Robert Cekada
Robert Cekada has devoted his career to public service and front-line law enforcement, serving communities at the local and federal levels for more than three decades. He was appointed Deputy Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in April 2025, where he serves as the agency’s second highest-ranking official.
Mr. Cekada began his law enforcement career with the New York City Police Department, serving from 1992 to 2000. During that time, he worked in the Housing Bureau, Citywide Anti-Gang Enforcement Unit, Street Crime Unit, and was promoted to detective in the Organized Crime Control Bureau’s Gang Division, focusing on combating violent crime tied to gang activity. He later continued his public service with the City of Plantation Police Department in Broward County, Florida, serving in patrol operations and on the SWAT team.
In 2005, Mr. Cekada joined ATF as a special agent in the Baltimore Field Division, where he was assigned to the Regional Area Gang Enforcement Task Force, combating transnational organized crime. He later served as a special agent in the Tampa Field Division, investigating violent crimes involving firearms and explosives. In 2013, he reported to ATF Headquarters as a project officer and later as a program manager in the Firearms Operations Division, helping develop ATF’s Frontline Strategy, which continues to serve as the agency’s annual assessment for field operations.
Mr. Cekada was then selected as a special assistant to senior leadership, gaining in-depth knowledge and wide-ranging experience of the agency and its workforce. He was named Resident Agent in Charge of the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force in the Miami Field Division, followed by a promotion to Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Philadelphia Field Division. Appointed to the Senior Executive Service, he served as the Special Agent in Charge of the Baltimore Field Division, overseeing ATF operations across Maryland and Delaware, and subsequently the Miami Field Division, supervising 21 offices throughout southern Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Following successive senior field leadership assignments, Mr. Cekada returned to ATF Headquarters as Deputy Assistant Director for Field Operations, providing oversight of criminal enforcement in 19 states. In September 2022, he was appointed to Executive Assistant Director for Operations, overseeing three of ATF’s Directorates. In addition to his executive responsibilities, Mr. Cekada serves as a member of the National Crime Gun Intelligence Governing Board and the International Association of Chiefs of Police Firearms Committee. He has been active in numerous law enforcement and public safety leadership organizations throughout his career.
From patrol officer to federal executive, Mr. Cekada has committed his life to public service and his career to protecting communities nationwide.
