RCPB Hosts Dan Bongino in May

United States Secret Service
Dan proudly joined the ranks of the U.S. Secret Service in 1999 as a Special Agent where he graduated the Secret Service training academy with academic honors. Beginning his career in the New York Field Office, he was assigned to investigate federal crimes including but not limited to protective intelligence, computer crimes, bank fraud, credit card fraud and counterfeiting. His early career was marked by a number of investigative successes. Although the details of his signature investigation are still for official use only, it involved over 300 million dollars in potential financial fraud and a nexus to international terrorism. This joint investigation in cooperation with the FBI, IRS, SSA and a number of local police agencies, was responsible for shutting down a major international fraud ring. The investigation earned Dan the Department of Justice recognition award, along with other agency specific awards, for excellence in investigations.

Dan left the New York Field Office in 2002 to become an instructor at the Secret Service Training Academy in Beltsville, Maryland. He was the project manager for the re-design of the investigative tactics training program which he subsequently taught to incoming trainees. Dan was awarded a number of commendations for his work in researching and re-designing the investigative curriculum to reflect current trends crime trends.

Presidential Protection Division
In 2006, Dan entered into duty on the elite Presidential Protection Division in the administration of President George W. Bush, graduating at the top of his class in the difficult detail training program. Dan distinguished himself early by becoming one of the earliest tenured Special Agents to be given responsibility for an operational section of the protective detail. Dan remained on protective duty during the change in administration to President Barack Obama and again distinguished himself by quickly becoming the highest ranking member of his operational shift of agents. With this distinction came greater responsibility and Dan quickly rose to the challenge. He was designated as the lead agent responsible for the coordination of the President’s trip to Prague for the signing of the START treaty, his trip to Jakarta, Indonesia, amongst a myriad of terror threats, and finally as the lead agent responsible for the President’s visit to an active war zone in Afghanistan. With the successful coordination of these historic events, Dan was awarded a series of commendations and left the protective detail as one of the most distinguished agents in their history.

Learn More:

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Florida Legislative Update at April Lunch

Join us in April as Representative Pat Rooney (FH85) brings us up to date on the legislative session that has just concluded.

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CD18 Candidates Make their Case

The March lunch consisted of a 6 way candidate forum for Congressional District 18. Please refer to the table below to watch a video of the candidates remarks.

Originally conceived for nine, the group was reduced by the departure of Carla Spalding to NPA status, and Paul Spain to run in CD21 to our south. Another candidate, Noelle Nikpour could not be reached to invite.

After an introduction to the district by moderator Fred Scheibl, each candidate was introduced and given 6 minutes to address in general terms a slate of topic areas provided to them beforehand. The areas are:

• Your vision for the country
• The role of Congress in a post-Obama government
• The experience you bring to the job
• Any specific policy proposals you will pursue in the Congress
• The committees you would like to be selected for if elected
• The caucuses in the House with whom you would align (eg. Freedom Caucus, Republican Study Committee, etc.)
• Why you are the best choice to represent District 18

Mar 23 – Candidate Forum for Congressional District 18

At our March lunch, for a first in a series leading up to the August 30 primary and county-wide election, we have invited the seven Republican candidates competing for the CD18 seat being vacated by Patrick Murphy. Murphy, now a Democrat candidate for Senate, has held the seat for two terms after defeating Allen West in 2012. The district, which includes all of Martin, St. Lucie and northern Palm Beach counties, is narrowly Republican (R+3), but the Democrats are fielding some heavily funded candidates with out of state backing.

Currently the Republican field has narrowed to seven with Paul Spain moving to CD21 and Carla Spalding becoming NPA. Of these, Carl Domino, Mark Freeman, Rick Kozell, Brian Mast, Rebecca Negron and Rick Roth have already accepted our invitation, and we are waiting to hear from Noelle Nikpour.

The candidates will be asked their thoughts on the most important challenges facing the country, what sets them apart from the other candidates, and how they plan to defeat the Democrat in the fall. Join us for what should be a highly informative session.

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Apply Now for the 2016 Ann Roberts Scholarship

The Republican Club of the Palm Beaches’ Scholarship was named after a long-standing and active member of our Club, Anne Roberts.

The Anne Roberts Memorial Scholarship is available to any full or part time undergraduate or graduate student seeking to further their education. Students must have a GPA of 3.0 or above and plan to attend an accredited college. Applicants must be Palm Beach County residents and registered (or pre-registered under 18 yrs. of age) Republicans. Current members may refer applicants for this scholarship. The deadline for this application is May 31. The recipient will be eligible to receive up to $500 to be sent to the school they will attend. Award will be presented at the monthly luncheon June 22, 2016.

RCPB Scholarship application 2016

Previous Years Winners

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In 2014, our previous undergraduate recipients kept up their grades to receive additional scholarship: Dylan Brandenburg, John Clark, Jason Ferrara, and Daniel Kozell. Because of the generosity of our club members, we were able to add a fifth recipient, Hanna Matry, a junior at UF majoring in Aerospace/Mechanical Engineering and a member of the University’s Rocket Team in the NASA Hybrid rocket competition.

2013 was an expansive year for our scholarship program, with 6 recipients. They went to Elizabeth Cayson, a county employee who is attending Walden University in Illinois remotely, and Danielle Madsen, who recently graduated from Palm Beach Atlantic and is working at a TV station. Three Florida State students received grants including John Clark (3rd year), Dylan Brandenburg (1st year) and Daniel Kozell (2nd year), and Jason Ferrara who is attending the University of Alabama received his third year scholarship.

In 2012, there were 5 scholarships awarded: James Schackelford in his 3rd year at Florida Atlantic University and Daniel Kozell entering Florida State University. We continued to follow John Clark, Jason Ferrara and Shirley Schaff.

In 2011, there were four scholarships awarded. John Clark attending Florida State University, Jason Ferrara attending University of Alabama, Shirley Schaff attending Northwood University and Kimberly Twoey attending Palm Beach Atlantic University.

In 2010, one scholarship was awarded to Cindy Morris, mother of 5, in her final year with 3.7 GPA at Palm Beach Atlantic College School of Education with endorsements in special education and English and a second language.

The second 2010 scholarship was awarded to James Shackelford, majoring in accounting at Florida Atlantic University. With his passion for politics, he is active in student government and volunteered for Allen West and Marco Rubio campaigns. After receiving his masters in Finance, James plans to attend law school.

The 2009 recipient, Nicole Vega, from Berean Christian High School, aspired to be a civil engineer. After much mentoring by several Club members, Nicole has changed her studies to major in Communications with a minor in Political Science at Palm Beach State College.

RCPB Scholarship application 2016

RCPB Hosts Presidential Primary Expo, February 25th

Surrogates from the local campaigns for all the Presidential Candidates have been invited to make their case, talk about their local campaign organizations and give you the opportunity to ask questions and get involved. We will also give you a snapshot on the “state of the race” with 18 days to go before the Florida primary on March 15. By the time of the meeting, Iowa, New Hampshire, South Carolina and Nevada will have voted, but only 133 delegates (5.3% of the total) will have been decided.

We have commitments so far from the campaigns of 4 of the 5 remaining candidates: Ben Carson, Ted Cruz, Marco Rubio, and Donald Trump.

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RCPB Co-hosts Palm Beach Gardens Candidate Forum on 2/25

Michael Barnett and Ryan Hnatiuk at January Lunch

2016 will be an active political year, with Presidential Primary and Municipal elections in March, county-wide non-partisan and primary elections in August, and the general election in November – “the most important election of your lifetime” as they say.

To help us make sense of it all, the club will host PBCGOP Chair Michael Barnett and Executive Director Ryan Hnatiuk in January.

Please join us and be prepared to get active and involved for your favorite candidate(s) as the races heat up.

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Michael Barnett currently serves as Chairman of the Republican Party of Palm Beach County. He was born in Queens, New York but has lived in Boca Raton since 1987. He graduated from Boca Raton High School in 1995, the University of South Florida in 2004 with a BA in Political Science, and the University of Miami School of Law in 2007 with a JD degree. Michael has been practicing law since 2007.

Michael has been a life long conservative Republican. A grassroots activist since 1994, he was involved early on with the College Republicans, Young Republicans, and became an REC committeeman in August, 2010. He was elected Secretary of the Republican Party of Palm Beach County in December, 2010, Vice Chairman in December, 2012, and Chairman in December, 2014.

As Secretary and Vice Chairman, Michael helped start the Party’s black and minority outreach program, with a heavy focus on the large local Haitian community. The Party’s activities and successes in Palm Beach County have made news across the state.

Michael has been grassroots-oriented but has also been able to unite the local Party, earning unanimous support of Republicans across the entire spectrum. “Our job is to get Republicans elected but we must never ever sacrifice principles or values. I am a pro-life, pro-traditional marriage social and fiscal conservative. I believe the Party must stick to its principles while welcoming other groups who share our conservative values.”

Michael is an active parishioner at Ascension Catholic Church in Boca Raton. He’s a member of the Knights of Columbus, has been on political and missions trips to Haiti, and volunteers at The Soup Kitchen in Boynton Beach, Florida.

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Ryan C. Hnatiuk has been appointed to the role of Political Director. He was born and raised outside of Flint, Michigan. He, and his wife of 13 years, have one son who is a very active toddler and is a full time job in his own right. Since coming to South Florida, Ryan has had the opportunity to work with various candidates, consultants and fundraisers primarily within Palm Beach County but has also consulted in the counties of Martin, Broward, and St. Lucie. He has worked in various sized campaigns from town council to congressional and county commission seats.

Ryan recently attained his master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University in Conflict Resolution and is also a certified mediator. Prior to getting his master’s degree he received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Michigan and a minor in International Relations with primary focus being on Latin American governments and their emerging markets. He is looking to use the skills he has attained to strengthen friendships, build lasting coalitions and open dialogue to attract new people to the Republican Party.

December Luncheon Features Dimensional Harmony

Join us at Bear Lakes on Wednesday, December 9 for Holiday Music from Boynton Beach High School’s phenomenal “Dimensional Harmony, as they dance, sing and harmonize their way to London!

Please bring non-perishable foods to contribute to the Palm Beach County Food Bank.

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Dimensional Harmony is a sensational choral group of 50 extraordinarily talented Boynton Beach High School students that has received state and nationwide acclaim for its amazing singing ability!

Under the direction of innovative director, Mr. Sterling Frederick, Dimensional Harmony has been widely recognized nationwide over the past few years, winning first place gold in several competitions in New York and Atlanta; and also winning the prestigious National Show Choir Title. Members have performed their creative interpretations of inspirational songs, ballads, and popular hits live on the “Today Show,” as well as at numerous theaters. Other venues for Dimensional Harmony’s accomplishments include the Florida Music Educators Association Music Conference, openings for renowned gospel singers, and at events held at Donald Trump’s Mar-A-Lago Resort.

Dimensional Harmony members are a proven example of the positive impact dedicated students, their dedicated leader, and the Performing Arts can have on the local community and on developing future successful, well rounded, and responsible, young individuals and citizens! With their incredible talent, grace, harmony, and unlimited enthusiasm, they deserve the opportunity to become our ambassadors and compete at the highest level.

November Meeting Features “A Tribute to our Troops and Veterans”

In November, we highlight our veterans and active duty military.

Join us at Bear Lakes on Wednesday, November 18 to hear Colonel Arthur DeRuve discuss the contributions that our military has made to the establishment and preservation of our great nation. Colonel DeRuve will refer to all who have worn the uniform of our country, from the Colonialists to our current Boots-on-the-Ground armed forces members. He will describe how the accomplishments of our greatest leaders throughout our history, in preserving our Republic, would not have been possible without the soldiers/sailors/marines/airmen & coastguardsmen who put themselves in harm’s way for the United States of America.

The meeting will also feature patriotic songs by members of Dimensional Harmony from Boynton Beach High School, who will also be featured at our December Christmas / Hanukkah Celebration.

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Colonel Arthur DeRuve was commissioned a second lieutenant through the college ROTC program. After serving two years with the 2nd Armored Division as a cold war soldier in Germany, he remained an additional 28 years in the Army’s active reserve, including 11 years as a military liaison officer for West Point. He is a graduate of the Army’s Artillery & Guided Missile School, the Command & General Staff College, and the Army War College.

In civilian life Colonel DeRuve served as the regional management officer of the “Office of Hearings & Appeals”, the judicial arm of the Social Security Administration, for the states of New York and New Jersey and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. He holds a BS degree in political science from Fordham University and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from New York University.

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