FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III, Today Announces the Appointment of Larry A. Mefford as Assistant Director of the New Cyber Division

FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III, today announced the appointment of Larry A. Mefford as Assistant Director of the new Cyber Division.

The mission of the newly created Cyber Division is to focus and coordinate the multitude of disciplines within the FBI that are cyber related. The division will supervise and facilitate the FBI’s investigation of federal violations in which the Internet, computer systems and networks are exploited as the principal instruments or targets of criminal activity. The creation of this division and the appointment of Mr. Mefford is a reflection of the complexities inherent with today’s technologies and a desire by the FBI to bring a multi-disciplined, coordinated approach to the FBI’s cyber efforts. Mr. Mefford was selected in part because of his keen understanding and appreciation for the large and critical role that the private sector has in all aspects of the FBI’s cyber programs.

Mr. Mefford most recently served as the Associate Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) of the San Francisco Field Office, where he was responsible for the management and oversight of all FBI operations and program responsibilities. Since beginning his career with the FBI in 1979, Mr. Mefford has served as an Assistant Special Agent in Charge(ASAC)in the San Diego Field Office, where he was responsible for the FBI’s Organized Crime, Drug, Violent Crime and Major Offenders, and Crisis Management Programs. He has also served as a supervisor of the interagency Bay Area Counterterrorism Task Force; Team Leader of the FBI’s Crisis Assessment Team during the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta and a Leader of the Hostage Rescue Team.

Mr. Mefford received his B.A. degree from the University of Nevada and his M.P.A. from Virginia Commonwealth University. Throughout his law enforcement career, he has taught in the fields of crisis management, tactical operations, and terrorism contingency planning at various law enforcement training centers, including the FBI Academy.