PERSON: Christopher O’Leary

The Soufan Group

Senior Vice President for Global Operations

Christopher O’Leary joined The Soufan Group following over two decades of working on counterterrorism investigations and operations for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Before leaving federal service, Mr. O’Leary served as the U.S. Government’s Director of Hostage Rescue and Recovery, leading an interagency task force dedicated to the mission of safely bringing home Americans taken hostage abroad by a terrorist organization. He began his career with the FBI in the Minneapolis Field Office serving as a Special Agent on the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and as an FBI SWAT Operator.

Over his career in counterterrorism, Mr. O’Leary served in numerous critical leadership roles including Supervisory Special Agent of the Al-Qaeda Squad of the New York JTTF, Unit Chief of the FBI’s elite Counterterrorism Fly Team, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the New York JTTF, and Section Chief in the Counterterrorism Division at FBI Headquarters. Mr. O’Leary has extensive experience working on counterterrorism matters around the world jointly with U.S. Special Operations and Intelligence Community colleagues, as well as with Intelligence and Security Services from foreign partners.

Mr. O’Leary holds a bachelor’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies from Rutgers University and a master’s degree in Leadership and Management Studies from Georgetown University.

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