FBI Agents' Group Wants Rep. Mike Rogers to Head Bureau

(CNN) -- The FBI Agents Association called on President Obama on Monday to nominate Rep. Mike Rogers, a former agent himself, as director of the bureau.

The Michigan Republican currently chairs the House Intelligence Committee.

Konrad Motyka, the president of the agents' group said Rogers' time as an agent "sets him apart as someone capable of confronting the wide array of challenges facing our country and the Bureau." Motyka also said Rogers has the respect of both Democrats and Republicans.

"I am honored to have the confidence of the men and women of the FBI's Special Agent community, and am humbled by their endorsement of me to lead the Bureau," Rogers said in a statement. "In whatever capacity I serve the public, my focus will always be to ensure we are in the best position possible to keep America safe."

Rogers left the bureau in 1994 after serving more than five years as a special agent in Chicago focusing on organized crime.

The position of FBI director is a 10 year post. But President Obama made a surprising decision to extend the tenure of current director Robert Mueller an extra two years.

Mueller's term is due to end in early September and the President has not announced a replacement candidate. Whoever is chosen will have to be confirmed by the Senate.

The FBI Agents Association represents more than 12,000 active and retired agents. Before Obama announced Mueller would stay on for an extra two years the association came out in favor of former FBI executive Michael Mason to succeed him.