Knowlton, Ellen B., 1955-

Ellen Knowlton, retired FBI agent and former Mob Museum Chairman of the Board grew up in Merced, California. She attended Sacramento State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business, later adding on an MBA from St. Mary’s.

In this Oral History Knowlton discusses her career from starting as an insurance claims adjuster to working her way up the ranks of the FBI and playing a key role in establishing the Mob Museum in Downtown Las Vegas. Knowlton begins by detailing her time as an insurance adjuster for Liberty Mutual, living on the road and the various vehicle accidents and workplace incidents in her caseloads. She discusses being recruited by the FBI and the rigors of working for the FBI while often being the only woman on her team.

Knowlton chronicles the various assignments and promotions of her FBI career starting in Sacramento, and moving around the country to New Orleans, Oklahoma City, Washington DC, San Francisco, and Las Vegas. She highlights the key roles she played in investigating white collar crime and coordinating the response to the September 11 terrorist attacks.

In the latter half of the interview Knowlton addresses the establishment on the Mob Museum and her role as chairman of the board. She explains the importance of making sure the FBI was accurately depicted in the museum’s narrative and the importance of having a non-gaming attraction in downtown. She focuses on the process of artifact acquisition for the museum and the experience of working with the city and other government agencies. She concludes the interview by listing other key figures who were essential in shaping the Mob Museum.