NEW ORLEANS, LA—FBI New Orleans Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Douglas Williams, Jr. is pleased to announce Mr. Aaron Ahlquist as the recipient of the 2020 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award.

Mr. Ahlquist is the Director of Community Engagement for the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) South Region. He formerly served as Regional Director since 2017. He also serves as co-chair on the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans Security Committee. Mr. Ahlquist is a highly effective leader in community outreach, involvement, and improvement. He is a valuable and highly appreciated resource and partner to the FBI New Orleans Division (FBI NO).

In 2004, Mr. Ahlquist, his wife, and children moved to New Orleans and made it their home. Since then, Mr. Ahlquist has been committed to combatting antisemitism and all forms of hatred and bigotry through community engagement, incident response, and legislative policy work for the ADL Southern Division’s 11 states.

An active member of FBI NO’s Multicultural Engagement Council and Civil Rights Working Group, Mr. Ahlquist is working with the FBI on a joint innovative outreach strategy across Louisiana to reach underrepresented groups, particularly the Jewish, LGBTQ+, Latino, and African American communities, in furtherance of the FBI’s mission to build trust and develop stronger ties to the community, educate the public, and prevent hate-motivated and extremist crimes.

With sincere appreciation, FBI NO recognizes the compassion and outstanding service Mr. Ahlquist provided during a difficult year. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and nationwide civil unrest, Mr. Ahlquist maintained consistent communication and supported FBI NO’s commitment to keep all Louisianians safe.

“Mr. Ahlquist’s tireless efforts demonstrate his commitment to help strengthen the relationship between the FBI and the communities we serve,” said FBI NO SAC Williams. “The FBI is proud to recognize his work and continued partnership.”

On Wednesday, July 14, 2021, FBI NO SAC Douglas Williams, Jr., Assistant Special Agent in Charge Vanessa Tibbits, and Community Outreach Specialist Lori Chauvin formally presented Mr. Aaron Ahlquist with the 2020 Director’s Community Leadership Award Nominee at the FBI NO Field Office.