Director Mueller Names Joseph Billy Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division

FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III, today named Joseph Billy, Jr., Assistant Director in charge of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division. Mr. Billy was the Acting Assistant Director since June.

Director Mueller said, "Joe Billy's broad experience in counterterrorism and counterintelligence over his FBI career makes him uniquely qualified to fill the position of Assistant Director of the Counterterrorism Division."

Mr. Billy has been with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for 28 years. He holds a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Southern California. During his career in the FBI, he has served in the Newark, New Haven, and New York field offices.

Mr. Billy has served prior assignments in the New York Office, as a field agent; a supervisor in the foreign counterintelligence program; supervisor of an FBI/New York City Police Department Joint Terrorism Task Force, and as an Assistant Special Agent in Charge. In connection with these assignments, Mr. Billy has been credited by both the FBI Director and the United States Attorney General with pioneering several initiatives to help fight against international terrorism.

Mr. Billy served as On-Scene Commander of FBI forces who were deployed to Tanzania, East Africa, during the investigation of the terrorist bombing of the U.S. Embassy there. In 1998, he led an FBI contingent of experienced terrorist agents to Northern Ireland to assist the police in a terrorist investigation.

In 1999, Mr. Billy was promoted to Section Chief in charge of International training, FBI Academy, Quantico, Virginia. He was responsible for a wide range of training programs, including leadership training and continuing professional development training for FBI employees. During his tenure at the FBI Academy, he served as Acting Assistant Director in Charge as directed by FBI Director Mueller, where he was responsible for all aspects of FBI training.

In February 2002, Mr. Billy was appointed Special Agent in Charge of the New York Office's National Security Division. A short time later, the Director appointed Mr. Billy as the Special Agent in Charge of the new Counterterrorism Division being formed in the New York Office. In February 2004, the Director appointed Mr. Billy Special Agent in Charge of the Newark Office. In March 2005, Director Mueller requested that Mr. Billy return to Washington, D.C. as Deputy Assistant Director to oversee the FBI's International Terrorism operations.