John Leas

John is a nationally recognized safety and security executive with more than 40 years of leadership experience in law enforcement and professional sports and entertainment security. He served five years as Director of Security for the San Diego Padres, where he developed and managed comprehensive safety, security, and crisis response operations for Major League Baseball games and large-scale special events at Petco Park.

During his tenure, he oversaw security for 81 annual home games and high-profile events including concerts featuring Taylor Swift, The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, and Paul McCartney. He directed security operations for nationally televised and large-scale events such as Monster Energy Supercross, Monster Jam, American Idol, and the Davis Cup. He collaborated with MLB Security during the World Series and MLB All-Star Games.

John established performance standards and led initiatives in crisis management, business continuity, disaster preparedness, workplace violence prevention, and 24/7 security operations. He partnered extensively with local, state, and federal agencies, serving as primary liaison for visiting dignitaries and protective details.

Before joining the Padres, John served 31 years with the San Diego Police Department, retiring as Police Lieutenant. He led specialized units including Gangs, Robbery, Narcotics Task Force, Special Events, and Executive Protection. His leadership roles included major national events such as the 1996 Republican National Convention and large-scale emergency operations during regional wildland fires.

John has received numerous professional honors, including NCS4 MLB Professional of the Year and recognition as one of Security Magazine’s Top 500 Leaders. Today, John provides special event safety consulting nationwide, advises legal teams in litigation matters, and continues to serve as a sought-after speaker and instructor in public safety and event risk management.