"The Covert CIA Project to Recover the Sunken Soviet Ballistic Missile Submarine in 1974”

Mike Clancy, ret. Director of Navy Tech & Scientific Meteorology & Oceanography Center

This presentation is on the CIA project to covertly recover the sunken Soviet ballistic missile submarine, K-129. The K-129 went down with all hands approximately 1,600 miles northwest of Hawaii in 1968 at a location unknown to the Soviets. Using underwater surveillance technology, the U.S. Navy was able to determine where the submarine sank within about 6 miles. Subsequently, the Navy submarine Halibut was able to find and photograph the K-129, more than 3 miles down on the ocean floor. This enabled a secret recovery operation, launched in 1974, using a remarkable ship built specifically for this task, the Glomar Explorer. This was one of the most exciting, complex, secretive, expensive and potentially rewarding intelligence gathering operations of the 20th Century. The marine technology it employed in the attempt to recover the submarine was like nothing seen before or since. And, there are several aspects of the operation that connect with the Monterey area. Our speaker will also present his novel theory on the root cause of the K-129 disaster.

Mike Clancy has degrees in oceanography and meteorology, held positions with Science Applications International (SAI) and the Naval Research Lab. He was in the top civilian position as Technical & Scientific Director of the Navy Fleet Numerical Meteorology & Oceanography Center (FNMOC) in Monterey. Clancy has authored over 100 publications, and has the Navy’s highest civilian award for Distinguished Civilian Service. He is in the FNMOC Hall of Fame.

"Biologic Threats facing the U.S.

RADM Bernard was the senior White House official responsible for biodefence policy in two presidential administrations. He will give an overview of the biologic threats facing America from natural, accidental and intentional causes. With a background in infectious disease from CDC, he will outline the threats and our defense—illustrated with examples and stories, from smallpox to COVID (including the Anthrax attacks in 2001, Ebola in 2014, etc.)—that are at the intersection of public health, politics and national security. This its an international issue, little understood and under appreciated. The subject is disconcerting and alarming. It will be sobering.

Rear Admiral Bernard (USPHS, Ret.) served in the George W. Bush White House as Special Asst. for Homeland Security and Asst. Surgeon General. He was the senior official in charge of biodefense policy. Prior to that the Admiral was Senior Advisor for Security and Health on President Clinton’s National Security Council Staff, and Senior Political Advisor to the Director-General of the World Health Organization. He currently is a consultant and advisor to a number of U.S. Government agencies and private sector companies on issues of biodefense, intelligence, pandemic preparedness and response, health security and health diplomacy. He began his career as an epidemiologist and disease detective at the Centers For Disease Control, and is currently a member of the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity and the Defense Science Board Permanent Subcommittee on Threats. Bernard did his undergrad at UC Berkeley, obtained his M.D. at the U. of Cal Davis, and his DTM&H degree from the University of London.

“The Produce Business in Salinas Valley and the Taylor Farms' Leadership Position Nationwide”

Bruce Taylor, Chairman and CEO, Taylor Farms

Taylor Farms is not only the largest fresh vegetable producer in Salinas Valley, it is by far the leading firm in the U.S., several times the size of its competitors. It has 19 plants around the country and 20,000 employees. Revenues are over $7 billion. Taylor will discuss the ever-changing agricultural business landscape in Salinas Valley, and the opportunities and challenges ahead. The competitive picture is changing and some firms are in difficulty, while his firm is gaining market share. His business is national in scope so he will detail the bigger picture as well. Bruce will also trace the history of his company from start-up to current day. All we ever notice is the workers in the fields as we drive along the highway. The produce business and Taylor Farms has a multitude of dimensions and aspects you never imagined. This will be highly informative and insightful.  Bruce is a good speaker and along with his AV videos and photos this will be engaging. Taylor rarely speaks to groups so this is fairly exclusive.

Bruce Taylor grew up in Salinas Valley and graduated from UC Berkeley and the Harvard Business School.  At Fresh Express he led the growth of its foodservice fresh cut salads and retail bagged produce sector. In1995 he and his financial partners established Taylor Fresh Foods and Taylor Farms. Its products are utilized by 160 million people in the U.S. each week. Taylor has 4 sons and is on the board of the Mission Produce and Western Growers Association. In the past he was Chairman of the International Fresh Produce Association and various other industry trade associations.

"Strategy and Policy in the Israel-Hamas War"

Samuel Helfont, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof. of Strategy and Policy, Naval Postgraduate School

This program has been scheduled at the last minute in light of the importance and timeliness of the subject. The originally scheduled speaker on Global Energy Politics has been moved to the February luncheon. Note: This program will commence at 11:50am and be completed around 1:00pm, and then lunch will be served. The switch in the normal sequence is to enable the professor to return to his scheduled classes. We will take our seats at 11:45am.

The presentation will discuss the objectives of each side in the Gaza conflict and how they hope to achieve them. It will highlight political considerations both domestically and internationally that guide and limit the main actors.

Samuel Helfont focuses on strategy and policy at the Naval War College, and does research on international history and politics in the Middle East. His latest book is Iraq against the World: Saddam, America, and the Post-Cold War Order, Oxford University Press. Helfont’s work has been published in numerous periodicals such as Foreign Affairs, The Washington Post and The New Republic. He has a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Studies from Princeton and an MA in Middle Eastern History from Tel Aviv University in Israel. He completed his post-doctoral lectureship at the University of Pennsylvania, and has affiliations with Stanford and the Foreign Policy Research Institute in Philadelphia. NPS awarded him the Naval War College research award in 2023 for his high level of scholarship excellence over the last 3 years. Helfont was an intelligence officer in the US Navy, is an Iraq War veteran, and served on counterterrorism missions with the Defense Intelligence Agency, the NSA, and the Office of Naval Intelligence.

"The Secret Domain of the Gray Whale"

This presentation will take you on the water for a 7000-mile journey as you learn what we have in common with gray whales. We will go out in 20-foot open boats to meet 45-foot, 40-ton animals in their natural habitat in the only place on earth where such wild animals routinely seek human contact. You will enter their secret domain and see behaviors most of the world will never be aware of and become familiar with the mystical connection between these animals and man that has existed for almost 10,000 years. It is all about one-on-one personal contact with the largest creatures on the planet. Dorsey will show high-def digital images, videos, and tell personal stories from his latest book, "THE LAGOON," his memoir of the two plus decades he worked eye to eye with these giants in Baja.

James is a fellow of the Explorers Club, member emeritus of the Adventurers Club and a member of the American Cetacean Society. He has written for Colliers, The Christian Science Monitor, L.A. Times, Lonely Planet, Geo Expeditions, The BBC, United Airlines, California Literary Review and numerous African magazines. Besides "THE LAGOON," his previous works (Vanishing Tales from Ancient Trails,) and (Baboons for Lunch,) will also be available for purchase.

"Climbing Mt. Everest"

Get ready to train for, climb and summit Mt. Everest. Lindley Zerbe has a multi-media presentation, videos and images, of his Everest Expedition in 2005. He will detail his 3 1/2 years spent in training, in 5 different countries, the 6 training climbs, and the culmination 3-month final Everest climb. Some 100 applicants were in the program and after the 3 years of training he was one of 5 selected to attempt the summit. He was team leader of that final group. The expedition entailed 2 months at base camp climatizing and trekking supplies to the higher up camps. As the window narrowed for last possible summit of the season, they hiked up to Camp 2 for a week, then Camp 3 overnight, Camp 4 for two hours, and on to the top, for 30 minutes. “It was 28 minutes too long there.” A rapid descent to back to Camp 2 ensued. The details of all this are riveting.

Lindley Zerbe is a dentist in an office with our member Wayne Richey, who initiated this speaking event. Lindley has a passion for adventure, rock climbing, cavern diving, coral reef research, cross country running, etc. He did his Master’s research near Eilat, Israel, and did further study at the University of Singapore. Zerbe was born and raised here on the Peninsula and he and his family reside in Monterey.

"The Battle Against Wildfires in our Area"

Asst. Chief Michael Meddles
Cal Fire Western Division

Chief Meddles will discuss Cal Fire operations in our area, and particularly how it fights wildfires. He will talk about several major fires, the 1987 fire in Pebble Beach forest, the Soberanes fire in 2016, the Carmel River fire in Salinas Valley, and others. The chief will show videos and photos of these wildfires and reveal how they were battled, the strategies, break throughs, setbacks, and challenges. Cal Fire attacks fires with a multitude of assets—firetrucks, water lines, tools, helicopters, tanker aircraft, bulldozers, and hand crews that sometimes comprise the National Guard and even prisoners. Often the effort involves trenching and starting counter fires. And there’s substantial action behind the scenes, logistics of all sorts, food, kitchens, hotels, and GPS specialists. The details on all this Cal Fire activity are fascinating.

Michael Meddles oversees Cal Fire operations, prevention, personnel, training and fire fighting. He has 27 years of experience in several areas—woodland and structural firefighting, fire prevention and law enforcement, air operations, dispatch and training. He’s held positions as a Firefighter, Fire Lieutenant, Fire Captain, and Battalion Chief, and served 6 1/2 years in the U.S. Army as a Blackhawk Helicopter Crew Chief.

"Economic Growth: Crucial but Uncertain"

Our speaker is adept at spelling out economic influences in clear, straightforward, and logical terms. His observations and views make eminent sense, yet are not readily accepted by our government leaders. Economic growth is vital, yet the outlook is in question. This presentation will deal with its causes, barriers, and other factors that underpin it. The implications of slower growth will be discussed along with some elements that could boost it if they were undertaken, such as higher legal immigration. Government subsidies, tax policy, and various other aspects also play important roles and will be addressed. This talk should be intriguing, insightful and engaging based on my discussions with David Henderson in preparation for the luncheon meeting.

David Henderson obtained his Ph.D.in economics from UCLA. He is an Emeritus Professor of Economics at the NPS, a Research Fellow with the Hoover Institute, and Senior Fellow with Canada’s Fraser Institute. He was previously a senior economist with President Reagan’s Council of Economic Advisors. David is the author or editor of five books on economics, including Making Great Decisions in Business and Life, and has written hundreds of articles for publications such as the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Barron’s, and Fortune. He has testified before several House and Senate committees such as the House Ways and Means Committee, and has appeared widely on television, including the Jim Lehrer Newshour and the O’Reilly Factor. Henderson also posts blogs 20 or 25 times a month on topics such as inflation, energy, taxation, immigration and international trade.

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“Monterey Regional Airport: Current Operations, Challenges and Future"

MIchael La Pier, A.A.E., Executive Director

The Monterey Regional Airport is a vital transportation entity in our area. We all use it but have little insight as to what takes place there behind the scenes. Michael La Pier will detail its history, current operations, thebusiness elements, and other aspects such as COIVID recovery, policing, fire, security, fog, solar energy, the control tower, FAA involvement, the governing structure, and various challenges and issues. He will also discuss future directions, the land acquisition, the new Master Plan which will culminate in construction of a new terminal building, and future new air service and destinations. There will be video and PowerPoint graphics along with the presentation. This revealing inside view of our airport should prove informative and fascinating.

Michael La Pier is an Accredited Airport Executive (A.A.E.) and has served in his current capacity for 8 years. Under his direction the airport has reached $17 million in annual revenue, acquired property on Monterey Salinas Highway, constructed a solar farm to provide electricity for the airport, and expanded air service to several new markets. He has over 35 years of experience in airport management, including the Central Illinois Regional Airport ($40 mil. new terminal) and the Myrtle Beach Int’l Airport ($120 mil. new passenger terminal). Michael serves on the U.S. Government Affairs Committee for Airports and is a board member of the Monterey County Hospitality Assn. and the Convention & Visitor Bureau.