John S. Pistole served as President of Anderson University for ten years, from March 1, 2015, through May 31, 2025, when he retired and was designated President Emeritus by the Board of Trustees. Pistole earned his bachelor’s degree, cum laude from Anderson University in 1978. He went on to earn a juris doctorate (JD) from the Robert H. McKinney School of Law at Indiana University before going into private practice for two years.

In 2024, he was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash, one of Indiana’s highest civilian honors, recognizing distinguished service to the state. In 1983, Pistole began his 26-year career with the FBI and served in Minneapolis, New York, Indianapolis, Boston, and FBI Headquarters in Washington D.C. on multiple assignments. After the attacks of September 11, 2001, Pistole was placed in charge of the FBI’s counterterrorism (CT) program, eventually becoming the FBI’s Executive Assistant Director for national security (CT and Counterintelligence). In 2004, Pistole was named Deputy Director of the FBI and served for nearly six years. He briefed three U.S. Presidents in the Oval Office and Situation Room, and testified dozens of times before Congress and various Commissions, including the 9/11 Commission.

In March 2006, Pistole was awarded the Presidential Rank of Distinguished Executive. In 2007, Pistole received the Department of Justice Edward H. Levi Award for Outstanding Professionalism and Exemplary Integrity. In 2010, he was awarded the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal by the Office of Director of National Intelligence (ODNI).

Also in 2010, President Obama nominated Pistole to be the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). He was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Under Pistole, the TSA moved from a “one-size-fits-all” approach to become a risk-based, intelligence driven agency which changed the way millions of people fly every year through creation of TSA PreCheck, a known and trusted traveler initiative. In his role as Administrator of the TSA, Pistole led a 63,000-strong workforce and the security operations of more than 450 airports throughout the United States, while engaging international partners extensively. He served as Administrator for 4 ¹/₂ years, and remains the second longest-serving Administrator.

In 2006, Anderson University recognized Pistole with an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree. In 2009, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Robert H. McKinney School of Law at Indiana University, and served as Commencement speaker at both Commencements. He has served on the ODNI Senior Advisory Group and the Aspen Institute Homeland Security Group, later known as the Homeland Security Experts Group. He is a member of the Board of Visitors for the National Intelligence University, located in Bethesda, MD.

He recently concluded serving on the Board of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU), and the Ministries Council of the Church of God, and also served on the Board of the Madison County Community Foundation and Ascension St. Vincent’s Hospital. He has advised public and private companies on security matters, including cybersecurity, risk identification and mitigation, and corporate governance.