For Immediate Release
January 24, 2000

Washington D.C.
FBI National Press Office

FBI Director Louis J. Freeh today announced the appointment of David E. Alba as the Assistant Director of the recently formed Investigative Services Division at FBI Headquarters. On November 11, 1999, Director Freeh announced the creation of two new divisions at FBI Headquarters including the Investigative Services Division. This new division encompasses existing components that were previously part of the National Security Division and the Criminal Investigative Division including the International Operations Branch and Strategic Information Operations Center.

Director Freeh stated, "Dave Alba brings to this critical assignment a distinguished career of investigative successes including cases with international impact. His investigative record, supervisory experiences, and leadership positions uniquely qualify him to fill this key position in the FBI. He has worked extensively with a number of domestic and foreign law enforcement agencies, and has developed solid relationships based on mutual respect and trust."

Mr. Alba most recently served as the Special Agent in Charge of the El Paso Division.
In this capacity, he was responsible for the overall direction of FBI investigations throughout west Texas including an extensive border territory with Mexico. In the new Investigative Services Division, Mr. Alba will provide direction to a compilation of investigative support programs at the core of the FBI's fundamental mission including the recently formed Information, Analysis and Assessments Branch, the International Operations Branch, and the Critical Incident Response Group.

The Information, Analysis and Assessments Branch is an initiative that will broaden the FBI's ability to extract information, and develop detailed analysis and assessment of information across the entire spectrum of criminal and intelligence investigations. Recent events again have demonstrated the need for timely and enhanced analytical capabilities. At the center of this initiative is the Strategic Information Operations Center (SIOC). The International Operations Branch administers and supports the FBI's overseas Legat Offices and the Language Services Section. The Critical Incident Response Group (CIRG) houses a number of units including the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime, the Crisis Management Unit, and the Hostage Rescue Team.

Mr. Alba was born in Piedras Negras, Mexico, and reared in Pecos, Texas. He received a Bachelors degree in Sociology in 1971 from Brigham Young University. After graduation, Mr. Alba served for over four years as a Special Agent with the U.S. Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (now DEA). In 1979, he received a Juris Doctorate degree from Brigham Young University Law School.

In April, 1980, Mr. Alba became a Special Agent for the FBI. He was first assigned to the San Francisco Division. In August, 1984, he was transferred to the San Juan Division. He was promoted to the position of Supervisory Special Agent before leaving Puerto Rico in December, 1988, for an assignment in the Drug Section of the Criminal Investigative Division and later in the Administrative Services Division at FBIHQ. In August, 1993, he was transferred to the McAllen, Texas Resident Agency as an Assistant Special Agent in Charge within the southern Texas field office region administered by the San Antonio Division. In this capacity, he was responsible for the Resident Agencies in Brownsville, Del Rio, and Laredo as well as McAllen. In July, 1996, he was designated the Special Agent in Charge of the El Paso Division.