GREGORY HARRIS NAMED NEW ATF CHIEF OF STAFF

WASHINGTON – Director Carl J. Truscott of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) announced today the appointment of Gregory P. Harris, a Department of Justice senior official and former journalist, as his chief of staff.

Harris, 39, served as deputy director of the Department’s Office of Intergovernmental and Public Liaison from February 2001 until February 2004 and as acting director since then. In that capacity, he developed and implemented the Department’s outreach strategies to state and local leaders, the associations that represent them, and to criminal justice, crime victim, civil rights, trade and professional interest groups.

“Greg Harris brings a wealth of experience to ATF,” Truscott said. “My executive staff and I look forward to integrating his insight into the Bureau.”

Harris served as deputy press secretary and press secretary to then-Sen. John Ashcroft of Missouri from 1995 until 2001.

Prior to entering government, he worked as a news producer from 1989 until 1995 at television stations KNSW in Wichita, Kan., WTEN in Albany, N.Y., and KSDK in St. Louis.

Harris, a native of Godfrey, Ill., received his Bachelor of Science degree from Illinois State University in Normal and a master’s degree in public administration from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. He is married and has four children.

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