Mark Giuliano, a former FBI deputy director who led the agency’s Atlanta office in the early 2010s and pursued high-profile cases of corruption, investor fraud and more, has died.
Giuliano died unexpectedly at his home in Decatur on Saturday, his family confirmed, but a cause of death was not immediately known. He was 62.
Giuliano began his 28-year FBI career in 1988 as a special agent in the agency’s Washington office. He rose through the ranks and in 1997, was named supervisory special agent over the FBI’s Violent Crimes Section, where he oversaw the department’s “Ten Most Wanted” program.
In the mid-2000s, Giuliano was assigned to the agency’s Atlanta Division to lead counterterrorism and counterintelligence operations in Georgia. Later, his work took him to Afghanistan, where he spearheaded an FBI team supporting U.S. Special Forces during the war.
In 2012, Giuliano was named special agent in charge of the Atlanta office, overseeing investigations into a Ponzi scheme that scammed Atlantans out of millions of dollars, insider trading by executives at the children’s clothing giant Carter’s, and other cases of national import.
A year later, Giuliano was tabbed FBI deputy director, the agency’s second-highest post, where he worked under its former head, Director James Comey.
In a statement, Keri Farley, the FBI Atlanta division’s current special agent in charge, remembered Giuliano as “an amazing leader, mentor, and friend.”
“His steadfast leadership, guidance and passion for the FBI mission will be greatly missed,” Farley added.
In 2015, Giuliano joined the Atlanta-based investment management firm Invesco, where he served as its senior managing director and chief administrative officer.
Invesco CEO Andrew Schlossberg called Giuliano a “dear friend and colleague.”
“His contributions to Invesco’s business over his eight years with the firm have been immeasurable, but his ability to connect with and care for our people is what we will miss most,” Schlossberg said in a statement. “The entire Invesco community mourns his passing, and we extend our deepest condolences to his family.
Giuliano’s family remembered him as a devoted husband, father and brother.
His younger brother, Dave Giuliano of Strongsville, Ohio, said Mark — the oldest of nine siblings — was a born leader.
“He set the bar really high for everyone,” Dave Giuliano said.
Growing up in Ohio, the two shared a room together, and Dave Giuliano said he often fell asleep to the sound of his brother working tirelessly on homework late into the night.
When their father died at age 63, Dave Giuliano said the younger siblings — one of whom was still in high school — leaned on Mark for support and guidance.
“When he (my father) went, Mark was the one that we all turned to,” Dave Giuliano said. “He was just born to do that kind of stuff.”
Mark Giuliano leaves behind his wife, Judy, and three children.
A visitation is planned for Tuesday, March 5, from 1 to 3 p.m. and from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Tom M. Wages Funeral Services Snellville Chapel at 3705 U.S. 78 West. A funeral Mass is scheduled for March 6 at 11:30 a.m. at the St. John Neumann Catholic Church (801 Tom Smith Road SW in Lilburn.
