A retired FBI agent who grew up inside a Colombian cocaine-trafficking family is sharing his story with Alpharetta business leaders Wednesday, Aug. 5, at the Alpharetta Business Association's Lunch & Learn.

Diego H. Tobón, a retired special agent who spent 20 years with the bureau, is the featured speaker for the ABA's "From Ideas to Insights" series. His talk, titled "A Different Kind of Gold: A Fight for Redemption," draws from his forthcoming memoir of the same name.

Tobón was born in Pereira, Colombia, to a family entangled in the drug trade. He left that world behind, moved to the United States and walked onto a Division I soccer field at the University of South Alabama. Then he became one of them. He swore an oath to join the very agency his family once feared, according to the ABA's event listing.

Over his FBI career, Tobón served in five field offices and conducted more than 100 undercover operations targeting international narcotics trafficking, money laundering and organized crime. His assignments included deep undercover work and SWAT operations. He began in local policing before joining the bureau, where he served alongside his wife Angie, also a retired FBI agent. His LinkedIn profile lists his rank as supervisory special agent, indicating a leadership role within the FBI.

At the Aug. 5 luncheon, Tobón plans to discuss leadership under pressure, standing firm when others won't and finding purpose after a career change.

Tobón has described the memoir on social media as a story about resilience, redemption and the choices that define a person. The book's estimated shipping date is Sept. 1, making the ABA appearance a pre-publication event.

Tobón will sign copies and take questions after the program. Tickets are $75 for guests and $60 for ABA members. Registration is available at alpharettabusinessassociation.starchapter.com.