David Bowdich, formerly assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles field office, has been named associate deputy director of the bureau, its third-ranked executive position.

The FBI said Thursday Bowdich will be responsible for the agency’s non-operational divisions and branches and be succeeded at the LA office by Deirdre Fike, special agent in charge of the FBI’s division in Anchorage, Alaska.

Bowdich joined the FBI in 1995 as a special agent and served as a SWAT member, sniper and gangs and violent crimes investigator during his assignment at the bureau’s San Diego field office.

The former New Mexico detective and police officer helped the FBI launch the U.S.’ first hybrid squad against kidnapping groups with operations across the U.S. and Mexican border.

His previous roles at the FBI include special agent in charge of the LA office’s counterterrorism division and special assistant to the associate deputy director at the bureau’s headquarters in Washington, D.C.