Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Timeline
Generic
Salvatore  Cardella

Salvatore Cardella

Corporate Security Executive
Port Saint Lucie,FL

Summary

Accomplished security and emergency management executive with over 25 years of experience in law enforcement, security operations, risk mitigation, and crisis response. A results-driven leader with a proven track record of developing and overseeing strategic security initiatives, safeguarding critical infrastructure, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.

As Chief of Safety & Security at Indian River State College, I lead comprehensive security and emergency preparedness efforts across multiple counties, institutions, and healthcare facilities. I oversee high-risk incident response teams, implement advanced security technologies such as Genetec and CCure, and drive threat mitigation strategies to enhance organizational resilience. Additionally, I have secured and managed federal grants to strengthen emergency management capabilities and crisis response initiatives.

My expertise spans regulatory compliance, operational security leadership, and training program development. I have successfully designed and executed emergency preparedness plans, coordinated multi-agency security operations, and optimized workforce efficiency through proactive risk assessment and crisis management strategies. Throughout my career, I have held key leadership roles, including Deputy, Captain, Manager, and Director, demonstrating a deep understanding of labor utilization, executive training, internal policy enforcement, and problem resolution.

A strategic thinker with a talent for identifying high-performing individuals, I specialize in leadership development and employee motivation. I create and implement training programs that enhance cognitive aptitude, teamwork, and operational effectiveness, ensuring that security personnel are well-equipped to meet evolving challenges. With a commitment to excellence, I set high yet achievable expectations, fostering a culture of accountability and continuous improvement within security organizations.

In conclusion, I am committed to ensuring the physical and technological security of facilities by implementing advanced concepts, policies, and components that are specifically designed to minimize risk, identify vulnerabilities, and guide appropriate responses to potential incidents. Furthermore, I am prepared to relocate and possess the necessary authorization to work in the United States for any employer.

Overview

23
23
years of professional experience

Work History

Interim Director, Criminal Justice Institute

Indian River State College
Ft. Pierce
08.2023 - 02.2025
  • Provided leadership and supervision for the Police Academy and Criminal Justice program, ensuring compliance with higher education administration standards, and emergency management best practices.
  • Ensured compliance with FDLE mandates, Clery Act, and Title IX regulations
  • Managed law enforcement grants, training programs, and multi-agency collaborations
  • Developed curriculum, training protocols, and program evaluations, fostering continuous improvement in security training and campus safety initiatives
  • Led budgeting, faculty recruitment, and student mentoring
  • Coordinated with regulatory bodies to ensure compliance with laws and standards.
  • Cultivated relationships with stakeholders to secure support and funding for key initiatives.
  • Managed budgeting and financial planning processes for the organization.
  • Analyzed data to inform decision-making and strategic direction.
  • Developed and implemented strategic plans to ensure organizational goals were met.
  • Implemented systems for tracking progress on key initiatives or projects.
  • Managed annual budgeting process, including forecasting and financial planning.
  • Established performance metrics and evaluated staff to promote continuous improvement.
  • Developed policies and procedures to ensure compliance with corporate standards.

Chief of Campus Safety & Security

Indian River State College
Port Saint Lucie
07.2023 - 02.2025
  • Served as Incident Commander, leading crisis response and Unified Incident Command Structure operations
  • Developed and implemented an integrated campus safety strategy aligned with the institution's strategic vision
  • Oversaw Clery Act compliance, Title IX investigations, and emergency response coordination, ensuring adherence to federal and state regulations
  • Supervised police, EMS, emergency management, patrol, dispatch, and compliance staff, maintaining high operational standards
  • Established partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, strengthening public safety collaboration and emergency preparedness
  • Spearheaded risk assessment programs and security technology enhancements, leveraging data analytics to drive decision-making
  • Utilized various software and tools to streamline processes and optimize performance.
  • Created and rolled out budget for security department.
  • Reviewed incident reports submitted by staff members on a regular basis and provided feedback when required.
  • Developed training programs for staff members on security protocols including access control systems, CCTV monitoring, alarm systems.
  • Performed background checks on potential hires prior to extending job offers in order to ensure compliance with applicable regulations.
  • Kept staff aware of security and safety concerns with regular meetings and drills.
  • Recruited and managed competent personnel to handle security needs and maintain adequate coverage.
  • Interacted with local law enforcement officials concerning criminal activity that may impact organizational operations.
  • Maintained effective working relationships with local and state government agencies and collaborated closely on investigations.
  • Conducted fire, safety and sanitation inspections.
  • Enforced all prison rules while maintaining order among the inmates.
  • Interacted with visitors at the facility entrance desk in a professional manner while ensuring that only approved individuals are allowed access inside the prison walls.

Director of Security

Wellpath
05.2022 - 07.2023
  • Developed and implemented a comprehensive security strategy, ensuring service-oriented security operations
  • Conducted security audits, risk assessments, and compliance reviews, integrating emergency preparedness and strategic planning
  • Managed emergency response protocols, workplace violence prevention, and crisis leadership initiatives
  • Led training programs on security awareness, evacuation protocols, and threat mitigation, ensuring high-quality campus safety measures
  • Maintained order in building and on grounds of prison.
  • Held regular meetings with correctional officers assigned under one's command to discuss operational issues and address any grievances they may have had.
  • Maintained accurate records of inmate movements within the facility including transfers between cells, wings, buildings and visits from family members, lawyers.
  • Assigned and monitored training needs of subordinate staff members to close knowledge and performance gaps.
  • Conducted regular inspections of cells for contraband items such as weapons or drugs.
  • Supervised subordinate correctional officers in their day-to-day tasks including booking procedures, cell searches, meal distribution, mail delivery.
  • Prepared detailed incident reports after any altercation between inmates or staff members occurred.
  • Investigated incidents involving inmates or staff members, documented findings in reports, and provided recommendations to management regarding disciplinary action.
  • Developed and implemented security policies, procedures, and protocols.
  • Coordinated with outside agencies such as probation officers or social workers to provide additional resources for inmates upon release from prison.
  • Organized inmate programs such as educational classes, recreational activities, religious services, counseling sessions, and job assignments.
  • Attended court proceedings related to criminal cases involving current or former prisoners under one's supervision.
  • Achieved cost-savings by developing functional solutions to problems.
  • Conducted routine maintenance and repairs on mechanical systems and industrial equipment.

Asset Protection & Operations Manager

Walmart
Ft. Pierce
07.2021 - 01.2022
  • Reduced inventory shrinkage and operational losses, recovering over $575K in theft prevention
  • Conducted pre-inventory audits, security risk analysis, and operational efficiency improvements
  • Provided staff training on security protocols and fraud prevention
  • Conducted interviews with suspects involved in criminal activities related to retail stores.
  • Reviewed loan agreements to verify completeness and accuracy according to applicable policies.
  • Stayed abreast of lending regulations, industry trends and market rates.
  • Managed a team of asset protection specialists in multiple locations across the region.
  • Assisted in developing new techniques and methods used by Asset Protection teams in detecting fraudulent activities.
  • Implemented corporate initiatives throughout the assigned region by providing training sessions for store staff members.
  • Increased apprehensions and apprehension dollars by motivating and coaching direct reports for optimum productivity and performance.
  • Analyzed data from CCTV systems to identify potential risk areas within stores.
  • Identified and resolved crime cases in partnership with local law enforcement agencies.

Deputy Sheriff & Lead Instructor

Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office
West Palm Beach
01.2006 - 07.2021
  • Served as Lead Instructor for the Training Division, developing high-liability law enforcement training
  • Specialized in emergency response, hostage negotiation, and K-9 operations
  • Conducted criminal investigations, risk mitigation, and advanced security training, ensuring effective crisis leadership
  • Additional skills: Corrections, Emergency Response Team Commander, Emergency Field Force Team Grenadier
  • Prepared reports documenting activities at the jail facility such as incidents involving staff or inmates.
  • Trained employees on best practices and protocols while managing teams to maintain optimal productivity.
  • Negotiated and reviewed contracts, rates and terms with current facilities and suppliers.
  • Maintained records on inmate population numbers, court orders, mandates pertaining to sentencing guidelines, programs available for inmates' rehabilitation purposes.
  • Provided guidance on legal matters relating to incarceration issues such as habeas corpus petitions.
  • Created and revised systems and procedures by analyzing operating practices, recordkeeping systems and forms control.
  • Organized educational programs aimed at helping incarcerated individuals gain skills necessary for successful reintegration into society upon release from prison.
  • Developed and implemented policies and procedures for the management of inmates in accordance with state and federal laws.

Captain

Florida Department of Corrections
Miami
12.2001 - 12.2005
  • Oversaw security operations, emergency response, and personnel management, ensuring operational excellence
  • Ensured compliance with state and federal correctional regulations
  • Managed facility operations, inmate security, and staff training
  • Transported inmates to and from medical and dental appointments, funerals, work details and court hearings.
  • Subdued resisting subjects with defensive tactics and approved nonlethal weapons.
  • Managed crime scene investigations by collecting evidence, performing fingerprinting and taking videos and photos of scenes.
  • Documented facts and statements gathered from complainants, witnesses and accused persons.
  • Provided security for special events and dignitaries.
  • Coordinated with local law enforcement agencies on joint operations.
  • Engaged in physical training exercises to maintain peak fitness levels.
  • Managed hazardous materials incidents with attention to safety protocols.

Education

Law Enforcement Certification -

Miami Dade College
Miami, FL
11-2000

Bachelor's Degree - Criminal Justice

Virginia Union University
Richmond, VA
05-1998

Skills

CERTIFICATIONS & TRAINING

- OSHA 30 Certification

- FDLE Certified Instructor

- First Aid & CPR Certified

- Class D & Class G Security Licenses

- Crisis Intervention Techniques

- Gang Specialist Certification

- Wicklander-Zulawski Interview & Interrogation Certified

- DEA Criminal Pipeline Interdiction Certification

- Security Scanning Technology (SecuPass) Training

- Certified Emergency Manager

- Master Exercise Practitioner Program FEMA

- Certified Public-Safety Executive

- FEMA Emergency Management Institute Independent Study Courses

- Executive Fire Officer Program - National Fire Academy

CORE SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

- Security & Risk Management

- Law Enforcement Leadership

- Crisis & Emergency Response

- Executive Training & Development

- Incident Command & Investigations

- Threat Assessment & Risk Mitigation

- Workplace Violence Prevention

- Public Safety & Compliance

- Budget Planning & Grant Writing

- Technology-Driven Security Solutions

- Asset Protection & Loss Prevention

- Strategic Planning & Operations- Corporate Security

- Anti-Ambush Instruction

- Firearm Instruction

- Master Rifle & Shotgun Instruction

- Tactical Combat Care Instruction

- Vehicle Assault & Ambush Instruction

- Anti-Terrorism Certification

- Defensive Tactics & Military Combatives Instruction

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES

- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

- Security Systems & Surveillance (CCTV, ANPR, AFR, Genetec, CCure, Biometric Security Solutions)

- Database & Project Management (MySQL, Java, JavaScript, Bootstrap, HTML5

Timeline

Interim Director, Criminal Justice Institute

Indian River State College
08.2023 - 02.2025

Chief of Campus Safety & Security

Indian River State College
07.2023 - 02.2025

Director of Security

Wellpath
05.2022 - 07.2023

Asset Protection & Operations Manager

Walmart
07.2021 - 01.2022

Deputy Sheriff & Lead Instructor

Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office
01.2006 - 07.2021

Captain

Florida Department of Corrections
12.2001 - 12.2005

Law Enforcement Certification -

Miami Dade College

Bachelor's Degree - Criminal Justice

Virginia Union University
Salvatore Cardella Corporate Security Executive