Andrew Arena, Executive Director

Andrew G. Arena was born in Dearborn, Michigan and raised in Detroit. He obtained a Bachelor of Science in June 1985 from Central Michigan University and also studied in England at Cambridge University. In May 1988, he received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Detroit School of Law.

Mr. Arena entered on duty with the FBI as a special agent in June 1988. His first office of assignment was the Albany Division, Syracuse Resident Agency, where he worked general criminal and organized crime matters. In July 1993, he was transferred to the Los Angeles Division and was assigned as team leader of a violent street gang task force.

In July 1995, Mr. Arena was promoted to supervisory special agent and assigned to the Organized Crime Section at FBI Headquarters. In 1997, he was appointed supervisor of the violent crimes and major offenders’ squad in the Cleveland Division. He was then promoted to supervisory senior resident agent of the Youngstown Resident Agency in the Cleveland Division. Investigations in Youngstown focused on the systemic public corruption and organized crime that had long plagued the area.

Mr. Arena was designated assistant special agent in charge of the Detroit Division by then Director Louis J. Freeh on March 22, 2001. In this position, he oversaw the counterterrorism and counterintelligence programs. Following the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Mr. Arena was promoted to chief of the International Terrorism Operations Section at FBI Headquarters. The following year, he was appointed special assistant to the executive assistant director for counterterrorism and counterintelligence and assigned to the Director's office.

On February 24, 2004, Director Robert S. Mueller, III promoted Mr. Arena to the position of special agent in charge of the New York Division. Mr. Arena was in charge of all criminal investigations in the New York office.

On March 1, 2007, Mr. Arena assumed the position of special agent in charge of the Detroit Division. He is married and has three daughters.

Ron Reddy, Deputy Director

Ron retired from the FBI after 28 years of service on September 1^st, 2011. He served the FBI in Cleveland, Atlanta, Chicago, Iraq, Washington DC, The Republic of Georgia, and Detroit. Ron specialized in the investigation and management of violent crime and counter terrorism matters. He served as a member of the FBI’s SWAT program for over twenty years. Ron has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electronic Engineering and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. He is a veteran of the US Navy.

Ellis Stafford, Operations Director

Ellis retired from the Michigan State Police after 23 years of service on August 19^th, 2011. He retired from the Michigan State Police at the rank of Inspector and as the Assistant Division Commander of the department’s Special Operations Division. During his career, Ellis held many positions to include Commander of the Investigative Support Section, Assistant Division Commander of the Southeast Criminal Investigation Division, and Assistant Second District Commander. A graduate of the FBI National Academy and Northwestern University’s School of Police Staff and Command, he holds a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University in Public Administration and is a member of the Southeastern Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, Wayne County Association of Chief of Police, and Oakland County Chiefs of Police. Ellis is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.