Speakers

Monday, December 9, 2024 Keynote Speaker

Scott Lowther, CPP, PCI

  • Topic

    Protecting the Force: A Skywalker Perspective on Interacting with the EP Industry

  • Time

    Monday, December 9, 09:45-10:45

  • Place

    Grand Hall DE

Following a career in law enforcement in Canada, Scott made the jump to Corporate Security & Emergency Management in the Oil & Gas Industry, spending the majority of the past 14 years with PetroChina Canada.

With PetroChina Canada, Scott was tasked with leading security operations (physical, personnel, EP) and intelligence for the company’s oil & gas assets. As an Incident Command System (ICS) instructor, Scott also oversaw incident management and ICS training for his company as well as numerous global affiliates. Scott’s work with PetroChina has taken him around the globe assisting the organization with developing security and emergency management programs.

In May of 2022, Scott left Canada and accepted a role as the Director of Security for the residential properties of the Lucas Family. In that role Scott built a comprehensive security program for the various residences as well as a talented team of Executive Security Agents, SOC Operators & Security Systems Specialists.

Earlier this year, Scott accepted the role of Chief Security Officer for Skywalker and now oversees the security for not only the family and their residences but also the numerous corporate holdings for the organization.

Scott has recently completed many years of volunteer leadership, including the Global Board of Directors for ASIS International, President of the Executive Board of the ASIS CSO Center and interim Vice President of the Board of Executive Protection Professionals. Scott also currently serves as the vice-chair of the Board of Directors for a local Marin County Bank.

Monday, December 9, 2024 Speakers

Bryan Niederhelm

  • Topic

    Vision: Making Sense of our Senses

  • Time

    Monday, December 9, 11:00-12:00

  • Place

    Grand Hall DE

Bryan directs threat assessment practitioners who are responsible for the assessment and management of thousands of cases of inappropriate pursuit, threats, and harassment, including situations involving mentally ill stalkers, disgruntled current and former employees, stalkers who pursue their victims at the workplace, interpersonal stalking, and domestic violence. He provides consultation on safety and privacy for at-risk individuals, and he has managed some of the Nation’s most sensitive investigations for public figures.

Bryan also directs a staff of intelligence analysts responsible for conducting security assessments on behalf of at-risk individuals and public figures traveling internationally. He advises clients regarding the management of risks such as terrorism, civil unrest, extremist ideologies, and political instability.

Bryan oversees our Advanced Threat Assessment Academy, where threat assessment experts provide training to members of the public and private sectors on topics related to the prediction and management of violence.

Bryan oversees our MOSAIC Threat Assessment Systems, including MOSAIC for Assessment of Public Figure Pursuit (MAPP); Threats to Judges (MAJ); Domestic Violence (DV-MOSAIC); Threats in the Workplace (MAT W); and Threats by Students (MAST).

Bryan managed protection details of public figures at their residences, at high-profile events, and during international travel. He has worked with the U.S. Secret Service and foreign government agencies during the planning and implementation of security operations involving public figures, U.S. Presidents, and foreign heads of state.

Bryan served in the U.S. Marine Corps, providing security and logistical support for the U.S. President, the Vice President, and the Secretary of State. He was a member of the elite Embassy Security Battalion, responsible for the safety of U.S. diplomats in Kyrgyzstan and Israel. He served as an Infantry Platoon Sergeant, a deputized police officer for the Provost Marshal’s office in Camp Pendleton, California, and as an Instructor at the Jungle Warfare Training Center in Japan.

Chris Browning

  • Topic

    Apple AirTag Overview

  • Time

    Monday, December 9, 14:00-15:00

  • Place

    Brickyard

Chris Browning is a proven and highly-trained Law Enforcement executive. He has operated in every aspect of modern policing, to include: large scale narcotics investigations, Homeland Security, white-collar crime, public corruption, voter and election fraud, violent crime, jail management and community oriented policing. Chris is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, held the positions of Police Chief and Chief of Investigations for the Alabama Attorney General’s Office. After 20 years in Law Enforcement, Chris started a Private Investigative agency which included TSCM services for individuals and corporations in the southeast. Research Electronics International’s equipment and training were widely used in this capacity.

Eric Tonsfeldt

  • Topic

    Protecting the First, Intelligence and Security during the 2020s Northwest Un-Rest

  • Time

    Monday, December 9, 14:00-15:00

  • Place

    Grand Hall DE

More info soon

Joey Weaver

  • Topic

    Protecting the First, Intelligence and Security during the 2020s Northwest Un-Rest

  • Time

    Monday, December 9, 14:00-15:00

  • Place

    Grand Hall DE

More info soon

Anton Kalaydjian

  • Topic

    Celebrity Protection Panel: Protecting the Famous from the Fandom

  • Time

    Monday, December 9, 15:15-16:00

  • Place

    Grand Hall DE

Highly accomplished business executive, security manager, and executive protection professional with 25-plus years of experience making critical decisions in a variety of high-stress, sensitive positions and conducting complex security operations in time sensitive and high stakes environments, internationally and domestically. Adept business executive responsible for envisioning, developing, and leading a four-division international security firm which has become the largest celebrity protection agency in the eastern United States, with operations spanning more than 60 countries. Florida state-licensed Security Agency Manager, Security Officer, and Security Officer Instructor. Formally trained and certified executive protection and event security specialist with more than 1000 events to credit. Skilled in the planning and delivery of personnel and critical infrastructure security services to include the conduct of intelligence collection and analysis; Risk, Threat Vulnerability Assessments (RTVAs); site and venue surveys; travel planning, and the development of criminal and terrorism mitigation strategies. Mixed Martial Artist. Fluent English and Armenian languages (native / bilingual proficiency). Highly sought and esteemed public speaker, educator, and seminar participant.

Download Andon Kalaydjian’s Resume

Vincent Levy

  • Topic

    Celebrity Protection Panel: Protecting the Famous from the Fandom

  • Time

    Monday, December 9, 15:15-16:00

  • Place

    Grand Hall DE

Vincent Levy, Close Protection Specialist. With my diverse skill set in mental health, first aid, crisis intervention, and verbal de-escalation, I bring a unique advantage to ensuring the safety and well-being of high-profile clients.

Having been trained as a hostage negotiator under the prestigious FBI, I have demonstrated exceptional abilities in handling high-pressure situations while maintaining composure and mitigating risks. My expertise in crisis management enables me to respond swiftly to threats and anticipate and prevent potential dangers before they escalate.

Furthermore, I possess an innate ability to connect with individuals emotionally, allowing me to defuse tense situations through effective verbal de-escalation techniques. By creating a safe and empathetic environment, I am proficient in diffusing potentially volatile scenarios, ensuring the protection of both clients and the public.

My knowledge of executive protection and my background in mental health first aid provide a deep understanding of the complexities surrounding individuals’ well-being. This expertise allows me to detect signs of distress or psychological vulnerabilities in clients and provide crucial support, ultimately fostering a secure environment for those I am entrusted to protect.

My expertise in mental health, first aid, crisis intervention, verbal de-escalation, and hostage negotiation, combined with my experience in executive protection, make me uniquely qualified for the role of Close Protection Specialist. My proactive approach to security and exceptional ability to establish trust and defuse high-pressure situations ensure a comprehensive protection strategy emphasizing physical and psychological well-being.

Elijah Shaw

  • Topic

    Celebrity Protection Panel: Protecting the Famous from the Fandom

  • Time

    Monday, December 9, 15:15-16:00

  • Place

    Grand Hall DE

More info soon

Thomas Ryan

  • Topic

    Phantom Menace: The Increasing Threat of Deepfakes

  • Time

    Monday, December 9, 1515-16:00:

  • Place

    Brickyard

More info soon

Simon Atkinson

  • Topic

    Taken! Crisis Management Before and After a Kidnap and Ransom Event

  • Time

    Monday, December 9, 16:15-17:00

  • Place

    Brickyard

Simon Atkinson served as an Infantry Officer in the British Army before qualifying as an Interrogator and Resistance to Interrogation Instructor. He served as the Operations Officer in the UK Resistance to Interrogation Wing before volunteering for selection and training as a covert Agent Handler. He served on operations in Northern Ireland, Bosnia and Iraq. Amongst other consultancy services, he advises organizations and persons on how to minimize the risk and impact of a Kidnap, Ransom and Extortion (KRE) incident and – should the worst occur – how to survive, crisis-manage, and (post-event) recover, resettle and re-integrate. Simon has planned and executed security and research projects in nearly 100 countries.

Kevin Palacios

  • Topic

    EP Risk Assessment model: A LATAM Case Study

  • Time

    Monday, December 9, 16:15-17:00

  • Place

    Grand Hall DE

More info soon

Tuesday, December 10, 2024 Speakers

Edward Marshall

  • Topic

    Family Offices

  • Time

    Tuesday, December 10, 09:00-10:00

  • Place

    Grand Hall DE

Edward V. Marshall is the Global Head of the Dentons Family Office and High Net Worth (DFO) sector. Edward is a family office insider and a renowned family office researcher, advisor, and author. He is regarded as a thought leader in the family office space, distinguished by his service to complex families around the world. He is also a risk and threat management specialist and works with families to reduce their cyber, physical, financial, operational, and reputational risk profiles.

DFO is a global cross-practice group that services the firm’s clients who are family businesses, investors, family offices, or high net worth individuals. The team works closely with families considering a family office, families with an existing family office, and advisors to families. The group curates a program of insights, advice, and connections to advise the firm’s clients and relationships across the globe.

Prior to joining Dentons, Edward held leading family office roles at Credit Suisse, Citibank, and Boston Private (now Silicon Valley Bank). He joined Credit Suisse from Booz Allen Hamilton where he was an engagement manager in their Organization and Strategy practice. Edward began his career in the public sector working for the federal government in the United States and abroad.

Edward is a core member and senior advisor to the UHNW Institute, a think tank organization organized to support family offices and UHNW individuals by promoting best practices, professional development, and positive change in the family office and family wealth field.

Edward is a board member at the Defense Intelligence Memorial Foundation (DIMF), non-profit focused on providing on full-scholarships to the families of Defense Intelligence officers killed in the line of duty. He is also an advisory board member for Americas Warrior Partnership (AWP), a non-profit based that focuses on reducing veteran suicide. Prior to AWP, Edward was a board member and treasurer at Nonprofit Enterprise at Work (NEW), a capacity building non-profit in Detroit focused on improving impact and performance of fellow nonprofit organizations.

Edward earned his MBA from New York University’s Leonard N. Stern School of Business and a BS in human biology from Michigan State University. He is also a guest lecturer on family office and wealth management at New York University’s Stern School of Business

Ivan Ivanovich

  • Topic

    Shadow Shield: The Unseen Power of Counter-Surveillance in EP

  • Time

    Tuesday, December 10, 10:15-11:15

  • Place

    Brickyard

President of WSO, Ivan Ivanovich has over 30 years of global executive protection experience, including leading EP operations during the Balkan wars. Based in Mexico since 2000, Ivanovich is the first civilian instructor in executive protection for the Spanish army and security forces. He is also the author of a Spanish best-selling book on 21st century executive protection. Ivanovich is a member of IPSB.

Tim Wenzel

  • Topic

    The Insecurity in Security

  • Time

    Tuesday, December 10, 10:15-11:15

  • Place

    Grand Hall DE

Tim Wenzel, Associate Managing Director of Enterprise Security Risk Management at Kroll and the Creator of The Kindness Games, is a global security executive, international keynote speaker and thought leader in the security, leadership, and wellness industries. As a highly regarded Coach & Mentor, he has a passion to transform the existing paradigms of leadership and risk management while building highly effective teams and joyful environments for them to experiment and thrive within.

In 2024, Tim was named a Top 40 Thought Leader in the security industry, worldwide by the Life Safety Alliance. In the same year, Security Journal America named him as one of their 20 influencers and featured him in their February issue.

In 2023, Tim co-authored a book entitled: The Kindness Games: How a Single Post ChangedOur Mindset about Community.

In 2022, Tim was named a Global Influencer & Thought Leader in the Security Industry by IFSEC International, and he was profiled by US Veterans magazine.

Tim is a leadership columnist with the Security Journal Americas magazine and a sought-after SME in Enterprise Security Risk Management (ESRM). He helped lead the effort to codify it as the official risk doctrine within ASIS International as the Outreach & Education Lead on the 2017 ESRM Steering Committee.

He is noted in business for his problem-solving skills, which stem from his background in healthcare. By properly identifying the root causes of risk, Tim and his teams create a bridge between opportunity and risk for businesses.

James Hamilton

  • Topic

    Transitioning from the Public to Private Sector in EP

  • Time

    Tuesday, December 10, 13:00-14:00

  • Place

    Grand Hall DE

James is a nationally recognized personal security expert and former FBI Supervisory Special Agent. For more than 30 years, he has been a protector, trainer, and advisor to the nation’s most at-risk individuals. He has real, practical, and unparalleled experience in violence prevention and personal security. This real experience was earned through service in local law enforcement, the FBI, and America’s premiere executive protection firm. He has protected government officials, high-net-worth individuals, and leading religious figures all over the globe and has empowered thousands of individuals to stay safe in an increasingly dangerous world. He has dedicated his entire career to this particular area of expertise and is sought after by those seeking practical and sound security guidance.

Here are some highlights of his distinguished career:

  • Former Senior Vice President, Gavin de Becker and Associates
  • 18 years as an FBI Supervisory Special Agent
  • Created the FBI’s Close Protection School
  • Tactical Instructor for New Agents at the FBI Academy, Hogan’s Alley, Quantico, VA
  • Program Manager for the FBI Overseas Survival Awareness Program where he
  • instructed hundreds of personnel in travel safety
  • Served on the elite FBI Director’s Protective Detail and FBI SWAT Team
  • Personal Security Advisor to the US Attorney General and two FBI Directors
  • Professional Certifications: FBI Firearms Instructor, FBI Tactical Instructor, FBI SWAT
  • Operator, FBI Hostage Negotiator, FBI Driving Instructor, Active Shooter Instructor
  • (ALERRT), GDBA Threat Assessment Management
  • Member of the International Protective Security Board and former member of the ASIS
  • Executive Protection Council and the Board of Executive Protection Professionals

 

James earned his Bachelor’s degree from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina.

Rick Parfitt

  • Topic

    Integrating Close Protection & BTAM

  • Time

    Tuesday, December 10, 13:00-14:00

  • Place

    Brickyard

“Since my first training from the U. S. Secret Service, ‘Threat Assessment in Schools’ in December 2002, what we now know as Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management (BTAM) has become a passion and a niche for me.”

In 2022, Rick Parfitt joined AT-RISK International to serve as the Director of Threat Management, where he is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the development and implementation of security strategies to identify, assess, and mitigate potential threats, helping to ensure the safety and security of clients and their assets.

Prior to joining AT-RISK International, Mr. Parfitt held several high-level municipal and campus policing positions in both Pennsylvania and Florida, where he created a campus police agency and served as its chief for 11 years. Additionally, Mr. Parfitt served as the Director of Safety and Security for a large Florida school district, where he developed their behavioral threat management program, creating teams in 119 schools and training over 1,200 school administrators, school mental health personnel, and school resource officers. He also served as a police academy instructor and an adjunct college instructor in Pennsylvania and Florida colleges.

Mr. Parfitt is a member of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP), where he served as the first president of ATAP’s Florida Chapter and a Certified Threat Manager through the Association. He has been a member of several professional law enforcement organizations, including the International Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (IACLEA), the International Law Enforcement Educators and Trainers Association (ILEETA), the FBI National Academy Associates, and the Florida and Southwest Florida Police Chief’s Associations.

He has authored articles in several publications, including the Journal of Threat Assessment and Management, the Campus Law Enforcement Journal, The Florida Police Chief, and many others. Mr. Parfitt holds a Master of Arts degree from California University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Pittsburgh. He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy, 195th Session.

Dr. Erin Carlin

  • Topic

    Mass Shooter Prevention and Response in Retail, Commercial and Tourist Spaces

  • Time

    Tuesday, December 10, 14:30-15:15

  • Place

    Brickyard

More info soon

Dr. Kirsten England

  • Topic

    Mass Shooter Prevention and Response in Retail, Commercial and Tourist Spaces

  • Time

    Tuesday, December 10, 14:30-15:15

  • Place

    Brickyard

More info soon

Dr. Anna Leimberg

  • Topic

    Mass Shooter Prevention and Response in Retail, Commercial and Tourist Spaces

  • Time

    Tuesday, December 10, 14:30-15:15

  • Place

    Brickyard

More info soon

Dr. Mary Beth Janke

  • Topic

    Building and Maintaining Resilience in the Close Protection World

  • Time

    Tuesday, December 10, 14:30-15:15

  • Place

    Grand Hall DE

Dr. Mary Beth Janke has over 30 years of psychology, security, and investigative experience. As a psychologist, Dr. Janke has worked with individuals who are experiencing anxiety, depression, adjustment challenges, trauma, women’s issues, stalking and domestic violence, and substance abuse. Dr. Janke has also conducted research and published work in the areas of stalking and domestic violence, self-esteem and young women, and stress management.

Dr. Janke earned a doctorate in Clinical Psychology after an illustrious and varied career that included being a Special Agent in the Washington Field Office of the United States Secret Service. She went on to become a protection agent on numerous government contracts and was the only female to ever officially protect a foreign president outside of the United States.

Dr. Janke holds a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology from Widener University in Philadelphia and a Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. She received her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Indiana University in Bloomington, along with a minor degree in Spanish Language, following intensive studies at the Universidad de Sevilla.

Dr. Mary Beth Janke has over 30 years of psychology, security, and investigative experience. As a psychologist, Dr. Janke has worked with individuals who are experiencing anxiety, depression, adjustment challenges, trauma, women’s issues, stalking and domestic violence, and substance abuse. Dr. Janke has also conducted research and published work in the areas of stalking and domestic violence, self-esteem and young women, and stress management.
Dr. Janke earned a doctorate in Clinical Psychology after an illustrious and varied career that included being a Special Agent in the Washington Field Office of the United States Secret Service. She went on to become a protection agent on numerous government contracts and was the only female to ever officially protect a foreign president outside of the United States.
Dr. Janke holds a Doctoral Degree in Clinical Psychology from Widener University in Philadelphia and a Master’s Degree in Forensic Psychology from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City. She received her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Indiana University in Bloomington, along with a minor degree in Spanish Language, following intensive studies at the Universidad de Sevilla.
Dr. Janke currently works as a consultant in the fields of forensic and clinical psychology and continues to consult in the areas of threat assessment and protective security. She is the Director of Special Projects for Hunter Global Security Strategies, an international security and investigative firm. Additionally, Dr. Janke taught Abnormal Psychology and the Psychology of Crime and Violence at the George Washington University in Washington, DC for four years, through the Fall of 2021.

In April of 2020, Dr. Janke’s book, ‘The Protector: A Woman’s Journey from the Secret Service to Protecting VIPs in the World’s Most Dangerous Places’ was published. It is a memoir of her life as told through the exciting and dangerous missions she accepted as one of the few females in the world of international executive protection.

Mark Kendall Moore

  • Topic

    Executive Protection in Healthcare

  • Time

    Tuesday, December 10, 15:30-16:00

  • Place

    Brickyard

More info soon

James Tunkey

  • Topic

    Whistleblowers: Duties, Values, and Risk

  • Time

    Tuesday, December 10, 15:30-16:00

  • Place

    Grand Hall DE

James Tunkey is Chief Operating Officer of I-OnAsia, a global risk management company ranked by Chambers & Partners for litigation support investigations. James has spent 30 years advising large corporations’ General Counsel, CFOs and Chief Security Officers. James will share war stories with IPSB members and relevant examples on alleged White Collar crimes such as management misconduct and fraud. He promises to be both fun and challenging.

Dr. Treston Wheat

  • Topic

    Geo Politics & Gin: Analytic Lessons from the History of a Cocktail

  • Time

    Tuesday, December 10, 16:00-17:00

  • Place

    Grand Hall DE

Dr. Treston Wheat specializes in geopolitical risks, strategic intelligence, and applied critical thinking. Dr. Wheat is currently an Intelligence Research Specialist for Insight Forward, a Special Advisor for Geopolitics with Riley Risk, an adjunct professor at Georgetown University, and editor-in-chief of The Close Protection and Security Journal. Dr. Wheat also has produced research for the Andrew W. Marshall Foundation, was part of the 2022 National Security Fellowship Program with the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, and writes the newsletter “Geopolitics & Gin.”

Past Speakers

Rex Tillerson

As the 69th Secretary of State of the United States, Mr. Tillerson brought a wealth of experience and strategic acumen to the world stage, demonstrating unparalleled leadership and a keen understanding of geopolitical dynamics. Prior to his role as Secretary of State, he held the position of Chairman and CEO of ExxonMobil, one of the world's largest publicly traded international oil and gas companies.

Jacquie Davis

Davis started her career as a police officer in London UK back in the 1970's she was the first female to do the close protection and surveillance course. On entering the private security industry, she found the old boys network a great supplier of work so by infiltrating that network she was passed around to various agencies working close protection and undercover tasks.

Brian Bixler

An internationally recognized expert, Bixler is a retired Captain of the Los Angeles Police Department. He served as the Commanding Officer of Los Angeles Police Department Metropolitan Division, encompassing SWAT, K9, Dignitary Protection Unit, and more.

Fred Burton

A former Chief Security and Compliance Officer at Stratfor, Burton boasts a distinguished law enforcement background. Notably, he played a pivotal role in apprehending the World Trade Center bomber, and investigated the 1988 plane crash which killed the President of Pakistan and U.S. Ambassador, and the hostages held captive by Hezbolllah.

Etta Lanum

After serving in the Washington Army National Guard, Lanum earned her Juris Doctor and is currently a Threat Management Program Manager at InterCon Security where she brings over a decade of experience in protective and geopolitical intelligence. Lanum has been published in many reputable journals such as Lawfare Media, Slate Magazine, the Journal of Threat Assessment and Management, and IO Sphere.

Dr. Michael Guirguis

A Harvard Medical School graduate, Dr. Guirguis is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine. With extensive experience in Pre-Hospital Care, Tactical Medicine, and Flight Medicine, he's a Reserve Sheriff Deputy with San Bernardino Sheriff Air Rescue team. As the Chief Medical Officer for XPJ, Guirguis provides medical threat assessment consulting and oversight for executive protection programs.

Lee Oughton

The Chief Customer Officer at SPS, Oughton is the Co-Founder and Kindness Crusader for the Kindness Games. He is a dynamic executive with a successful international career in security and risk management. A recognized positive influencer, he has championed strategies to minimize risks incorporate and high-risk environments.

Mac Segal

Bringing over 30 years of expertise, Segal, CEO of AHNA Group, specializes in Executive Protection and Security Consulting. As a fixed asset Subject Matter Expert, Segal conducts security assessments and designs security master plans as well as routine and emergency procedures for business facilities, hotels and critical infrastructure the world over.

Rachel Frost

Master Inv. (ret.) Frost is a 20-year law enforcement veteran specializing in threat assessment and intimate partner violence-related cases, specifically, physical and emotional abuse, stalking, strangulation, restraining orders, sexual abuse, child abuse. She owns Frost ICED for high-end investigations into violence and abuse and agency/corporate program development for effective violence prevention and response programs

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