From 30 years in Federal Secret Service to Major Sports & Venue Security
- Client: Senior U.S. Secret Service Executive (30-year tenure)
- Engagement: Redirect | Civilian transition into sports, leagues & large-scale event security leadership)
- Objective: Pivot a high-ranking federal security leader, who did not want personal/executive protection work—into private-sector leadership roles overseeing league, stadium, and mega-event security (Super Bowl, World Series, global events), with optional scope for business development. Looking more for fractional Senior Director roles or contracted.
What We Did
Identity Shift & Brand Positioning
o Reframed profile from “career federal agent” to enterprise risk & event security executive for sports/entertainment.
o Elevated résumé/LinkedIn to feature his executive leadership role high-visible executive leadership experience, multi-directorate oversight, and large-team leadership; emphasized crisis command, interagency coordination, counter-UAS, perimeter/facility design, and tech modernization.
o Made a clear “no hands-on EP” stance while highlighting capability to lead EP programs/orgs.
Target Role Architecture
o Narrowed titles to: Chief Security Officer (CSO), VP Global Security, VP Event Security & Crisis Response, VP Protective Intelligence & Threat Assessment, Director Security Infrastructure & Stadium Safety, and selective VP Business Development (risk/security tech).
o Built two-track messaging: (A) Sports & Leagues/Stadiums (NFL/MLB/NBA/NHL/UFC/WWE, NCAA, venue operators) and (B) Casinos/Resorts & Live Events (Las Vegas Sands, MGM, AEG/Live Nation, MSG).
Market Entry & Warm Door Strategy
o Created sector sub-strategies leveraging alumnus networks (ex-agency peers now at Sands, MLB, etc.).
o Crafted outreach to executive search partners (Heidrick, Korn Ferry, Odgers, Russell Reynolds) + niche security recruiters; recommended LinkedIn Premium trial for targeted InMails.
o Produced concise networking and recruiter notes, plus a polished branding statement and two email/LI templates (intro + follow-up).
Materials & Evidence of Scale
o Distilled talking points around national-level operations, budgetary stewardship, 7,000+ personnel leadership, and intergovernmental/legislative liaison—translated into private-sector outcomes (business continuity, fan/player safety, brand protection, sponsor risk management).
o Built a one-page “Venue & Mega-Event Security Modernization” brief (counter-UAS, ingress/egress flows, command-center playbooks, tech stack governance).
Interview & Negotiation Prep
o Aligned on scope-first discussions (P&L, staff size, vendor control, tech roadmap, travel/relocation), not just title.
o Created a scorecard for offers (authority, resources, burn risk, advancement lane, comp mix).
o Readied board- and owner-facing briefing language for leagues/teams.
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Outcomes
“After 30 years with the U.S. Secret Service, I knew I didn’t want personal protection work—but I wasn’t sure how to translate my experience to the private sector. Carla helped me redirect as an enterprise event-security leader for sports and large venues. We narrowed my target roles, built a crisp executive brand, and opened doors with leagues and venue operators for events like the Super Bowl and World Series. The process was strategic, fast, and respectful of what I do—and don’t—want, with the utmost confidentiality given my role. I’m secured serious conversations for VP/CSO roles to lead teams, modernize security, and protect fans and players at scale.” Pleased to say the strategy worked and I’m part of operations for the sports I enjoyed as a spectator.”