Cassandra M. Chandler Named Special Agent in Charge of the FBI's Norfolk Division

Washington D.C. - Director Robert S. Mueller III is pleased to announce the appointment of Cassandra M. Chandler to the position of Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the FBI's Norfolk, Virginia Division. Mrs. Chandler is currently serving as the Assistant Director for the FBI's Office of Public Affairs.

Director Mueller said, "Over the past two and a half years, Cassi has reshaped the Office of Public Affairs to provide greater support to the FBI's new priorities. She is responsible for the FBI's proactive stance with the news media, a complete revamp of the FBI's web site, expansion of the Fugitive Publicity Program to support counterterrorism, and expansion of the FBI Citizens' Academy. She oversaw internal communications during a time of unprecedented change, helping to facilitate the FBI's ongoing transformation. She has served as a key advisor to me and other executives on both public and employee communications. Most important, she helped us strike the proper balance -- often under difficult circumstances -- between informing the public and protecting national security and the privacy rights of individuals. I expect her to bring the same energy and dedication to the Norfolk office and the people of Virginia."

As SAC of the Norfolk Division, Mrs. Chandler will oversee FBI operations in southeastern Virginia, including Norfolk, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, and Suffolk on the Southside; Hampton, Newport News, York County, Williamsburg, Gloucester, and Mathews on the Peninsula; as well as Northampton, Accomack, and all of Virginia's Eastern Shore. The Norfolk Division has a central field office on Corporate Boulevard in Norfolk and a Resident Agency on Eaton Street in Hampton.

Mrs. Chandler said, "I view this position as the culmination of my 20-year career in the FBI. I'm looking forward to getting to know the men and women of the Norfolk Division, building on our strong partnerships with law enforcement, the military, and community and business leaders, and applying all that I have learned throughout my career to protect the people of southeastern Virginia."

A long-time resident of Virginia, Mrs. Chandler brings a wide range of investigative and management experience to the new position. She began her investigative career as a Special Agent in January 1985, and initially served in the FBI's New Orleans and Los Angeles Field Offices investigating white collar crimes, violent crimes and civil rights violations. In 1991 she was promoted to Supervisory Special Agent in the Legal Counsel Division at FBI Headquarters to support the defense of the agency and its personnel in civil litigation matters. She was later assigned as a manager in the Criminal Investigative Division, White Collar Crimes Section, where she assisted with the creation of the Health Care Fraud Unit and the development of the FBI's Health Care Fraud Program.

In 1994, Mrs. Chandler was promoted to supervisor of white-collar crimes in the San Diego Field Office. While in San Diego, she oversaw the investigation of one of this country's first international/cross border health care fraud undercover operations. She also managed the division's El Centro Resident Agency office, which focused primarily on violent crimes, including cross border kidnapping, and environmental crimes.

In 1997, she became the first African-American female Assistant Special Agent In Charge as she headed the San Francisco Field Office's White Collar Crimes, Civil Rights, Finance and Administrative Programs. Later, she managed the office's National Foreign Intelligence Program, Computer Intrusion investigations and the Domestic and International Terrorism Programs. She also managed the division's largest Resident Agency office in Oakland, California.

In April 2000, Mrs. Chandler was promoted to Section Chief in the Investigative Services Division at FBI Headquarters. In that capacity, she oversaw the Bureau's analytical intelligence program for criminal and domestic terrorism issues. On February 5, 2002, Director Mueller appointed Mrs. Chandler as Assistant Director, Training Division where she managed 400 employees at the FBI Academy at Quantico, Virginia, and directed the training of new Agents and analysts, federal, state, local and international police, and law enforcement executives.

Prior to joining the FBI, Mrs. Chandler worked as a television news anchor, reporter, and talk show host for the NBC affiliate in Baton Rouge , Louisiana . She also practiced law with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Mrs. Chandler has a B.A. in Journalism and English from Louisiana State University and a law degree from Loyola University School of Law.