By JAMES FINK
jfink@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1611

As expected, Denise O'Donnell has been confirmed as the new director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, a key post in the federal Department of Justice.

She was recommended to the position by Sen. Charles Schumer, who made his pitch to President Obama on O'Donnell's behalf.

"I know from experience that Denise O'Donnell is the perfect person to lead this key agency," he said. "She'll do a terrific job leading the BJA as they coordinate with state and local law enforcement in the fight against drugs, gang violence and violent crime."

As director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, she will work with a federal agency that funnels federal resources - both dollars and manpower - and assistance to state and local police departments.

She comes to the job with a lengthy resume in the public and private sectors. Most recently, she was New York State Deputy Secretary for Public Safety, a post she held from 2009 until earlier this year. In that position, O'Donnell oversaw, for the governor's office, 11 federal Homeland Security and criminal justice agencies.

In addition, she was an assistant U.S. Attorney and U.S. Attorney for the Western District of New York.

A Buffalo native, she is a University at Buffalo graduate and also of its School of Law, where she graduated summa cum laude.