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Wine & Wisdom: Behind the FBI Badge

Think you know the FBI from watching crime shows? At Wine & Wisdom we’ll pull back the curtain on America’s most storied federal law enforcement agency—and reveals why reality is far more complex than any Netflix series.

The modern FBI tackles cases span from cybercriminals operating from foreign countries, white-collar schemes worth billions, to terrorism threats to organized crime networks. But how does it all actually work? This edition of Wine & Wisdom is an intimate evening where you can ask those burning questions: Do you really kick down doors like on TV? What’s the biggest misconception about the FBI? How often do you actually catch the bad guys before they escape?

James Conway, former FBI Special Agent with 35 years of distinguished service, is ready to spill some secrets—the unclassified kind, of course. After decades investigating everything from Houston organized crime to international terrorism, he’s here to separate federal fact from Hollywood fiction. He’ll debunk myths, confirm a few truths, and maybe leave you with more questions than answers. (Some cases are still ongoing.)

What we will uncover over wine:

  • From Houston Streets to Global Operations: How Conway’s career evolved from local organized crime cases to international counterterrorism partnerships
  • Post-9/11 Transformation: The dramatic shift in federal law enforcement priorities and how agents adapted
  • International Intelligence Partnerships: Building trust and cooperation with foreign intelligence services in hostile environments
  • SWAT to Embassy: The diverse skill set required in modern federal law enforcement
  • Latin American Operations: Managing counterterrorism and counterintelligence across an entire region
  • Training the World: How the U.S. shares law enforcement expertise globally while learning from international partners

You’ll discover the fascinating world of federal investigations through the eyes of someone who’s lived it. Prepare for stories that will change how you think about crime, justice, and the delicate balance between security and freedom in America.

Limited spots available because some conversations require… federal-level discretion.

Photo credit: Francis Chung/POLITICO

Featured Speaker: James Conway

James Conway

James Conway served our nation with distinction for over 35 years, including 25 as a Special Agent of the FBI. After graduating from the FBI Academy in Quantico, he was assigned to the Houston Division, where he led major investigations in organized crime, violent crime, and counterterrorism, and served on the FBI’s SWAT team. He later supervised the Joint Terrorism Task Force and managed international operations across the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America. Following 9/11, he was posted to the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City as the FBI’s Program Manager for counterterrorism and counterintelligence in Latin America, where he built critical partnerships with U.S. and foreign intelligence services.

Since 2010, James has served as a consultant with the U.S. Department of State’s Global Anti-terrorism Assistance Program, delivering counterterrorism training worldwide on crisis management, intelligence operations, and police security strategies. He has been recognized with numerous awards from the FBI, CIA, U.S. Attorney General, NATO, the United Nations, and other global agencies.

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