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ATTORNEY GENERAL ASHCROFT WELCOMES WHITE HOUSE NOMINEE

WASHINGTON, D.C.Attorney General John Ashcroft today welcomed President George W. Bush's announcement of his intention to nominate Richard R. Nedelkoff to be Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance.

"Richard Nedelkoff brings an impressive record of experience to the Bureau of Justice Assistance," Ashcroft said. "He has demonstrated his leadership, work ethic and abilities for more than 20 years, and I look forward to working with him at the Department."

Nedelkoff is currently the Executive Director of the Criminal Justice Division for the Office of the Governor of Texas, where he directs an agency that provides more than $140 million in state and federal funds for juvenile justice, criminal justice and victim services throughout the state.

Previously, Nedelkoff acted as the Executive Director for the Florida Network of Youth and Family Services, a coalition of agencies serving troubled youth and their families. He also served as regional director for the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice, where he directed the planning and operations of all juvenile justice services in a 14-county region of Northern Florida.

Throughout the course of his career as a criminal justice administrator in Texas, Florida, Ohio, Virginia and Kentucky, he has created juvenile justice and criminal justice programs serving as models for other agencies across the country.

Nedelkoff received his undergraduate degree in criminal justice from Bowling Green State University, his Master of Science in the administration of justice from the University of Louisville and his law degree from Capital University School of Law.

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