HARRISBURG, Pa., April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Governor Tom Corbett today announced the appointment of Thomas F. Minton III, of Pipersville, Bucks County, as director of the Governor's Office of Homeland Security.

Minton, 52, served 22 years with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, most of which was spent investigating national security matters with a focus on terrorism.

During his career, Minton was involved in the investigation into the 1995 bombing of the federal building in Oklahoma City, the bombing of the American embassies in Kenya and Tanzania, terrorist murders of American citizens overseas and many other critical matters. In 2001, Minton was selected to lead a significant portion of the investigation into the 9/11 attacks on America.

"We are fortunate to have someone of Tom Minton's caliber, character and expertise to direct our Office of Homeland Security," Governor Corbett said. "The addition of Tom to our team of leaders in public safety will ensure the security of Pennsylvanians for years to come."

Originally from Delaware County, Minton graduated from Lycoming College, and earned master's degrees from St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia and from Princeton University in Princeton, N.J.

"I am thrilled to be home in Pennsylvania,'' Minton said. "I am very excited to have the opportunity to direct the Governor's Office of Homeland Security, and I look forward to building new relationships across the commonwealth and to expanding existing relationships as we work to make Pennsylvania as prepared and as resilient as possible.''

Minton also served as a supervisory special agent with the Joint Terrorism Task Force, the Regional Infrastructure Protection unit and in International Terrorism Operations at FBI headquarters. He also served as chief of the policy and planning unit within the Weapons of Mass Destruction Directorate and most recently as Chief of Preparedness Policy for the FBI.

Last November, the Office of Homeland Security moved its operations to the Pennsylvania State Police headquarters in Harrisburg, so it could partner with the Pennsylvania Criminal Intelligence Center (PACIC) for a greater combination of intelligence gathering and sharing.

The center gathers and shares information from a variety of sources, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Homeland Security, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms, the PA Attorney General's Office, the PA Department of Corrections, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the New York City Police Department.

"Tom brings exceptional knowledge and skill to this position," said State Police Commissioner Frank Noonan, who also serves as the governor's Homeland Security Adviser. "In addition to his extensive law enforcement and intelligence background, Tom is one of the nation's leading experts on homeland security. 

"Homeland security requires close coordination between local, state and federal officials. Tom will work closely with my criminal intelligence office and together they will be a great team in continuing our efforts to protect the citizens of this great commonwealth," Noonan added.

The office is currently staffed by six individuals who will work cooperatively with State Police and the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency to support the important missions of homeland security and emergency preparedness and response.

Media contact: Janet Kelley, 717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor