Institutions We Inherit & the Ones We Leave Behind

Lessons on Leadership, the Rule of Law, and Public Trust

Matthew J. DeSarno is a retired FBI Executive with more than 30 years of leadership experience in national security, law enforcement, military service, and crisis management. During his FBI career, he led major criminal, counterterrorism, cyber, and intelligence operations in the United States and overseas, including serving as Special Agent in Charge of the Dallas Field Office.

Prior to leading the Dallas office, DeSarno served in several senior executive positions at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C., including Deputy Assistant Director and Section Chief in the Counterterrorism Division, where he directed global counterterrorism operations and intelligence efforts during the height of the ISIS insurgency. He also served as Special Agent in Charge of the Criminal and Cyber Division of the FBI’s Washington Field Office.

Matt is also a Dallas Morning News contributing columnist.