Gary W. Garrison
Salt Lake City,UT
Summary
I am a professional law enforcement & security executive with more than thirty years of experience in management. I have spent my career developing operational and administrative programs as well as standard operating procedures & policies that advance an organization’s mission by obtaining the highest level of customer service. Strong leader and problem-solver dedicated to streamlining operations to decrease costs and promote organizational efficiency. Uses independent decision-making skills and sound judgment to positively impact company success.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Corporate Director of Security / Environmental Health and Safety
Novva Data Centers
04.2023 - Current
- Novva recruited me to create & build a top tier security department from the ground up for their rapidly growing and fast-paced data center technology company
- I create and develop security, training, and environmental health & safety standard operating policies & procedures
- Manage, mentor, and develop training for the company's national security workforce
- Manage operations at the company's pre-colocation campuses
- Develop and implement training policies
- Develop and manage security penetration testing
- Investigate criminal activity & employee misconduct
- Develop and manage Novva’s Environmental Health & Safety program
- Manage Novva’s off campus warehouses
- Coordinate and investigate Worker’s Compensation injuries & claims.
- Led cross-functional teams to achieve project goals on time and within budget constraints.
- Boosted employee morale and retention through effective communication, recognition programs, and team-building initiatives.
Director of Operations
PalAmerican Security Company
05.2022 - 04.2023
- Director of Operations over Utah for Pal American Security Inc
- Oversee complete operational responsibilities in the state of Utah
- Executive Leadership & mentor
- Managed over 150 employees and 90 security contracts
- Business Development Manager
- Responsible for all of company’s operations in Utah (administration, payroll, business development, client management)
- Department of Professional Licensing - Utah qualifying agent.
- Oversaw daily operations across multiple departments, ensuring seamless coordination and efficient execution of tasks.
- Developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency.
Lieutenant of Police and Fire Department
Town of Lookout Mountain, TN
11.2017 - 01.2022
- Manager of uniformed patrol and response to 911 emergency calls
- Conducting skilled community policing techniques
- Mentoring and training officers/recruits
- Certified law enforcement instructor, FTO and specialized firearms instructor, internal affairs investigator, criminal investigator, state certified fire fighter.
Senior Federal Air Marshal- (retired)
Department of Homeland Security/Federal Air Marshal Service
05.2002 - 05.2018
- Surveillance and investigations of suspects and criminal activities
- Security and investigations at National and International airports
- Aircraft security and investigations of criminal activity for both domestic and international flights
- Assistant / ATSAC (Supervisor) of a squad of 22 Federal Air Marshals
- Maintained a Top-Secret security clearance
- Acted as the U.S.A’s representative to foreign governments while on international missions.
- Trained new Federal Air Marshals, fostering a culture of excellence and dedication to the mission.
- Assisted other federal agencies with investigations related to aviation crimes such as human trafficking or drug smuggling.
Police Officer/Investigator
Atlanta Police Department
02.1992 - 05.2002
- Uniformed Patrol and responding to 911 emergency calls
- Responded to emergency situations and deployed tactical techniques
- Field Training and classroom instruction of cadets and veteran officers
- Conducted surveillance and investigations in an undercover capacity
- Supervised officers on a Tactical/Entry Team
- Developed, supervised, and executed plans of actions for a covert crime reduction unit in high crime areas
- Gathered and analyzed criminal intelligence activities to develop a plan of action to capture felonious actors.
- Participated in ongoing training opportunities to stay current on best practices, maintaining a high level of expertise within the field of law enforcement.
- Displayed sound judgment under pressure when making critical decisions that impact public safety during emergency situations.
Chief Detective
Midtown Blue Public Safety Force
01.2000 - 01.2002
- Crime Analysis of the Midtown business district
- Executive meetings with high level business professionals in the Midtown business district of Atlanta, GA
- Supervising and deployed officers and investigators in high crime areas and high-profile cases
- Conducted high level investigations in the Midtown Atlanta business district.
- Obtained and served search warrants related to ongoing cases.
- Prioritized multiple active cases efficiently by continually reassessing urgency levels based on emerging factors such as public safety concerns or new leads.
Cavalry Scout, Troop E
Georgia Army National Guard
01.1994 - 01.1998
- 108th Cavalry, GA Army National Guard
- Maintained tactical training and technical knowledge of combat techniques
- Participated in rigorous physical training and troop exercises
- Trained in the use of vehicles and weaponry such as rifles, handguns, M3 Bradleys, Humvee and various other types of transportation and weapons
- Ready deployment in times of military conflict/war.
- Operated wheeled and tracked vehicles and communications equipment.
- Educated newer members on platoon inner workings, answered questions and provided advice on daily duties.
Deputy/Supervisor
Davidson County Sheriff's Department
08.1990 - 02.1992
- Detention of state and federal inmates
- Transportation and rehabilitation of inmates in the county jail
- Supervising the capture of wanted fugitives
- Attending management level staff meetings with the Sheriff and administrators.
- Developed strong relationships with stakeholders to facilitate smooth communication and project completion.
- Enhanced employee performance by providing regular feedback, coaching, and training opportunities.
Instructor
King's School of Aviation
02.1990 - 08.1990
- Planned and conducted classroom and practical exercises for the FAA private pilot license and Airframe and powerplant examinations
- Coordinated examinations for the Federal Aviation Administration
- Developed course curriculum for private pilot and airframe & powerplant classroom instruction.
- Promoted a positive learning environment by establishing clear expectations and maintaining consistent classroom management techniques.
- Tracked student progress, frequently checking in with struggling students and identifying root causes of problems.
Airman/ B1-b Bomber Crew Chief
United States Air Force
07.1987 - 02.1990
- Responsible for all maintenance and structural integrity of one of the military's most advanced aircraft
- Maintained training and knowledge of the deployment and storage of conventional and nuclear weapons aboard the aircraft
- The B-1b bomber was such a new aircraft, I was involved in experimentation which led to changes in technical orders on the aircraft by the manufacturer.
Education
High School Diploma -
Antioch High School
BS in Criminal Justice Administration -
Columbia Southern University
Orange Beach, ALSkills
Organizational Leadership
Ethics and integrity
Operations Management
Strategic Partnerships
Workforce Planning
Succession Planning
Certification
- Basic Military Training Graduate
- Peace Officers Standard Training Certification in Georgia
- Advanced Emergency Vehicle Operator Certification
- Special Weapons and Tactics/High Risk Entry training
- Advanced Tactical Shooting Certification
- Undercover Vice/Narcotics Investigator Certification
- Interviews/Interrogations Certification
- Internal Affairs Investigations certified.
- Criminal Investigator certified.
- Electronic Surveillance Techniques Certification
- Recognized by the Superior Court of Georgia as an expert witness.
- Drug Recognition Expert training.
- Federal Law Enforcement Training Center Graduate
- Federal Tactical Pistol Course Certification
- Quarterly Defensive Tactics and Measures, Pistol qualifications
- Investigative & Behavioral Detection Techniques
- Peace Officers Standard Training Certification in Tennessee
- TN POST Law Enforcement instructor certification
- TN POST specialized certification as a firearms instructor
- TN Post certified patrol rifle instructor
- TN POST certified night fighter instructor
- TN POST specialized certification as a field training officer
- TN state certified Firefighter
- Emergency medical first responder certified.
- American Heart Association – Basic Life Support certified instructor
- American College of Surgeons – Stop the Bleed certified instructor
- OSHA 511 trained and certified
Personal Information
Title: Operations & Security Executive
Affiliations
- ASIS International member
- American Heart Association
- College of American Surgeons
Timeline
Corporate Director of Security / Environmental Health and Safety
Novva Data Centers
04.2023 - Current
Director of Operations
PalAmerican Security Company
05.2022 - 04.2023
Lieutenant of Police and Fire Department
Town of Lookout Mountain, TN
11.2017 - 01.2022
Senior Federal Air Marshal- (retired)
Department of Homeland Security/Federal Air Marshal Service
05.2002 - 05.2018
Chief Detective
Midtown Blue Public Safety Force
01.2000 - 01.2002
Cavalry Scout, Troop E
Georgia Army National Guard
01.1994 - 01.1998
Police Officer/Investigator
Atlanta Police Department
02.1992 - 05.2002
Deputy/Supervisor
Davidson County Sheriff's Department
08.1990 - 02.1992
Instructor
King's School of Aviation
02.1990 - 08.1990
Airman/ B1-b Bomber Crew Chief
United States Air Force
07.1987 - 02.1990
High School Diploma -
Antioch High School
BS in Criminal Justice Administration -
Columbia Southern University