WASHINGTON, D.C. - United States Secret Service Acting Director Ronald Rowe has announced the promotion of William “Matt” McCool to the position of Special Agent in Charge for the Secret Service’s Washington Field Office, effective July 14.
In this role, McCool will be responsible for managing the agency’s largest office which conducts more than 2,000 protective missions per year for the President, Vice President, other government officials as well as visiting world leaders and dignitaries. Additionally, the Washington Field Office conducts investigative missions including investigations into the exploitation of America’s financial and payment systems, cyber-enabled financial crimes, and threats against the Secret Service’s protectees across the National Capital Region, which includes the District of Columbia and 14 surrounding counties in Maryland and Virginia. He is tasked with leading the Secret Service’s busiest field office, comprised of 225 special agents and 69 analytical, administrative, professional, and technical employees.
“Matt brings more than 24 years of experience with the Secret Service to his new role and has proven himself to be a talented leader within the agency and the Washington Field Office,” Secret Service Acting Director Ronald Rowe said. “He brings a breadth of knowledge, dedication, and passion for the mission to this position.”
Prior to assuming his current role, McCool was the Deputy Special Agent in Charge at the Washington Field Office. He was responsible for managing the entire operational portfolio of the Secret Service’s busiest field office.
Before his tenure in the Washington Field Office, McCool served as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office. He managed resources and staffing for all protective operations in New York City, approving security plans for visits by the President, Vice President, foreign heads of state, and other USSS protected persons. Notably, he led coordination efforts for the 76th and 77th United Nations General Assemblies, which were designated as National Special Security Events. His responsibilities also included direct oversight of five NYC Protection Squads, NYC Protective Operations, and the NYC Protective Intelligence Squad.
In December 2019, as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Presidential Protective Division (PPD), McCool was tasked with leading, coordinating, and approving comprehensive security plans for Presidents Trump and Biden. Additionally, he oversaw training and employee development for the PPD, including curriculum development and enhanced real-world protective and firearms training.
McCool's other assignments within the Secret Service included roles as Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge of the Vice Presidential Protective Division, Detail Leader for the Secretary of Homeland Security, Assistant to the Special Agent in Charge of the Special Operations Division as a Team Leader on the Counter Assault Team, Assistant Attaché in the Rome Field Office at the U.S. Embassy in Italy, Program Manager for the Special Operations Training Section as an instructor at the James J. Rowley Training Center, and various roles in the New York Field Office where he began his career.