Joe began his career at GDBA as a protector, eventually leading many of the firm’s most challenging and dynamic protection assignments.

Joe developed an extensive security and anti-kidnapping program for children of at-risk families. His wide-ranging missions across six continents included close protection at globally significant events and speeches, as well as maritime security and other special operations.

In 2012, Joe was promoted to Executive Director of GDBA’s Protective Security Division, overseeing more than 500 people. Joe served as our firm’s chief liaison with the United States Secret Service, the British Special Branch, and other government agencies protecting heads of state.

In 2016, he assumed the top position in GDBA’s Aviation Security Division, creating and developing the logistical processes now used in thousands of operations supporting public figures at LAX.

A committed student of protection with more than 30,000 hours protecting our clients, Joe is a seasoned and respected expert. He accepted the position of President in 2019.

Josh began his career at GDBA as a protector, eventually leading our entire Protective Security Division.

Throughout his tenure with GDBA, Josh has spearheaded every aspect of our service. He has designed, executed, and managed thousands of protective assignments around the world and provided high-level consultation for at-risk enterprises, government agencies, and public figures.

Prior to joining our firm, Josh served in the United States Marine Corps, where he performed in key leadership positions during security operations in the Middle East.

Joshua joined GDBA in 2000 as a front-line protector. Throughout his two decades at the firm, he promoted through top leadership positions in several divisions: Investigations, Training, Threat Assessment and Management, Legal Affairs, and Information Security, eventually becoming Chief Operating Officer.

Along with Mr. de Becker, Joshua founded The Private Suite at Los Angeles International Airport, the first-of-its-kind service in which passengers use a remote terminal that provides private TSA and Customs screening, and boarding of commercial flights from the tarmac. To accomplish this mission, Joshua represented GDBA in discussions with the Department of Homeland Security, the FAA, Congress, the White House, and each of LAX’s 70 airlines.

Joshua studied at The Wharton School and Cornell University.

Michael joined the firm in 1979. While studying at California State University Northridge, he worked full-time, learning firsthand and helping to develop the Gavin de Becker & Associates philosophies and practices. For 15 years, he was the firm’s liaison with the L.A.P.D., L.A.S.D., U.S. Department of State, U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Secret Service, various European law enforcement agencies, and many others.

In 1981, when President Reagan appointed Gavin de Becker to a post in Washington D.C., Michael was placed in a senior management position.

Michael has been a key part of Mr. de Becker’s educational speeches to such organizations as the National Victim Center, L.A.P.D. Threat Management Conferences, N.Y.P.D. Internal Affairs Bureau, U.S. Supreme Court, the U.S. Capitol Police, and the New York State Attorney General. In 1994, Michael was the only civilian attendee at the Central Intelligence Agency’s Threat Management Conference. He was the principal coordinator of the Department of Justice Presidential Advisory Board Hearings held in Los Angeles. Michael also works closely with Mr. de Becker in the preparation and presentation of expert witness testimony, and is himself a court-qualified expert witness.

A graduate of the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Academy, Michael served as a Deputy Sheriff in Malibu and as a police officer in Santa Monica. This six years of law enforcement work early in his career, dealing with more than 400 arrests, provided a solid foundation of knowledge of the criminal justice system.

Along with Gavin de Becker & Associates, Michael provided principal funding for the establishment of Los Angeles County’s Domestic Violence Hotline, and provided the entire funding for the Hotline for eleven years.

Charlie Gilbert was recruited by GDBA from the Central Intelligence Agency, where he served in the Top-10 leadership position of Deputy Director of the National Clandestine Service.

He also served as:

• Executive Officer and Senior Operations Officer in the Directorate of Operations

• Chief of Global Intelligence Operations against a hostile target country

Overseas, Charlie conducted numerous assignments in the former Soviet Union, the Middle East, Europe, the Indian subcontinent, and East Asia.

Assigned to the top position in three different regions, Charlie was responsible to conceive, plan, and execute complex intelligence operations. He has been operationally proficient in Farsi, Italian, and Russian.

• Among other recognition, Charlie Gilbert received:

• The Distinguished Career Intelligence Medal

• The Intelligence Medal of Merit

• The Donovan Award (twice)

• The Director’s Award

• Three Meritorious Unit Citations

Gary began his career at GDBA as a protector, leading close protection teams across six continents, and eventually, becoming Executive Director of GDBA’s entire Protective Security Division.

Gary has planned and supervised protection operations for hundreds of public figures. He has also spearheaded the protection of clients at several large-scale political events, where he served as GDBA liaison to the U.S. Secret Service, the British Special Branch, and others.

Gary led security operations for multiple estates in the United States and the United Kingdom, including the close protection for one of the most media-pursued families in the world.

Gary has conducted surveillance and counter-surveillance operations, and served as a Chief Instructor for hundreds of protectors enrolled in GDBA’s Training Academies.

Prior to joining our firm, Gary provided personal protection for royal families as well as prominent media figures throughout the world. He also served nine years in the British Army’s prestigious Grenadier Guards, where he played key roles during multiple combat deployments to Northern Ireland. During his military service, Gary earned the British Army’s Command Commendation for Bravery.

Ben manages residential protective teams and close protection details for at-risk and high-profile individuals and families. He began his career at our firm as a protector of public figures, including leading details at motion picture studios, at sporting events, and during music tours, as well as overseeing large-scale motorcade movements.

Ben has worked with the U.S. Secret Service, the Diplomatic Security Service, the FBI, and the CIA during the planning and implementation of security operations involving at-risk clients, U.S. Presidents, and foreign heads of state. He is Senior Liaison between our clients and federal law enforcement agencies during National Special Security Events (NSSE), including major sporting events and U.S. presidential inaugurations and nominating conventions.

Ben has consulted on the development of protection strategies regarding difficult terminations and reductions of force at Fortune-500 companies. He has also managed protective details at shareholders’ meetings involving high-profile executives.

Ben served in several leadership roles within the law enforcement community for more than 15 years. As Captain for a metro-area police department, he led the Uniform Patrol and Investigations Divisions. As Special Advisor to the Chief of Police, he consulted on multi-jurisdictional operations, crisis management and special events coordination.

He served in the United States Air Force’s elite Security Forces Group, where he protected government officials in Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia.

Ben is an Armed Security Officer (ASO) through the Federal Air Marshals, which certifies him to oversee armed charter flight operations to the Washington Reagan National Airport.

Ben holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social and Criminal Justice. He is President of the Southeast Chapter of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP), and he has been certified by the American Society of Industrial Security as a Protection Professional (CPP).

Daniel manages protective details for public figures and at-risk individuals and families at their residences, at high-profile red carpet events, and during international travel. He has led protective details in more than 20 countries in Europe, Africa and Australia.

Daniel is an avid scuba diver and served as a certified lifeguard. He is a Senior Instructor at our Essential Protection Skills Academy and has trained hundreds of protectors on Water Safety. He also managed a security team for a high-profile family on a super yacht in Europe and the Caribbean.

Daniel holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Administration of Justice.

Daniel is a graduate of the Ventura County Sheriff’s POST-certified Training regarding Peace Officer Standards, and he is trained in Security and Evasive Driving.

Rodney manages numerous residential protective teams for public figures and their families. He has managed close protection details in more than 40 countries across 6 continents, including on super yachts, at sporting events, and during music tours, diplomatic trips, and high-risk environments.

Rodney has worked alongside the U.S. Secret Service, Capitol Police, State Department, and Department of Defense during protective details involving high-ranking government officials, foreign heads of state, and members of royal families.

He has consulted on the development of protection strategies regarding difficult terminations and reductions of force at Fortune-500 companies. He has also managed protective details at shareholders’ meetings involving high-profile executives.

Rodney leads trainings of public figures’ household and office staff on safety and privacy issues. He is Senior Instructor at our Essential Protection Academy, and he has trained hundreds of protectors on Advanced Operations, Special Field Services, Command Center Operations, and Active Shooter Prevention and Response.

Rodney was a Squad Leader in the U.S. Army and led combat operations in Iraq. He also commanded an Amphibious Assault Vehicle Unit in the United States Marine Corps (USMC), and he was Instructor for the USMC Mixed Martial Arts Program and Army Combatives Program.

He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Psychology.

Marcus manages numerous residential protective teams for public figures and their families. He has managed protection details during political campaigns, music tours, and red-carpet events.

Marcus has also built, trained, and managed Protection Teams that focus on entry control, audience monitoring, and physical screening operations during high-profile events.

He served as a Senior Defensive Tactics and Medical Instructor for our Essential Protection Skills Academies, training and certifying thousands of Protectors for more than a decade.

Marcus served eight years in the United States Marine Corps, leading Marines during combat operations in Afghanistan and security missions in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

George manages residential and travel protection for public figures and their families. He has led protection details in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Throughout his career, George staffed and trained dozens of protection teams. He also implemented security protocols involving secure transportation, event security, and use of force. On numerous occasions, he liaised with senior Department of State officials to enhance our clients’ safety and security while traveling overseas.

George served 12 years at a large metro-area police department, investigating homicides, and serving as a member of his department’s Honor Guard and Executive Protection Team. He also served on various task forces with the FBI, DEA, and U.S. Secret Service, providing protection for high-ranking government officials and foreign heads of state.

Matt manages residential and international travel protection for public figures and their families. He has directed logistics and close protection operations for at-risk clients during large sporting events and scheduled public appearances. In the field, Matt has worked alongside the United States Secret Service and several foreign security services, including Shin Bet and Britain’s Special Protection Branch.

Matt has formed, staffed, and trained numerous protection teams, focusing on physical security, emergency response, surveillance detection, and secure transportation. He is also a certified NRA firearms instructor and licensed to carry a concealed weapon in all 50 states.

Matt served 12 years as a military police officer in the United States Army, protecting high-value National Security assets in Europe and high-ranking government officials in Afghanistan. In recognition of his exemplary military service, Matt received numerous honors, including the Army Achievement Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.

Krystle manages numerous residential protective teams and close protection details operating throughout the world. She began her career at GDBA as a protector and eventually led protection details in more than 50 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Turkey, Bulgaria, Ukraine, France, UAE, Pakistan, Uzbekistan, Russia, China, India, Angola, Liberia, and the Central African Republic.

Krystle has worked with and established strong relationships with the U.S. Secret Service, State Department, Capitol Police, and Marshals Service. She has built similar relationships with host nation security agencies that protect their own heads of state, plus hundreds of overseas military, diplomatic, and law enforcement officers—all of whom contribute to our international protective missions.

Krystle joined our firm after serving as a military police officer in the United States Navy, providing close protection for 4-Star Generals and the Secretary of the Navy throughout the Middle East, United States, and Europe.

Krystle holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Arizona State University, graduating summa cum laude.

Ryan manages residential protection and event security for public figures and their families. He has led, staffed, and trained dozens of protection teams, implementing security protocols involving surveillance detection, emergency response, and use of force. Throughout his career, he has liaised with local, state, and federal law enforcement to better enhance our clients’ safety and security.

Ryan is a senior instructor at our Essential Protection Skills Academy and has trained hundreds of protectors in physical security and close protection.

Ryan served as a non-commissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps, completing two deployments to the Middle East. He specialized in emergency embassy evacuations, humanitarian relief, and anti-terrorism operations.

Kyle manages residential and travel protection for public figures and their families, leading protection details in more than 25 countries throughout Europe, Africa, Asia, and Central America.

Kyle has forged strong working relationships with foreign diplomatic and law enforcement agencies, enhancing our clients’ safety and security during overseas travel.

Prior to joining GDBA, Kyle assisted the United States Secret Service during counterfeit investigations and anti-counterfeit operations. As a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), Kyle responded to medical emergencies, working alongside paramedics in the field.

Kyle holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminology and a Master’s degree from Oregon State University.

Tanner manages residential protection teams and close protection details across the United States. He has led, staffed, and trained numerous protection teams, and implemented mission protocols for complex assignments involving hundreds of security personnel during several high-profile events that included former U.S. Presidents and other heads of state.

Tanner has established strong relationships with the U.S. Secret Service and other federal law enforcement agencies, enhancing our protection operations. He is also a senior instructor at our Essential Protection Skills Academy.

Prior to joining our firm, Tanner worked with the Atlanta Police Department, assisting their criminal investigations division.

Tanner is a former Division-1 college football player and holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Georgia State University.

Matt manages protection teams for public figures and their families. He has led protective operations for national political campaigns and other complex assignments involving heads of state and federal law enforcement agencies, including the United States Secret Service.

Throughout his career, Matt has built, trained, and managed numerous protection teams specializing in physical security, surveillance detection, audience monitoring, access control, and emergency response.

Matt is a Senior Instructor for our Essential Protection Skills Academy, certifying hundreds of protectors in emergency medicine. He is also licensed to carry a concealed weapon in all 50 states.

Matt served 11 years as a Military Police Officer in the United States Army, conducing combat operations in Fallujah and Baghdad while deployed to Iraq. He also led close protection for a three- star General throughout the Middle East and Africa. In recognition of his exemplary military service, Matt was awarded the prestigious Bronze Star medal for heroism.

Matt holds a bachelor’s degree in security management.

Scott oversees the close protection of at-risk clients who are in high-risk situations. He has led protective assignments for senior government officials and heads of transnational corporations and financial institutions. Since joining our firm more than 20 years ago, Scott has directed protective assignments in more than 100 countries, including Russia, China, India, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Turkey, UAE, South Africa, Zambia, Cameroon, Cambodia, Korea, Singapore, the Philippines, Burundi, Brazil, Belgium, Germany, Mexico, Australia, and Canada. Scott has established strong relationships within the highest levels of the U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Marshals Service (where he was a Deputy US Marshal for several years). He built equally strong alliances with high-ranking State Department officials at many American embassies and has worked closely with hundreds of overseas military, diplomatic, and law enforcement officers who contribute to our international protective missions.

Scott joined our firm after serving in the United States Marine Corps on security and humanitarian missions overseas. He is a certified Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and plays a key role in the design and implementation of our advanced Protector training and anti-assassination strategies.

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.

Brian has managed many of our firm’s most sensitive and complex investigations and provides consultation regarding threat assessment cases. He directs a staff of investigators, managing thousands of confidential investigations related to public figure pursuit, workplace violence, domestic violence, extortion, theft, and surveillance; pre-employment background investigations; and due diligence investigations.

He has trained hundreds on threat assessment, investigations, Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), and online privacy, including representatives from government entities, law enforcement, Fortune-500 companies, and educational institutions. He is an Instructor at The Advanced Threat Assessment Academy.

Brian consults with at-risk individuals and families on Online Privacy Assessments, providing recommendations for enhancing their safety and privacy.

He is a Manager of Special Field Services in the Protective Security Division, directing protective details for public figures and at-risk individuals and providing consultation when a known inappropriate pursuer will be present.

He worked for the New Jersey State Attorney General’s Office in the Department of Law and Public Safety.

Brian holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Seton Hall University and a Master of Science degree in Criminal Justice from St. Joseph’s University.

He is a licensed private investigator and has been certified by the American Society of Industrial Security as a Protection Professional (CPP).

Ed manages a team responsible for providing resources and advocacy for our Associates and their families. The Associate Services Division supports our Associates through their career at GDBA, ensuring every Associate feels heard, understood, and valued. Ed and his team have also developed and implemented GDBA’s CARE (Continuous Asking, Response, and Evaluation) program, an innovative internal communication and feedback system which allows Associates direct communication to our firm’s Executive Board regarding their concerns and recommendations.

He led our Recruitment and Training Divisions, creating and developing the 2‑year Professional Leadership Track (PLT) which provides training academies, mentorship programs, and advancement opportunities for our Protective Security Division Associates.

Ed managed the protection of public figures and their families at their residences, at film locations, and during travel to more than 20 countries in Europe, Africa, and Asia. He also worked alongside the Department of State and foreign law enforcement agencies in support of protective operations for our at-risk clients.

Ed served as a Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, leading operations in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Cuba, and Africa. He also conducted threat assessments for Ambassadors and senior U.S. State Department officials on their security posture in the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia.

He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy with a Bachelor’s degree in Military History and holds a Master’s degree in Intellectual History.

Ed has authored articles on security and hiring military veterans for Military.com, Task & Purpose, Business Insider, The Chicago Tribune, and The Washington Post.

James continually audits GDBA’s protective programs to ensure our strategies align with our clients’ unique needs and to ensure our protectors meet our training and fitness standards.

James co-created GDBA’s Active Shooter Prevention and Response methodology. He has trained thousands of employees at Fortune-500 companies, schools, universities, police departments, and government agencies in the U.S. and internationally on advanced concepts related to protection, including Active Shooter, Surveillance Detection, Attack Recognition, Foreign Weapons, Executive Protection, and Travel Safety. He is also an Instructor at our Essential Protection Skills Academy and our Advanced Threat Assessment Academy.

One of the world’s true experts on protection, James was recruited from the FBI, where he created and developed the Academy’s Close Protection Course, currently taught to protectors of the U.S. Attorney General, the Director of the FBI, the NSA, and the NYPD, among other agencies.

A few other highlights from his career:

• Hand-selected for the FBI Tactical Training Unit, responsible for creating and developing the FBI Active Shooter training and guidance program.

• Certified FBI Instructor in Firearms, Active Shooter, Tactical Skills, Emergency Driving, and SWAT Operations.

• Four years on the Protection Team for the FBI Director, and three years on the Joint Terrorism Task Force that he was selected to create after 9/11.

James holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. He is a member of the ASIS Executive Protection Council, and he is certified as an instructor in Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT).

Ellen is a leading behavioral scientist with a specialty in threat assessment. She has assessed and managed 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.

Ellen has advised on the development of Workplace Violence Prevention Programs and Policies for federal agencies, hospitals, universities, media entities, and Fortune-500 corporations. She consults with at-risk individuals, executives, and public figures on critical cases and issues related to privacy.

Ellen was Program Designer for the MOSAIC for Assessment of Threats by Students (MAST). She provides consultation regarding safety and privacy issues involving children of high-profile families.

Ellen holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree is Social Ecology, specializing in Psychology/Social Behavior, with a minor in Sociology, from the University of California, Irvine.

She is certified in California as a Domestic Violence Advocate.

Dennis has conducted hundreds of security assessments on behalf of at-risk individuals and public figures traveling internationally. He provides safety recommendations for managing risks such as terrorism, civil unrest, and political instability, and he advises our clients on foreign terror organizations, with an emphasis on the risks posed by lone actors inspired by these groups.

Dennis also conducts audits of security programs at Fortune-500 companies, with a specialty in Threat Assessment, Investigations, and Intelligence.

Dennis was recruited by our firm after serving as a Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer within the National Clandestine Service where he managed operations that led to actionable intelligence collection against high-priority National Security threats.

Dennis holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Whittier College, and a Master of Arts degree in International Studies from Claremont Graduate University.

Fritz leads our Security Design team, responsible for managing GDBA’s security assessments of properties. He has managed hundreds of residential and corporate technical security assessments for public figures and at-risk individuals.

He designs security systems tailored to each client’s unique needs. He also works with installers, engineers, and architects on the implementation of security program recommendations.

He conducts security assessments of Fortune-500 companies, with a specialty in reviewing and providing enhancement recommendations related to technical security, guard force utilization, and Executive Protection.

Fritz led protection details of public figures and their families at their residences, at film locations, during political campaigns, and during travel to more than 30 countries. Fritz also worked alongside the U.S. Secret Service and the Department of State during protective details involving high-ranking government officials, foreign heads of state, and members of royal families.

Fritz served as a noncommissioned officer in the United States Marine Corps, where he led security operations in the Middle East, Asia, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Rob is a leading expert on the design of technical security systems for public figures and their families. He has conducted hundreds of safety and privacy surveys of residences, corporations, private aircraft, and super yachts.

He designs security systems tailored to each client’s unique needs, and he also works with installers, engineers, and architects on the implementation of security program recommendations.

He conducts security assessments of Fortune-500 companies, with a specialty in reviewing and providing enhancement recommendations related to technical security, guard force utilization, and Executive Protection.

Rob led protection details of public figures and their families at their residences, at high-profile red carpet events, and during international travel. His design of technical security systems is enhanced by having been a user of these systems as a protector. He brings a perspective far beyond that of most electronics experts. Rob is a security practitioner who integrates all aspects of a security system to enhance safety.

Rob served in the United States Marine Corps, directing staff responsible for the security of the Nation’s largest arsenal of nuclear weapons. He also served in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Desert Shield, as well as in assignments in the Middle East, Europe, and Central America. He is a graduate of the United States Marine Corps’ elite Security Forces School, where he received training in Tactical Weapons and Anti-Terrorism Strategies.

Josh began his career as a protector, managing residential and commercial security teams. He also worked alongside the United States Secret Service and the U.S. Department of State during numerous protective details involving high-ranking government officials and foreign heads of state.

Josh leads our Training Division and created GDBA’s Highly Traumatic Event Medical Response program detailing how to respond to mass casualty events. He has trained thousands on lifesaving emergency medical skills.

Josh is a licensed Paramedic who previously served in Los Angeles County, responding to thousands of 911 calls.

Josh also served as a Firefighter for the San Luis Obispo County Fire Department and is trained in Fire Suppression, Rescue Techniques, and HazMat Safety.

Josh is certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Advanced Life Support by the American Heart Association. He is also certified in Tactical Combat Casualty Care by the National Association of Emergency Technicians.

Castulo manages the Quality in Protection audits for our full-time protection details to ensure our service is real, is practical, and has value to clients. He has conducted hundreds of in-person audits to ensure our strategies align with our clients’ unique needs and to ensure our protectors meet our training and fitness standards and our certification requirements. Castulo applies the philosophy of Constant and Never- ending Improvement (CANI) in his ongoing audits to enhance our service to our clients while also training and mentoring protectors on their path to mastery.

For more than twenty years, Castulo has managed close-protection details in more than 25 countries across five continents, including at residential sites, at public appearances, in remote regions with limited law enforcement or medical support, and during high-risk environments. Fluent in Spanish and due to his advanced medical training, he specializes in managing details in Mexico and in Central and South America. He has managed details in Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, El Salvador, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, to name a few countries, and he regularly liaisons with local law enforcement and government agencies during these details.

Castulo is Senior Instructor at our Essential Protection Skills Academy and has trained thousands of protectors on Emergency Medical Skills, Defensive Tactics, Simulated Combat, and our firm’s standards in Quality in Protection, including licensing and certification requirements.

Castulo served seven years in the United States Marine Corps, including in the elite Embassy Security Battalion, where he protected U.S. embassies in Berlin, Riyadh, and Cairo. He also provided security support for the U.S. President’s visit to Botswana and U.S. Secretary of State’s visit to Saudi Arabia.

Ryan began his career at GDBA as a protector, eventually moving into and then leading our Information Security Division. He has created and implemented complex computer networks, firewalls, and web technologies to provide a secure system for hundreds of GDBA employees and devices located around the world.

Ryan has administered server technology and managed network security for more than 25 years, and he consults with high-profile and at-risk clients on Information Security. He has also developed policies and procedures to prevent identify theft, breaches of confidentiality, and intrusions into email, home computers, wireless networks, devices, and other IT infrastructures.

Ryan is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP). He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology with honors.

Sarah leads our Operations team in its best practices and operational efficiency across all divisions of our firm including Protective Security, Threat Assessment and Management, Investigations, Training, Security Design, and Information Security.

Sarah also leads our Recruitment and Selection team which is responsible for recruitment, screening interviews, and pre-hire performance assessments for all new hires to our firm. She specializes in the recruitment and selection of protectors to ensure the best service to our at-risk clients. She has managed the background investigative process for applicants, including interviews, voluntary polygraphs, drug and nicotine screening, investigative research and physical readiness tests.

Sarah graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a minor in Global Studies.

Andrew oversees the recruitment, assessment, and selection of newly hired Associates. With an acceptance rate of less than one percent among the thousands who apply to GDBA each month, Andrew and his team focus on identifying and hiring the most trustworthy and talented candidates from the military, law enforcement, and other recruitment sources. During his tenure, Andrew has created partnerships with numerous military and law enforcement veteran organizations and college campuses, to attract and recruit top talent to our firm.

Andrew began his career at GDBA in the Investigations Division, conducting pre-employment background investigations, writing due diligence reports, and training junior investigators.

Prior to joining the firm, Andrew served in the United States Army as an Intelligence Analyst, advising unit commanders during combat deployments to the Middle East.