New York, NY, October 1, 2024 …ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) today appointed veteran federal law enforcement executive Steve Gonzalez as its new vice president of global safety and security. A longtime leader at the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Gonzalez most recently served as assistant special agent in charge of the FBI’s New York Criminal Division.
“We are pleased to welcome Steve Gonzalez into our top security leadership position at ADL,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “In the wake of the October 7 massacre in Israel, the Jewish community has faced a rising tide of antisemitism and emerging security threats that we could never have imagined a year ago. Steve’s experience will help us to detect, monitor and mitigate these threats and to coordinate our work directly with national and local law enforcement as well as with law enforcement agencies overseas.”
Gonzalez has served nearly 26 years in government service. After serving as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy, he joined the FBI as a special agent assigned to the New York Division, where he worked on international terrorism investigations as part of the Joint Terrorism Task Force. In 2014, he was promoted to Supervisory Special Agent in the FBI’s counterterrorism division headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Two years later he returned to the New York Criminal Division to establish the first ever Joint Major Theft Task Force. Throughout his tenure, the NY criminal division has successfully executed hundreds of arrests and indictments of transnational organized crime syndicates.
In addition to his experience leading criminal investigations, Gonzalez is a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist, and throughout his tenure in New York he has served as a member of the Crisis Negotiation Team and field coordinator for the bureau’s Behavioral Analysis Unit.
“With the rise of hate crimes and terrorism at home and abroad, I cannot think of another law enforcement leader more experienced and capable than Steve to sustain the ADL’s unique role in protecting our freedoms and human values,” said former FBI Director Louis J. Freeh. “It has been my privilege to be Steve’s FBI colleague for many years, where his leadership in overseeing complex investigations, counterterrorism, hate crimes, national security and international threat matters is renowned and immensely respected.”
“Steve Gonzalez is an inspired choice for this position. His depth and experience from his many years in the FBI have forged a well-rounded investigator,” said John Miller, former NYPD Deputy Commissioner for Intelligence and Counterterrorism. “Steve has led teams in criminal investigation, counterterrorism cases, and worked with multiple agencies on task forces involved in mitigating the most dangerous threats.”
In his new role at ADL, Gonzalez will be charged with overseeing all aspects of security operations at ADL. ADL Global Security leads the planning and deployment of strategies and programs to support the safety and security of ADL staff, physical offices and public events around the world.
Gonzalez is a graduate of Tufts University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology. He holds a Psy.D. and M.S. in Clinical Psychology (forensic concentration) from Nova Southeastern University, College of Psychology.
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ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all.