The San Diego Convention Center has a new security director.

Todd Temple, a decorated special agent with 22 years in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), begins his new role as the Convention Center's Director of Public Safety ­and Guest Services on Tuesday, April 2.

Todd is replacing Josh Layne who left his position after 12 years of service.

Temple is a San Diego native, born and raised in El Cajon. He gratudated from Valhalla High School and earned his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology/Law and Society.

"I am proud to be joining this team and working for a world-class convention center," Todd said. "I am excited and feel blessed for the opportunity to join such a highly recognized and respected organization in San Diego."

During his tenure with the FBI, he served as the Crisis Management and Special Event Coordinator of the FBI’s San Diego Field Office and as a Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) of the San Diego Division’s Joint Terrorism Task Force and SSA of the Division’s Critical Incident Response Team.

(Above Photo:) Todd Temple working Comic-Con in 2017 with SDPD and former Director of Security Josh Layne

He managed the division’s crisis response programs, which includes Command Post Operations, Special Agent Bomb Technicians, Special Events, and the Evidence Response Team. Within Special Events, he was responsible for FBI resources and response capability for large-scale special events in the City of San Diego, including Comic-Con International, the 2016 MLB All-Star Game, 2017 Breeder’s Cup, Rock n Roll Marathon, Big Bay Boom, San Diego County Fair and the Miramar Air Show.

Prior to his role in the FBI, Todd worked for the San Diego Sheriff's Department for six years.

"Here at the Convention Center, we are San Diego," said Clifford "Rip" Rippetoe, CVE, President & CEO of the San Diego Convention Center Corporation. "At the heart of our facility are San Diegans who choose to work here every day. It makes us proud to know that Todd, with his incredible resume of service and duty, is choosing to work here and help us protect and secure the venue for everyone who gathers here."

"We are so pleased to have found a candidate of Todd’s caliber," said the Convention Center's Chief Operating Officer Karen Totaro, CVE. "Not only does he bring years of experience and training, but a true understanding of the value in building strong relationships with our community, our customers and our guests."

Temple said that having a structured network of established local, state and federal partners is essential to venue safety and security. That is why he will be joining the International Association of Venue Manager's (IAVM) in addition to his role as head of security for the Convention Center. Representing public assembly venues from around the globe, IAVM’s 5,900 active members include managers and senior executives from auditoriums, arenas, convention centers, exhibit halls, stadiums, performing arts centers, university complexes, fairgrounds and amphitheaters.

Rippetoe is currently the 2nd Vice Chair of the IAVM Board and Totaro is a past IAVM Board Chair.