Lewis Merletti

Before becoming Director, Merletti served as assistant director in the Office of Training, where he was responsible for the curriculum, methodology, and content of training for all Secret Service employees. He served in the Presidential Protective Division under three Presidents, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton. As Special Agent in Charge of Presidential protection during the Clinton Administration, he was ultimately responsible for the physical security of the President and First Family.

Merletti has extensive experience with complex criminal investigations, major task force operations, and Secret Service counter-terrorist operations. He testified before Congress on many occasions, and also briefed the President, other top government officials, and world leaders, on a regular basis regarding security as it relates to worldwide situations. He has supervised security arrangements for the visit of the President to hostile environments such as the DMZ, Cartajena, Columbia, Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Shield, Israel, Syria, Kuwait, and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Prior to joining the agency, he served three years in the United States Army and completed a tour of duty with the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam. His numerous military honors include the Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Medical Badge, Certificate of Achievement of Meritorious Performance, and Parachute Jump Wings.

Today, Merletti is responsible for all stadium operations and is directing the design and deployment of security for the entire Cleveland Browns operation, including the new Cleveland Browns Stadium, and the team's Berea training facility and offices.