Terry Cole

Terrance Christopher Cole (born August 17, 1969) is an American law enforcement official serving as the 12th administrator of the Drug Enforcement Administration since 2025. He previously served as the Virginia secretary of public safety from 2023 to 2025 under Governor Glenn Youngkin.

Early life and education Cole grew up in Corning, NY, and graduated from Corning East High School in 1987. Cole graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology with a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice. He also earned certificates in leadership from the University of Virginia and the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame.

Career Cole served as a Blue and Gold Officer for the United States Naval Academy. He later joined the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) where he worked for 22 years, including service in various states as well as working on foreign missions in Colombia, Afghanistan, Mexico and the Middle East. He held positions including Chief of Staff and Executive Officer for the DEA Chief of Global Operations, at the DEA/Department of Justice Special Operations Division, as the DEA representative to the National Security Council, and as assistant regional director in Mexico City. He graduated from the FBI National Academy, Session 282. He retired in 2020, while holding the title of acting regional director of Mexico, Canada and Central America.

Personal life Cole is married and has four children.