FBI Phoenix Citizens Academy Alumni Association upcoming events

TOUR - Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center (06/04/2026)

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 17:00:00 GMT

FBI Phoenix Citizens academy Alumni Association

Tour the Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center

If you are considering attending this event, please register no later than May 15 since ACTIC conducts a brief background check before entering the facility.

THIS IS AN EXCLUSIVE FOR THE 2026 GRADUATING CLASS

Thursday, June 4, 2026

The Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center (ACTIC), is a joint effort between the AZ DPS, AZ DHS, FBI and other participating agencies. Link to ACTIC.

To support the Arizona homeland security effort, the Arizona Fusion Center was established and became operational in October of 2004. The Center operates on a 24/7 basis, providing intelligence, investigative, and technical support to state, local, tribal, and federal law enforcement agencies as well as other agencies critical to Arizona and the country's homeland security efforts.

This is an EXCLUSIVE invite for the 2026 Citizens Academy graduating class.

To reserve a space, please register as well as email Cary Peskin with the subject "Tour of ACTIC" and include your name, company name or RETIRED, and your email address.

FBI Phoenix CAAA is a nonprofit organization separate and apart from the FBI

2026 Phoenix Mixer - Let's celebrate Graduation Day! (06/16/2026)

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:30:00 GMT

Join us in celebrating the graduating class of 2026 on Tuesday, June 16th (5:30P - 7:30P)

Please join your fellow FBIPCAAA graduates from the class of '26 for an exciting graduation celebration! This is a perfect opportunity to share classroom stories, connect with Board members, learn about upcoming events, reconnect with old friends, and make new ones - show up and have fun!

Registration is required. This event is open only to the FBI Phoenix Citizens Academy graduates from the class of 2026, one guest, and Board members.

Appetizers will be provided. Drinks will be available for individual purchase.

2026 Tucson Mixer - Let's celebrate Graduation Day! (07/01/2026)

Thu, 02 Jul 2026 00:30:00 GMT

Join us in celebrating graduation day! (5:30pm to 7:00pm)!

Please join your fellow FBIPCAAA Alumni to meet, mingle and celebrate Graduation Day for the Tucson CA class of 2026. What could be better than to share stories from the classroom; have an opportunity to engage with Board members, learn about upcoming events and some recent activities like Quantico, see old friends, and make new ones. Simply register, show up and have fun!. This event is open to the FBI Phoenix Citizens Academy Tucson class of 2026, guests and Board members.

RSVP to Adrienne Hughes @adrienne@second-mesa.com

Appetizers will be provided. Drinks will be available for individual purchase.

Quantico/DC Payment portal for 2026 (08/24/2026)

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 15:00:00 GMT

FBI Phoenix Citizens Academy Alumni Association

The long awaited Quantico/Washington DC event is well underway, so it's time to start booking reservations!

This site is setup exclusively to accept payment for the hotel. All hotel reservations MUST be processed through our payment portal in order to get the negotiated room rate. Your payment only covers the room and all applicable State and Local taxes. Incidentals such as room service, etc are NOT covered and addressed at the hotel at checkout.

The rate is per room, not person. Rooms can be configured with one king or two queen.

If you plan on staying at the Fairfield Inn during the Quantico/Washington DC event plan on arriving Monday, August 24, 2026 with the first day of events on Tuesday. Plan to checkout on Friday August 28th (Activities in the morning. The hotel will hold our luggage). here are the details:

LOCATION:

Fairfield Inn, 500 H Street NW, Washington D.C. 20001

Main Number 202 289-5959

Contracted Check-in date 08/24/2026

Contracted Check-out date 08/28/2026

AIRLINE RESERVATIONS: Reservations are on your own. Recommend you fly into (DCA) Ronald Reagan Airport on Monday. The hotel is a short Uber ride. Also, it's recommended that you book a cancellable flight (just in case).

If you have any questions regarding this event, please contact Cary Peskin at cbp.fbipcaaa@gmail.com or call 623 340-7529 (C)

Looking forward to a wonderful experience!

FBI Phoenix Citizens Academy Alumni Association

3104 E. Camelback Road, #102

Phoenix, AZ 85016

FBIPCAAA is a nonprofit organization separate and apart from the FBI

Interview with Michael Vigil, former Chief of International Operations for the DEA (12/31/2026)

Thu, 31 Dec 2026 07:00:00 GMT

FBI Phoenix Citizens Academy Alumni Association

We are always searching for topics that genuinely engage and inform our membership, especially those that offer a deeper look into complex global issues. Recently, Sherry Harrison—host of the widely respected Law Matters 1030 podcast and radio program and Director of Events-Tucson for the FBI Phoenix Citizens Academy—shared an especially compelling interview with Michael Vigil, former Chief of International Operations for the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Mr. Vigil’s career is nothing short of extraordinary. As one of the most highly decorated agents in DEA history, he led and coordinated some of the most extensive multinational anti-narcotics operations ever undertaken, including one that spanned 36 countries. His work helped shape modern global enforcement strategies, particularly through the development of intelligence-sharing platforms that allowed agencies across borders to collaborate more effectively in real time—an innovation that continues to influence international law enforcement today.

Beyond his operational achievements, Mr. Vigil is also an accomplished author, offering readers an insider’s perspective on the world of organized crime. His books—including DEAL, Metal Coffins: The Blood Alliance Cartel and Narco Queen, and The Land of Enchantment Cartel—draw from real-life experiences and intelligence work, painting a vivid picture of the risks, strategies, and human stories behind cartel activity.

His service has been recognized not only in the United States but around the world. Among numerous honors, he was named an honorary General by the Afghan government, presented with the key to the city of Shanghai, and awarded an Admiral’s sword by former Dominican Republic president Hipólito Mejía—distinctions that reflect the global impact of his work.

In the podcast interview, Mr. Vigil shares fascinating, firsthand insights into the evolution of drug cartels—their origins, organizational structures, and the sophisticated methods they use to operate and expand. He discusses how cartels have transformed over time from loosely organized groups into highly strategic, business-like enterprises with diversified operations, advanced technology, and global reach. He also sheds light on the challenges law enforcement faces in combating these networks, including corruption, jurisdictional limitations, and the constant need to adapt to new tactics.

Perhaps most compelling are his personal stories - moments from the field that reveal both the danger and the complexity of international drug enforcement. These anecdotes not only bring the subject matter to life but also underscore the critical importance of cooperation, intelligence, and persistence in addressing one of the world’s most enduring challenges.

This interview offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from someone who has operated at the highest levels of global law enforcement, providing both education and perspective on an issue that continues to affect communities worldwide.

Here’s a brief soundbite from the interview.:

mike's_shocking discovery_ buying fentanyl online_sherry_harrison's s.mp4

To watch the entire 1 hour interview will cost less than some drinks at Starbucks!