James Michael Gannon for Morris County Sheriff 2016 

Background Highlights and Resume

Highlights

33+ years of Law Enforcement and Security experience 

Balanced combination of investigative expertise, management and leadership experience

Work experience includes Novartis (Global Head, Security Risk), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force), Morris County Prosecutor’s Office (Deputy Chief of Investigations), and Boonton & Boonton Township Police Departments (Patrol Officer) 

Recipient of the following police medals: Meritorious Service, Exceptional Duty, Honorable Service, Gallantry Star, Grand Cordon, Educational Achievement, Good Conduct and numerous Prosecutor Command Citations.

Complete Resume

National Security Clearance                    January 2006 to present

United States Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Global Entry Trusted Traveler                                      July 2011 to present

United States Customs and Border Protection

Summary of Experience

Novartis Corporation                    June 11, 2014 to December 31,2015

Corporate Security Department, East Hanover, NJ

Global Head, Security Risk

Responsible for Product Security (Anti-Counterfeiting, Theft and Illegal Diversion), Due Diligence (Business Intelligence and Background Screening) & Extremism Risk globally.

Novartis Corporation          January 10, 2013 to June 10, 2014

Corporate Security Department, Morristown, NJ

Global Head, Extremism Risk & Due Diligence

Responsible for Extremism Risk and Due Diligence globally.

Novartis Corporation                                                             January 1, 2010 to January 10, 2013                   

Corporate Security Department, Morristown, NJ

Director of Extremism & Risk Investigations 

 Responsible for Extremism & Risk Investigations (North America & South America) and with providing oversight and the development of Freight Security Requirements and the application of Technologies to the Supply Chain. Specializing in Physical and Technical Security Countermeasures and Access Control.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation                                     April 14, 2008 to December 31, 2009                 

Security Department, East Hanover, NJ

Associate Director of Investigations & Compliance

 Responsible for Corporate Investigations on all Novartis Pharmaceuticals campuses in the United States; Background Investigations, Compliance with all state and federal licensing requirements along with the Prescription Drug Marketing Act (PDMA) and DEA Regulations; investigations pursuant to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation Emergency Management Team and with providing Physical and Technical Security to our Supply Chain.

Federal Bureau of Investigation                                      November 7, 2005 to December 31, 2007

Joint Terrorism Task Force, Squad CT-6

Newark, New Jersey

Task Force Officer

Deputized United States Marshal

Investigate sensitive International Terrorism and other National Security matters. Daily interaction with federal,state, county and local law enforcement partners, intelligence community partners, Legal Attaché’s throughout the world and members of the international law enforcement and intelligence communities. Managed multiple International Terrorism investigations involving numerous FBI Field Offices and the intelligence community. These matters involved the utilization of sophisticated techniques, the handling of confidential human sources and the coordination of intelligence received from foreign agencies.

Morris County Prosecutor’s Office                                                                March 1986 to December 31, 2007

Records and Administration Building

P.O. Box 900

Morristown, NJ 07963

Deputy Chief of Investigations

 Nearly 22 years of experience in a premier agency serving a wealthy, professional, suburban community of nearly 500,000 residents and home to many Fortune 500 companies.  Promoted from Detective to Supervisor, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Deputy Chief of Investigations. Samplings of career highlights include the following:

Commander- FuncoLand Homicide Task Force. This case led to the arrest of three defendants responsible for the murder of two young men during a $10,000 robbery.

Commander- Walter Contreras Homicide Task Force. This case led to the arrest of one defendant responsible for the kidnapping, rape and murder of a 10 year old boy.

Integral role in the investigation of over 100 homicides and has consulted on many major case investigations throughout the world.

Started the Morris County Cold Case Unit in 2003. This included the development of policies and procedures along with the formation of a successful Task Force of subject matter experts.

Coordinated the arrest of 3 defendants in possession of 570 kilograms of Cocaine.

Co-authored the “Morris County Counter-Terrorism Task Force Manual”. This included the involvement of our partners in the private sector with expertise to assist us in combating the war on terrorism.

Successfully conducted threat assessments, vulnerability studies and security planning for major events in Morris County.

On September 11, 2001, led a team of police officers into New York City to assist with the PENTTBOMB Investigation. Established a Command Post, interviewed survivors, deployed Search and Rescue Teams and other tasks as requested by the NYPD and the FBI. Established a hybrid team (WMDAT: Weapons of Mass Destruction Assessment Team) of Detectives from the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office and the Morris County Sheriff’s Office who were assigned to the FBI Evidence Response Team, Newark Division. This team was operational 24 hours a day for eight days and conducted a number of critical search warrants in Passaic and Hudson Counties as well as evidence examinations at the landfill in Staten Island. Furthermore, I was responsible for the Missing Persons investigations involving the death of 58 Morris County residents on 9/11/2001. In the fall of 2001, oversaw over 325“unknown white powder”(suspected Anthrax) investigations and the assignment and monitoring of over 400 investigative leads that were maintained in the Rapid Start data base. This lead information was routinely shared with the FBI. 

Member of the 1992 Kidnapped Exxon Executive Sidney Reso Investigative Team with Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Boonton Police Department                                                                        January 1984 to March 1986

100 Washington Street

Boonton, New Jersey 07005

Patrolman

Assigned to the Patrol Division.  Duties involved patrol via walking beat, motor vehicle and motor cycle. This assignment included the response to crimes in progress, medical assists and routine patrol. Also assigned to supplement the Detective Bureau.

Boonton Township Police Department                                                                January 1983 to January 1984

Powerville Road

Boonton Township, New Jersey 07005

Patrolman

Assigned to the Patrol Division. Duties involved patrol via motor vehicle. Assignment included the response to crimes in progress, medical assists and routine patrol. 

Professional Affiliations

 President - 200 Club of Morris County (2016-2017). Former - Trustee, Action Committee, Valor & Meritorious Awards Committee and Master of Ceremonies.

Adjunct Professor –Centenary College of New Jersey (2016) 

National Association for Biomedical Research (NABR), Board of Directors (2012-2013)

RAND Corporation, working group on “Cold Cases”.

FBI National Academy Associates (169^th Session)

Harvard Associates in Police Science, Past President and Active Member

International Homicide Investigators Association

New Jersey Homicide Investigator’s Association

International Association of Chiefs of Police

American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS)

New Jersey State PBA # 327, Life Member 

Emerald Society of the State of New Jersey, Morris County Chapter # 3 (co-founder)

Police Pipe & Drums of Morris County (Drum Major)

Cambridge’s Who’s Who

Strathmore’s Who’s Who

Who’s Who of Professionals

Outstanding Young Men of America

Awards

Recipient of the following police medals: Meritorious Service, Exceptional Duty, Honorable Service, Gallantry Star, Grand Cordon, Educational Achievement, Good Conduct and numerous Prosecutor Command Citations.

2014- Recipient of the Novartis Corporate Security Extremism Risk Team Award.

2013- Recipient of award and designation of Honorary Morris County Police Chief from Morris County Police Chief’s Association. 

2011- Recipient of the Novartis Corporate Security Outstanding Achievement Award.

2011- Recipient of the Irish Heritage Award for Leadership and Professional Accomplishments of the Irish, Morris County (NJ) Prosecutor’s Office.

2011- “Cambridge’s Who’s Who”recognition.

2010- Recipient of the 2010 Executive Office for United States Attorneys’(EOUSA) Director's Award for “Superior Performance by a Litigative Team”. This was the result of the arrest and conviction of numerous defendants of the Foreign Terrorist Organization Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), commonly referred to as the “Tamil Tigers”. This award was presented by the United States Attorney General.

2010- Inducted into the Boonton (NJ) High School Hall of Fame.

2010- County College of Morris Foundation, Alumni Humanitarian Award “In Recognition of Humanitarian Dedication and Service to Society”.

2010- State of New Jersey, Joint Legislative Resolution from NJ Senate and General Assembly for County College of Morris Foundation Alumni Humanitarian Award..

2009-2010- “Strathmore’s Who’s Who”recognition

2008- Boy Scouts of America, Patriots Path Council Lifetime Achievement Award

2008- Honored by Resolution and/or Award from NJ Senate, NJ General Assembly, Morris County Board of Chosen Freeholders, United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Morris County Prosecutor, Morris County Sheriff, Boonton Fire Department, Morris County Chiefs of Police Association, New Jersey State PBA, and the Police Pipes and Drums of Morris County.

2007 –Mountain Lakes Police Department Citizen Achievement Award.

2006-2007 –“Who’s Who of Professionals”recognition.

2004- Morris County Detectives Association “Detective of the Year Award”,  (FuncoLand Homicide Task Force)

2004-Morris County 200 Club Meritorious Award recipient for Commanding the FuncoLand Homicide Task Force.

2004- American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) Award as Commander of the FuncoLand Homicide Task Force. 

2003- Morris County Prosecutor’s Commendation for leading the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Narcotics Unit  in the arrest of 3 defendants and the seizure of 575 kilograms of Cocaine.

2002- Morris County Detective’s Association “Detective of the Year Award”(Contreras Homicide)

2002-Awarded Honorary Membership in the Boonton Fire Department

2001- Mountain Lakes Police Department Citizen of the Year Award for leadership during 9/11/2001.

1999- Morris County Detectives Association Special Recognition Award (Spranger Homicides)

1999- Morris County Detectives Association Certificate of Recognition “For Excellence in the Field of Criminal Investigation”( Salierno Homicide)

1997- “Who’s Who of Professionals”recognition

1990- New Jersey State Robbery Investigators Association Award (O’Boyle Homicide)

1989 -Morris County Detectives Association “Detective of the Year Award”(Hall Homicide)

1987- Morris County Prosecutor’s Command Citation- St. v. Ralph DeChiara.

1986-Morris County Prosecutor’s Commendation –St. v. Gregory Bennett 

1985-“Outstanding Young Men of America”recognition

Qualified semi-annually for the last 33 years in the proficient use of assorted firearms consistent with the NJ Attorney General’s directives.

Many letters of commendation from fellow police officers, outside law enforcement agencies and members of the community.

Guest Lecturer

Presenter at the Federal Bureau of Investigation Advanced Criminal Investigation Seminar, the annual New Jersey State Police Annual Homicide Investigation Seminar at Princeton University, The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office Effective Death Investigation and Sex Crimes Investigations Seminars, along with others.

Department of Justice International Training Missions

Presenter at a 40 hour Major Case Management Seminar cooperatively with the United States of America, Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation in the following locations:

1996- Moscow, Russia- Death Investigation, Gun Shot Wounds, Time of Death and Case Management to the Russian Federation Police (MVD).

1998- St. Petersburg, Russia- Death Investigation, Gun Shot Wounds, Time of Death, Organized Crime in America and Major Case Management to the Russian Federation Police (MVD)

2000- Kiev, Ukraine- Death Investigation, Gun Shot Wounds, Time of Death, Organized Crime in America and Major Case Management to the Ukrainian National Police. 

2002-Pretoria, South Africa - Effective Death Investigation, Time of Death, Crime Scene Management, Contract Murder Investigations, Major Case Management and Police Involved Shooting Investigations to the South African Police Service (S.A.P.S). The delegation also evaluated homicide and crime scene preservation protocols and consulted on homicides occurring in South Africa.

2002-Budapest, Hungary-presented a Homicide Investigation Seminar to the Bulgarian National Police at the International Law Enforcement Academy. I presented blocks of instruction on Effective Death Investigation Protocol, Contract Murder Investigation, Child Abduction Response Planning and DNA Evidence.

2002- Bangkok, Thailand- presented a Major Case Management Seminar to the Royal Thai Police. I presented blocks of instruction on Major Case Management, Effective Death Investigation, Investigative Technologies, Child Abduction Response Planning, Time of Death, DNA, Contract Murder Investigation and Managing Chaos. The delegation also evaluated and consulted on violent crimes occurring in Thailand.

2003-Bangkok, Thailand- presented a Major Case Management Seminar to the Ministry of Justice. The delegation evaluated the Ministry’s new position in law enforcement nationwide.

Other International Missions

In 2004 “Freedom House”, an NGO contracted me to travel to Tashkent, Uzbekistan. In Tashkent, I investigated a death in police custody along with a former United States Ambassador and a Forensic Pathologist from Canada. The investigative findings were then presented at the United States Department of State.

In 2008 “Institute for New Democracies”, an NGO contracted me to travel back to Uzbekistan. I met with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Supreme Court, Prosecutor’s Office, national police department and other Uzbekistan government leaders. I then presented at a Human Rights seminar on matters involving National Security vs. Civil Liberties, Team Investigations and International Investigative Protocols.

Other Public Service

1980-1983 –Member & 1^st Lieutenant, Boonton Kiwanis Ambulance Squad, serving Boonton, Boonton Township and Mountain Lakes.

1976-1979 –Member, Boonton Township Fire Service, Boonton Township, NJ.

Educational Background

Master of Administrative Science                                                                          May 2005

Fairleigh Dickinson University

Teaneck, NJ

Certificate in Supervisory Management                          March 1997

Rutgers University 

New Brunswick, New Jersey

Certificate, Federal Bureau of Investigation             June 1992

FBI National Academy - 169^th. Session

Quantico, Virginia

University of Virginia              June 1992

Richmond, VA.

Graduate studies in Public Administration

Jersey City State University             January 1985

Jersey City, NJ

Graduate studies in Public Administration

 Police Training Certification as a Police Officer,             August 1983

 Morris County Firefighters & Police Training Academy

 President of the 20^th Basic Class and the recipient of the

 Scholastic Award.

Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice Administration May 1983

William Paterson University

Wayne, New Jersey

Associates in Science, Law Enforcement May 1981

County College of Morris

Randolph, New Jersey