Kenneth E. Melson, an adjunct professor in the GW Law School, has been named the acting head of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Department of Justice announced yesterday.

In a news release, Attorney General Eric Holder called Melson a “dedicated public servant” and “extremely capable and experienced.”

Since 2007, Melson has been the director of the Executive Office of U.S. Attorneys, and has held positions in various state and federal agencies for over 30 years. At the ATF, he will lead an agency with more than 4,500 employees and a $1 billion operating budget. Melson’s move to ATF was part of a series of personnel changes by Holder.

In addition to being an adjunct professor, Melson is also an alumnus, having received his J.D. from the law school in 1973.