceptionally superior service as chief for the Arabian Peninsula, Levant team, Counterterrorism Branch, Analysis Division, Joint Intelligence Center Central, Intelligence Directorate, United States Central Command, Tampa, Florida, from 01 January 2008 to 31 December 2008. During the is period, Lieutenant Damato exemplified the command’s Gold Standard, expertly leading his team of 40 all-source analysts in providing direct support to  Joint Task Forces engaged in combat operations against terrorist and insurgent networks in the most dynamic theater of operations. He deployed as the Lebanon and Jordan Analyst to a Joint Task Force in Iraq, and his efforts proved vital for counterterrorism operations by enabling U.S. and partner nation forces to capture or eliminate high value A-Qaida Targets. Lieutenant Damato flawlessly oversaw the training for 11 deployments to Iraq in support of special operations task forces, producing a cadre of personnel considered to be the Intelligence Community experts for terrorist and insurgent networks through the Arabian Peninsula. Through his distinctive accomplishments, LT Damato reflected great credit upon himself, the Unites States Central Command and the Department of Defense.”

Remarks by VADM Mike McConnell 

Mike McConnell was spellbinding as he pulled no punches in his candid talk to the crowd. It is a pity the address for made on a “not for attribution” basis. As you know, he rarely pulls punches, and his talk had the room riveted in rapt attention.

As he did at the Fall, 2007, Annual Meeting, he blew us away with a riveting account of how things work- and why the headlines read the way they did during his time at the helm. Unfortunately, you would have to have been there to hear it!

Mike’s speech was just another great motivation to stay a NIP Member- and bring your associates into this vibrant and well-connected organization!

See you at the Fall Annual Meeting, 16 October, at the Crowne Plaza in Tysons-

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