CIA 'Spymaster' Jack Devine at Breakfast Fundraiser Benefiting Darien's Center for Hope

From Family Centers.

Thanks to the cunning intelligence and daring missions of fictional characters like James Bond, Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and 24’s Jack Bauer, popular culture has long been obsessed with espionage stories. The real-life secrecy of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) only adds to this fascination.

On Friday, Dec. 12 at 7:30 a.m., Family Centers will welcome former CIA Acting Director Jack Devine to the Greenwich Hyatt Regency Hotel for a breakfast entitled, “A Peek Behind the CIA Curtain with Spymaster Jack Devine”.

In addition to providing his perspectives on the CIA’s role in such global events as the fall of Salvador Allende in Chile, the Iran-Contra affair and the covert conflict against the Soviets in Afghanistan famously depicted in the film, Charlie Wilson’s War, Devine will shed light on the inner-workings of the world’s most secretive government agency.

Tickets start at $100, and proceeds will support Family Centers’ programs that provide counseling and support to families and individuals experiencing a crisis. Several exciting sponsorship opportunities – which include a semi-private reception with Mr. Devine – are also available. For information and tickets, visit www.familycenters.org or call 203-869-4848.

During his more than 30 years with the CIA, Devine was involved in organizing, planning and executing countless sensitive projects in virtually all areas of intelligence, including analysis, operations, technology and management. In addition to serving as Acting Director, Devine headed the CIA’s Counternarcotics Center and oversaw the Afghan Task Force and operations in Latin America. In 1987, he was awarded the CIA’s Meritorious Officer Award for countering Soviet aggression in Afghanistan.

Devine is a founding partner and President of The Arkin Group LLC, which specializes in international crisis management, strategic intelligence, investigative research and business problem solving. His memoir, “Good Hunting! An American Spymaster’s Story” was released by Sarah Crichton Books in June 2014.

Family Centers is a private, nonprofit organization offering education and human services to children, adults and families in Fairfield County. More than 3,000 professionals and trained volunteers work together to provide a wide range of responsive, innovative programs. A United Way, Community Fund of Darien and New Canaan Community Foundation partner agency, Family Centers is a member of the Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies and the Alliance for Children and Families and is accredited by the Council on Accreditation (COA) and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The agency is licensed by the State of Connecticut Department of Public Health. Visit www.familycenters.org for additional information.

Contributed photo: Jack Devine.