Regina Lombardo currently serves as the Chief Security Officer for the Metropolitan Museum of Art, known to many as simply “The MET.” Its Fifth avenue address places it within the renowned Museum Mile.
Born in New York City and raised by Italian immigrant family, Lombardo often visited the MET during her childhood, taking in the Great Hall and visiting the galleries filled with arts and artifacts representing world civilization. Her favorite “thinking spot” was the famous MET steps where she often sat contemplating her future, though she never imagined her journey would swing her back full-circle to NYC and the beloved MET!”
Lombardo is not only responsible for the safety and security of the iconic buildings along Fifth Avenue, but also The MET Cloisters. Her team of 550 security professionals ensures the security and safety of The MET’s devoted staff, its collections and its 7 million visitors a year. Her incredibly challenging mission is the safe execution of major events hosted at the MET, to include the most famous “MET Gala,” co-hosted by Vogue Magazine and the White House Presidential event hosting all the world leaders attending the UN General Assembly. Her passion is establishing more effective policies and efficient operational protocols for security operations. Her vision for the MET Security team is to become “the global leader” in museum security and protective services.
Lombardo is the former Acting Director and Chief Operating Officer for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). She began her career as a Special Agent in the Miami Field Office and held positions in at the US Consulate in Toronto, Canada, the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the New York City Office, and the Special Agent in Charge of the Tampa, Florida Field Office before taking the helm in Washington , DC . In 2018, she became the first women to lead the premiere federal law enforcement agency when United States Attorney General William Barr of the U.S. Department of Justice nominated her for the top leadership role, the greatest honor of her life.
Skilled in organizational discipline, oversight and accountability, and risk mitigation, her goal was to lead the women and men of ATF, despite the challenges and adversity she faced with a mission as critical as enforcing the federal firearms, explosives, and arson laws, as well as regulating the firearms industry.
It wasn’t long before she was truly tested. During the 2020 civil unrest, while navigating the agency through the Covid-19 global pandemic, she led the largest operational deployment in ATF’s history. Lombardo attributes her “Heart and Sword” leadership philosophy for her success during this time of extreme crisis, a style of leading with compassion and capability and authenticity.
Lombardo earned a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice and criminal law with a minor in education and teaching from the University of South Florida. She is a member of numerous professional organizations to include: Women in Federal Law Enforcement, the National Association of Women Law Enforcement Executives, the ATF Retired Foundation, The International Associations of Chiefs of Police, Major City Chiefs, and the Smithsonian Executive Board for Cultural Properties.