Mr. Christopher Combs, special agent in charge of the San Antonio Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), is pleased to announce that Mr. John Haines, information technology architect with United Services Automobile Association (USAA), San Antonio, Texas, was selected as a recipient of the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award for 2014.

Mr. Haines attended a ceremony today in Washington, D.C., where FBI Director James B. Comey presented him with the FBI’s annual Director’s Community Leadership Award, along with approximately 55 other recipients from across the country.

Since 1990, the FBI, through its Community Outreach Program, has recognized the achievements of individuals or organizations for their supportive efforts in the areas of terrorism, crime, cyber, drug, gang, or violence prevention and education by presenting the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award. Annually, the special agent in charge of each FBI field office selects an individual or organization that has made a significant contribution to their communities in these areas.

Today, the FBI is honoring Mr. Haines for his leadership and dedication as a volunteer with the Alamo Area Council, Boy Scouts of America (BSA), Merit Badge University (MBU) Program. Serving as MBU chairman, Mr. Haines orchestrates the program three times a year where up to 1,000 scouts take part in a day-long training hosted on local community college campuses allowing the scouts to earn a variety of merit badges to include Crime Prevention, Fingerprinting, Citizenship in the Community, and Computers from professionals in those fields. Several of these classes emphasize personal safety and responsibility through discussions dealing with online computer security and the pitfalls of gangs, drugs, and alcohol. This has provided many scouts their first “college-like” exposure, which has been impactful, especially for those boys who come from disadvantaged and at-risk areas.

In addition to serving as MBU chairman, Mr. Haines has donated thousands of volunteer hours as a leader in various positions as assistant scoutmaster, roundtable commissioner, and cubmaster over the past 10 years. In 2012, Mr. Haines was recognized by the BSA with the “Silver Beaver” Award, and, in 2013, he was nominated as an outstanding volunteer by the United Way of San Antonio.

Mr. Haines’ continuous leadership with the MBU has influenced approximately 16,060 youth in the local area to avoid gangs, drugs, and criminal activity, thereby deterring juvenile delinquency while emphasizing positive life skills and responsibility. His efforts through his leadership of the MBU and his other contributions with the BSA are a reflection of his commitment to having a safer community.

The San Antonio Division is honored to recognize Mr. John Haines as their recipient for the 2014 FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award.