For Immediate Release
December 16, 1999

Washington D.C.
FBI National Press Office

FBI Director Louis J. Freeh today announced the appointment of Dale L. Watson as the Assistant Director of the newly formed Counterterrorism Division at FBI Headquarters. On November 11, 1999, Director Freeh announced the creation of two new divisions at FBI Headquarters including the Counterterrorism Division. This new division will consolidate all FBI counterterrorism initiatives into one division under one senior executive.

Director Freeh stated, "Dale Watson brings to this critical assignment a wealth of counterterrorism experience and successes. He has distinguished himself in a number of other investigative, supervisory, and leadership positions, and is uniquely qualified to fill this pivotal position in the FBI. His knowledge, experience, and professionalism will serve as valuable assets in protecting our citizens around the world against terrorism, and ensuring our national security."

Mr. Watson most recently served as the Inspector Deputy Assistant Director of the National Security Division (NSD). In this capacity, he was responsible for the overall management of the FBI's Counterterrorism Program. In the new Counterterrorism Division, Mr. Watson will provide direction to a variety of the FBI's highest priority cases in the following investigative programs: International Terrorism and Domestic Terrorism, as well as, the National Domestic Preparedness Office (NDPO) and the National Infrastructure Protection Center (NIPC).

Mr. Watson is a native of Central Florida. He graduated from Florida State University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1972. After college, Mr. Watson was commissioned as a regular U.S. Army Infantry Officer where he served five and one-half years.

In February 1978, Mr. Watson received his appointment as a Special Agent with the FBI. He was first assigned to Birmingham, and in 1982, he was transferred to New York. In January, 1985, he was ordered to FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C. He
later was assigned a field supervisory desk at the Washington Field Office before returning to FBI Headquarters between 1991 through 1994 as Chief of the Iran Unit, Counterterrorism Section, NSD.

In May 1994, he was selected as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Kansas City Division, where he served until June 1996. Mr. Watson was then named as the Deputy Chief of the Central Intelligence Agency's (CIA) Couterterrorism Center. In January 1997, he was reassigned to FBI Headquarters as the Chief of the FBI's International Terrorism Section, NSD, where he served until his appointment in July 1998, as the Inspector Deputy Assistant Director of NSD with responsibility for Counterterrorism programs.