I have been an FBI agent since 2006. I worked organized crime in New York City for six years until my transfer to the Buffalo Field Office. I am currently enjoying working violent crime/gangs on the Safe Streets Task Force.

What is the best career or life advice you’ve been given?

Exercising good judgment trumps every other skill one can have.

What is the best career or life advice you have to give?

If you truly want something, go after it with all you have. Don’t let up when others try to persuade you otherwise. Don’t let up when people tell you it cannot happen. Trust your gut and go for it! It may take a lot of courage and perseverance, but you will be the better for it. If I heeded the so-called sage advice of others, I would not be an FBI agent.

What does it mean to make room at the table? Why does it matter?

I work on a task force with many other agencies. In this context, making room at the table means everyone contributing to a common goal of holding accountable those who are responsible for so much of the violence in our city. At the agent level, it means checking your ego at the door, rolling up your sleeves, and getting things done. At levels higher than me, it means making room at the podium, so as to give credit to all agencies involved in accomplishing our shared mission; it means shared case ownership. This is so important because without this collaboration, we will only accomplish a fraction of what is possible.