About F.L.E.O.A

The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) is the largest nonpartisan, professional association, representing exclusively federal law enforcement officers. FLEOA represents over 20,000 federal agents from over 50 different federal law enforcement agencies. FLEOA is a member of the National Law Enforcement Steering Committee and the Executive Board of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

FLEOA, founded in 1977, is a volunteer organization. Born out of necessity by a group of concerned agents from Customs, IRS-CI, TIGTA, FBI and INS, FLEOA's primary tenant was, and still is, legal assistance and representation are only a phone call away.

ABOUT F.L.E.O.A. Houston:

Recent History of FLEOA Houston, Chapter 46

The year was 1999. The world was anticipating the millennium. The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association Houston Chapter was in trouble. Although the paid membership numbers fluctuated between 350 and 375, the chapter was in an "inactive" status with National. Inactive status indicates that no meetings or events have been held, and no rebate money would be given to chapter 46. Apparently, the Chapter President had accepted a supervisory promotion from his agency, and moved to another city. The Vice President office was vacant, and the Secretary-Treasurer who had retired earlier and had retained the office, no longer wanted to do the job full time.

The call went out from the National President Rich Gallo to the 350 plus paid members in Houston, to reorganize and get the chapter active again. Nine members answered the call. OIG agent Scott Dennis, Postal Inspector Richard LaBoda, Mike Bonilla (FPS), Bill Stevens (EPA), Richard Wolfert (Fed. Probation), Sharon Miller (DOL), Tim Haley (DSS), Doug Hubbard (VA OIG).

Scott Dennis set up a meeting and the reorganization was started. All nine members of the group would serve on the board as officers. Scott Dennis as President, and Rich LaBoda as Executive Vice President. The other seven members of the board held Vice President status for administration, recruitment, finance, events, security, Historian, etc., as no elections were held, but we needed each area to be covered if the chapter was to be active again.

Over the next 4 years under Scott Dennis' leadership, the chapter became active again. Meetings with prominent guest speakers including local Congressional representatives, the U. S. Attorney for the Southern District of Texas, two FLEOA National Presidents, and the FLEOA legal counsel were held. Events like trap and skeet shooting competitions, and our signature Christmas Parties with very nice door prizes were successful outings. In 2002, Scott Dennis changed jobs and could not continue as President. Rich LaBoda finished Scott's unexpired term, and in 2003, was elected to his own 3 year term as chapter President. Several officers have served in the last few years as the nine position board was continued. Improved membership communication with the email system, and new events were added for the chapter. In 2004 the difficulties of continuing a nine position board were clearly evident. With job transfers, resignations and separate business and travel schedules, it was difficult to meet the quorum requirement for board meetings. A special election was held to reorganize the board to 5 members, President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and events/recruitment chairman. This would be a 1 year term to transition from the old system to the new. Elections for the standard 3 year terms will be held in December 2005. Recently, FLEOA Houston added a webpage, www. fleoahouston. org FLEOA Houston is back!