Ex-spies share Argo insights, experiences

On Wednesday night, former CIA agents Jonna and Tony Mendez spoke to Hopkins students as the fourth installment of the MSE Symposium.

Jonna Mendez was the Chief of Disguise at the CIA and served for over 25 years with the agency. Her husband Tony is known for his role in the 1980 Canadian Caper operation, during which the CIA and the Canadian government rescued six American diplomats from Iran during the Iranian hostage crisis. The operation was depicted in the Academy-award winning film Argo, starring Ben Affleck.

During the presentation, the Mendezes alternated between describing the operation and the making of the movie and playing video clips, mostly of Argo. They began by discussing the importance of disguise. The first video clip showed how make-up could transform a young woman into a homeless man, a Middle Eastern man, and a much older actress.

“I was pleasantly surprised by how many of the actual events in Argo were accurately portrayed according to Tony and Jonna. I thought that their insight on the use of disguise was particularly fascinating,” sophomore James Koch wrote in an email to The News-Letter.

Jonna Mendez did most of the speaking, with Tony Mendez making the occasional quip.

“Exfiltrations are like abortions. You don’t need one unless something has gone wrong. And if you need one, don’t try to do it yourself,” Tony Mendez said.

After the talk, the MSE Symposium staff opened the floor to questions, during which audience members asked questions ranging from why the CIA decided to publish the story to how students themselves could become CIA members.

When asked what the greatest contributor to his success was, Tony Mendez credited his family.

Jonna Mendez in turn was asked about the rewards of working with the CIA.

“The most rewarding part [of working with the CIA] is actually working with the foreign people who were risking their lives. Our job basically was to show them how to be safe, how to protect themselves. . .teaching them how to not get killed,” Jonna Mendez said.

The MSE Symposium staff believed the event was a huge success.

“[The presentation] exceeded expectations. [The crowd] was not as big as the Craig Robinson talk, but it was slightly bigger than Jon Favreau’s speech, and it was very sizable,” senior Aaron Tessler, finance chair of the MSE Symposium, said.

Sophomore Nick Ginsberg, a member of the MSE Symposium’s marketing staff, attributes the sizeable audience to Argo’s success.

“When you can associate a person with something everybody knows, that’s what draws the large crowds,” Ginsberg said.

The attendees interviewed all said they enjoyed the event.

“I had a blast. I did not think they were going to use as much of the movie as they did. I like how they compared the movie to what actually happened,” sophomore Bo Harwood said.

“I enjoyed coming to the event and learning about the crucial role [the Mendezes] play behind the scenes. They both did an excellent job sharing why being in the CIA meant so much to them, and why it is something that should concern everyone here. . .I wish that the public would get to hear more about what the CIA does because it is worth hearing,” freshman Hannah Folz said.

The Mendezes enjoyed speaking to the audience of Hopkins students.

“My favorite part [of speaking on college campuses] is discovering the amazing quality of the students on these campuses. So often what you hear about young people today is the trouble they get into. Just seeing examples like this, I’m always so impressed,” Jonna Mendez said.

“I think that [the attendees] are probably not the real people. [The university] hires actors,” Tony Mendez added.

Since the Canadian Caper, Tony Mendez has published The Master of Disguise: My Life in the CIA (1990) and received the CIA Trailblazer Award (1997). He has also won numerous awards for his paintings. In 2003, he and Jonna Mendez published Spy Dust: Two Masters of Disguise Reveal the Tools and Operations that Helped Win the Cold War.

Jonna Mendez remains a consultant to the U.S intelligence community and continues to pursue photography, public speaking and writing. She and her husband have been featured in two Discovery Channel programs and have lectured at several World Affairs Councils.

The couple, who have one child, live on their 40-acre farm in rural Maryland.

“Be prepared like the boy scouts,” Jonna Mendez said when asked what the most valuable lesson she has learned during her experience in the CIA was.

“Be prepared, but have fun while you’re doing it,” Tony Mendez said.

On Nov. 1, the MSE Symposium will continue with former presidential candidate and Texas Congressman Ron Paul.