Keynote Speaker

J. William Rivers

Associate Deputy Director
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

J. William Rivers was appointed the Associate Deputy Director of the FBI in April 2025. In this capacity, he manages all corporate business operations to include compliance and accountability programs, resource planning, finance and facilities, information management, information technology, human resources, security, and training. From September 2024 to February 2025, Mr. Rivers led the Human Resources Branch (HRB) as the Acting Executive Assistant Director over all FBI human resources, training, and security programs. Prior to this assignment, he served as the Assistant Director of the Security Division and the FBI’s Chief Security Officer.

Mr. Rivers joined the FBI as a Special Agent in 2002 and was assigned to the Washington Field Office (WFO) to investigate counterintelligence matters. In 2006, he was certified as a Technically Trained Agent and worked on WFO's Technical Operations Squad to support investigative programs. He also served on the SWAT team as the technical coordinator and as a certified sniper.

In 2013, Mr. Rivers was promoted to Supervisory Special Agent. He remained on WFO's Technical Operations Squad and provided technical investigative support to criminal, intelligence, and national security squads. He supervised 20 other Technically Trained Agents and served as a liaison to the Operational Technology Division at FBI Headquarters and to outside partners.

Mr. Rivers was promoted in 2015 to Unit Chief of the Technically Trained Agent Operations and Development Unit in the Operational Technology Division at Headquarters and oversaw the FBI's technical investigative program.

In 2018, Mr. Rivers was appointed Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Norfolk Field Office in Virginia. He was responsible for all criminal, cyber, and administrative programs. He was promoted in 2020 to Section Chief and Director of the Terrorist Explosive Device Analytical Center (TEDAC), a multi-agency center that coordinates bomb-related evidence and intelligence collection for the U.S. government. In September 2021, Mr. Rivers was selected by the Director to serve as Special Agent in Charge of the Cincinnati Field Office.

Mr. Rivers earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering from the University of Kentucky. Prior to joining the FBI, he was a project manager and engineer for a private general construction company in Kentucky.