Christie chooses new Homeland Security chief

Gov. Chris Christie has named a former FBI counterterrorism expert to lead the state Department of Homeland Security and Preparedness.

Edward Dickson replaces Charles McKenna, who was named in December as Christie's chief counsel.

Dickson is currently the director of investigations for a Wall Street financial services company but has 25 years of experience with the FBI, working for the agency from 1983 to 2008. From 2001 to 2004, he was the assistant Special Agent in Charge for the Newark division, where he oversaw all counterterrorism and counterintelligence investigations in the office following the September 11 attacks. He then served as an Inspector in the FBI's Inspection Division and then as the section chief for counterterrorism.

Dickson's nomination must be confirmed by the state Senate.