Michael Sullivan joined the Gillette Company as a stock clerk at the age of 18, working his way up through positions in human resources and quality operations before becoming assistant to the president. He graduated from BostonCollege and SuffolkUniversityLawSchool while employed with Gillette—with whom he remained for a total of 16 years. 

 

He was elected to the Massachusetts State House of Representatives in 1990, and served for three terms. Sullivan was appointed District Attorney of Plymouth County, MA in 1995, and elected to the position in 1996 and 1998. He became US Attorney for Massachusetts in 2001. 

 

Sullivan was nominated Acting Director of the ATF in 2007 by President George W. Bush, but his confirmation was blocked by three Republican legislators who claimed that he supports regulation policies hostile toward small gun business owners. He served as acting director of ATF until Bush left office on January 20, 2009.

 

ATF nominee in the crossfire (by Rick Schmitt, Los Angeles Times)

Sullivan ATF confirmation blocked (by Jonathan Saltzman, Boston Globe)

Senators from Idaho Block ATF Nominee (Associated Press)