Federal Agencies Teach Leadership Skills, Hear from Students at 2011 Intertribal Youth Summit in Santa Fe, New Mexico

Week-Long Youth Leadership Conference Focuses on Public Safety Within Tribal Communities

WASHINGTON – One hundred and seventy five young men and women from nearly 50 tribal communities across the country have convened at the week-long 2011 National Intertribal Youth Summit in Santa Fe, N.M., which runs from July 24-28, 2011. The summit features administration officials from the White House and the Departments of Justice, Interior, Health and Human Services and Education, and it coincides with the one-year anniversary of President Obama’s signing of the Tribal Law and Order Act (TLOA) into law.  

The 2011 National Intertribal Youth Summit is a youth leadership conference for tribal youth participants to meet other American Indian and Alaska Native youth through special sessions targeting leadership development and critical youth issues such as healthy relationships and lifestyles, education, substance and alcohol abuse, cultural preservation, community development and protecting the environment.

The summit also provides an opportunity for Obama administration officials to hear directly from youth in Indian Country. The administration and federal agencies have made a commitment to building healthier and safer communities through strengthened coordination and collaboration with tribal partners.

 “You are the future, and the small choices you make can have an enormous impact on your communities,” Associate Attorney General Tom Perrelli told the group of assembled students. “Tribal communities face unique challenges, and it can’t be overstated the importance of your leadership in securing a bright future for your friends, families, and neighbors.”

In response to requests from tribal leaders for the development of more culturally appropriate prevention, early intervention, treatment, rehabilitation and reentry programs for tribal youth and families, the Justice Department launched the Youth Summit initiative to promote long-term improvement in public safety in tribal communities.

The summit’s focus was on youth voices.   During the week-long session, participants had the opportunity to create a Public Service Announcement (PSA) to run in their communities.   In a special session called Voices of Youth, participants shared thoughts, concerns and recommendations on ways to address public safety and positively impact the lives of youth across Indian Country—providing a platform for honest dialogue with federal officials. Additional workshops provided tribal youth with knowledge and skills in leadership development and strategies for achieving academic and career success.

Youth were nominated by their tribal youth program coordinators and submitted an application to attend the summit. The Department of Justice’s Office on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Programs (OJJDP) and Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) made the final selections. In addition to the Youth Summit this week, Attorney General Eric Holder, thirty U.S. Attorneys and other administration officials will visit Rapid City and Pine Ridge Reservation, S.D., to engage in listening sessions with tribal leaders and hear from advocates in the fields of tribal safety and domestic violence. Attorney General Holder will also participate in a special wreath laying ceremony at Wounded Knee.

Edward J. Hanko Named Special Agent in Charge of the Cincinnati Division

Director Robert S. Mueller III has named Edward J. Hanko the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Cincinnati Division. Mr. Hanko most recently served as the chief of the Operational Support Section in the Criminal Investigative Division and was responsible for the undercover, budget, and administrative programs.

Mr. Hanko joined the FBI in 1986 and was assigned to the Springfield Field Office. In 1990, he was transferred to the Newark Field Office, where he conducted organized crime and drug investigations. In October 1995, he was promoted to supervisory special agent and oversaw drug trafficking investigations.

Three years later, Mr. Hanko transferred to the Scranton Resident Agency, where he worked drug, organized crime, and political corruption investigations. He was promoted to supervisory senior resident agent in August 2002 and managed investigations across all investigative programs. In 2005, Mr. Hanko transferred to the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, where he instructed new agents, police officers, and Command Staff College attendees.

He became an assistant special agent in charge of the Detroit Field Office in October 2007 and had program management responsibility for the violent crime, organized crime, gang/criminal enterprise, and critical incident response programs. In October 2009, Mr. Hanko was promoted to the ranks of the Senior Executive Service.

A native of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, Mr. Hanko earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Baltimore in 1985. He served as an officer in the Baltimore City Police Department from 1981-86.

The FBI Recognizes Pablo Sandoval for Protecting San Francisco Children

The Federal Bureau of Investigation’s San Francisco Division honored Pablo Sandoval, of the San Francisco Giants, for taking a leadership role to help protect Bay Area children today.

Sandoval received a certificate of appreciation for partnering with the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA)/FBI National ID Program to provide 50,000 Child ID Kits to children in the San Francisco community.

Special Agent in Charge (SAC) Stephanie Douglas presented the award along with an official FBI San Francisco patch and coin at the Phillip Burton Federal Building today.

“Professional athletes often are called heroes, but Pablo is a real hero today,” said SAC Douglas. “The FBI and the National Child ID Program are looking forward to teaming up with Pablo to keep our children and community safe.”

Child ID kits will be distributed in the community throughout the fall by the FBI and local law enforcement. The kits include an inkless fingerprint identification card, inkless fingerprinting black image applicator, and two sterile cotton swabs to collect DNA. These kits are meant to be completed and stored at home by the child’s guardian.

“The AFCA/FBI National Child ID Program is excited to partner with Pablo and grateful for his commitment to help protect the children of San Francisco,” said Kenny Hansmire, the AFCA/FBI National Child ID Program executive director. “Pablo is a professional athlete who understands the importance of investing back in the community that supports you, and 50,000 children in San Francisco will be safer due to his efforts.”

The America Football Coaches Association (AFCA) created the National Child Identification Program (NCIDP) in 1997. In December 2001, the FBI joined the partnership with the AFCA. This is the only program that has the backing of the FBI.

Members of the media should call Public Affairs Specialist Julianne Sohn, FBI San Francisco at 415-553-7450. Groups interested in finding out more about the National Child ID Program should call Community Outreach Specialist Alicia Sensibaugh at 415-558-2505.

Face of Defense: NCO Leads by Example in Iraq

By Army Spc. Andrew Ingram

U.S. Division North

CONTINGENCY OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq, July 21, 2011 – Army Sgt. Cynthia Philip prides herself in mentoring soldiers as she serves her third deployment with the 1st Cavalry Division’s Company E, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, supporting Operation New Dawn.

“I care about my soldiers,” said Philip, a training noncommissioned officer who hails from Albuquerque, N.M. “Looking out for them is my No. 1 priority. I do my best to do the right thing every day so I can be a good example for them.”

Philip, originally one of the battalion’s signal support specialists, assumed the role of training NCO to maintain up-to-date training and awards records for Company E soldiers and is able to display leadership by example.

“When I first started working in the training room, things were very disorganized,” she said. “A lot of our soldiers’ paperwork was outdated or wrong, so right now we are just trying to get everything organized and corrected.”

Her company commander, Army Capt. John Mohundro, said he has come to trust and rely on Philip to consistently get the job done.

“Sergeant Philip is probably the best junior NCO in our company,” said Mohundro, a College Station, Texas, native. “She is very intuitive and is able to solve a lot of issues before [we] even realize there is a problem.”

Philip stands out as a soldier who strives to go the extra mile and figure out new ways to assist the mission in addition to her assigned tasks, Mohundro added.

“Even as a junior NCO, Sergeant Philip took the role of the headquarters platoon sergeant,” he said. “Then she assumed the role of training NCO because she wanted to make sure the soldiers were properly taken care of, and she keeps adding jobs to her repertoire without giving any up.”

Mohundro said he doesn’t know how Philip handles it all, but that it’s impressive.

“She really loves soldiers,” he said. “She has been able to guide and mentor a few soldiers who were displaying some problems, and thanks to her, they are out in other units and doing very well.”

Philip stands out as a role model and mentor for the junior enlisted soldiers of the company, many on their first deployment, said Army Pfc. Maria Teresa Alvarez, a chemical operations specialist with Company E.

“It is very important for us to have female mentorship,” said Alvarez, who calls Maui, Hawaii, home. “It makes this deployment a little bit easier, because we know that she has been through all of this before. Sometimes females need mentors that can understand their unique problems, and I’m glad we have Sergeant Philip.”

Philip said she looks forward to seeing her soldiers grow and succeed as the deployment continues.

“I have a great group of soldiers,” she said. “No matter what mission they give us, no matter how impossible it seems, somehow we always get it done. The soldiers in this company surprise me every day, and I am proud to be a part of this unit.”

Christopher M. Piehota Named Special Agent in Charge of FBI’s Buffalo Division

Director Robert S. Mueller, III has appointed Christopher M. Piehota as the special agent in charge of the Buffalo Division. He most recently served as the deputy director for operations at the Terrorist Screening Center.

Mr. Piehota started his career as a special agent in 1995 in the Newark Field Office, where he worked in the international terrorism, domestic terrorism, and weapons of mass destruction programs. In 2002, he was promoted to FBI Headquarters and assigned to the Counterterrorism Division as a program manager for the International Terrorism Operations Section I, which provides oversight for terrorism investigations in the continental United States. Mr. Piehota became unit chief within the Terrorism Reports and Requirements Section in 2003. In this role, he managed the collection and dissemination of FBI intelligence for the U.S. intelligence community.

In 2005, Mr. Piehota was selected as a counterintelligence program squad supervisor at the Washington Field Office (WFO). He became an assistant special agent in charge at WFO in 2007 and provided program oversight for the Northern Virginia Resident Agency and the security operations and technical services branches. These branches support the field office’s counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and criminal divisions’ technical operations and activities. In 2010, Mr. Piehota joined the Terrorist Screening Center.

Mr. Piehota holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Nova Southeastern University and a master’s degree in human resource management from Seton Hall University. He has a doctorate in human performance improvement from Capella University.

James Turgal Named Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Division

Director Robert S. Mueller, III named James L. Turgal special agent in charge of the FBI’s Phoenix Division. Mr. Turgal most recently served as special assistant to the deputy director.

Mr. Turgal entered on duty as a special agent in March 1996 and was assigned to the Houston Division. He primarily worked organized crime and drug investigations and was a Bureau certified pilot. Mr. Turgal was promoted to supervisory special agent at FBI Headquarters in the Office of General Counsel, then the Counterterrorism Division. Within hours of the September 11, 2001 attacks, he developed the PENTTBOM terrorist “No Fly/Watch-List,” which later became the basis for creation of today’s Terrorist Screening Center.

In 2002, he transferred to the Cincinnati Division. He served as the chief division counsel, media spokesperson, and supervisory special agent of the Cincinnati and Dayton Joint Terrorism Task Forces, Cyber Crimes Task Force, and the division’s domestic terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, and aviation and surveillance programs.

Mr. Turgal returned to FBI Headquarters in October 2006. He was named unit chief of the Director’s Research Group with oversight for preparation of Director’s daily meeting, briefing, and presentation materials. After serving as unit chief, he was assistant special agent in charge of the administrative division at the Washington Field Office. He was responsible for the leadership of over 800 professional staff employees, supervision of three squads, and the financial management and daily operations and administration of the second largest field office in the FBI.

Mr. Turgal was born in Phoenix, Arizona. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in business from Northern Arizona University. After undergraduate school, he received his Juris Doctor degree from the Thomas M. Cooley School of Law and a Master of Law from Georgetown University Law Center in the area of white-collar crime and securities fraud. Prior to working with the FBI, he was a partner in a Phoenix law firm.

Stephen L. Morris Named Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Division

Director Robert S. Mueller, III named Stephen L. Morris special agent in charge of the FBI’s Houston Division. Mr. Morris most recently served as deputy assistant director in the Criminal Justice Information Services Division since March 2008.

Mr. Morris joined the FBI in 1988 as an administrative file clerk in the Honolulu Division. He completed new agent training in Quantico, Virginia in 1991 and was assigned to the El Paso Division, where he investigated white-collar crimes, violent crimes, and drug cases.

In 1996, he supervised the initiation and implementation of the El Paso criminal intelligence squad. Shortly after, he was promoted as supervisory special agent in the Criminal Investigative Division at FBI Headquarters.

While at FBI Headquarters, he supervised the FBI’s domestic and international criminal informant programs in support of violent crime, drug trafficking, white-collar crime, and terrorism investigations. In 1999, he was promoted to the Cincinnati Division as supervisory senior resident agent for the Dayton Resident Agency.

In 2003, he was promoted as assistant special agent in charge in the Houston Division. In this position, he managed the division’s white-collar crime and civil rights programs and directed the administrative and investigative operations conducted by Houston’s six resident agencies.

Mr. Morris was promoted into the Senior Executive Service in 2005 and was designated chief of the Programs Support Section in the Criminal Justice Information Services Division. Additionally, he served as program manager for the FBI’s development of the Law Enforcement National Data Exchange program.

In 2006, he returned to FBI Headquarters and was appointed as chief of the Strategic Information and Operations Center. In this position, he managed the FBI’s 24-hour global command center for strategic information and crisis management.

Mr. Morris is a South Carolina native and graduated from Hawaii Pacific University in 1990.

David A. Ford Named Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Springfield Division

Director Robert S. Mueller, III has appointed David A. Ford as the special agent in charge of the Springfield Division. He most recently served as chief of the Cyber Intelligence Section and was the senior executive responsible for organizing and leading the FBI’s analysis and reporting on cyber terrorism, cyber espionage, Internet fraud, intellectual property rights theft, and other high-technology crimes.

Mr. Ford entered on duty as a special agent with the FBI in 1992 and has served in a variety of investigative and management positions. He began his career in South Carolina, where he handled bank fraud, public corruption, and violent crime investigations. He was promoted to supervisory special agent in 1997 and reassigned to FBI Headquarters. In Washington, D.C., Mr. Ford coordinated computer crime investigations, cyber terrorism initiatives, and bank fraud investigations. In 1999, he transferred to Georgia to develop a new computer crime program for the FBI’s office in Atlanta. In addition to supervising a team of cyber crime investigators, he managed a computer forensics laboratory and coordinated a number of infrastructure protection initiatives.

In 2003, Mr. Ford was selected to be the legal attaché at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India. While serving in this position, he managed FBI operations for India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. He traveled extensively throughout South Asia and coordinated the FBI’s involvement in several high-profile terrorism investigations. Two years later, Mr. Ford was promoted to the position of assistant special agent in charge in the San Antonio Division. In this role, he managed the counterterrorism, intelligence, surveillance, counterintelligence, and foreign language programs.

He was selected to serve as the legal attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya in 2008. While in this position, he represented the FBI’s interests in Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi. After successfully managing a number of significant terrorism and piracy investigations in East Africa, Mr. Ford was appointed to the Senior Executive Service and reassigned to FBI Headquarters in April 2010.

Mr. Ford is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas. He attended the University of Arkansas and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in international studies in 1981 and a Juris Doctorate degree in 1984. Upon graduation from law school, he served as a U.S. Army lawyer for five years and later practiced law as a trial attorney in Florida for three years.

Mr. Ford has been married for 31 years and has two daughters.

Christopher M. Piehota Named Special Agent in Charge of FBI’s Buffalo Division

Director Robert S. Mueller, III has appointed Christopher M. Piehota as the special agent in charge of the Buffalo Division. He most recently served as the deputy director for operations at the Terrorist Screening Center.

Mr. Piehota started his career as a special agent in 1995 in the Newark Field Office, where he worked in the international terrorism, domestic terrorism, and weapons of mass destruction programs. In 2002, he was promoted to FBI Headquarters and assigned to the Counterterrorism Division as a program manager for the International Terrorism Operations Section I, which provides oversight for terrorism investigations in the continental United States. Mr. Piehota became unit chief within the Terrorism Reports and Requirements Section in 2003. In this role, he managed the collection and dissemination of FBI intelligence for the U.S. intelligence community.

In 2005, Mr. Piehota was selected as a counterintelligence program squad supervisor at the Washington Field Office (WFO). He became an assistant special agent in charge at WFO in 2007 and provided program oversight for the Northern Virginia Resident Agency and the security operations and technical services branches. These branches support the field office’s counterterrorism, counterintelligence, and criminal divisions’ technical operations and activities. In 2010, Mr. Piehota joined the Terrorist Screening Center.

Mr. Piehota holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Nova Southeastern University and a master’s degree in human resource management from Seton Hall University. He has a doctorate in human performance improvement from Capella University.

James Turgal Named Special Agent in Charge of the Phoenix Division

Director Robert S. Mueller, III named James L. Turgal special agent in charge of the FBI’s Phoenix Division. Mr. Turgal most recently served as special assistant to the deputy director.  He sets the example for law enforcement leadership.

Mr. Turgal entered on duty as a special agent in March 1996 and was assigned to the Houston Division. He primarily worked organized crime and drug investigations and was a Bureau certified pilot. Mr. Turgal was promoted to supervisory special agent at FBI Headquarters in the Office of General Counsel, then the Counterterrorism Division. Within hours of the September 11, 2001 attacks, he developed the PENTTBOM terrorist “No Fly/Watch-List,” which later became the basis for creation of today’s Terrorist Screening Center.

In 2002, he transferred to the Cincinnati Division. He served as the chief division counsel, media spokesperson, and supervisory special agent of the Cincinnati and Dayton Joint Terrorism Task Forces, Cyber Crimes Task Force, and the division’s domestic terrorism, weapons of mass destruction, and aviation and surveillance programs.

Mr. Turgal returned to FBI Headquarters in October 2006. He was named unit chief of the Director’s Research Group with oversight for preparation of Director’s daily meeting, briefing, and presentation materials. After serving as unit chief, he was assistant special agent in charge of the administrative division at the Washington Field Office. He was responsible for the leadership of over 800 professional staff employees, supervision of three squads, and the financial management and daily operations and administration of the second largest field office in the FBI.

Mr. Turgal was born in Phoenix, Arizona. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in business from Northern Arizona University. After undergraduate school, he received his Juris Doctor degree from the Thomas M. Cooley School of Law and a Master of Law from Georgetown University Law Center in the area of white-collar crime and securities fraud. Prior to working with the FBI, he was a partner in a Phoenix law firm.

David A. Ford Named Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Springfield Division

Director Robert S. Mueller, III has appointed David A. Ford as the special agent in charge of the Springfield Division. He most recently served as chief of the Cyber Intelligence Section and was the senior executive responsible for organizing and leading the FBI’s analysis and reporting on cyber terrorism, cyber espionage, Internet fraud, intellectual property rights theft, and other high-technology crimes.

Mr. Ford entered on duty as a special agent with the FBI in 1992 and has served in a variety of investigative and management positions. He began his career in South Carolina, where he handled bank fraud, public corruption, and violent crime investigations. He was promoted to supervisory special agent in 1997 and reassigned to FBI Headquarters. In Washington, D.C., Mr. Ford coordinated computer crime investigations, cyber terrorism initiatives, and bank fraud investigations. In 1999, he transferred to Georgia to develop a new computer crime program for the FBI’s office in Atlanta. In addition to supervising a team of cyber crime investigators, he managed a computer forensics laboratory and coordinated a number of infrastructure protection initiatives.

In 2003, Mr. Ford was selected to be the legal attaché at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India. While serving in this position, he managed FBI operations for India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. He traveled extensively throughout South Asia and coordinated the FBI’s involvement in several high-profile terrorism investigations. Two years later, Mr. Ford was promoted to the position of assistant special agent in charge in the San Antonio Division. In this role, he managed the counterterrorism, intelligence, surveillance, counterintelligence, and foreign language programs.

He was selected to serve as the legal attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya in 2008. While in this position, he represented the FBI’s interests in Kenya, Somalia, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Burundi. After successfully managing a number of significant terrorism and piracy investigations in East Africa, Mr. Ford was appointed to the Senior Executive Service and reassigned to FBI Headquarters in April 2010.

Mr. Ford is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas. He attended the University of Arkansas and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in international studies in 1981 and a Juris Doctorate degree in 1984. Upon graduation from law school, he served as a U.S. Army lawyer for five years and later practiced law as a trial attorney in Florida for three years.

Mr. Ford is a leadership example.  He has been married for 31 years and has two daughters.

Stephen L. Morris Named Special Agent in Charge of the Houston Division

Director Robert S. Mueller, III named Stephen L. Morris special agent in charge of the FBI’s Houston Division. Mr. Morris most recently served as deputy assistant director in the Criminal Justice Information Services Division since March 2008.

Mr. Morris joined the FBI in 1988 as an administrative file clerk in the Honolulu Division. He completed new agent training in Quantico, Virginia in 1991 and was assigned to the El Paso Division, where he investigated white-collar crimes, violent crimes, and drug cases.

In 1996, he supervised the initiation and implementation of the El Paso criminal intelligence squad. Shortly after, he was promoted as supervisory special agent in the Criminal Investigative Division at FBI Headquarters.

While at FBI Headquarters, he supervised the FBI’s domestic and international criminal informant programs in support of violent crime, drug trafficking, white-collar crime, and terrorism investigations. In 1999, he was promoted to the Cincinnati Division as supervisory senior resident agent for the Dayton Resident Agency.

In 2003, he was promoted as assistant special agent in charge in the Houston Division. In this position, he managed the division’s white-collar crime and civil rights programs and directed the administrative and investigative operations conducted by Houston’s six resident agencies.

Mr. Morris was promoted into the Senior Executive Service in 2005 and was designated chief of the Programs Support Section in the Criminal Justice Information Services Division. Additionally, he served as program manager for the FBI’s development of the Law Enforcement National Data Exchange program.

In 2006, he returned to FBI Headquarters and was appointed as chief of the Strategic Information and Operations Center. In this position, he managed the FBI’s 24-hour global command center for strategic information and crisis management.

Mr. Morris is an example of police leadership. He is a South Carolina native and graduated from Hawaii Pacific University in 1990.

Three FBI Omaha Division Employees Receive Awards for Contributions to the Community

Weysan Dun, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Omaha Division is proud to announce that three Omaha Division employees received FBI Director’s Awards for Excellence yesterday at the 19th Annual Director’s Award Ceremony in Washington, DC. These awards offer the Director and other FBI officials the opportunity to recognize Bureau employees who make exceptional contributions to the community. The Director’s Award is considered the most prestigious within the FBI.

Receiving the “Outstanding Cyber Investigation” Director’s Award were Supervisory Special Agent Justin Kolenbrander, Special Agent James Craig and IT Specialist Robert Webber. The Cyber investigation they were recognized for was a highly successful investigation into the prolific cyber criminal enterprise attacking the Automated Clearing House (ACH) credit and debit financial system across the globe. Originating in Omaha, this investigation utilized sophisticated techniques and coordinated efforts with 56 field offices, 10 FBI offices in other countries, and seven foreign law enforcement agencies. The enduring efforts of the team resulted in a simultaneous joint international takedown with four key international law enforcement partners, subsequently eliminating the criminal enterprise.

“The initiative and leadership exemplified by these three employees is a great reflection on the Omaha Division” said Weysan Dun, “I would like to publically thank each of them for exemplary service and the positive effect it had on the community.”

Military Advisor Rear Admiral Fred M. Midgette

Rear Admiral Midgette assumed the duties of Military Advisor to the Secretary of Homeland Security in May 2011. In this assignment, his primary responsibility is to provide counsel and support to the Secretary in affairs relating to the coordination and execution of policy and operations between the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Defense.

His prior assignment was as Chief of Staff of the Ninth Coast Guard District where he served as the principal deputy for all Coast Guard policy and operations on the Great Lakes.

He was the Sector Commander and Captain of the Port of Sector Detroit from 2008 – 2010, and has served in a number of joint and liaison positions including tours at the Pentagon, on the Joint Staff (J-7, The Joint Force Interoperability Directorate); as a liaison officer to the US Customs Service in Washington, DC; and as the Coast Guard’s liaison officer to US Northern Command in Colorado Springs, CO.  He has also served in shore assignments as the Executive Assistant to the Chief of Operations at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington DC; as a Company Officer at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT; and on the Training Infrastructure Study and Streamlining Implementation Team at Coast Guard Headquarters.

He is a Coast Guard Cutterman, and a qualified Surface Warfare Officer having served afloat on both coasts and the Great Lakes sailing in: USCGC TANEY (Portsmouth, VA); USS FIFE (San Diego, CA); USCGC POINT LEDGE (Fort Bragg, CA); USCGC POINT WINSLOW (Eureka & Morro Bay, CA); USCGC KATMAI BAY (Sault Ste. Marie, MI); USCGC HARRIET LANE (Portsmouth, VA); USCGC FORWARD (Portsmouth, VA); and on America’s Tall Ship - the Coast Guard Barque EAGLE.

Rear Admiral Midgette is a native of Virginia Beach, VA and he holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (Coast Guard Academy – 1982), a Masters of Science in Management (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute – 1991), and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies (Naval War College – 1997).

Panetta Speaks on Need for Public Service

By Jim Garamone

American Forces Press Service

CAMP DWYER, Afghanistan, July 10, 2011 – Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta picked a perfect forum to speak about the benefits of public service here today.

The new defense secretary spoke to more than 250 Marines and sailors in the chapel of this camp. Here in the deserts of Helmand province the temperature outside was well over 110 degrees. Inside, it was a relatively cool 88 degrees.

The young Marines and sailors put up with the heat, dust, bugs, snakes and enemy activity.

Panetta thanked them for choosing country over comfort and spoke of his own journey toward public service.

“I’m a believer in public service,” Panetta told the service members. “My whole life has been dedicated to public service.”

He started on the journey as an Army 1st lieutenant during the Vietnam War era. He was elected to the House of Representatives from California in 1976 and was reelected nine times. President Bill Clinton appointed Panetta as the director of the Office of Management and Budget and later as White House chief of staff. President Barack Obama nominated Panetta as the director of the Central Intelligence Agency, a post he held until he became defense secretary July 1.

“I think it’s important that people give something back to this country,” Panetta said. “I am the son of immigrants. Both my parents came from Italy. They made it clear to me that because of what this country was able to give them in terms of opportunity, it was important for their two boys to give something back to the country.”

The secretary said he used to ask his father why he had come to California from Italy when he didn’t have any money and spoke little English.

“My father used to say it was because ‘your mother and I thought we could give our children a better life,’” he said. “I think that’s the American dream. My wife and I want it for our three sons. It’s what you want for your children. It’s what your children will want for their children – to be able to say you gave them a better life.”

“Through public service I think we can make a difference to try to make sure that the lives of our children are better,” he said.

He told the Marines and sailors that they were doing a great job in Afghanistan.

“You have my commitment that I will fight for you in Washington,” he said. “You are willing to fight for that American dream, fight to give our kids a better life, but most of all fight for a government of, by and for all people.”

Robert Foley Named Special Agent in Charge of the Administrative Division at the Washington Field Office

Director Robert S. Mueller, III named Robert. D. Foley special agent in charge of the Administrative Division at the FBI Washington Field Office. Mr. Foley most recently served as section chief of the Employee Development and Selection Program, Human Resources Division, at FBI Headquarters (FBIHQ).

Mr. Foley entered on duty as an FBI agent in September 1996 and was assigned to the Bridgeport Resident Agency, New Haven Division. While in Bridgeport, he investigated gangs and narcotics matters. He was also a member of the New Haven Division SWAT team and served as a firearms instructor. Mr. Foley transferred to the San Juan Division in 1999, where he investigated police corruption, gangs, and narcotics crimes.

In 2003, he was promoted to supervisory special agent at FBIHQ and served as an agent attorney in the Office of General Counsel, then worked in the Criminal Investigative Division’s Public Corruption Unit. In 2005, he transferred to the Tucson Resident Agency, Phoenix Division, as a supervisory special agent.

Shortly after, he was appointed as senior supervisory resident agent of the Yuma and Lake Havasu Resident Agencies. In this position, he supervised all FBI investigative programs, primarily counterterrorism matters, public corruption, and Indian Country crimes.

In 2007, Mr. Foley returned to FBIHQ as unit chief of the transfer unit, Human Resources Division. In 2008, he was promoted to assistant special agent in charge of the Louisville Division’s Criminal Branch, eight resident agencies, and the administrative program. In 2009, Mr. Foley was appointed in the senior executive service and returned to FBIHQ as section chief of the Customer Service Section, Human Resources Division.

Mr. Foley is from Massachusetts and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rhode Island College. He received a Master of Science in business administration from Boston University and a Juris Doctor from the New England School of Law. Mr. Foley is licensed to practice in Massachusetts. Prior to the FBI, he served in the U.S. Army as an aviator. He is married and has a daughter.

Face of Defense: Sailor Leads Volunteer Efforts

By Navy Lt. Jennifer Cragg

Submarine Group 2 Public Affairs

GROTON, Conn., July 1, 2011 – Sailors of the Pre-Commissioned USS Mississippi have amassed 782 volunteer hours, equal to the ship’s hull number, by volunteering throughout the New England area while their ship is under construction.

Volunteer coordinator Navy Petty Officer 1st Class James Pearson has led the boat’s community service since October 2010.

“When I transferred to PCU Mississippi a couple of other sailors stationed aboard collaborated on a community service program,” Pearson recalled. “After discussing it further with our chief of the boat, the plan was approved, essentially allowing our vision to take shape.”

Pearson said that part of his plan for their command’s community service was to inform the local community about the U.S. Navy, and in particular, PCU Mississippi.

“We wanted our volunteer program to emphasize our interest in Connecticut and our desire to offer our assistance wherever necessary,” he said.

Since October, the sailors aboard PCU Mississippi have assisted with countless projects from cooking for veterans in the local area to educating students about the military at John B. Stanton Elementary School to packing boxes for deployed Connecticut service members.

The command’s community service in the New London area has impacted more than 10,000 people, Pearson said, and also has had a positive impact on the community’s impression of the local military community.

One of their more recent volunteer projects was conducted on June 24, when PCU Mississippi sailors and Electric Boat employees packed more than 400 care packages in their off time for deployed Connecticut sailors.

A PCU Mississippi sailor knows of their generosity firsthand. “When I was deployed, I was truly grateful to receive care packages from Electric Boat,” Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Randy Hall said.

Hall’s positive feedback has served as a catalyst among Electric Boat employees and PCU Mississippi sailors to continue supporting deployed service members from Connecticut.

“He volunteers more than I do and really emphasizes to the command what an impact this program has on troops stationed overseas,” Pearson said of Hall.

To date, PCU Mississippi sailors have assisted in 36 projects throughout the New England area.

“We want all of the branches of the military service to know what they do for our country matters,” Pearson said. “Their service is respected and appreciated, and our effort here in Connecticut to show them is just a small token of our appreciation.”