Robert Blitzer blogs on law enforcement, counterintelligence, counterterrorism, emergency management, and public health and medical emergency response.
Mr. Blitzer previously served as a Deputy Assistant Secretary in Charge of the Office of Emergency Operations and Security Programs, in the Office of Public Health Emergency Preparedness, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). He was responsible for developing and implementing plans, processes and procedures that enabled the Department to effectively respond to both natural and man-made disasters. During his time with HHS, Mr. Blitzer was in a critical leadership role in responses to hurricanes (including Katrina and Rita), the SARs epidemic, major high profile interagency exercises (Topoff Series), pandemic influenza planning, and planning for and managing HHS assets during National Special Security Events.
While a vice president for business development by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), Mr. Blitzer was involved in both business development and in technical work relating to several broad counterterrorism matters relevant to homeland security. His consulting services were provided to the Department of Defense, Department of Health and Human Services, National Security Council, the 2000 Presidential Inaugural Committee, the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympic Committee and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. At the Port Authority, he was part of a team that established a risk assessment system based upon the threats facing the port after 9/11. That system remains in-place today and has been instrumental in securing funding for improved security measures throughout the Port Authority.
Before joining SAIC, Mr. Blitzer served for over 26 years as an FBI Special Agent, with twelve years in counterterrorism. As Chief, Domestic Terrorism/Counterterrorism Planning Section, Mr. Blitzer gained extensive Senior Executive Service experience in developing and implementing complex interagency policy, procedures, organizational approaches, training and exercises relating to the U.S. Government’s WMD (Nuclear, Chemical and Biological) and Critical Infrastructure programs.
Mr. Blitzer has more than ten years experience in managing/conducting complex international terrorism criminal and counterintelligence investigations. While assigned to the FBI’s Counterterrorism Program, Mr. Blitzer testified numerous times before both Houses of Congress in open and closed sessions, oversaw responses to hundreds of Congressional inquiries, and delivered numerous speeches and briefings to public and private sector organizations. Mr. Blitzer held various FBI field and headquarters positions, including field investigator, field supervisor, headquarters supervisor and unit chief.
Mr. Blitzer is a 1995 recipient of both the Attorney General’s Distinguished Service Award and the Central Intelligence Agency’s National Intelligence Medal of Achievement in connection with a sensitive international counterterrorism operation. He also holds numerous letters of commendation and incentive awards from the Director of the FBI.
Mr. Blitzer is currently a vice president and homeland security senior fellow at ICF International where he works on various security matters, including consulting with the Director of the Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate of the U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services of the Department of Homeland Security. Mr. Blitzer is also a senior fellow at The George Washington University Homeland Security Policy Institute.
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