Training and Exercises
James E. Ayre is Assistant Secretary for Training and Exercises within the California Emergency Management Agency. His organization’s 3 divisions support California’s preparedness and response capability through coordinated training and exercise activities throughout the state.
Prior to his appointment to Assistant Secretary, Mr. Ayre served as the Chief of California’s Office of Homeland Security Training Branch where he was responsible for Anti-Terrorism Training, the training support team, and served as the primary advisor to the Director of the California Office of Homeland Security on training issues.
Mr. Ayre’s previous assignment was as a Special Agent with the California Department of Justice responsible for the Anti-Terrorism Training Program, Advanced Training Center (ATC).
Prior to his assignment at the ATC, Agent Ayre was a member of the Central Valley High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force. The Task Force’s mission was to identify, interdict, and dismantle illegal US and Foreign organizations operating in California’s Central Valley. Mr. Ayre’s duties included clandestine surveillance, tactical operations, undercover operation, and operating in hazardous environments.
Mr. Ayre is a retired officer of the California Army National Guard with 25 years of combined Federal and State service.
Mr. Ayre graduated from California State University at Sacramento with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration and Military Science. Graduate of the University of Southern California’s (USC) Executive Program in Counter-Terrorism.