James Kallstrom
Jim Kallstrom (UMass '66) has a long and distinguished career in security and law enforcement. Jim Kallstrom’s most recent position was a Senior Executive Vice President and Management Committee Member with MBNA America located in Wilmington, Delaware and is the Director of Government Affairs.
On October 10, 2001, Kallstrom took a leave of absence from MBNA America to become the Director of Public Security for the State of New York. In this capacity he was responsible for Counter-Terrorism Planning and Operations for the State of New York. He also was New York States point of contact with Governor Tom Ridge at the White House Office of Homeland Security. In June 2002 Kallstrom was elevated to the position of Senior Advisor to the Governor for Counter-Terrorism. As Director of the newly created cabinet position, Mr. Kallstrom reports directly to the Governor and serve as a member of the Governor's senior staff.
Kallstrom entered on duty with the FBI as a Special Agent in February 1970 and following a period of training, was assigned to the Baltimore, Maryland FBI Office. IN 1971, he was transferred to the FBI's New York Office.
From 1971 to 1993 Kallstrom had numerous assignments of increasing responsibility in New York and Washington D.C. In September 1993 he was promoted to Special Agent in charge of the Special Operations Division in New York. In February 1995, Kallstrom was designated the Assistant Director in Charge, New York Division, a position he held until his retirement on December 31, 1997.
Kallstrom has appeared numerous times on national television shows commenting on law enforcement and terrorism issues. He is the long tome Host of The FBI Files, shown weekly on the Discovery Channel and recently was a task force member on the Council on Foreign Relations Task Force report entitled, America Still Unprepared - America Still in Danger.
Kallstrom was born May 6, 1943, in Worcester, Massachusetts. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Management from UMass Amherst in 1966. After graduation, he served in the United States Marine Corps, during the Vietnam War, attaining the rank of Captain.
Kallstrom is married to the former Susan Auer of Riviera Beach, Maryland. They have two daughters Erika and Kristel.