Lauria is a Kenmore West graduate and Tonawanda native
From the United States Department of Justice,
WASHINGTON – Attorney General Merrick B. Garland today announced the appointment of Jolene Ann Lauria as Assistant Attorney General for Administration. Lauria has served in an acting capacity since June 4, 2022, following the retirement of former Assistant Attorney General for Administration Lee Lofthus.
“The Department’s Assistant Attorney General for Administration plays a critical role in enabling the Department to fulfill its core mission and serve the American people,” said Attorney General Garland. “Jolene’s dedication and record of achievement as a career public servant at DOJ make her uniquely qualified for this position. I look forward to continuing to work alongside her and am grateful to have her as part of the Department’s leadership team at this important time.”
As the Assistant Attorney General for Administration, Lauria is also the Department’s Chief Financial Officer, responsible for Department-wide financial reporting, the annual financial statement, budget formulation and execution, the assets forfeiture fund, and debt management. Lauria also oversees facilities, procurement, human resources, information resources, policy, strategic planning, and other administrative functions. She is a key executive liaison with the appropriations subcommittees. Lauria was the lead executive that consolidated seven separate financial systems into a single modern Justice Department Unified Financial Management System supporting all 40 components and servicing over 16,000 users. For this effort, Lauria was twice a Federal 100 winner, in 2009 and 2015. This prestigious award recognized her vision and pioneering spirit in the federal IT community.
Jolene Lauria has been the Department’s Controller since 2007. Prior to this position, Lauria was the Department’s Director of Budget Staff, and she was the Deputy Chief Financial Officer/Director of Budget at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Lauria has held a variety of positions in budget and financial management during her 33 years in the Federal government. From 2015-2018, Lauria served on INTERPOL’s Executive Committee as the representative for the Americas Region. She is currently the Chair of INTERPOL’s Advisory Group on Financial Matters that reviews and makes recommendations on INTERPOL’s worldwide budget.
Lauria received a master’s degree in public administration from American University in 1989. In 2013, she graduated from the FBI National Academy, Class 252. Lauria was the recipient of a Meritorious Presidential Rank Award in 2006, and she received a Distinguished Presidential Rank Award in 2010.