FBI Director Mueller Announces New Executive Appointments

WASHINGTON, DC -- FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III announced appointments for top executive positions at FBI Headquarters and the New York FBI office.

Pasquale J. D'Amuro, Assistant Director in Charge, New York Division. Mr. D'Amuro was sworn in as a Special Agent of the FBI in 1979. He began his career in the New York Office and has served in many different capacities over the last 24 years. Mr. D'Amuro has investigated white collar and violent crimes, overseen a national organized crime initiative, served as Assistant Special Agent in Charge of New York's national security and counterterrorism programs, and as Associate Special Agent in Charge of New York's criminal program. Mr. D'Amuro also oversaw the investigation of some of this country's most well-known terrorist cases, including the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the embassy bombings in Eastern Africa, and the attack on the USS Cole. Mr. D'Amuro has served as a supervisor in the Inspection and Criminal Divisions at FBI Headquarters.

In the wake of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Mr. D'Amuro was appointed by Director Mueller as Assistant Director of Counterterrorism at Headquarters and later as the Executive Assistant Director of Counterterrorism and Counterintelligence. He is returning to New York to take on one of the largest and most demanding operational positions in law enforcement.

"In early 2002, I asked Pat to leave New York to help me restructure the FBI to prevent future terrorist attacks," Director Mueller said. "In the aftermath of the September 11th attacks, Pat has been an instrumental leader in the management and direction of the FBI's counterterrorism and counterintelligence programs. Much of the tremendous progress we have achieved in these programs is attributable to Pat's initiative and vision. As a result, Pat has become one of my most trusted colleagues. I am confident that he will bring the same commitment to excellence as he returns to New York to oversee some of the toughest and most complex cases and operations in the world."

Larry A. Mefford, Executive Assistant Director, Counterterrorism and Counterintelligence. Mr. Mefford joined the FBI in 1979, after serving as a law enforcement officer in Reno, Nevada. He brings strong credentials to the position. Mr. Mefford has 30 years managing and investigating counterterrorism, criminal, and crisis management matters. He also oversaw the establishment of the FBI's Cyber Division. In the course of his career, he has served in Sacramento, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, San Diego, and San Francisco. At FBI Headquarters, he has assisted in interagency Weapons of Mass Destruction contingency planning efforts and authored the FBI's emergency plan to address a chemical/biological terrorist incident. In November 2002, Director Mueller appointed him as Assistant Director of Counterterrorism, where he was instrumental in combatting terrorism against the United States and in improving the collection, analysis, and sharing of terrorist threat data and intelligence. His experience, skills, and profound understanding of 21st century threats are essential to the continued success of the FBI's Counterterrorism and Counterintelligence programs.

John S. Pistole, Acting Assistant Director, Counterterrorism Division. Mr. Pistole has been appointed to step into Mr. Mefford's position, acting as Assistant Director for the Counterterrorism Division with its myriad responsibilities of overseeing, directing, and coordinating all FBI efforts to combat and prevent acts of terrorism aimed against U.S. interests worldwide. Mr. Pistole was sworn in as a Special Agent in 1983. He has served in Minneapolis, New York, Indianapolis, and Boston. He also has taken overseas assignments to assess and train law enforcement officers in Bulgaria and at the International Law Enforcement Academy in Budapest, Hungary. Most recently he has served as Deputy Assistant Director of the Counterterrorism Division, overseeing operations in international terrorism, domestic terrorism, and terrorist financing.