Louis Quijas is an internationally recognized public safety and business leader. His distinguished career spans appointments as Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security and Assistant Director of the FBI as well as time leading and advising major publically traded companies. Lou has also served on several review (‘blue ribbon’) panels convened by law enforcement organizations, such as the Police Executive Research Foundation (PERF), to review high profile incidents and provide other insights to topics of importance to the profession.
In addition to his engagements in the private sector, Lou stays active in the public safety community through his work with the US Department of Justice (DOJ). He is considered an expert on community outreach and engagement and has recently worked for DOJ to develop violence reduction strategies for a number of major cities across the country.
Lou has a deep background of public service, having spent 36 years within the law enforcement community. In July 2011, Lou received a Presidential appointment to the Department of Homeland Security as Assistant Secretary for the Office for State and Local Law Enforcement.
In April of 2002, FBI Director Robert S. Mueller, III appointed Mr. Quijas to the position of FBI Assistant Director, to oversee the efforts of the newly created Office of Law Enforcement Coordination.
Prior to his appointment to the FBI, Lou was Chief of Police for the City of High Point, North Carolina. He accepted the position of Chief of Police upon his retirement from the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department after 25 years of service.
Lou has been an active member in his profession and has served on several national boards. Most notably, as National President of the National Latino Peace Officers Association, National Board member of the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association, Executive Committee of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and served on the IACP's Civil Rights Committee and the Committee on Terrorism. He currently serves on the National Sheriffs Association’s Global Policing Committee and the FBI National Academy Associates Public & Private Sector Committee. Lou is a life member of the IACP, NSA and FBI LEEDA association.
He is the recipient of the Hispanic American Police Command Officers Association Gil Pompa Special Recognition Award, the National Sheriffs' Association President's Award, FBI National Academy Association President's Award and the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association Presidents Award. In 2008, Lou received the U.S. Secret Service Director's Award for his contribution to the law enforcement profession.
Lou holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice Administration and a Masters Degree in Public Affairs. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, the Senior Management Institute for Police, the Senior Leadership Program at Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management, FBI's National Executive Institute, and the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.