our
TEAM
Team Leads
Michael – “Mak”
Mak is team leader with over 30 years of security, operations and technology experience. He leads Palisade’s team of Executive Protection agents inside the United States as well as in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Mak is a licensed private detective, a GA state instructor, an officer in the Georgia DoD, an NRA and tactical weapons instructor, a military weapons instructor, a weapons simulator instructor. Mak is the coach of the GA National Guard Alpha Marksmanship Team. He is a board member at Georgia Professional Private Investigators (GAPPI.) Michael holds a B.A. from the University of Redlands, is conversant in French and understands / speaks portions of several other languages.
Larry – “Spidey”
Larry has been involved in the area of investigation and security for the past thirty-eight years. He served in a law enforcement capacity with the Marine Corps where he worked as a Shore Patrol Officer, Marine Chaser, and Military Police Investigator assigned to the Criminal Investigations Division. He later served as a hand-to-hand combat instructor and was recruited into the Protective Services Branch where he served as the close protection agent assigned to high-ranking officers, and dignitaries throughout the world. He is a Georgia licensed Private Investigator and serves on the board of the GA Association of Professional Private Investigators. Larry has extensive training in the area of executive protection from numerous facilities including U.S. Marine Protection Services Training, Marine Corps Embassy Guard, U.S. Secret Service, Executive Security International, NIA, Institute of Public Service, Blackwater, BSR, and the Executive Protections Institute. Larry has protected numerous high-profile celebrities, Fortune 500 executives, political figures, and authors.
Spencer – “LARS”
Spencer heads Palisade’s intelligence section. He is also a company commander with the Georgia National Guard and a Military Intelligence Officer skilled in developing and executing strategic, operational, and tactical level intelligence operations; and leading multi-functional teams. He has investigation experience including advanced open source analysis, product development, surveillance, Federal investigation support, and multi-agency case development. He is a current member of the GA National Guard Marksmanship Team. He holds a dual BA in Chemistry and Russian Studies and a Masters in Intelligence Team Management. Spencer is currently completing his state requirements for GA Private Investigator.
Thomas – “Chachi”
A retired Army Ranger, Since 2005, Thomas has specialized in the HTP arena working within many well-known agencies with security positions extending from PMC to Security Project Management. His affiliation with specialized organizations includes the Department of State HTP and Department of Defense, as well as private organizations spanning over 15 years. He has directed personal security details or PSD Teams and executed Anti-Insurgency/Terrain denial operations for other government agencies as well as provided security management for US government installations, corporate security management for oil and gas on multiple occasions, and diplomatic security for the Department of State. Additionally, his experience has been lent to the protection of Consul Generals, Ambassadors, high ranking government and military officials as well as high net-worth executives and celebrities.
Eric – “Driver”
Eric has a broad mix of military and security experience. He serves as a team lead for Palisade. Eric utilizes his military training and education to provide outstanding close protection to our clients. Eric is a Georgia licensed private detective as well as licensed armed and unarmed guard. He recently left the National Guard and over the previous 8 years had served several roles including armory control and squad marksman.
Ryan – “Swager”
A protection team lead and an EP instructor, Ryan has been active in the National Guard for more than 10 years. In addition to many other schools, Ryan proudly wears the Air Assault patch. He has had 6 deployments, 3 or which have been in active war zones. He has attended multiple schools at the Joint Warfighter Center including Counterterrorism, Active Shooter Response and Emergency Disaster Response. Ryan is a team member of the GA National Guard Alpha Marksmanship team and has returned from Nationals this year with one of the few Chief’s 50 awards held in Georgia. He is medical emergency response trained including Combat Lifesaver and Practical Nurse ASI. Ryan is currently completing his state requirements for GA Private Investigator.
Howard – “Boomer”
Howard is a graduate of Executive Security International (ESI). He is a trained member of FEMA Civilian Emergency Response Team (CERT). In college, he focused on Criminal Justice with a minor in History. Howard manages many of our high-end armed and private security engagements for events, asset protection, personalities and national emergencies. He has extensive training in surveillance, covert protection, first responder medical treatment, estate security, threat and risk assessments, tactical shooting, protective driving and many other principals of protection. He attended Marine Military Academy and enlisted in the US Marine Corps 1988. Howard is currently completing his state requirements for GA Private Investigator.