Pubdate: Fri, 27 Jun 2003
Source: Lubbock Avalanche-Journal (TX)
Copyright: 2003 The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Contact:  http://www.lubbockonline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/841

TECH GRAD MAY BECOME FIRST FEMALE DEA CHIEF

FORT WORTH (AP) -- A Texas Tech-educated Justice Department lawyer who has 
led major anti-drug initiatives is expected to become the first female 
chief of the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Karen Tandy, 49 and a 1974 graduate of Tech's School of Law, is credited 
with revitalizing the federal Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces.

Tandy grew up in Hurst and began her career as a clerk for a federal judge 
in Lubbock. She later joined the Justice Department's organized crime division.

The 20-year-old drug task force encompasses three federal departments and 
2,400 agents. The agency has had more than 17,000 drug convictions since 
Tandy took over as director and associate deputy attorney general in 1999.

Tandy was nominated for the DEA post by President Bush in June.

She finished a Senate hearing this week and a final decision will be made 
soon, Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., told the Washington bureau of the Fort 
Worth Star-Telegram in its Thursday editions.

During the hearing, Tandy vowed to attack the "money supply" of drug 
operations and promised to prepare DEA personnel for the upcoming 
retirements of almost half its senior staff.

Tandy lives in Fairfax County, Va., with her husband and two teenage daughters.

She's also a Girl Scout leader who has helped organize food drives for 
homeless children.