Meet NJ’s New Anti-Terror Czar [VIDEO/AUDIO]

New Jersey has a new Homeland Security chief and his name is Ed Dickson. Governor Chris Christie formally announced his choice yesterday. Dickson succeeds Charlie McKenna who is now Christie's Chief Counsel.

Dickson has served as the Director of Investigations in the Internal Security Department of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation since 2008, where he is responsible for the management of internal corporate investigations for two domestic locations. He's a former federal law enforcement professional, having served in a multitude of roles at the Federal Bureau of Investigation from 1983 to 2008.

"In his 25 years at the FBI he dealt with some of the most important and sensitive security assignments that the FBI has to offer," says Christie. "He provided direct oversight of the National Joint Terrorism Task Force and instituted national and international working groups to meet ongoing threats and initiatives."

From 2006 to 2008, Dickson was the Section Chief of the FBI's Counterterrorism Division, where he was responsible for oversight of a diverse operational support portfolio, including the FBI's Domestic Terrorism program and Special Events program. From 2004 to 2006, Dickson served as Inspector in the FBI's Inspection Division, directing over 20 internal compliance audits to ensure FBI goals and employee performance were sustained in accordance with established Congressional, Department of Justice, and FBI policies and procedures.

Christie says, "He was responsible for managing all counter-terrorism and counter-intelligence investigations in the FBI's 8th largest field office (Newark) immediately following the September 11, 2001 attacks…..In the immediate aftermath of the September 11th attacks Ed came here to be the assistant special agent in charge of counter-terrorism and I was the brand new U.S. Attorney."

Dickson managed more than 80 personnel from over 35 local, state, federal, and intelligence agencies on the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and initiated critical strategic information sharing initiatives with New Jersey law enforcement entities that are still utilized within the Division today.

Video by Dino Flammia