Executive Staff Selection for ATF

Washington, DC - ATF Director Bradley Buckles has appointed Special Agent Kathleen L. Kiernan to the position of Assistant Director for Congressional and Public Affairs. Ms. Kiernan will direct the Bureau's policy on congressional and media relations, including disclosure issues affecting the Bureau.

Ms. Kiernan is a 27-year veteran of federal law enforcement, and served as the Deputy Assistant Director for Field Operations (Central) with direct authority over nine field divisions for ATF's criminal enforcement and regulatory programs. With the direct oversight of the intelligence mission for the Bureau, she served as the principal advisor to the executive staff on all intelligence-related matters.

Ms. Kiernan began her career with ATF in 1978 in the Boston Field Division. Subsequent assignments with increased responsibility include: Group Supervisor, Miami; National Response Team Program Manager, Washington, D.C.; Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Nashville Field Division; and Special Agent in Charge, Chicago Field Division where she entered the Senior Executive Service.

Ms. Kiernan serves as the Bureau's representative to the standing council on Global Terrorism, Political Instability and International Crime (ASIS). She is a representative to the Terrorism Subcommittee for the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and she has presented training, worldwide, in critical incident management and explosives response protocol. In addition, she chairs an executive working group established by the Director of Central Intelligence to enhance the relationship between the law enforcement and the intelligence communities.

In 2001, Ms. Kiernan was recognized as an Intelligence Fellow and also as an Outstanding Scholar by Northern Illinois University. She was a member of Leadership Illinois, Class of 2000, and was identified as one of Chicago's Top 100 women leaders that same year.

Ms. Kiernan earned a Bachelor of Science degree with high honors from Northeastern University, Boston, Mass.; a Master of Science degree from the Joint Military Intelligence College; and a Master of Arts degree from George Mason University, both with honors. Ms. Kiernan is a candidate for her Doctorate in Education from Northern Illinois University in 2002.