Mount Alum Named to New Post at National Security Branch

Thomas Harrington to Enhance FBI’s Security Mission

EMMITSBURG, MD-Mount St. Mary’s University recognizes alum Thomas J. Harrington, class of 1978, for his recent appointment to Associate Executive Assistant Director of the National Security Branch.

Appointed by FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III, Thomas Harrington joins the NSB leadership team and will continue to lead the Strategic Execution Team.  The SET was established in 2007 to build on and accelerate the efforts of the FBI's national security mission. Harrington has been with the FBI’s criminal and national security programs for 23 years. Before leading the SET initiative, he served as Deputy Assistant Director for Counterterrorism.

Mr. Harrington entered on duty as a special agent with the FBI in 1984. He went on to complete training and specialize in white collar crime matters, including financial institution and securities fraud investigations. Eventually, Mr. Harrington oversaw the FBI's national insurance and securities fraud initiatives.

In 2002, Director Mueller appointed Mr. Harrington Deputy Assistant Director for Counterterrorism, Operational Support Branch. During his tenure, he had administrative oversight for the Counterterrorism Division and managerial responsibility for the Foreign Terrorist Tracking Task Force, the Counterterrorism Operational Response Section and the National Threat Center.

After graduating from the Mount, Mr. Harrington went on to study at the Stonier Graduate School of Banking, American Bankers Association, University of Delaware, in Newark, Delaware. Mr. Harrington received the Presidential Rank Award for Distinguished Executive in 2006.

Mr. Harrington is an active alum and took part in the Mount’s Presidential Leadership Lecture Series earlier this year in Washington DC as a distinguished speaker.  He addressed the Mount Community about his time spent at Mount St. Mary’s, the FBI and 9-11 and state of Counterterrorism in the U.S.