Mr. William H. Pickle was elected a Director on the Board of Directors of the U.S. Marshals Survivors Benefit Fund in October, 2016.
Mr. Pickle, born in Roanoke, VA, served in the U.S. Army including a combat tour in Vietnam in 1968-1969 with the First Cavalry Division as an Infantry Sergeant and a Medivac helicopter door-gunner. Among his decorations, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal, seven Air Medals, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.
He attended American University and Metro State College, Denver, CO, and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science.
Mr. Pickle’s Federal law enforcement career began in June 1975 when he was sworn in as a Deputy U.S. Marshal in the U.S. Marshals Service in Denver, CO. In November 1975 he transferred to the U.S. Secret Service (USSS) and was sworn in as a Special Agent. He served as Special Agent in Charge of the USSS Legislative Affairs Office. During his 26-year career, he rose through the ranks and eventually promoted into the Senior Executive Service where he served as Deputy Assistant Director for Human Resources and Training responsible for human resources, training, and personnel. He was responsible for USSS training, including Protective Detail Training, firearms, and physical training. He was reassigned as the Special Agent in Charge of the Vice Presidential Protective Division, one of the largest divisions in the USSS, responsible for all aspects of protection for the Vice President and his family. In this role, he maintained daily contact with senior White House staff and coordinated all aspects of security for the Vice President’s 2000 Presidential campaign.
After his retirement in June 2001, he was appointed Deputy Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Labor managing a communications, inspections, and evaluations program. Later, he became the Transportation Security Administration's first Senior Executive Service Federal Security Director with oversight for the federalization of Denver International Airport where he created a new organization of 2000 employees.
On March 17, 2003, Mr. Pickle was sworn in as the 37th United States Senate Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper of the Senate until he retired in January 2007. He was the Chief Operating Officer of the Senate, responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Senate as well as for oversight of the U.S. Capitol Police Department.
Currently, Mr. Pickle serves as a law enforcement and security programs consultant to private corporations and also has been appointed to serve on several corporate boards and advisory groups.