In its first quarter-century ATF has had only 4 Directors: Rex Davis, G.R.
Dickerson, Stephen Higgins, and John Magaw. The director is appointed by the
secretary of the Treasury, and reports to the under secretary (enforcement). ATF
headquarters are in Washington, D.C., although most personnel and many ATF
operations are decentralized throughout the country, with a few stations overseas.
ATF agents, inspectors, and support staff are involved in investigating some of
the most violent crimes in society, in regulating some of the most important and
sensitive industries in America, and in collecting over $13 billion in annual
revenue. ATF is a young federal agency, yet it is heir to the whole experience and
proud tradition of “these United States.”