The GSPG Podcast

Leveraging TEPP Networking Mixers with Michael Gonzales

On this episode, Global Security and Protection Group's Managing Director Ron Jacobus interviews Whataburger Brand Security Program Manager and Texas Executive Protection Professionals founder Michael J Gonzales.

Listen in as Michael returns to the program to share all things Texas Executive Protection Professionals, the importance of networking for industry practitioners, and how past mixers have positively impacted individuals starting or enhancing their executive protection career. 

Register here for TEPP’s upcoming November 4.0 Mixer. 

A Protector's Journey Through Public and Private Sector Protection with Allan Ring

On this episode, Global Security and Protection Group's Managing Director Ron Jacobus is joined by U.S. Army Veteran and Critical Security Solutions Founder Allan Ring.  

Allan shares his experience protecting the Secretary of Defense and other prominent military leaders, his selection as the Joint Special Operations Command's Director of Security, and eventual transition from public service protection to the private security industry.

Allan shares his insights from a recent assignment protecting news crew members at the 2024 Republican and Democratic National Conventions. Allan highlights how mentorship, networking, and training with RL Oatman & Associates, Inc. and Lasorsa and Associates has positively impacted his professional journey. 

If you found this episode of the GSPG Podcast valuable, be sure to like, follow, and share it with others in the executive protection and security management field. You can find us on Spotify, Audible, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. Until next time, stay safe.

American Diplomat: Diplomatic Security and Beyond with Alex Reinshagen

On this episode, Global Security and Protection Group's Managing Director Ron Jacobus is joined by former Supervisory Special Agent with the U.S. State Department's Diplomatic Security Service Supervisory Special Agent, current Viking Security CEO, and Author Alex Reinshagen.

Listen as Alex shares his experience protecting U.S. Diplomats around the world, transition from public service to the private security industry, and his recently published memoir, American Diplomat: Surviving on the Frontlines of Diplomacy as a Foreign Service Special Agent.

A Protective Security Journey in Mental Resilience with Dr. Mary Beth Janke

Welcome to the Global Security and Protection Group podcast with your host, Ron Jacobus. In this episode, we dive deep into the protective security journey of Dr. Mary Beth Janke, a former Secret Service agent, private sector protector, and author of The Protector who has since transitioned into the field of forensic and clinical psychology.

Dr. Janke shares her unique experiences from her upbringing in the Midwest to her time circumnavigating the globe in the protective security space. Discover how her childhood and family dynamics shaped her career, leading her to become a trailblazer in the male-dominated world of executive protection.

Listen as Dr. Janke recounts her pivotal moments, including her unexpected transition from the Secret Service to the private sector and how she leveraged her skills to thrive in high-stakes environments. Learn about the mental health challenges faced by protectors and the evolving landscape of mental health support in the industry.

Dr. Janke also discusses her current endeavors in mentoring, public speaking, and her innovative approach to building mental resilience through her five-day challenge. This episode is packed with insights, personal anecdotes, and practical advice for anyone in the security and protection field.

Join us for an inspiring conversation that highlights the resilience, adaptability, and continuous growth essential for success in both personal and professional life.

 

Locks, Leaks, and Red Team Operations with Ana Aslanishvili

On this episode, Global Security and Protection Group's Managing Director Ron Jacobus is joined by security professional, Center for Advanced Red Teaming (CART) Board Member, Locks and Leaks Substack creator, and Pine Risk Management CEO Ana Aslanishvili. 

Listen in as Ana shares her experience and journey as a Red Team practitioner and highlights how her childhood impacted her situational awareness foundation and passion to help and protect others. 

You can catch Ana and her Red Team partner Shawn Abelson share their experiences, insights, and stories in person as they hit the securirty conference circuit later this year at Def Con in August and GSX in September. 

From Blackwater to the Board of Executive Protection Professionals: A Protective Security Journey with James Cameron

On this episode, Global Security and Protection Group's Managing Director Ron Jacobus is joined by James Cameron, President and CEO of the Security Concepts Group, Chairman of the Board of Executive Protection Professionals, former Blackwater USA contractor and Triple Canopy WPPS Instructor.   

Listen in as James shares his professional journey from service in the U.S. Military to high-threat protection with both Blackwater USA and Triple Canopy, and current work with his own provide security company. James also shares about the upcoming 2024 BEPP Executive Security Operations Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

Cheating Death: Life in and After the United States Secret Service with Kenneth Valentine

On this episode, Global Security and Protection Group's Managing Director Ron Jacobus is joined by Kenneth Valentine, a retired U.S. Secret Service Special Agent, current corporate security professional, and author of the forthcoming book, "Cheating Death: Three-Time Presidential Secret Service Agent Lives to Tell You How" set for release on April 16th, 2024. 

Listen in as Kenneth shares his professional journey to the U.S. Secret Service, his experinece as a Special Agent who served in both the pre-and-post 9/11 world, his transition to the private sector coporate security arena, and his board member work with Base Molecular Resonance Technologies, LLC, The WellHouse, and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. 

Leadership in Action from the LAPD to the IPSB Stage with Brian Bixler

On this episode, Global Security and Portection Group's Managing Director Ron Jacobus is joined by Ret. LAPD Captain and Foresight Security Consulting Chief Operations Officer Brian Bixler.

Listen in as Brian recaps his professional journey in the LAPD, his transition from the public sector into the private sector, and his experience attending and speaking at the 2023 International Protrective Security Board Conference last year in Dallas, TX. 

A Career of Service with Kevin Dye and the BEPP’s New Guidebook

In this two part episode, Global Security & Protection Group’s Managing Director Ronald J. interviews U.S. Air Force veteran, Senior Manager of Executive Protection at the Procter and Gamble Company, and former Secret Service Special Agent Kevin Dye. 

In part one, Kevin shares how his military service provided him with a unique lens into the Secret Service where he would later as a Special Agent on the Presidential Protection Detail before making the great transition into the private sector.  

In part two, Kevin is joined by fellow Board of Executive Protection Professionals members James Cameron, Gerard Boniello, and Steve Hernandez to discuss their Executive Protection and Logistics Guidebook and the 2024 BEPP Conference. 

Post note: 

The GSPG would like to recognize the hard work and dedication of Joe Autera who was unable to join is co-authors on this episode, but was pivital to the creation of The Executive Protection Advance & Logistics Guidebook. 

Solo Protection with Justen Keating

On this episode, Global Security & Protection Group’s Managing Director Ronald J. interviews Justen Keating, a protective security practitioner, U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, former government  contractor, founder of Keating Global Risks, and author of The Protector Series.

Listen in as Justen shares how his military service prepared him for success as a private security contractor working high-threat diplomatic protection for the U.S. State Department in Afghanistan and later the CIA around the world. We discuss his recent book about solo executive protection and discovered how his love for poetry helped him combat Post-Tramatic Stress (PTS) and shapped his warrior poet mindset.  

We Were Blackwater: A Look Back and Life After with Barrie ”Baz’” Rice

On this episode, Global Security & Protection Group’s Managing Director Ronald J. interviews Barrie "Baz" Rice, a New Zealand Defense Force Special Air Service veteran and former Blackwater security contractor.

Listen in as Barrie shares his journey as a Tier-1 operator, movie and film military adviser, and Blackwater security contractor. Barrie details how his experiences in Iraq still carry on with him to this day in his personal and professional life. 

Campus Security with Hi Nguyen

On this episode, Global Security and Protection Group’s Managing Director Ron Jacobus interviews Hi Nguyen, a former Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) Officer, owner of Team Up security leadership consulting, and the curent Director of Protective Services at the University of Ottawa. 

Listen in as Hi shares his protective security journey from protecting government officials and chasing teorrist as an RCMP Officer to managing campus security at the University of Ottawa. 

Digital Executive Protection with Trinity Davis, Chris Sargent, and Christian Wingfield

On this episode, Global Security and Protection Group’s Managing Director Ron Jacobus interviews Trinity Davis, Chris Sargent, and Christian Wingfield from 360 Privacy. 

Listen in as this trio of dedicated professionals demystify the mysterious cyber-world of digital executive protection, discuss the impact of digital risk on clients and executive protection practitioners, and share their experiences protecting clients and their protective teams from digital threats.   

TSCM: Protecting the Spoken Word with Chris Browning and Anthony Reep

On this episode, Global Security and Protection Group’s Managing Director Ron Jacobus interviews Chris Browning and Anthony Reep from Research Electronics International (REI). 

Listen in as Chris and Anthony share the fascinating world of Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM), how TSCM impacts executive protection and security management clients, and their experience training public and private sector Technical Surveillance Countermeasure (TSCM) Technicians from around the world.

BEPP Conference After Action Review with Travis Lishok

On this episode, Global Security and Protection Group's Managing Director Ron Jacobus is joined by Rozin Security Sr. Consultation, ASIS Certified Protection Professional (CPP), and Host of the Security Student Podcast Travis Lishok for a special joint GSPG and Security Student Podcast episode. 

Listen in as Ron and Travis discuss their attendance at the Board of Executive Protection Professionals (BEPP)’s inaugural conference earlier in the month at the Lowe’s Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri. 

Networking in Executive Protection with Michael J Gonzales

On this episode, Global Security and Protection Group's Managing Director Ron Jacobus interviews security professional and Whataburger Brand Security Program Manager Michael J Gonzales.

Listen in as Michael shares his experience as a corporate security executive, transition from the U.S. Marine Corps to the Protective Security Industry, the importance of networking with other protectors, and a recap of the Texas Executive Protection Protectionals - TEPP's first networking mixer. 

Mastering the Art of Situational Awareness with Christopher Powell

On this episode, Global Security and Protection Group's Managing Director Ron Jacobus interviews Christopher Powell, a security professional and retired U.S. Army Ground Reconnaissance and Counterintelligence Special Agent.  

Chris talks situational awarness concepts for protective security professionals from his vantage point as a Situation Awareness Specialist (SAS) & Applied Verbal De-escalation instructor with the Arcuri Group.

This episode is sponsored by the Texas Executive Protection Professionals (TEPP) organization. 

Bodyguards for Kids with Denida and Chris Grow

On this episode, Global Security and Protection Group's Managing Director Ron Jacobus interviews security power couple Denida and Chris Grow.  

Listen in as the security duo shares their security journey, discuss their passion providing protective security for children, managing a work-life balance as a couple in the security industry, and their upcoming virtual fundraiser event: Bodyguards for Kids. 

Special Fundraising Event Highlight: Bodyguards for Kids.

Bodyguards for Kids Event Overview (March 18th-19th):

For years, St. Jude's hospital has treated children from all 50 states as well as from around the world. About 8,600 patients are seen at St. Jude annually, most of whom are treated on a continuing outpatient basis and are part of ongoing research programs.

In a heartwarming effort to support. St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in Memphis Tennessee, Nannyguards has launched a new project called Bodyguards for Kids. This virtual networking and educational fundraising event will provide medical assistance and support to children in need, with 100% of the donations and event fees going directly to St. Jude’s. The event aims to bring people together for a good cause while also providing valuable learning opportunities for protectors around the world.

With various options available for individuals and companies to contribute, Chris and Denida Grow hope to make this fundraiser a memorable and impactful event.

Mark your calendars for March 18th and 19th. Your donation is your ticket to this amazing event and your entry to a host of incredible raffle give aways. For more information visit the Nannyguards website.

Medical Considerations for Executive Protection with Adam Birdwell

On this episode, Global Security and Protection Group's Managing Director Ron Jacobus interviews Adam Bardwell, a former U.S. Army Green Beret Medical Sergeant, nationally register Paramedic, and current security operational supervisor at Global Rescue. 

Listen in as Adam shares his journey from special forces medic to private sector medical support for executives and world wide security operations and provides everyday medical considerations for executive protection professions. 

Special Fundraising Event Highlight: Bodyguards for Kids 

Developing A National Executive Protection Standard: A Panel Discussion with the BEPP

On this episode, Global Security and Protection Group's Managing Director Ron Jacobus leads a panel discussion with Board of Executive Protection Professionals (BEPP) representatives Kevin Dye, James Cameron, Gerard Boniello, and Chuck Andrews as they share about the development of a national executive protection standard and their organization's upcoming inaugural executive protection conference. 

BEPP Conference: https://www.ep-board.org/conference

Episode Sponsor: North American Rescue.

Security Culture and the Human Defense Layer with Perry Carpenter

On this episode, Global Security and Protection Group's Managing Director Ron Jacobus Interviews Perry Carpenter a Certified Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), Deceptionologist, security behavior alchemist, the creator and host of the 8th Layer Media Podcasts, and author of two books, Transformational Security Awareness and The Security Culture Playbook: An Executive Guide To Reducing Risk and Developing Your Human Defense Layer.

Perry shares his experience as a security researcher and practitioner, breaks down the nuanced differences between cybersecurity and information security, defines security culture, and provides resources and organizations specifically tailored to enhancing security culture and bolstering the human defense layer.

Cybersecurity Resources and Organizations: 

National Cybersecurity Alliance 

SANS 

 

A Shadow Warrior Lens on Executive Protection with Ric Prado

On this episode, Global Security and Protection Group's Managing Director Ron Jacobus Interviews Enrique "Ric" Prado, a military veteran, retired CIA senior operations and paramilitary officer, Cuban "Peter Pan" refugee, former VP at Blackwater, and author of the best selling book, Black Ops: The Life of A CIA Shadow Warrior.   

Ric shares his experience as a young boy living through the Cuban revolution and in Castro’s Cuba before fleeing as a Peter Pan Refugee. We discussed his service in the elite U.S. Air Force Pararescue teams, experience as a paramilitary CIA officer, and his time with Blackwater. Ric provides a unique insight on executive protection and security management from his lens as a former CIA shadow warrior. 

Episode Sponsor: Four Branches.

 

The Close Protection Equation with Richard Aitch

On this episode, Global Security and Protection Group's Managing Director Ron Jacobus interviews Richard Aitch, Co-founder and Director of Operations at highly regarded global security firm Mobius International, and author of the bestseller Close Protection: The Protection Equation.  

Richard, a security practitioner and industry thought-leader with more than 30 years of experience providing high-risk protective security services for and on the behalf of the British Government and to private high-net-worth clients worldwide shares his insight on the close protection profession and discusses the challenges of maintaining high standards, developing team cohesion, and international travel as a security practitioner and business owner.

Episode sponsor: North American Rescue 

The 2012 9/11 Attacks in Benghazi with Dave ”Boon” Benton and Sarah Adams

On this episode (Part II), Global Security & Protection Group's Managing Director Ron Jacobus interviews Dave “Boon” Benton, former Central Intelligence Agency Global Response Staff contractor, and Sarah Adams, former Central Intelligence Agency Targeting Officer, as they recount their experience working in Benghazi, Libya and discuss the attacks on the American Diplomatic Compound and the nearby CIA Annex that killed four Americans. Dave and Sarah also share their insights about the attacker and talk about their forthcoming book Benghazi: Know Thy Enemy. 

Episode Sponsor: The Glen Doherty Memorial Foundation 

The 2001 9/11 Attacks Through an Aviation Lens with Jeffrey Price

On this episode (Part I), Global Security & Protection Group's Managing Director Ron Jacobus interviews Jeffrey Price an aviation security expert, author of Practical Airport Operations, safety, and Emergency Management and Practical Aviation Security, instructor at the American Association of Airport Executives and owner of Leading Edge Strategies. Jeff provides a historic review of the 9/11 airline hijackings that lead to the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the downing of United flight 93. He also addresses the many changes to aviation security in direct response to the terrorist attacks of 2001. 

Episode highlight: 9/11 Memorial & Museum