DEA Chief Karen Tandy Steppingt Down to Take Private-Sector Job

WASHINGTON – Drug Enforcement Administration chief Karen Tandy said Monday she is resigning, officials said, ending her four-year tenure as the first woman to hold that post.

Tandy told employees Monday morning that she was resigning to take a job with Motorola, according to two DEA officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement was not yet public. It was not immediately clear what she would be doing for Motorola.

DEA spokesman Garrison Courtney confirmed Tandy's announcement but declined further comment.

Tandy was confirmed to head the DEA in July 2003. She is the first woman to serve as DEA administrator. The DEA's second-in command is also a woman: Michele Leonhart, who is a possible successor to Tandy.

The DEA is comprised of about 11,000 employees — including 4,600 agents — in the United States and in 85 countries.