David W. Welker has been named Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the FBI’s New Orleans Division. Director Robert S. Mueller, III appointed him to this position to replace former SAC James Bernazzani, who retired in May 2008. Most recently, Mr. Welker served as an inspector in the FBI’s Inspection Division.

Mr. Welker entered on duty as a special agent with the FBI in 1987. Upon completion of training at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, he was assigned to the Detroit Field Office, Saginaw Resident Agency, where he conducted drug, violent crime, and civil rights investigations.

In 1992, Mr. Welker was promoted to FBI Headquarters as a supervisor in the Colombian/Caribbean Drug Traffickers Unit and later in the Mexican Drug Traffickers Unit. In 1995, he was transferred to the Cincinnati Division as a field supervisor, where he managed the Organized Crime/Drug Program and Violent Crimes and Major Offenders Program.

In August, 2002, Mr. Welker was appointed as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Tampa Division. Mr. Welker was responsible for National Security Branch matters in the Tampa Division.

In August, 2006, Mr. Welker was promoted to the position of Inspector at FBI Headquarters. Mr. Welker conducted inspections of FBI field offices, Legat offices, shooting incident reviews, and management reviews.

Born in Shamokin, Pennsylvania and raised in suburban Philadelphia, Mr. Welker graduated from the Philadelphia College of Bible (currently Philadelphia Biblical University) in 1977 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Bible/Pastoral Studies. In 1979, Mr. Welker joined the Bristol Township Police Department in Bristol, Pennsylvania, where he attained the rank of Sergeant. While employed at the Bristol Township Police Department, Mr. Welker attended the West Chester University, West Chester, Pennsylvania, where he studied criminal justice in the Criminal Justice Graduate Program. Mr. Welker is married and has three sons.