Frances Townsend
| Fran Townsend | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 3rd United States Homeland Security Advisor | |
|
In office May 28, 2004 – March 30, 2008 |
|
| President | George W. Bush |
| Preceded by | John Gordon |
| Succeeded by | Ken Wainstein |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Frances Mary Fragos December 28, 1961 Mineola, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | John Townsend |
| Children | 2 |
| Education |
American University (BA, BS) University of San Diego (JD) |
Frances M. "Fran" Fragos Townsend (born December 28, 1961) is the former Homeland Security Advisor to United States President George W. Bush and a TV personality. Townsend was appointed to this position by President Bush on May 28, 2004. Her resignation was announced November 19, 2007. She chaired the Homeland Security Council and reported to the President on homeland security policy and counterterrorism policy. She previously served as Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy National Security Advisor for Combating Terrorism. In 2008, Townsend joined CNN as a contributor. Townsend is president of the Counter Extremism Project.
Frances Mary Fragos was born on December 28, 1961 in Mineola, New York, the daughter of John Fragos, a Greek American roofer, and Dorothy, an Irish American office manager for a construction company. Raised in Wantagh, Long Island, Townsend was the first in her family to finish high school. At the age of 11, she penned letters requesting that she be allowed to be an altar boy, first to her priest, then to the bishop, the Cardinal, and ultimately to the Vatican. After her requests were refused, her priest caught her trying to sneak into Mass with a borrowed robe. Her parents were determined that their only child should receive a college education, but could not afford to send her to school. Townsend saved money by accelerating her course load, waiting tables and working as a dormitory adviser.
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