On Friday, April 19, 2024, FBI Director Christopher Wray presented Dr. Milos Manic of Richmond, Virginia, with the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award (DCLA) for his dedication to advancing the field of artificial intelligence in efforts to protect the nation's critical infrastructure from cyber attacks.

The FBI established the DCLA in 1990 to publicly acknowledge the achievements of those working to make a difference in their communities through the promotion of education and the prevention of crime and violence. Each year, one person or organization from each of the FBI’s 56 field offices is chosen to receive this prestigious award.

“Our success as both a law enforcement and an intelligence agency hinges on our ability to foster and maintain genuine partnerships with people in all communities,” said FBI Director Christopher Wray. “People like this year’s Leadership Award recipients not only identify what others need, but they are willing to roll up their sleeves and provide services. They are building bridges and relationships while putting in the work to have hard conversations and find common purpose. They do it out of kindness and compassion with a sincere belief that justice—in its many forms—requires all of us to do the right thing in the right way.”

Dr. Manic has been a long-standing partner of FBI Richmond. His support and advocacy of the importance of cybersecurity as a growing field has impacted FBI investigative activities and outreach and recruitment programs. Most recently, he was instrumental in planning and hosting FBI Richmond’s 2023 Regional Cyber Collegiate Academy. Due in large part to Dr. Manic’s championing of the program, FBI NEWS RELEASE U.S. Department of Justice Federal Bureau of Investigation Richmond Field Office A/PAO Leslie McLane (804) 261-1044 For Immediate Distribution: 4/25/2024 www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/richmond @FBIRichmond www.facebook.com/FBI over 200 students from four Richmond-area universities were able to attend the experiential cyber learning program, the first of its kind for the FBI, the next iteration of which is planned for fall 2024.

“The success of the FBI in protecting the American people is largely dependent on our partnerships with the community,” said Stanley M. Meador, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Richmond Field Office. “We are fortunate to have formed a trusting relationship with Virginia Commonwealth University, due in large part to the efforts of Dr. Manic. Throughout his time in our Citizens Academy, various guest speaking opportunities, and the Regional Cyber Collegiate Academy, Dr. Manic has been instrumental in helping us connect with the community. We are fortunate to be able to honor him with this award.”

Director Wray hosted the 2023 DCLA winners in a special ceremony at FBI Headquarters today (or on April 19th), emphasizing the importance of community 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. Learn more about the Director’s Community Leadership Award, the FBI’s general outreach efforts, and those of the Richmond Field Office online.