Scientology’s IAS trophy winners part 2: The big whales keeping Dave afloat in 2024

Yesterday we showed you the first half of the long list of donors who were recognized at this year’s International Association of Scientologists gala in October in East Grinstead, England, with those whose donations have totaled between $250,000 and $1 million to the IAS.

Today, we have the really big whales who have given more than $1 million, the kind of wealthy figures who are really targeted by church leader David Miscavige. (Please see yesterday’s introduction for the basic concepts and practices of Scientology donations and “status” levels.)

We know that longtime readers will recognize quite a few names on today’s list. But we also know we’ll hear from a number of you asking about some figures who are missing. Where’s Grant Cardone? Nancy Cartwright? Tom Cruise?

As usual, we’ll remind you of a couple of things that we think determine whether someone receives a trophy from Miscavige in a particular year.

First, these awards are for donors who reach a new status level in a given year. So, for example, if you’ve given a million bucks over your career in Scientology (“Gold Meritorious”), but this year you didn’t quite get to the next status level at $1.25 million (“Gold Meritorious With Honors”), that doesn’t mean you haven’t forked over tens of thousands this past year, but you aren’t going to get a trophy, and you won’t be invited to this year’s ball.

Second, it’s become pretty obvious over the years that some big donors, such as Tom Cruise and other celebrities, ask not to be recognized for their giving.

So, keep that in mind: The following folks not only have given enough in the past year to make their new status level, but they want to be recognized for it. And we’re only too happy to oblige them!

Here, then, are the real leviathans keeping Scientology afloat in 2024.

Gold Meritorious With Honors ($1.25 million)
Daniel & Honor Duggan
Florida, USA
Lifetime Members since 2006 (Daniel), 2016 (Honor)

Daniel and Honor are setting the bar as the youngest Gold Meritorious With Honors on Earth. This on-purpose duo are all about spreading LRH Tech and inspiring the next generation.

Gold Meritorious With Honors ($1.25 million)
Eva Scott
Mississippi, USA
Lifetime Member since 2004

Eva is a vibrant New OT V who is fast on the route to becoming a Golden Age of Tech Phase II auditor. All the while, she champions a drug-free world.

[Not pictured: Gold Meritorious With Honors ($1.25 million)
The Brylkin Family
The Chris & Kendra Gaines Family
Earl Wertheim]

Platinum Meritorious ($2.5 million)
Jim & Kelly Speiser
Indiana, USA
Lifetime Members since 1990 (Jim), 1996 (Kelly)

With four decades dedicated to the Fifth Dynamic, Jim and Kelly are principal players in their community and shine as Gold Humanitarians for Cincinnati Ideal Org. Even more, he proudly stepped up as the Public Executive Secretary Cincinnati Day, Their rallying cry: “If you want it, go get it!”

Platinum Meritorious ($2.5 million)
The Kitaura Family
Tokyo, Japan
Lifetime Member since 2002 (Akio)

They are courageous, bold and indomitable — they are the last samurai of Tokyo. For 24 years, they’ve led a culinary icon in Japan’s gourmet burger scene. However, their legacy is more than business — it’s a philosophy embodying the Kitaura spirit of making the impossible possible.

Platinum Meritorious ($2.5 million)
Ruddy Rodriguez & Rami Feuermann and Family
Venezuela and Israel
Lifetime Members since 2003 (Ruddy). 2008 (Rami)

Ruddy and Rami align every facet of their lives with the mission of the IAS. He commands the helm of a VIP security firm, safeguarding top organizations and embassies, and is a leading IAS Field Disseminator. She’s an international superstar, Elite Field Staff Member and proud IAS Freedom Medal Winner introducing millions to The Way to Happiness. Together they are truly an unstoppable force for the IAS.

Platinum Meritorious ($2.5 million)
The Paine Family
Florida, USA
Lifetime Members since 1986 and 1987

He is a Solo NOTs auditor and the supreme commander and mastermind behind a self-made global empire, while he is a New OT VIII and full-time Field Staff Member. In their own words, “You can make anything happen, because life is a game.”

Platinum Meritorious ($2.5 million)
Thomas & Dagmar Röder and Family
Wetzler, Germany
Lifetime Members since 1989

Known as Mr. and Mrs. Ideal Org for Frankfurt, not only do they helm two dental practices (revered as the friendly dentists), but, as seasoned OT Committee members, Thomas and Dagmar master the art of German efficiency.

Platinum Meritorious ($2.5 million)
Bernhard & Manuela Gül
Stuttgart, Germany
Lifetime Members since 1986 (Bernhard), 2006 (Manuela)

A turbocharged pair of New OT VIIIs, Bernhard and Manuela specialize in creating award-winning dream homes for Stuttgart families. As OT Committee Chairman and Deputy Chair, they are all about making German Ideal Orgs, which is why they are known as the official “Motors of Germany.”

[Not pictured: Platinum Meritorious With Honors ($3.75 million)
The Benk Family]

Platinum Meritorious With Honors ($3.75 million)
Gerhard & Monika Lidl
Munich, Germany
Lifetime Members since 1992

Gerhard and Monika are Bavarian New OT VIIIs. Using LRH Admin Tech, they built Germany's largest storage enterprise, earning nine Model of Admin Know-How Awards. Together, they're responsible for the highest single IAS contribution in their nation's history. They are German rock stars.

Platinum Meritorious With Honors ($3.75 million)
Shahab & Catherine Emrani
Florida, USA
Lifetime Members since 1985

Meet an international pair of New OT VIIIs. He expands businesses across the economic map, while she has served as a bilingual educator for over 30 years. Together, they are Humanitarians supporting 15 future Ideal Orgs. And they played an instrumental role in translating the Beginning Books into Farsi. They're not just living, they're seizing every moment.

Platinum Meritorious With Honors ($3.75 million)
Jerry & Jill Chen
Oregon, USA
Lifetime Members since 2003

New OT VIIIs Jerry and Jill Chen are revolutionizing online learning with materials drawn from Study Tech basics. They ensure LRH Tech reaches every corner through translations into Chinese. Now, add to that Jerry's recent accolades as a Class V Auditor. They are driven by their golden ticket mantra: "Expansion."

Platinum Meritorious With Honors ($3.75 million)
The Suarez Family
Florida, USA
Lifetime Members since 2005 (Gaby), 2009 (Manuel)

The Suarez family is forging the future. He is a marketing mastermind whose company made it on the Inc. 5000 list — twice. She is the executive force behind their global nutritional empire. Together, they're Gold Civilization Builders for Puerto Rico. Their mission: Third Dynamic impact.

Diamond Meritorious ($5 million)
Barbara & Atena Santos-Schneider
Florida, USA
Lifetime Members since 2001 (Barbara), 2010 (Atena)

Here is a legendary family passionate about spreading Scientology's embrace worldwide. Barbara is a New OT VIII, Super Power, Cause Resurgence and three Ls completion and Gold Civilization Builder for the Ideal Org of Del Valle. Her remarkable teenage daughter is the youngest rider in a global champion tour, currently aiming for the Olympics. Together they forge a legacy of freedom.

Diamond Meritorious ($5 million)
Fabrizio & Sonia Zampetti and Family
Milano, Italy
Lifetime Members since 2000 (Fabrizio), 2006 (Sonia)

Fabrizio and Sonia are a dynamic pair of New OT VIIIs. Known as the "Italian Clark Gable," he has taken his luxury real estate empire to a global scale. Beyond business, they have created the top Italian Field Staff Member group for Flag, sending over 1,400 Italians on their journey to total freedom. They live by the motto: "A touch of Italy, a world of difference."

[Not pictured: Platinum Laureate With Honors ($13.5 million)
Kurt & Jenny Listug]

Patron Excalibur ($20 million)
Jim & Gigi Bridgeforth
Pietrasanta, Italy, and Florida, USA
Lifetime Members since 2006 (Jim), 2008 (Gigi)

Together they form an indomitable team, pushing the boundaries of what's possible. A self-described "average guy" on an anything-but-average mission, he runs four companies between the US and Italy, skyrocketing his Italian company by 200 percent. And all of it turning energy into momentum with his unwavering commitment to Project: Clear Earth — distributing 50,000 The Way to Happiness booklets and personally contributing to more than 28 Ideal and future Ideal Orgs. When it comes to IAS expansion, their war cry echoes loud: "If not me, then who? If not now, then when?"

Patron Excalibur With Honors ($21 million)
Alan & Sheila Atkinson-Baker
Florida, USA
Lifetime Members since 1988

Here is a duo whose saga continues to inspire and resonate across the Scientology universe. They ride under the motto, "Get stuff done," from building a towering legal empire as esteemed WISE members for over 30 years to upholding law and order, leading the WISE Charter Committee for over a decade. Ask them their proudest achievement and they'll tell you in three bold letters: IAS. For nearly 40 years, they've fueled the future of the IAS, and now they soar even higher.

Patron Invictus With Honors ($55 million)
Tom & Victoria Cummins
Pietrasanta, Italy and Florida, USA
Lifetime Members since 1985 (Tom), 2006 (Victoria)

This die-hard OT pair has been on an all-out drive for an all-Ideal world, accelerating our mission forward with unstoppable momentum. As the ultimate point man, his passion and leadership have propelled the masses to contribute with purpose in the name of a better world. Together, they stand tall, boldly branded as the top Ideal Org contributors on Earth. They don't just carry the torch — they set it ablaze.

Platinum Patron of Legend With Honors ($360 million+)
Trish Duggan & Family

Trish is an unparalleled global visionary, artistic phenomenon, elite author, entrepreneur, philanthropist, change maker and human rights advocate. Through her efforts, she has empowered 600,000 individuals with human rights. And her artwork on human rights was requested by the UN High Commission to be displayed at the United Nations headquarters. Trish sees the world not merely as it is, but as it can be. She is a limitless force, who has reshaped futures. And in her wake, she leaves a world forever transformed. She is unstoppable.

Tomorrow: What Dave told the whales, and we don’t let the minnows get away!

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Leah Remini is reunited with Mike Rinder

At her Instagram page, Leah Remini posted images from Florida, where she is visiting her Scientology and the Aftermath co-star Mike Rinder during his cancer battle. Claire Headley and Amy Scobee are there too, helping Christie Collbran take care of Mike.

“Spreading a little holiday cheer in Florida with my @rindermike and his beautiful family. I am so moved by the outpouring of love and care shown to Mike and his family.”

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