Leodler comes to the RIAA with 23 years of leadership and operational experience as a special agent with the FBI. In her most recent role as the Acting Special Agent in Charge (SAC) of the FBI’s office in San Diego, Leodler managed a multi-million dollar budget and a 500-person staff. Prior to her tenure as the senior official in the FBI’s San Diego office, Leodler served in several different senior leadership posts for the FBI, including Assistant Special Agent in Charge and Supervisory Special Agent.

“Kathy’s tremendous experience directing teams in sensitive and complex domestic and international investigations is supreme,” said Brad Buckles, Executive Vice President, Anti-Piracy, RIAA. “Her ability to utilize sophisticated techniques and tactical response will be a huge asset to the hard work we do to further our mission.”

As the Director of Investigations for the Western Region, Leodler will oversee all anti-piracy RIAA operations in the western United States and assist law enforcement authorities engaged in music piracy investigations. The work includes investigations into music theft both in traditional physical form and also online. Leodler reports to Buckles, who directs all anti-piracy operations.

“I am delighted to have this opportunity to head the West Coast office in the RIAA’s efforts to tackle physical and online piracy. The proliferation of music piracy and counterfeiting of American made products as a whole is a world wide issue with enormous impact to the nations overall economic well being,” said Leodler. “The RIAA’s West Coast office is committed to developing strong partnerships with law enforcement, local governments and the private sector to identify, investigate and bring to justice those individuals and organizations who unlawfully prey upon the music industry for their ill gotten financial gain.”

Buckles added, “Kathy's interpersonal skills along with her law enforcement experience bring the necessary blend of assets needed to oversee all west coast operations. We are proud to have her on board.”

Leodler is a member of many professional associations, including the American Society for Industrial Security International (ASIS), California Association of Hostage Negotiators, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, International Cargo Security Council, Law Enforcement Executive Development Association and Society of Former FBI Special Agents.

The RIAA’s Anti-Piracy Unit includes investigators in Washington and throughout the country who work with various law enforcement agencies to combat music theft. The Western Region Anti-Piracy Unit covers Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and Guam.