President John's Message
Russia’s unprovoked war on Ukraine brings up memories of the Cold War when the former Soviet Union tried to dominate the world. Movies and TV brought us a long list of spy stories from James Bond and Man from U.N.C.L.E. to Americans and Jack Ryan. Tales of moles embedded in American society and intelligence agencies.
Well this week we will relive some of the true stories when retired FBI Counterintelligence agent Dell Spry speaks to our Rotary club. As you will see below and hear, Dell was the lead investigator undercovering Aldrich Ames, former Central Intelligence Agency officer turned KGB double agent, who was convicted of espionage in 1994.
Spies and moles and double agents
Speaker Thursday Jan. 26: Dell Spry, Retired FBI Counterintelligence
For all of us out there who love a good spy novel or film, this week's speaker will be fascinating. Dell Spry has been a part of the real life of counterintelligence and a good reminder that the threats are not the stuff of fantasy...they do exist.
Marvin O. (Dell) Spry currently works for Chesley Brown International Investigations as the Senior Managing Director for Corporate Investigations. He also consults with several companies on matters of business security. He formerly served as a senior management consultant with Dorrean, where he taught an advanced course of instruction to FBI personnel concerning human intelligence (HUMINT) collection, intelligence tradecraft, counterterrorism, and counterintelligence matters.
Prior to Dorrean, Spry served with the Department of the Army as the Intelligence Community Outreach Coordinator for the Joint Improvised Explosive Device Defeat Organization after retiring from a distinguished twenty year career at the Federal Bureau of Investigation as a counterintelligence supervisor. At the FBI Spry primarily worked on counterintelligence, counterespionage, and counterterrorism investigations. His tenure included 12 years of management experience at both headquarter and field office levels. While assigned to the FBI headquarters Spry was a member of the National Security Council Counterterrorism Working Group, and was liaison to the CIA Counterintelligence Center, Counterespionage Group. He was the lead investigator for the FBI in the Aldrich Ames investigation for which he received the FBI Director’s Award for Excellence in a Counterintelligence Investigation and the CIA Director’s Meritorious Service Award.
During his FBI career Spry conducted investigations in the countries of the Republic of Georgia, Azerbaijan, Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom whose governments presented him with Letters of Recognition. He was also involved in investigations in Russia, Austria, Switzerland, Spain, Turkey, and Cuba, where he established liaison with both the intelligence services and law enforcement services. Further, he performed humanitarian relief work in Ethiopia, Cambodia, Honduras, Nicaragua, Sri Lanka, and Nigeria. While in Ethiopia, Spry spent most of his time living in the mountains coordinating transfers of food and medicine with the Russians to the famine areas. At other times he performed volunteer services in a leper colony near Addis Ababa.
In addition, he is a volunteer consultant to the non-profit organization, Association for the Recovery of Children, which is a group of former Special Forces and Special Operations personnel who operate globally to rescue American children from abduction and human trafficking.
Spry lives in Johns Creek, GA with his wife Susan. They have two children, Rachel and Steven, and three grandchildren; Noah, Cynthia, and Peyton.
Roswell Rotary Rocks
Past President Moment: Elwyn Gaissert 2009-2010
They say “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”. In the Rotary year 2009-10 DG Roy Strickland embraced the slogan “Rotary Rocks”. For years District 6900 knew “Roswell Rotary Rocks”. I guess if you can’t beat them, join them. Our President Elwyn Gaissert continued our rocking in deeds and song that year. Come hear what Roswell Rotary accomplished in 2009-10. Get there early and check out Elwyn’s scrapbook on display and on the big screen.
Pint 4 a Pint is this Fri, Jan 27
You're doing the right thing in helping others
"I have always believed that taking the time to give blood was donating the gift of life. Knowing that I can help save lives has always been very meaningful to me, and it makes me feel good. It's that simple," shared fellow Rotarian Jim Savage.
As the demand for blood continues to be at high levels, I highly recommend taking a few minutes of your time to consider this great cause. Whether you donate your blood or you get a friend, employee or family member to donate in your stead, you will know you have done the right thing in helping others "
ACTION ITEM: If you are one of the 2 out of 3 people that can NOT give, then please share this story with a friend, coworker or family member who can, and encourage them to donate. If you can donate, click here to schedule your appointment. If the good feeling of donating isn’t enough, we’ll give your free snacks afterward plus – and this is a popular one – a coupon for free pint of Gate City’s beer. Pint for a pint. Get it? Now help us get another donor appointment booked. For more information, contact
After Hours Dives Into Wellness
Roswell Rotary After Hours started off 2023 with a bang at their first meeting of the year last week. Nurse Practitioner and Stat Wellness owner Kristin Oja was the featured speaker. One of her mantras is "little by little, a little becomes a lot." With this in mind, Kristin provided tips on how to become stronger mentally, physically and emotionally by making small changes in your daily activities. Her insightful, inspiring and motivating tips paved a perfect path for success in 2023!
The next After Hours meeting will be Tuesday Feb. 7th--same time, same place. Stephanie Christiansen is set to speak about STAR House and the Roswell Beer Festival!
