FBI Headquarters Reorganization

For Immediate Release
December 3, 2001 Washington D.C.
FBI National Press Office

Photograph of Director Mueller
Reorganization Chart
Expanded Breakdown of Reorganization
BIOs of Executive Assistant Directors

Congress approved, and today the Director implemented, a restructuring plan for Headquarters, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the first step in what will be a phased process of reorganizing assets, modernizing and integrating new technology, and consolidating functions. This reorganization was considered and approved by the Attorney General's Strategic Management Council and will serve as the foundation as the FBI redefines priorities and missions in the coming months.

This reorganization, the need for which is widely accepted within the FBI community, is consistent with the recommendations from several studies and inquiries, and recognizes new challenges and responsibilities. Among other things, it seeks to increase the emphasis in counterterrorism, counterintelligence, cybercrimes, and relations with state and local law enforcement. It also seeks to provide the vehicle for a vastly enhanced information technology upgrade, expanded training for the FBI workforce at all levels, improved security, and improved capabilities for FBI investigators, analysts, forensic examiners, and other specialists.

The major elements of the first phase of the Headquarters reorganization effort include the creation of four new Executive Assistant Director positions to oversee key FBI functions.

The positions and their designated heads include:

• Executive Assistant Director for Criminal Investigations - To be headed by Ruben Garcia, Jr., 23-year FBI veteran who was formerly the Assistant Director of the Criminal Investigative Division.
• Executive Assistant Director for Counterterrorism/Counterintelligence - To be headed by Dale L. Watson, currently the Assistant Director for the Counterterrorism Division. Mr. Watson entered the Bureau in 1978 and has served continually in intelligence and counterterrorism roles since 1982. In 1996, he was named the Deputy Chief of the CIA's Counterterrorist Center at CIA Headquarters.
• Executive Assistant Director for Law Enforcement Services - To be headed by 23-year veteran Kathleen L. McChesney. Currently the Assistant Director of the FBI Training Division, she has served as Special Agent in Charge of the Portland, Oregon and Chicago Field Offices.
• Executive Assistant Director for Administration - To be headed by Robert J. Chiaradio, currently an assistant to FBI Director Robert Mueller. A veteran of the FBI since 1984, Chiaradio was previously the Special Agent in Charge of the Tampa Field Office and the Chief of Staff for the FBI Deputy Director.

FBI divisions and offices will realign under one of these four Executive Assistant Directors who report through the offices of the Director/Deputy Director. This reorganization step effectively narrows the supervisory span of control and will greatly increase efficiency, accountability and oversight.

Two new divisions have also been created to increase emphasis on computer-facilitated crimes and security. The Cybercrime Division will address intellectual property investigations, as well as high tech and computer crimes. The Security Division will be responsible for ensuring the integrity of FBI employees, contractors, visitors, information systems, and facilities.

Also a part of this phase of reorganization is the opening of four new offices: Law Enforcement Coordination for improving FBI coordination with state and local law enforcement and information sharing; Chief Technology Officer reporting directly to the Office of the Director and charged with the implementation of the ongoing critical information technology projects; Office of Records Management whose function is the modernization of FBI records, including management policies and processes; and the Intelligence Office charged with enhancing analytical and intelligence capabilities, particularly in the critical counterterrorism and counterintelligence areas.

The Investigative Services Division will be disbanded as a result of this reorganization and its important responsibilities and assets integrated into current or newly created components as appropriate.

Attached to this release is an expanded breakdown of the Headquarters Phase I reorganization, an organizational chart showing the new realignments and biographical information on the newly appointed Executive Assistant Directors.

The second phase of Headquarters reorganization, which will deal with changes at the Divisional and Office levels of the FBI, will focus on such areas as eliminating duplication, consolidating functions, and realigning resources.

When coupled with new hiring priorities aimed at special skill sets, workforce development initiatives, and a particular emphasis on developing an overarching leadership climate at every level of Bureau operations, Phase II reorganization promises measurable enhancements in tune with new law enforcement challenges and realities.

The reorganization of FBI Headquarters is part of the Director's comprehensive plan to address not only the new challenges of terrorism, but to modernize and streamline the Bureau's more traditional functions so that it may better serve not only its law enforcement partners, but the nation.

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation