Vincent Caprio, President, Water Innovations Alliance Foundation Receives Award for Community Service from FBI National Citizen’s Academy Alumni Association at Region 2 Forum September 14, 2026
Posted on October 12th, 2026 | No Comments »




A man in NYC for a work conference became a first responder on September 11th, 2001. As the attacks unfolded he stayed and helped people in distress for 22 hours.
EASTON, Conn — An Easton man traveling to New York City for a work conference on Sept. 11, 2001, had his life forever changed when the first plane struck the World Trade Center.
At 8:46 a.m., Vincent Caprio was walking into the Marriott World Trade Center when the first plane crashed into the North Tower.
“I saw the plane come right over my head and I thought, I’ve never seen a plane that low in New York City,” Caprio said.
Those plans quickly changed.
“I looked up and I thought… thousands of people have died already from the fire ball and the toxins,” Caprio said.
As people began evacuating the area, Caprio stayed.
“I realized I need to serve America, I have the training to do it and the composition and the ability to stay calm,” Caprio said.
Caprio had FBI training in disaster control and said he had been prepared for situations like this throughout his life. He grew up in a military household and became involved in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts at a young age, where he learned the importance of helping and serving others.
Those skills were needed at Ground Zero.
“I was down at Ground Zero and I realized there were people coming out of the towers that were injured. The police and fireman were setting up triages with doctors pretty fast. Somebody like me was escorting people to the triage and trying to work with people and keep them calm and keep some sort of order,” Caprio said.
At the same time, Caprio listened to news reports on his Walkman and kept police officers and firefighters updated on the latest information.
Seventeen minutes after the first plane struck, at 9:03 a.m. the second plane hit the South Tower.
Caprio said he was shocked, but amid falling debris, chaos and unimaginable tragedy, he did not run.
He continued helping injured people and those fleeing the towers.
“I would say to them lets just take a deep breath, you’re OK, you survived this, are you injured? And then would get them to see medical professionals,” Caprio said.
At 9:59 a.m., the South Tower collapsed.
“I was at Ground Zero, across the street from Ground Zero. It made a sound that I never heard before and will never hear again. Once it started falling and you looked at it. It looked like an accordion folding… But the noise, the sound, was so loud and so deafening,” Caprio said.
A cloud of dust and debris quickly covered the area, but Caprio continued helping people find safety and comfort.
Through the dust, he saw the North Tower collapse at 10:28 a.m. He said the sight was so upsetting that he and the people around him began to cry.
Caprio remained at Ground Zero for 22 hours following the attacks.
Once the dust settled, he said the devastation where the towers stood was unbelievable.
“It’s hard to describe, it’s easier to go to a WWII photo and look at the bombing of a country. It was that bad,” Caprio said.
Caprio said he spent another 400 hours at Ground Zero, helping recover human remains from the debris through April 2002.
Years later, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont, U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal and U.S. Rep. Jim Himes awarded Caprio, recognizing his bravery and heroism on Sept. 11 and in the days that followed.
Now nearly 70 years old, Caprio continues to live with the physical and emotional effects of his time at Ground Zero.
“At this point I have five certified diseases from 9/11,” Caprio said.
Caprio said those conditions include GERD, thyroid cancer, hearing loss, respiratory disease and post-traumatic stress disorder. He said they have been confirmed through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Everyday I’m in pain.”
Despite the health problems and lasting memories, Caprio said his experience on 9/11 gave him a deeper sense of purpose.
He now advocates for the 2,977 people who died in the attacks, as well as more than 9,000 first responders and survivors who have died from health issues since the attacks and their families.
“I’m an advocate for the World Trade Center Health Program, which I’m in. There’s over 150,000 people registered with the World Trade Center Health Program but only 75,000-80,000 are receiving benefits,” Caprio said.
Caprio said he frequently speaks with local leaders and believes more needs to be done to ensure people suffering from 9/11-related illnesses can get the care they need without facing significant out-of-pocket costs.
He also wants to make sure the millions of Americans born after Sept. 11, 2001, understand what happened that day.
For Caprio, that means remembering the individual stories behind the nearly 3,000 people who died.
He points to the Hanson family from Easton — a husband, wife and their young child who were killed aboard United Flight 175.
Easton remembers the family with a memorial on the town green in front of the library.
Caprio said while the victims are gone, their stories need to live.
“We should never forget the lives that were lost and the sacrifice of the first responders.”
Caprio said he still gets emotional when he visits the 9/11 Memorial in New York City. He thinks about those who died in the attacks, those who continue to die from illnesses connected to the aftermath and the families he met who lost loved ones.
For Caprio, remembering them will always be his priority.
Joe Monte is a Multi-Skilled Journalist for FOX61 News. He can be reached at jmonte@fox61.com. Follow him on X for more.
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On July 18, 2026, Yale University served as the setting for an inspiring graduation ceremony as Vincent Caprio, Vice President of the FBI New Haven Citizens Academy Alumni Association (FBINHCAA) and a decorated 9/11 First Responder, delivered an address to graduates of the Future Law Enforcement Youth Academy (FLEYA). Mr. Caprio awarded a Scholarship to Sandra Nipp.
Mr. Caprio congratulated the graduates on their dedication, perseverance, and commitment to public service. Drawing from his own journey, he shared how participating in a similar youth law enforcement program in 1975 helped shape his life and inspired a lifelong commitment to serving others.
Reflecting on his experiences as a 9/11 First Responder, Mr. Caprio emphasized the importance of courage, integrity, teamwork, and compassion. He reminded the graduates that true leadership is measured not only by achievements, but by a willingness to serve communities with honor and respect.
He encouraged the graduates to continue pursuing excellence, embrace lifelong learning, and never lose sight of the values that brought them to the academy. “Every one of you has the potential to make a meaningful difference,” Caprio said. “Lead with character, serve with humility, and always remember that your actions can inspire others.”
The ceremony celebrated the accomplishments of the Future Law Enforcement Youth Academy graduates and recognized their readiness to become the next generation of leaders dedicated to public safety and community service.


This week we will be having our July NanoBusiness Commercialization Association (NanoBCA)/Water Innovations Alliance Foundation (WIAF) webinar. This is a Special Edition featuring David M. Walker, Former U.S. Comptroller General and Chair of Federal Fiscal Sustainability Foundation. David will be returning to discuss America’s $39T National Debt and the consequences of our National Debt. One program that needs to be addressed is Social Security. There is legislation in Congress to increase the Social Security tax ceiling on employees. This will affect all of you in management at your companies.
Social Security and Medicare are heading toward insolvency. Congress has 6 years to act
By Steve H. Hanke and David M. Walker
Here are the access details for our July webinar:
NanoBCA/WIAF Webinar
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
2PM ET
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82585600645
Meeting chat link
https://us06web.zoom.us/launch/jc/82585600645
Meeting ID: 825 8560 0645
Please mute your line if you are not speaking. Thank you.
————————————————————
AGENDA

2:00-2:05 Opening Remarks
Vincent Caprio
Executive Director
NanoBusiness Commercialization Association (NanoBCA)
Water Innovations Alliance Foundation (WIAF)
vincentcaprio@nynanobusiness.org
National Debt $39 TRILLION U.S. Debt Clock
From $71 Million to $39 Trillion—U.S. National Debt’s 250-Year Climb
Newsweek
Scientists Are Using Nanomaterials to Heal Stubborn Wounds That Resist Antibiotic Treatment
Smithsonian Magazine
NIH SBIR Proposal Workshop & Writing Clinic
July 21-22
Richmond, VA
New York to impose the country’s first statewide moratorium on data centers
NBC News
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2:05-2:15 EHS Update

Lynn L. Bergeson
Managing Director
Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.
NanoBCA EHS Chair
lbergeson@lawbc.com
For those of you in the Nano and Water Communities, Lynn’s All Things Chemical® Podcast is a great listen for Engineers, Scientists and Public Policy Professionals.
At TSCA at 10, a Reminder That Lasting Reform Requires Lasting Consensus
IRS Adds Two Substances to List of Chemical Substances Subject to Superfund Excise Tax
EUON Publishes Nanopinion on How Simple Rules Can Guide the Design of Boron Nanomaterials
Council of the EU and EP Reach Provisional Agreement for Stronger ECHA
Bergeson & Campbell Seminars & Webinars
ACD’s ChemEdge 2026
August 12-14, 2026
Atlanta, GA
Regulatory Summit North America 2026
September 28-October 1, 2026
Alexandria, VA and via webinar
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2:15-3:00 America’s $39T National Debt: America’s national debt is heading to 175% of GDP. Here’s why no president—including Trump—has the will to stop it

David M. Walker, Former U.S. Comptroller General and Chair of Federal Fiscal Sustainability Foundation
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3:00 Conclusion
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Our monthly webinars address topics involving the relationship between the science of nanotechnology and Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS), US Legislation, Education, Finance, Manufacturing and Foreign Policy. One of the benefits of NanoBCA/WIAF membership is access to our previous webinars with America’s leading scientists and engineers.
ACADEMIC/YOUNG PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP $100
————————————————————
Looking forward to our webinar this week!
The NanoBusiness Commercialization Association (NanoBCA)/Water Innovations Alliance Foundation (WIAF) would like to celebrate America’s 250th Anniversary!

Independence Day has a very special meaning for my family since my late father, Vincent Caprio Sr., was born on the 4th of July.
Take the time to enjoy America’s 250th Anniversary.
Let Freedom Ring!
This week, we will be having our June NanoBusiness Commercialization Association (NanoBCA)/Water Innovations Alliance Foundation (WIAF) webinar.
We are honored to have Anil R. Diwan, PhD, President and Executive Chairman from NanoViricides and Sam Brauer, PhD, Founder and Principal of Nanotech Plus, speaking in regard to a broad-spectrum antiviral drug targeting Ebola.
Here are the access details for our June webinar:
NanoBCA/WIAF Webinar
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
2PM ET
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82586437362
Meeting chat link
https://us06web.zoom.us/launch/jc/82586437362
Meeting ID: 825 8643 7362
Please mute your line if you are not speaking. Thank you.
————————————————————
AGENDA

2:00-2:05 Opening Remarks
Vincent Caprio
Executive Director
NanoBusiness Commercialization Association (NanoBCA)
Water Innovations Alliance Foundation (WIAF)
vincentcaprio@nynanobusiness.org
National Debt $38 TRILLION U.S. Debt Clock
Social Security and Medicare are heading toward insolvency. Congress has 6 years to act
By Steve H. Hanke and David M. Walker
————————————————————
2:05-2:20 EHS Update

Lynn L. Bergeson
Managing Director
Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.
NanoBCA EHS Chair
lbergeson@lawbc.com
For those of you in the Nano and Water Communities, Lynn’s All Things Chemical® Podcast is a great listen for Engineers, Scientists and Public Policy Professionals.
EUON Publishes Nanopinion on How Simple Rules Can Guide the Design of Boron Nanomaterials
Bipartisan Bill Intends to Advance U.S. Leadership in Biotechnology
EPA Extends Deadline for Reporting Health and Safety Data for 16 Chemicals
Bergeson & Campbell Seminars & Webinar
ACD’s ChemEdge 2026
August 12-14, 2026
Atlanta, GA
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2:20-3:00 Ebola – Another Chance to Learn How to Deal with a Pandemic

Anil R. Diwan, PhD
President & Exec. Chairman
NanoViricides
adiwan@nanoviricides.com
Sam Brauer, PhD
Founder & Principal
Nanotech Plus
sbrauer@nano-biz.com
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GrayMatter Events

Think.Do Summit: Chicago
IN-PERSON | June 23, 2026 | Chicago, IL
Using Advanced Analytics to Improve Throughput and Yield
VIRTUAL | Jun. 30
————————————————————
3:00 Conclusion
————————————————————
Our monthly webinars address topics involving the relationship between the science of nanotechnology and Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS), US Legislation, Education, Finance, Manufacturing and Foreign Policy. One of the benefits of NanoBCA/WIAF membership is access to our previous webinars with America’s leading scientists and engineers.
The NanoBusiness Commercialization Association (NanoBCA)/Water Innovations Alliance Foundation (WIAF) would like to recommend the following event.

Alan Hinchman, Chief Revenue Officer of GrayMatter Systems
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
Hilton Chicago
720 S. Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60605
Think.Do Chicago is an immersive working session built for manufacturing, energy and other industrial leaders who are responsible for turning strategy into results. Your complimentary registration includes a 1-night hotel stay and a ticket to a major conference the next day.
We emphasize proven approaches, real use cases and lessons learned from organizations that have already navigated similar challenges.
The result is a working session that includes insight and action:
Transform Operations without Tearing Them Down
Getting data is easy (or it should be). Operationalizing data is hard.
Think.Do Chicago pivots on the idea that manufacturers don’t need to tear down what they’ve already built in order to scale their business.
Plus, check out the Automate 2026 conference the next day, June 24 – giving you multiple reasons to get out of the office/plant.
AGENDA – Tuesday, June 23
11:00 AM Welcome & Check-In
11:10 AM Safety & Cyber Moment
Overview of the day and why embedding security into operations matters.
11:15 AM State of the Industry: Built to Last
Paul Galeski, CEO, GrayMatter & Alan Hinchman, CRO, GrayMatter
Paul and Alan kick things off with a candid look at where manufacturing stands today — the labor pressures reshaping the workforce, the cybersecurity threats operations can’t ignore, the data overload slowing teams down, and where AI is starting to make a real difference.
11:30 AM Voices of Vision: What’s Your Top Challenge?
11:45 AM Lunch
12:00 PM Live Cyber Podcast
REA Magnet Wire, Scott Christensen, GrayMatter and AMDT Octoplant
12:30 PM From Tribal Knowledge to Institutional Intelligence: Future-Proofing Your Plant with Approachable AI
John Lucci, Chief of Strategy & Innovation, GrayMatter’s Factory Advisors
With 2 million skilled workers set to retire by 2028, the hardest-won knowledge in your plant — the instincts, judgment calls, and pattern recognition your veterans carry in their heads — is quietly walking out the door. Join John Lucci of Factory Advisors to see how Approachable AI™ captures that tribal wisdom and turns it into a secure, on-premise AI Factory Advisor your whole team can tap 24/7. You’ll leave with a practical, pebble-in-the-pond playbook for starting small, protecting your IP, and scaling institutional intelligence across your operation — no massive IoT overhaul required.
1:00 PM The Toyota Way: Why It’s More Important Than Ever Before
Steve St Angelo, Former CEO of Toyota Motor Corporation, Latin America & Caribbean Region
1:30 PM You’ve Got the Roadmap: Now Let’s Deploy It
Panel: Tod Virden, GrayMatter, Justin Robinson, GrayMatter, John Baier, GrayMatter and Nathan Barker, Factory Advisors
2:15 PM Factory Transformation Workshops
Moderator: John Baier, GrayMatter
Peer Group Working Session
Topics:
MES scale and speed – greenfield startups, multi-site rollouts, aggressive timelines and the shift from long deployment cycles into sustain-and-optimize mode
Data integration and governance – MES–ERP alignment, historian modernization, quality and process data living in different places, and thedifficulty of turning data into actionable insights
Legacy systems and technical debt – ERP and MES platforms that are decades old, large install bases and the resulting friction when introducing analytics or AI
Resource and capacity constraints – teams stretched thin while demand accelerates
OT, automation and cyber readiness – standing up automated facilities, evolving SCADA environments and ensuring resiliency as operations scale
From deployment to value – moving beyond “go-live” toward meaningful use of data by operators, engineers, and leaders
3:15 PM Break
3:30 PM Papa Johns: Better Data, Better Dough
Tod Virden, GrayMatter & Papa Johns
4:00 PM Partner Spotlight
4:30 PM Break
4:45 PM Voices of Vision: Live Survey
5:00 PM Rapid-Fire Leadership Conversations
Bring your hardest questions. Our SMEs rotate table to table, and you’ve got their full attention for as long as they’re with you — no slides, no pitches, just direct answers from people who’ve seen it work (and fail) in plants like yours.
6:30 PM Dinner & Networking
A relaxed setting to continue the conversation and build connections.
————————————————————
Once again, we highly recommend GrayMatter’s Think. Do Summit on June 23rd in Chicago!
The NanoBusiness Commercialization Association (NanoBCA)/Water Innovations Alliance Foundation (WIAF) would like to recommend the following event.
TSCA Reform — 10 Years Later
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
9:AM-5:PM

An ELI, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C., and the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health Co-Sponsored Annual Conference
Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), the Environmental Law Institute (ELI), and the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health (GWU) are pleased to present “TSCA Reform — 10 Years Later” on June 10, 2026. Leading panelists will reflect on the challenges and accomplishments since the implementation of the 2016 Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (Lautenberg) Amendments ten years ago and will discuss where TSCA stands today. Only through continued dialogue, engagement, and collaboration will diverse chemical stakeholders achieve the goals Congress set in enacting Lautenberg. Register now for this complimentary event.
Where
Hybrid: in person at the Jack Morton Auditorium at the George Washington University (805 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20052) and via livestream
RSVP
This event is free and open to the public but you must register.
NEWS & OTHER EVENTS

For those of you in the Nano and Water Communities, Lynn’s All Things Chemical® Podcast is a great listen for Engineers, Scientists and Public Policy Professionals.
Connecticut Posts PFAS Reporting Form for Manufacturers; Will Post Fillable Version in Early June
Minnesota Legislature Amends PFAS Statute to Exclude Older Products from PFAS Reporting Requirements
ELI Summer School 2026
Virtual sessions every Wednesday
June 17 through July 22
12:00 Noon to 1:30PM ET
Session 1: NEPA, ESA, and the Fundamentals of Environmental Law
June 17
Session 2: The Clean Water Act
June 24
Session 3: The Clean Air Act and Climate Change Law
July 1
Session 4: Energy Law and the Energy Transition
July 8
Session 5: Toxic Chemical Regulation
July 15
Session 6: Environmental Justice
July 22
————————————————————
In addition to TSCA 10 Years later, we would also like to recommend the following:
GrayMatter Events

Think.Do Summit: Chicago
IN-PERSON | June 23, 2026 | Chicago, IL
Using Advanced Analytics to Improve Throughput and Yield
VIRTUAL | Jun. 30
Tomorrow, we will be having our May NanoBusiness Commercialization Association (NanoBCA)/Water Innovations Alliance Foundation (WIAF) webinar.
This month, we are honored to have Alan Hinchman, Chief Revenue Officer of GrayMatter Systems discussing the 2026 State of the Water Industry.
Alan’s presentation will include:
Alan has been actively working in the Water Industry for over 25 years.
Here are the access details for our May webinar:
NanoBCA/WIAF Webinar
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
2PM ET
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81277923757
Meeting ID: 812 7792 3757
Please mute your line if you are not speaking. Thank you.
————————————————————
AGENDA

2:00-2:05 Opening Remarks
Vincent Caprio
Executive Director
NanoBusiness Commercialization Association (NanoBCA)
Water Innovations Alliance Foundation (WIAF)
vincentcaprio@nynanobusiness.org
National Debt $38 TRILLION U.S. Debt Clock
NanoEducators Quarterly Forum
Virtual meeting
Thursday, May 28, 2026
TSCA Reform — 10 Years Later
June 10, 2026
9:AM-5:PM
————————————————————
We would like to share a paper written by one of our NanoBCA/WIAF members, Anis Rahman, PhD, Chief Technology Officer & President of Applied Research & Photonics, Inc.
The Empire State of Mind: Nobel Prize Dominance of Immigration, Public Education, And Elite Research
————————————————————
GrayMatter Events

Designing Industrial Networks Built for Resilience
VIRTUAL | May 26
Think.Do Summit: Chicago
IN-PERSON | June 23, 2026 | Chicago, IL
Using Advanced Analytics to Improve Throughput and Yield
VIRTUAL | Jun. 30
————————————————————
2:05-2:20 EHS Update
Lynn L. Bergeson
Managing Director
Bergeson & Campbell, P.C.
NanoBCA EHS Chair
lbergeson@lawbc.com
For those of you in the Nano and Water Communities, Lynn’s All Things Chemical® Podcast is a great listen for Engineers, Scientists and Public Policy Professionals.
NNI Publishes Supplement to the President’s FY 2026 Budget Request
DoW Seeks Information on Existing Chemicals Undergoing TSCA Risk Evaluation
Bergeson & Campbell Seminars & Webinars

TSCA Reform — 10 Years Later
June 10, 2026
9:AM-5:PM
Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), the Environmental Law Institute (ELI), and the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health (GWU) are pleased to present “TSCA Reform — 10 Years Later” on June 10, 2026. Leading panelists will reflect on the challenges and accomplishments since the implementation of the 2016 Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (Lautenberg) Amendments ten years ago and will discuss where TSCA stands today. Only through continued dialogue, engagement, and collaboration will diverse chemical stakeholders achieve the goals Congress set in enacting Lautenberg. Register now for this complimentary event.
29th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference
June 15-18, 2026
San Antonio, TX
————————————————————
2:20-3:00 State of the Water Industry
Alan Hinchman
Chief Revenue Officer
GrayMatter Systems
ahinchman@graymattersystems.com
————————————————————
3:00 Conclusion
————————————————————
Our monthly webinars address topics involving the relationship between the science of nanotechnology and Environmental, Health & Safety (EHS), US Legislation, Education, Finance, Manufacturing and Foreign Policy. One of the benefits of NanoBCA/WIAF membership is access to our previous webinars with America’s leading scientists and engineers.
ACADEMIC/YOUNG PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP $100
————————————————————
Looking forward to our webinar tomorrow!
The NanoBusiness Commercialization Association (NanoBCA)/Water Innovations Alliance Foundation (WIAF) would like to recommend the following event.

An ELI, Bergeson & Campbell, P.C., and the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health Co-Sponsored Annual Conference
Bergeson & Campbell, P.C. (B&C®), the Environmental Law Institute (ELI), and the George Washington University Milken Institute School of Public Health (GWU) are pleased to present “TSCA Reform — 10 Years Later” on June 10, 2026. Leading panelists will reflect on the challenges and accomplishments since the implementation of the 2016 Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act (Lautenberg) Amendments ten years ago and will discuss where TSCA stands today. Only through continued dialogue, engagement, and collaboration will diverse chemical stakeholders achieve the goals Congress set in enacting Lautenberg. Register now for this complimentary event.
Where
Hybrid: in person at the Jack Morton Auditorium at the George Washington University (805 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20052) and via livestream
RSVP
This event is free and open to the public but you must register.
NNI Publishes Supplement to the President’s FY 2026 Budget Request
NanoEducators Quarterly Forum
May 28, 2026
6:30PM ET
————————————————————
Once again, we highly recommend TSCA Reform — 10 Years Later.