NAFUSA’s annual conference was held last week at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego. Nearly 200 NAFUSA members, spouses, guests, sponsors and speakers enjoyed three days of beautiful weather and the ambience of one of the world’s great hotels.

At the opening reception on Thursday night, NAFUSA honored Deputy Solicitor General Michael Dreeben on his 100 cases argued on behalf of the Department of Justice before the United States Supreme Court. In the photo below, President Greg Vega presents Dreeben with a San Diego Padres jersey to mark his achievement.

Greg Vega with Michael Dreeben

On Friday afternoon, a tour and picnic lunch was held on the USS Midway, the famous aircraft carrier from WWII. During the lunch, President Vega welcomed Debby  Margolis, wife of David Margolis, and Cheri Margolis, David and Debby’s daughter, who were the guests of NAFUSA for the entire conference. In the photo below, President Vega is presenting Debby with the American flag which was flown over the Department of Justice in David’s honor at the request of NAFUSA.

Greg Vega with Debby and Cheri Margolis

On Saturday morning, Vice President Doug Jones presented AUSA Adam Braverman, SDCAL, with this year’s J. Michael Bradford Award as the AUSA of the Year.

Doug Jones with Adam Braverman

The conference closed on Saturday night, with the passing of the gavel from Greg Vega to Bart Daniel, the new president of NAFUSA. Bart announced that the 2017 conference will be held in Washington, DC at the Mayflower Hotel on October 17-21. New York Times Pulitizer Prize winning reporter Charlie Savage then delivered the keynote address.

Charlie Savage at the del Coronado