Pistole named FBI deputy director

WASHINGTON, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- FBI counterterrorism official John Pistole will be the bureau's next deputy director, FBI Director Robert Mueller announced Thursday.

Pistole has served as executive assistant director for counterterrorism and counterintelligence since Dec. 18, 2003, and previously served as assistant director of the counterterrorism division.

As the bureau's No. 2 official, Pistole will oversee all operational and investigative matters in the FBI, with a particular emphasis oversight of the FBI's re-engineering efforts, the bureau said.

Pistole began his career with the FBI in 1983 as a special agent assigned to the Minneapolis Division, where he investigated organized crime and violent crimes.

In 1985, he was transferred to the New York Division, where he focused on La Cosa Nostra investigations. In 1990, he was promoted to supervisor in the Organized Crime Section at FBI Headquarters.

In that capacity, "Pistole distinguished himself by coordinating FBI efforts to assist the Italian National Police in finding those responsible for the assassinations of two prominent Italian magistrates," the FBI said.