Ep. 196 - Greg Bretzing - A Life of Service in The FBI
Greg Bretzing grew up with the goal of working for the FBI, just like his Father. After serving a mission in Spain, he studied accounting at BYU, where he met his wife. He began his career as an FBI special agent in 1995 and reported to the Phoenix Field Office, where he investigated drug, corruption, and violent crime matters. He was the case agent of a large, multi-national organized crime and corruption case and received the Office of National Drug Control Policy National Task Force Investigation of the Year award, as well as the Drug Enforcement Administration Administrator’s Award. In September 2000, Greg was promoted to supervisory special agent in the Criminal Investigative Division’s Money Laundering Unit at FBI Headquarters. Following the September 11 attacks, he was instrumental in tracing funds used by the hijackers to carry out the attack. Greg was promoted in August 2002 to unit chief in the Terrorist Financing Operations Section. He was recognized for his work by the CIA and received the National Intelligence Certificate of Distinction for his contributions to the FBI’s counterterrorism efforts. In January 2004, he transferred to the Salt Lake City Field Office, where he managed the Joint Terrorism Task Force. He was promoted to assistant special agent in charge in September 2007 and led the office’s Criminal Branch. In August 2009, he was assigned as the FBI on-scene commander in Afghanistan, where he served for four months. In December 2009, Greg returned to Salt Lake City as the assistant special agent in charge and assumed responsibility for Salt Lake City’s National Security Branch in July 2010. He was appointed as an inspector in August 2012. He was then selected to serve as special agent in charge of the FBI’s Portland Division. There he was in charge of multiple high profile cases including the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge Takeover. Greg is a true patriot, devoted husband, and proud father. His stories from the field are fascinating and give a rare glimpse into the life of a FBI agent.