James E. Finch Named Assistant Director of the Cyber Division

Washington, D.C. – FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III today announced the appointment of James E. Finch to be Assistant Director of the FBI’s Cyber Division. Mr. Finch, having served most recently as the Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the FBI’s Milwaukee Field Office, replaces Louis Reigel who retired from the FBI in February. As Assistant Director, Mr. Finch will be in charge of overseeing the FBI’s diverse range of challenging and complex cyber investigations and initiatives including those that support counterterrorism and counterintelligence investigations.

Director Mueller said, “As criminals and terrorists continue to become more adept at using computer technology, our responsibilities and proficiency in this area becomes increasingly more vital. I am confident that through Mr. Finch’s leadership, experience, and vision, the FBI will continue to work diligently and effectively to meet the challenges that lay ahead of us.”

Mr. Finch began his career with the FBI in March 1976 and served as a support employee through November 1979. He was an active member of the Nebraska Army National Guard from 1978-1984. He completed the ROTC program at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and was commissioned as a U.S. Army Infantry Officer in 1982. He worked for IBM from 1982-1984.

He returned to the FBI on June 8, 1984 as a Special Agent and has served in the Indianapolis, Cleveland, Houston, and Knoxville Divisions, as well two assignment tours at FBI Headquarters. His assignments include service as an investigative agent in the FBI's Violent Crimes and Organized Crime/Drug, White Collar Crimes, and Undercover Programs. He also served as a member of the Indianapolis SWAT team. Mr. Finch's FBI management assignments include service as a Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) in the Office of Professional Responsibility at FBI Headquarters (FBIHQ), where he investigated allegations of employee misconduct throughout the FBI; in the Houston Division, where he managed a Drug Squad with investigative responsibility for Organized Crime investigations; as a Group Supervisor in the Houston Division of DEA with an Enforcement Group comprised of FBI and DEA Special Agents; and he created and managed a Cyber Squad in the Houston Division.

In 2001, Mr. Finch was appointed as Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Knoxville Division, where he assumed management responsibility for all investigative and administrative programs. In 2003, Mr. Finch was promoted to Inspector at FBIHQ, where he was responsible for managing the inspections of FBI Field Offices, FBIHQ Divisions, and FBI Legal Attache offices outside the United States. On November 25, 2004, Director Mueller selected Mr. Finch to be Special Agent in Charge of the Milwaukee Field Office.