For Immediate Release
August 23, 2005
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Washington D.C.
FBI National Press Office
(202) 324-3691
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CASSANDRA M. CHANDLER NAMED SPECIAL
AGENT IN CHARGE OF THE FBI'S
NORFOLK DIVISION
Washington D.C. - Director Robert S. Mueller
III is pleased to announce the appointment of Cassandra M. Chandler to the
position of Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the FBI's Norfolk, Virginia
Division. Mrs. Chandler is currently serving as the Assistant Director for
the FBI's Office of Public Affairs.
Director Mueller said, "Over the past two
and a half years, Cassi has reshaped the Office of Public Affairs to provide
greater support to the FBI's new priorities. She is responsible for the FBI's
proactive stance with the news media, a complete revamp of the FBI's web
site, expansion of the Fugitive Publicity Program to support counterterrorism,
and expansion of the FBI Citizens' Academy. She oversaw internal communications
during a time of unprecedented change, helping to facilitate the FBI's ongoing
transformation. She has served as a key advisor to me and other executives
on both public and employee communications. Most important, she helped us
strike the proper balance -- often under difficult circumstances -- between
informing the public and protecting national security and the privacy rights
of individuals. I expect her to bring the same energy and dedication to the
Norfolk office and the people of Virginia."
As SAC of the Norfolk Division, Mrs. Chandler
will oversee FBI operations in southeastern Virginia, including Norfolk,
Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Portsmouth, and Suffolk on the Southside; Hampton,
Newport News, York County, Williamsburg, Gloucester, and Mathews on the Peninsula;
as well as Northampton, Accomack, and all of Virginia's Eastern Shore. The
Norfolk Division has a central field office on Corporate Boulevard in Norfolk
and a Resident Agency on Eaton Street in Hampton.
Mrs. Chandler said, "I view this position
as the culmination of my 20-year career in the FBI. I'm looking forward to
getting to know the men and women of the Norfolk Division, building on our
strong partnerships with law enforcement, the military, and community and
business leaders, and applying all that I have learned throughout my career
to protect the people of southeastern Virginia."
A long-time resident of Virginia, Mrs. Chandler
brings a wide range of investigative and management experience to the new
position. She began her investigative career as a Special Agent in January
1985, and initially served in the FBI's New Orleans and Los Angeles Field
Offices investigating white collar crimes, violent crimes and civil rights
violations. In 1991 she was promoted to Supervisory Special Agent in the
Legal Counsel Division at FBI Headquarters to support the defense of the
agency and its personnel in civil litigation matters. She was later assigned
as a manager in the Criminal Investigative Division, White Collar Crimes
Section, where she assisted with the creation of the Health Care Fraud Unit
and the development of the FBI's Health Care Fraud Program.
In 1994, Mrs. Chandler was promoted to supervisor of white-collar crimes in
the San Diego Field Office. While in San Diego, she oversaw the investigation
of one of this country's first international/cross border health care fraud
undercover operations. She also managed the division's El Centro Resident Agency
office, which focused primarily on violent crimes, including cross border kidnapping,
and environmental crimes.
In 1997, she became the first African-American female Assistant Special Agent
In Charge as she headed the San Francisco Field Office's White Collar Crimes,
Civil Rights, Finance and Administrative Programs. Later, she managed the office's
National Foreign Intelligence Program, Computer Intrusion investigations and
the Domestic and International Terrorism Programs. She also managed the division's
largest Resident Agency office in Oakland, California.
In April 2000, Mrs. Chandler was promoted to Section Chief in the Investigative
Services Division at FBI Headquarters. In that capacity, she oversaw the Bureau's
analytical intelligence program for criminal and domestic terrorism issues.
On February 5, 2002, Director Mueller appointed Mrs. Chandler as Assistant
Director, Training Division where she managed 400 employees at the FBI Academy
at Quantico, Virginia, and directed the training of new Agents and analysts,
federal, state, local and international police, and law enforcement executives.
Prior to joining the FBI, Mrs. Chandler worked as a television news anchor,
reporter, and talk show host for the NBC affiliate in Baton Rouge , Louisiana
. She also practiced law with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Mrs. Chandler
has a B.A. in Journalism and English from Louisiana State University and a
law degree from Loyola University School of Law.
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