Gary Owen

Associate Administrator

Drug Enforcement Administration

As DEA’s Chief Operating Officer, Gary will oversee agency-wide operations spanning information technology, human resources, financial management, public affairs, and enterprise modernization. His charge is to align internal services with our operational mission and help drive the reforms necessary to support DEA’s enforcement priorities.

Gary returns to DEA following two years in the private sector, where he led efforts to develop cutting-edge technical solutions for the security, defense, and government sectors. His work in areas such as fraud analytics, case management, and data fusion has given him a unique perspective on how innovation and emerging technologies can strengthen public sector performance. Combined with his broad and deep government experience, Gary is uniquely qualified to lead DEA’s enterprise transformation efforts.

Over the course of a 28-year DEA career, Gary served as an intelligence analyst before becoming a Special Agent. He led high-impact task forces and pioneering investigations, including one of DEA’s earliest major cases targeting precursor chemical diversion, and held senior executive roles for nine years across Congressional and Public Affairs, Inspections, and Professional Responsibility. In each of these roles, Gary led efforts to modernize operations, improve internal accountability, and drive results through organizational change. His leadership consistently advanced accountability, risk analysis, and workforce integrity, while delivering measurable improvements in efficiency and overall mission effectiveness during periods of significant organizational challenge and heightened oversight.

Gary brings a rare combination of operational credibility, strategic leadership, and modern technology insight. As Associate Administrator, he will focus on strengthening our institutional foundation—ensuring DEA has the tools, talent, and infrastructure needed to dismantle drug trafficking networks, protect American communities, and support every employee in the field and at headquarters.

Event Participation