FBI Boston Presents 2022 Director’s Community Leadership Award to Tamer Koheil

On May 5, FBI Director Christopher Wray and FBI Boston Division Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta presented Tamer Koheil, of Fitchburg, Massachusetts, with the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA) in recognition of his service to the people of Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

The award was established in 1990 to honor individuals and organizations for their efforts in engaging the community in the areas of education and crime prevention. Every year, the Boston Division of the FBI can select an individual or organization that has gone above and beyond the call to service by making extraordinary contributions to their communities and a significant difference in the lives of others.

Director Wray hosted the 2022 DCLA winners in a special ceremony at FBI Headquarters today, emphasizing the importance of partnerships in keeping our shared communities safe. These partnerships—as exemplified by the breadth of the work by the DCLA recipients—have led to a host of crime prevention programs that protect the most vulnerable in our communities, educate families and businesses about cyber threats, and work to reduce violent crime in our neighborhoods.

Boston - Tamer Koheil

FBI Boston honoree Tamer Koheil received a 2022 Director's Community Leadership Award (DCLA).

During the May 5 ceremony, Director Wray told the recipients: "Like the 38,000 employees of the FBI, you don’t do what you do for fame—and certainly not for fortune. You do it out of kindness, out of compassion for others, out of a hope and a dream for safer communities ... to leave your towns and cities better places than when you got there. And that’s how I’ve defined success here within our organization, too. Success to me is if everyone leaves the FBI a better place than they found it."

As the regional contract supervisor for five Job Corps centers, whose mission is to educate and train highly motivated young people for successful careers in the nation’s fastest growing industries, Koheil has mentored young adults in their training and guided them towards impactful careers. Through his partnership with the FBI Boston Division, he has also coordinated multiple community outreach events for Job Corps students and faculty.

Additionally, as a prominent leader in the Muslim community, Koheil has facilitated meaningful partnerships between the FBI and members of the Muslim community in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, breaking down barriers among young adults and correcting misperceptions of what the FBI is all about. Koheil is a graduate of FBI Boston’s Citizens Academy, a member of FBI Boston’s Community Engagement Council, and has participated in several FBI community engagement events.

“I am honored to be receiving this prestigious award from an organization that protects the American dream,” Koheil said. “As a first-generation immigrant, I am proud to say that you can accomplish what you came here for as long as you are humble and respectful, help others, and pass along your knowledge to the next generation.”

“Tamer has not only made it his mission to empower young people in our area to help them become employable and independent, but he has helped bridge a gap between us by helping us foster a strong partnership with the Muslim community, which makes him truly deserving of this award,” said FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Joseph R. Bonavolonta.