Blog Posts Archives - Page 8 of 19 - Executive Protection Blog

Your Network Starts With the NLA

One of the FANTASTIC benefits of being a NLA Member is the immediate Network that comes with it.

It’s VERY interesting to me how this Networking article came to pass. “How?” you ask. Well, let me tell you…

One of our Cat brothers reached out to me asking if I’d be interested in writing an article about the benefits of Networking. As you might guess, I was all about it! But the ironic part of it is that we met, Networking, through an event I hosted back in August 2021. And at least part of the reason he was there was because of his affiliation with EPI and being a Nine Lives Associate. I am, of course, talking about Greg Schnell!

Unfolding the Uvalde Mass Shooting: What Have We Learned?

On May 24, 2022, the town of Uvalde, Texas, suffered a major tragedy in the form of a mass shooting that took the life of 19 Robb Elementary students and two teachers. Yet, this loss has been felt worldwide as many people wonder how these incidents continue to happen.

Looking closely at these events helps us recognize what we can learn, and how we can apply these lessons moving forward to reduce the likelihood that another town must face this type of unimaginable loss. Secondarily, it allows us to find a way to give our kids the ability to go to school without worrying that they may face violence that prevents them from returning home safely to their parents. So, what have we learned?

Advice for finding work in Executive Protection

Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of mentorships for current and retired law enforcement officers looking to transition into private sector executive protection roles. This is primarily due to my position as the head of the Law Enforcement/Military Liaison committee in the ASIS Executive Protection Community, of which our very own Jerry Heying is the Chair of that community. Also, it’s because I’ve made that transition myself. After spending almost 27 years working for the California Highway Patrol, I was lucky enough to retire and almost immediately find a job as a corporate executive protection manager. A lot of my former colleagues, nearing retirement, reach out to me for advice, which I happily do. I do it for LEO, Military, my fellow NLA members, or any decent person that is considering this line of work. We need good people in this business.

Here’s the advice I share. I believe it’s universally applicable to all candidates, not just LEO or Military.

Testimonial

After knowing about EPI for a very long time I finally reached the point to attend and come out of class 84. After the knowledge and instruction my biggest regret was that I didn’t do it sooner. I started my networking locally and while traveling making most contacts to local ASIS chapters. I got my first “gig” through a good friend who is a local police officer. It was for an up-and-coming regional Latina singer who was having some stalker issues from an obsessed fan, getting her to and from her events and identifying this individual. Doing this detail brought me into contact with other performers and their event managers which led to another performer for whom I still currently provide protection. My various law enforcement contacts have also opened the door to some political activities which I give credit to my attending EPI, the senator’s protection detail was very impressed with the skillset I had obtained.