Washburn law school grad named head of ATF

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Dec 28, 1999 by Tim Hrenchir Capital-Journal

By TIM HRENCHIR

The Capital-Journal

AWashburn Law School graduate is the new director of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Lawrence Summers last week announced the appointment of Bradley A. Buckles, a 1974 Washburn Law School graduate, to head the ATF.

Buckles became the second Washburn Law School graduate this month to assume a significant federal post. Delano Lewis, a 1963 Washburn Law School graduate, was sworn in Dec. 7 as U.S. ambassador to the Republic of South Africa.

Buckles had served since 1996 as deputy director of the ATF, which has 331 field offices throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam and in several foreign countries. The bureau is responsible for law enforcement and tax collection relating to alcohol, tobacco, firearms, explosives and arson.

Dean James Concannon, of Washburn Law School, said he remembered teaching Buckles soon after Concannon joined the Washburn Law faculty full time in 1973.

"He actually was in one of the first classes I ever taught," Concannon said. "He certainly was a very good student when he was here, and I'm not at all surprised by his success."

Concannon said he last saw Buckles about three years ago. Concannon was in Washington, D.C., on other business when he visited Buckles' office. Buckles had just become the ATF's deputy director.

Buckles becomes the fifth director of the ATF, which has been a bureau since 1972. He accepted leadership from outgoing Director John Magaw in a ceremony Dec. 20.

Buckles graduated in 1971 from the University of Wyoming and began his career with the ATF soon after graduating from Washburn Law School in May 1974.

He was promoted to the agency's staff assistant to the chief counsel in 1979, assistant chief counsel (litigation) in 1982, deputy chief counsel in 1983 and chief counsel in 1995.

Since becoming the ATF's deputy director, Buckles also had served as the bureau's chief operating officer, chairman of its executive resources board and chairman of its strategic leadership team.

Buckles has received numerous commendations, including the 1992 Presidential Rank Meritorious Award and, in 1997, the Presidential Rank Distinguished Award.

Buckles is a member of the Kansas Bar.