Bill Priestap, Esq.
Bill Priestap is a recognized thought leader in national security, with a particular expertise in the growing threats posed by certain foreign nations, including China, Russia, and Iran. From 2015 – 2018, he led the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of Strider Technologies, a risk intelligence company. In addition, Bill is an adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service, where he was previously a Centennial Fellow.
Bill retired from the FBI in 2019, after 21 years with the organization. As head of Counterintelligence, his responsibilities included the development and implementation of the organization’s global strategy to counter foreign nations’ intelligence efforts against the United States.
As the principal official for counterintelligence, Bill interacted with hundreds of companies and universities and gained unique insight into the risks they face.
Bill began his career with the FBI in 1998 conducting organized crime and drug investigations in Chicago. After the events of 9/11, he handled counterterrorism cases until he was promoted to the FBI’s Office of Congressional Affairs in Washington, DC. While in Congressional Affairs, he supported the investigative and legislative efforts of the U.S. Senate’s Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, including the development of the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004.
Following his time on Capitol Hill, Bill served in the FBI’s Directorate of Intelligence, where he helped the FBI significantly enhance its intelligence capabilities.
He was then assigned to the FBI’s New York Office, and over the next several years held a variety of intelligence, counterterrorism, and counterintelligence managerial positions. He later became the head of the New York Office’s Counterintelligence Division, during which time he oversaw all of the office’s counterintelligence efforts.
Bill was the winner of a National Intelligence Meritorious Unit Citation from the Director of National Intelligence in 2012 and the Meritorious Executive Presidential Rank Award in 2017.
Bill has a J.D. and M.B.A. from the University of Detroit Mercy.