“ATF Legacies” is an interview series featuring innovators, changemakers and legends from ATF’s history. We sat down with Jo Ann Kocher to discuss her experiences as ATF’s first female special agent and one of the first female agents ever in federal law enforcement. Reminiscing over her past experiences, Jo Ann discusses her career as an ATF trailblazer and shares her hopes for women in the law enforcement field.
Search for Excitement
Before joining ATF, Jo Ann went through multiple career changes seeking excitement instead of the typical 9 to 5 jobs. A chance encounter on a flight offered her the opportunity to experience the excitement she had been chasing.
Life Influences
Jo Ann’s mother instilled in her that she could do whatever she wanted, and she was taught to treat everyone with respect. She used those lessons throughout her career, and they have even carried over into the volunteer work she does now that she’s retired.
Using Empathy to Succeed
Empathy is a big part of Jo Ann’s character. It’s allowed her to appreciate her own life experiences while also providing her with the desire to help others. Her empathy helped her better connect with her community, which ultimately helped her to succeed.
