WASHINGTON—The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has announced the realignment of its Liaison Division as the Strategic Operations Division (Strategic Ops).
Strategic Ops will be responsible for designing and implementing FinCEN’s strategic partnerships across industry, with state, local, and U.S. Government colleagues, as well as with counterparts in foreign jurisdictions, FinCEN explained.
“Through these partnerships, Strategic Ops will help direct FinCEN’s operational information sharing and engagement with domestic and international stakeholders, as well as assist in implementing FinCEN’s priorities,” the agency said. “The Division holds a significant role in fulfilling FinCEN’s mission by proactively coordinating stakeholder priorities, enhancing existing programs, and safeguarding access to FinCEN’s information, tools, and resources.”
Strategic Ops will comprise three Offices: the Office of Operational Information and Development, the Office of Stakeholder Integration and Engagement, and the Global Threat Engagement Center. A new Cyber and Emergent Issues Section, focused on functional and cross-cutting programming, will be created under the Global Threat Engagement Center.
Building Upon Past
AnnaLou Tirol, who joined FinCEN in September 2019 as the associate director for the liaison division, serves as the associate director for Strategic Ops. Patrick O’Brien serves as the Deputy Associate Director.
“We are excited to launch Strategic Ops under AnnaLou’s and Patrick’s leadership,” noted FinCEN Director Kenneth A. Blanco. “Strategic Ops builds upon the Liaison Division’s domestic and foreign engagement successes, and we look forward to its new and enhanced role as the catalyst for some of FinCEN’s most impactful relationships and strategies in support of our mission.”