FBC Directors Before Jesse Faden: Ash, Northmoor, and Trench
The FBC directors before Jesse Faden were Theodore Ash Sr., Broderick Northmoor, and Zachariah Trench. They guided the Bureau from traditional government roots through The Board’s influence and into the Hiss crisis. Their decisions still define the Oldest House and the Remedy Connected Universe today.
If you’ve ever fired up Control and wondered who ran the show before Jesse stepped in as Director, you’re not alone. The FBC directors before Jesse Faden form the backbone of the Bureau’s modern history. Their choices turned a secretive agency into something far stranger.
I’ve spent way too many hours digging through in-game documents, hotline recordings, and collectibles. Let’s walk through who these guys were, how they connected, and why they matter.
Who Were the FBC Directors Before Jesse Faden?
The FBC directors before Jesse Faden represent three distinct eras. Theodore Ash Sr. was the last traditional director. Broderick Northmoor brought The Board into the picture. Zachariah Trench dealt with the consequences and triggered the Hiss.
Their tenures stretch from the early 1960s right up to October 2019. Each man left permanent marks on the Oldest House and the paranatural world. Understanding them helps explain why the Bureau works the way it does when Jesse takes over.
The Remedy Connected Universe builds heavily on these layers. Every locked door and mysterious message ties back to their actions.
Theodore Ash, Sr.: The Last Director Appointed by the Government
Theodore Ash Sr. served as Director of the FBC until his death in late July 1964. He was the last director chosen directly by the U.S. government rather than through The Board.
Ash Sr. lived deeply in an esoteric world. He dedicated his career to hunting for places of power and sacred sites. He believed the Bureau needed a special location for real paranatural understanding. He died just days before the Oldest House was discovered on August 4, 1964.
He appointed his son, Dr. Theodore Ash Jr., as Head of Research despite their difficult relationship. Before passing, Ash Sr. nominated Broderick Northmoor as successor. That decision changed everything.
Ash Sr.’s era feels almost innocent next to what followed. The Bureau still operated more like a secretive government office.
Broderick Northmoor: The Director Consumed by the Board
Broderick Northmoor took over in August 1964 and became the first director selected through The Board’s influence. He was a man like an explosion—hungry for authority and order.
Northmoor led the first expeditions into the Oldest House. He found the Service Weapon and made direct contact with The Board. The experience gave him heat-based paranatural powers.
He bound himself to the Floppy Disk Object of Power. Using it, he managed to send a bowling ball six yards through the air—a huge deal at the time when researchers had only moved pencils and cups short distances.
Power eventually overwhelmed him. He lost control and stepped down at Zachariah Trench’s urging. Northmoor entered permanent containment in the Northmoor Sarcophagus Container. His contained form still powers much of the Oldest House today.
Northmoor dismissed previous directors, including Ash Sr., as shams. His devotion to The Board set the template for future selections, including Jesse’s.
Zachariah Trench: The Director Who Unleashed the Hiss
Zachariah Trench succeeded Northmoor and served until October 29, 2019. He started as a field agent and brought a cautious, security-focused approach.
Trench proposed Northmoor’s containment. He implemented major reforms including the Panopticon and sector lockdown protocols. He also bound the Ashtray and Cigarette Object of Power to create the shifting Ashtray Maze.
Under Trench, the Bureau handled the 2002 Ordinary AWE and secured the Slide Projector. Exposure to resonance from Slidescape-36 expeditions slowly affected him.
In 2019, Trench activated a secret burned slide. This unleashed the Hiss invasion. He died shortly after, leaving chaos for Jesse to inherit. His hotline messages still guide the new Director.
That single decision didn’t come out of nowhere. Trench’s slow corruption during the Slidescape-36 expeditions, his fractured relationship with Dr. Casper Darling, and the personal tragedy that isolated him all played a part. We unpack the full psychological breakdown in our deep dive on why Trench released the Hiss in Control.
How the FBC Directors Before Jesse Faden Were Connected
The succession line shows clear influence. Ash Sr. nominated Northmoor. Northmoor transformed the Bureau via The Board. Trench contained Northmoor and later triggered the Hiss using gathered tools.
Tension ran through their relationships. Northmoor scorned earlier directors. Trench saw Northmoor’s danger firsthand. Ash Sr. never witnessed the full consequences.
This chain shaped culture, security, and the Oldest House’s power source. Their philosophies—esoteric curiosity, raw hunger, cautious security—layered on top of each other.
What Impact Did These Directors Have on the Remedy Connected Universe?
On a major scale, they enabled the Oldest House’s discovery and control. Northmoor’s Board connection made the modern Director ritual possible. Trench’s actions created the Hiss conflict Jesse resolves.
On smaller scales, they influenced daily life. Northmoor’s sarcophagus supplies power. Ash Sr.’s interests echo in ongoing research. These FBC directors before Jesse Faden created conditions for every altered item and threat. Their flaws and strengths became the Bureau’s.
Why These Stories Still Matter in 2026
Even years later, players discover new layers in logs and memos. The FBC directors before Jesse Faden provide foundational lore that makes the world feel consistent.
Their influences remain—especially Northmoor’s containment and Trench’s messages. With Control Resonant launching September 24, 2026, and Jesse appearing as a major character, these past directors offer perfect context for new stories and command-structure developments.
If you’re diving into Control or preparing for Resonant, knowing these three adds serious depth.
FAQ
Who was the director right before Jesse Faden?
Zachariah Trench was the FBC director immediately before Jesse Faden. He died during the Hiss invasion.
What happened to Broderick Northmoor?
Broderick Northmoor entered permanent containment. He still powers the Oldest House from the sarcophagus.
Did Theodore Ash Sr. see the Oldest House?
No. Theodore Ash Sr. died days before its discovery in August 1964.
How did the FBC directors before Jesse Faden choose successors?
Ash Sr. nominated traditionally. Later directors followed The Board’s Service Weapon process.
Why care about old FBC directors in Control?
They explain the Bureau’s structure, power sources, and the Hiss crisis origins.
Wrapping It Up
The FBC directors before Jesse Faden—Theodore Ash Sr., Broderick Northmoor, and Zachariah Trench—built the world of Control. From Ash Sr.’s search for power places to Northmoor’s transformation and Trench’s tragic leadership, their stories create the perfect setup for Jesse’s journey.
Next time you explore the Oldest House, listen to those hotlines. You’ll spot their influence everywhere. Planning to play Control Resonant? These directors give you the perfect foundation.
What’s your favorite lore detail about them? Drop it in the comments.
| Confirmed | |
|---|---|
| Ash Sr. died | 1964, shortly before/around the first Oldest House expedition |
| Ash Sr.’s key act | Personally nominated Northmoor as his successor |
| Northmoor | First Director chosen by the Board; discovered the Service Weapon; later contained in the NSC at Trench’s suggestion |
| Ordinary AWE | September 14, 2002 — involved Jesse and Dylan Faden as children |
| Slide Projector | Recovered from the Ordinary AWE; Trench secretly kept one burned slide |
| Hiss invasion | October 29, 2019 — Trench deliberately used his kept slide, then died by his own hand with the Service Weapon |
| Control Resonant | Confirmed release September 24, 2026; stars Dylan Faden; set in Manhattan; Jesse appears as a major character; Emily Pope is acting co-director |
References:
– https://control.fandom.com/wiki/Theodore_Ash,_Sr.
– https://control.fandom.com/wiki/Broderick_Northmoor
