John Francis Pikus Reports as SAC in Albany
Pikus will lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Albany Field Office

Washington, D.C. - John Francis Pikus, a 16 year veteran of the FBI, has reported for duty as the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the FBI's Albany Field Office. Director Robert S. Mueller appointed him to this position in July 2006. In his new role, SAC Pikus will lead a diverse team of professionals assigned to fighting domestic and international terrorism as well as combating traditional criminal matters in eastern New York State and Vermont. He is replacing William D. Chase who recently was appointed SAC of the FBI's Baltimore Division.

Mr. Pikus began his FBI career in the Honolulu Division where he was assigned white collar, foreign counterintelligence, gang and violent crime investigations. Mr. Pikus was a member of both the SWAT and Evidence Response Teams, and served as the Division's media representative. In October 1996, he was promoted to supervisor of the Division's gang and violent crime squad where he served in this capacity until his transfer to FBI Headquarters in May 1999. Mr. Pikus was assigned to the FBI Headquarter's Drug Section from May 1999 to June 2000. He was subsequently reassigned to the FBI's Inspection Division as an Assistant Inspector and Unit Chief until December 2001. In January 2002, Mr. Pikus reported to the FBI's Sacramento Division, having been promoted to the position of Assistant Special Agent in Charge. During his tenure in Sacramento, Mr. Pikus coordinated investigations in all areas of the FBI's jurisdictional responsibilities, to include terrorism, foreign counterintelligence, cybercrime, and white collar crime matters. In February 2004, Mr. Pikus was promoted to Section Chief of the Executive Development and Selection Program, where he had responsibility for the FBI's Agent and Support Career Development Program. In January 2005, Mr. Pikus was promoted to Inspector in the Inspection Division, where he served until his promotion to the position of SAC, Albany in July 2006.

He is a graduate of Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science in June 1978. He went on to earn his Master of Arts Degree in International Relations/Russian Studies from Syracuse University in May 1980.

Mr. Pikus was commissioned as a U.S. Naval Officer following completion of the Navy's Aviation Officer Candidate's School in February 1981. He served almost ten years on active duty as a Naval Intelligence Officer, ultimately achieving the rank of Lieutenant Commander prior to his discharge from active and reserve duty in January 1990.