Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt A. Hoffman is pleased to announce that Colonel Brian R. Woodring graduated from the 283rd session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Academy on the United States Marine Corps base in Quantico, VA.

The National Academy is a 10-week invitation-only program that places a heavy emphasis on advanced communication, leadership, and fitness training, with coursework in Legal Issues, Behavioral Science, Cyber Threats, and more. The 283rd session included a diverse group of 235 law enforcement executives from 49 states, the District of Columbia, and 21 countries. Colonel Woodring is among nearly 54,000 graduates who have completed the FBI Academy since it began in 1935. During his program, Colonel Woodring also earned a graduate certificate in Leadership from the University of Virginia.

"This executive training is second to none in the United States," commented Sheriff Hoffman. "The men and women who dedicate ten weeks to rigorous mental and physical training in Quantico are seasoned law enforcement professionals and some of the best in the field. I am very proud Colonel Woodring was selected to attend the academy, and I look forward to the ideas and enhanced leadership he is bringing back to our agency and community."

Colonel Woodring earned his bachelor’s degree from Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania and holds a master’s degree from the University of South Florida. Woodring joined the sheriff’s office in 1996 and over the course of his career, worked in many different areas, including the Criminal Investigations Section, Community Policing Unit, and Emergency Operations Bureau. In 2010, Woodring joined the agency’s SWAT Team, and in 2017, he graduated from the National Tactical Officers Association’s SWAT Team Leader Development Course. In 2018, Woodring graduated from the FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association’s 306th Command Institute for Law Enforcement Executives and the 241st Executive Leadership Institute. Also, in 2018, he assumed the role of SWAT Team Commander and was promoted to the rank of Captain.

Woodring is a graduate of the FBI’s Florida Executive Development Seminar and Southern Police Institute’s 77th Command Officer Development Course through the University of Louisville. After being promoted to Major and assigned to the Law Enforcement division in early 2021, Woodring was selected to serve as Sheriff Hoffman's chief deputy and Colonel in January 2022. He currently serves on the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) as well as the board of directors for Teen Court of Sarasota.