FBI Director Robert S.
Mueller, III, today announced the appointments of David
W. Szady as Assistant Director for Counterintelligence
and Grant D. Ashley as Assistant Director for Criminal
Investigations.
In selecting AD Szady
to direct the FBI foreign counterintelligence program,
Director Mueller cited the Bureau veteran's "wide
respect as a long-standing member of the intelligence
community and his noteworthy track record of leadership
and accomplished experience in counterespionage, counterintelligence,
and management. His national leadership experience with
'CI-21' brings to our program the vision and perspective
necessary as we implement new strategies and approaches."
Prior to accepting this
position, AD Szady served as the first national Counterintelligence
Executive, tasked with evolving the nation's counterintelligence
efforts into the seamless strategy-driven concept embodied
in the new "CI-21" approach. He is a 29-year
FBI veteran with 25 years of counterespionage and counterintelligence
investigative experience. He previously served as the
Chief of the CIA's Counterintelligence Center, Counterespionage
Group, and has been assigned to counterintelligence
matters at FBIHQ and in the FBI's San Francisco and
Washington Field Offices. He is a past recipient of
the CIA Directorate of Operations Donovan Award and
the Agency Seal Medallion.
AD Szady was born in Massachusetts,
and holds Bachelor of Arts in Biology, from St. Michaels
College, a Master of Education degree in administration
from Fitchburg State College, and a Master of Science
and Technology degree in chemistry from the University
of New Hampshire.
In appointing AD Ashley,
Director Mueller noted the experienced Special Agent's
"long, positive record of demanding quality investigations,
encouraging ambitious targeting of major criminal organizations,
and willingness to take calculated risks in advancing
the FBI's mission."
As head of the FBI's criminal
investigative programs, AD Ashley will draw on his more
than twenty years' experience as an investigator and
supervisor in general criminal matters. AD Ashley sees
in his new position an opportunity to "continue
working closely with the public, civic leaders, the
business community, and my counterparts in law enforcement
to anticipate future problems and devise strategies
to meet the FBI's obligations to the public."
AD Ashley entered on duty
with the FBI's Los Angeles Division in 1976 as a professional
support employee. Following a brief break in service,
he was appointed a Special Agent in 1980, returning
to Los Angeles to investigate white-collar and violent
crimes and serve on the Division's Special Weapons and
Tactics (SWAT) team. He was subsequently assigned supervisory
duties over organized crime and drug squads at FBI Headquarters
and the Chicago Division. In 1995, he was appointed
Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the San Diego Division
and in 1997, was appointed Associate Special Agent in
Charge of the San Francisco Division. Since February
1999, he has been Special Agent in Charge of the Las
Vegas Division.
AD Ashley is a Certified
Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science in
Accounting degree from California State University at
Northridge and a Master of Public Administration degree
from George Washington University.
The FBI has 18 Assistant
Directors - 15 who head divisions at FBI Headquarters
and three who head field offices in New York City, Los
Angeles, and Washington, D.C.. The Assistant Director
position is the third-highest currently-staffed position
in the FBI, after the Director and the four Executive
Assistant Directors.