New FBI boss looks forward to Las Vegas job

Jace Radke

Thursday, April 4, 2002 | 9:26 a.m.

Ellen B. Knowlton, named as special agent in charge of the Las Vegas office of the FBI, plans to build on the agency's local law enforcement relationships established after Sept. 11.

"Public safety entities pulled together in ways they never did before after Sept. 11, and because of that we should be in a better position to move forward if anything happens," Knowlton said in a phone interview from Washington Wednesday. "I've heard that there is a great relationship between the FBI and local law enforcement in Las Vegas and I plan to continue that."

The 20-year FBI veteran is scheduled to take over the Las Vegas office for Special Agent Grant Ashley, who has been reassigned to Washington. Knowlton, 46, brings the experience of being the lead agent in charge of Dulles International Airport, Reagan National Airport and the Pentagon crime scene after Sept. 11.

"You can't imagine the panic in the area," Knowlton said. "It was incredible. Everyone worked nonstop for weeks and weeks, and what really helped was that I had already established relationships with the local police and the people at the airport.

"I think my ability to develop good working relationships is one of the strengths I bring to Las Vegas."

Knowlton grew up in Northern California, and went to college at California State University in Sacramento and St. Mary's. It was in her college years that she made her only previous trip to Las Vegas.

"I love the West and the Southwest, so I'm very excited about this opportunity," Knowlton said. "Travel is a part of this job, and I've lived a lot of places I never thought I would."

Knowlton was an insurance investigator in Sacramento when she was approached by an FBI agent to join the bureau in 1982. Since then she has crisscrossed the country on various assignments.

She has worked as a field agent in Oklahoma City and San Francisco and was a field supervisor in New Orleans and a special agent in charge of criminal matters in the Washington office. Knowlton has also served as an inspector, conducting audits of field offices.

Most recently she served as deputy assistant director of counterintelligence in Washington, and will now supervise about 100 agents. Knowlton said that the number of agents in Las Vegas could grow to help combat terrorism and computer crimes.

Knowlton said she is ready to move from FBI headquarters to a field assignment, and plans to tackle the issues that are hurting residents' quality of life.

"I think terrorism is at the front of everyone's mind, but there has to be a balance," Knowlton said. "I want to come to Las Vegas and take on the crime issues that are affecting the quality of life."