History of the Chiefs

(Total years of service)

Edward L. Hanna (1931 – 1965) was appointed as the first U.S. Probation Officer in the Western District of New York, by Chief U.S. District Judge Knight. Hanna was eventually appointed to Chief U.S. Probation Officer until he retired in 1965. Prior to his appointment, he served as a Lieutenant Commander in the Coast Guard Reserves and then became a U.S. Deputy Marshal.

Edward T. Flanigan (1939 – 1975) was appointed a U.S. Probation Officer in 1939. Flanigan was appointed to Chief U.S. Probation Officer in 1965 and served in this capacity until he retired in 1975.

William J. Schaefer (1956 – 1980) was appointed a U.S. Probation Officer in 1956, then was appointed to Chief U.S. Probation Officer in 1975 until 1980 when he retired. Prior to his appointment, Schaefer served in the United States Army during World War II. Following his time in the service, Schaefer earned his master’s degree in social work from the University of Buffalo, which led him to be a Social Worker for Catholic Charities.

William S. Powell, Jr. (1955 – 1983) was appointed a U.S. Probation Officer in 1955 in the District of Columbia, where he was the first African American U.S. Probation Officer in the district. In 1966, he transferred to the Western District of New York, becoming the first African American U.S. Probation Officer in the district. In 1980, Powell was appointed Chief U.S. Probation Officer and held that position until he retired in 1983. Prior to his appointment, Powell was a Tuskegee Airman. Once his military duty was complete, Powell returned to his home in Buffalo, NY, and received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Buffalo.

Daniel J. McMorrow (1974 – 1993) was appointed a U.S. Probation Officer in 1974. In 1983, he was appointed Chief U.S. Probation Officer by Chief U.S. District Judge John T. Curtin and held that position until 1990.

Rodney C. Early (1976 – 1991) was appointed as a U.S. Probation Officer in the Western District of New York in 1976, by Chief U.S. District Judge Michael Telesca. Early was later appointed as Chief U.S. Probation Officer in 1990, for one year. In 1991, Early was named Clerk of the U.S District Court in the Western District of New York and retired in 2009. Early went to Duquesne University for his bachelor’s degree and then attended Fordham University to complete his master’s degree. Before being hired by the federal government, Early started his career as a Probation Officer for Philadelphia County Probation and Parole.

Joseph A. Giacobbe (1976 - 2009) was appointed as a U.S. Probation Officer in the Southern District of New York, and in 1981, was appointed by Chief U.S. District Judge Michael Telesca as a U.S. Probation Officer for Western District New York. Giacobbe became the youngest chief hired in the U.S., in 1991. He held that position Chief until he retired in 2009, which also made him the longest serving Chief in the U.S. Chief Giacobbe was the recipient of the 2001 Director’s Award for Outstanding Leadership. This award is the highest honor a federal court employee can receive. Further, he served as a chairman of the Chief’s Advisory Group (CAG) for three years.

Anthony M. San Giacomo (1991 – 2020) was appointed a U.S. Probation Officer by Chief U.S. District Court Judge William Skretny in 1991. San Giacomo was promoted to a Senior/Team Leader U.S. Probation Officer in 1994, and in 1996 was promoted to a Supervisory U.S. Probation officer. San Giacomo was promoted to Assistant Deputy Chief in 2002 and served in that role for three years before being promoted to Deputy Chief. On January 1, 2010, he was appointed to Chief U.S. Probation Officer, and held that position through 2020. Additionally, Chief San Giacomo served as the head of the Chief’s Advisory Group (CAG) for two years.

Timothy C. Englerth (2001 – Present) was appointed a U.S Probation Officer by Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer in 2001. Englerth was promoted to a Supervisory U.S. Probation officer in 2007, and in 2014, was promoted to Deputy Chief. He held the position of Deputy Chief until being appointed to Chief U.S Probation Officer on January 1, 2021. Chief Englerth attended the University of Dayton and graduated with a bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and International Studies. He then received his master’s degree in public administration from SUNY Brockport. After college, Chief Englerth worked for Monroe County Pretrial Services for four years, and then was a Probation Officer for Monroe County Probation for six years, until hired by U.S. Probation.