30th Anniversary Event Draws Top Military Leaders

The chapter celebrated its 30th anniversary in February with a session presided over by Portuguese Chief of Armed Forces Gen. Artur Neves Pina Monteiro at the Lisbon Congress Center in Lisbon, Portugal. The event drew 160 guests, including high-ranking military officials, several CEOs and top representatives from universities. Maj. Gen. Erich Staudacher, GEAF (Ret.), general manager of AFCEA Europe, was present. Chapter President Rear Adm. Mario Durao, PRT N (Ret.), gave the opening address and was followed by guest speaker Rear Adm. Thomas Daum, Ph.D., chief of staff and chief operating officer for the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCI Agency). Adm. Daum spoke about the changing face of warfare and the implications of the cyberthreat. Rear Adm. Carlos Rodolfo, PRT NA (Ret.), AFCEA regional vice president (RVP) for the Atlantic region, handed out RVP medals recognizing outstanding service last year. Other AFCEA service medals were distributed by the chapter president.