Douglas Gilmer is the Resident Special Agent in Charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in Birmingham, Alabama. HSI is the principal investigative component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating, disrupting, and dismantling transnational and other criminal organizations as well as terrorist networks that threaten to exploit the laws of the United States.

Prior to moving to Alabama, Mr. Gilmer served as the DHS Senior Liaison to the FBI’s Counterterrorism Division and the Deputy Chief for the National Joint Terrorism Task Force. In this role, Mr. Gilmer was responsible for managing 80 employees working across DHS and partner agencies supporting the Department’s national security mission, specifically in the areas of maritime, aviation, and rail safety, as well as initiatives to safeguard college and university campuses nationwide. He coordinated efforts across the Department and interagency to respond to and investigate threats and attacks against the United States and its citizens.

Throughout his career Mr. Gilmer has served in several leadership positions for HSI. He served as the Group Supervisor for the Joint Terrorism Task Force/National Security Group for the HSI Special Agent in Charge Office in the District of Columbia and the State of Virginia. At HSI headquarters, Mr. Gilmer served as Section Chief in the National Security Unit, Acting Unit Chief for the National Security Unit, and Unit Chief for the Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Unit and Human Rights Violators and War Crimes Center. In 2015 he received the Intelligence Integration Citation and Medal from Director of National Intelligence.

Concurrent with his civilian law enforcement career, he served the nation as a member of the armed forces in the United States Coast Guard for over 20 years, retiring in 2019 as the Reserve Command Master Chief for the Coast Guard’s Fifth District. As a member of the Senior Executive cadre, he oversaw military issues for thousands of Coast Guard personnel; ensured the workforce was ready, resilient, relevant, and responsive to domestic and international threats and challenges; provided guidance to the District Commander; and delivered the Commandant’s vision to the workforce.

Mr. Gilmer holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Liberty University in Virginia, a Master of Natural Resources and Global Sustainability degree from Virginia Tech, a master’s degree from Luther Rice University in Georgia, and a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Columbia International University in South Carolina where his research focus, from the context of steward leadership, was on organizational outcomes of collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams used in human trafficking investigations. He has completed additional courses of study at the National War College, Joint Special Operations University, and the Senior Executive Leadership course at the Defense Equal Opportunity and Management Institute.