Ariel Suarez
Sr. Security Professional
Orlando,FL
Summary
Accomplished Security leader with 21 years of experience. Committed to strategic planning and delivery of large-scale objectives while maintaining highest levels of integrity and respect. Applies advanced technical, business and logistics acumen to streamline processes. Adept at driving cross-functional teams within high-pressure and deadline-driven environments.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
5
5
years of post-secondary education
1
1
Language
Work History
Cluster Security Manager/Amazon Web Services
AWS
Ashburn, VA
02.2020 - 07.2023
- Lead team of 33 security professionals to execute data center security operations across multiple sites within Northern Virginia.
- Drafted, implemented and verified compliance with security procedures and policies, while optimizing effectiveness and efficiency of physical security posture at each facility.
- Served as leader and support system to drive new initiatives for the physical security team and oversaw their implementation while coordinating with multiple business partner teams.
- Performed continuous risk analysis for data center sites, and provided leadership and best practices in relation to security activities to on-site data center managers.
- Oversaw contract negotiations, budget implementation, disciplinary reviews, training and work schedules.
- Coordinated protective service operations with other emergency response teams.
- Verified excellence in regards to security programs, strategies and plans within fast-paced and high-risk environments.
- Evaluated security systems and procedures to identify areas for improvement.
- Cultivated relationships with external security vendors to make additional security resources available if necessary.
- Responsible for driving team performance and ensuring effective personnel management activities were executed, to include employee recognition, performance tracking and disciplinary actions.
- Conducted drills to keep security staff on alert and proficient with established plans.
- Reviewed and approved investigations and incident reports.
Assistant Security Director
Transportation Security Administration
Orlando, FL
09.2002 - 01.2020
- Directed TSA's Orlando field office administration and business operations.
- Lead nine program managers responsible for administrative programs and operational functions to ensure compliance with agency standard operating procedures, policies, and directives.
- Ensured that organizational functions are prioritized and effectively planned to meet agency strategic goals and objectives.
- Functions included administration, finance/budget, procurement, human resources, customer service, training, logistics, project management, scheduling, and safety.
- Provided local Project Management support to deploy advanced technologies, including in-line Explosive Detection Systems, Advanced Imaging Technology, Cast Scope, and Bottled Liquid Scanners.
- Implemented environmental stewardship and safety programs that earned MCO TSA's Gold Award five years in a row and reduced OSHA recordable incidents by 26 percent.
- Developed contingency plans to formulate response and procedures for emergency situations.
- Gathered and compiled data to prepare budget and personnel requests.
- Developed and grew staff competencies through team development, implementation and support of specific training for various responsibilities.
- Established measures, metrics, thresholds and targets to drive performance in alignment with security and other business strategies.
Acting Assistant Security Director-Screening
Transportation Security Administration
Orlando, FL
12.2016 - 04.2019
- Lead eight managers and 1,100 total employees at Orlando International Airport (MCO), which was 3rd busiest for Origination/Destination passengers in the Nation.
- Teams included Passenger and Baggage Screening, Canine Screening, Transportation Security Specialists-Explosives, Behavior Detection Officers, and Insider Threat team.
- Ensured compliance with all Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Management Directives (MDs), and Security Directives (SDs).
- Developed and maintained relationships with local stakeholders, partnering federal agencies, and local/state law enforcement.
- MCO TSA Director assigned to the team that designed, built, and deployed two new baggage screening areas utilizing the latest robotic technology in baggage security systems.
- Oversaw the expansion of one of our main security checkpoints (23-million-dollar project) along with design and build of all security screening systems for a completely new airport terminal.
Acting Deputy Security Director
Transportation Security Administration
Orlando, FL
03.2016 - 12.2016
- Served as second highest ranking TSA official at Orlando International Airport.
- Proactively and successfully lead 1200 personnel, including five Assistant Directors in Screening Operations, Compliance Inspections, Law Enforcement, Mission Support, and a Generalist.
- Lead several multimillion-dollar projects, including a large field office expansion and three Security Operation Areas optimization and recapitalization projects.
- Lead regular meetings with airport management officials and representatives from other Federal, State, and local agencies.
- Exchanged intelligence and shared information regarding security risks to transportation infrastructure, passengers, and cargo.
- Tested mutual response capabilities and responsibilities.
- Served as TSA liaison for the Emergency Operations Center and command post.
- Responsible and accountable for MOE (Measures of Effectiveness) metrics for TSA Orlando, leading the team to achieve its highest ever score of 97.4 in October 2016.
- Oversaw design and implementation of daily operational plan, with detailed hourly data specifying predicted passenger volume, screening lane requirements, and available resources to meet predicted need.
Education
Certification - Physical Security
Crime Prevention Institute
On-line 09.2021 - 09.2021
Professional Aeronautics
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Daytona Beach, FL 01.1993 - 05.1996
Associate of Science - Aviation Technology
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Daytona Beach, FL 01.1991 - 12.1992
Skills
Data Center Security Management
Timeline
Certification - Physical Security
Crime Prevention Institute
09.2021 - 09.2021
Cluster Security Manager/Amazon Web Services
AWS
02.2020 - 07.2023
Acting Assistant Security Director-Screening
Transportation Security Administration
12.2016 - 04.2019
Acting Deputy Security Director
Transportation Security Administration
03.2016 - 12.2016
Assistant Security Director
Transportation Security Administration
09.2002 - 01.2020
Professional Aeronautics
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
01.1993 - 05.1996
Associate of Science - Aviation Technology
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
01.1991 - 12.1992