ABOUT US
The ThreatShield 5 Philosophy:
- Preventing violence is always better than responding to an act in progress.
- The sooner we recognize a threat the better our chances.
- We when see a potential problem, it’s better to Outsmart the bad guy and avoid the fight.
- If we haven’t outsmarted him, let’s Outmaneuver to maintain a strategic advantage.
- If we are forced to engage, let’s Outfight through superior skills & tactics.
- Why do we do all these things? Because we love our people more than the bad guy hates them. We Outlove him to keep them safe.
This Program and this Team Were Forged from Necessity
Most of us never could have imagined a time in which the United States would be dealing with issues like mass murders and rampage killings. Maybe in some war-torn country far away, but not here.
Yet here is precisely where we are.
While the biggest and most heart-wrenching incidents make the headlines for days, any average week includes incidents of violence in workplaces, schools, and houses of worship in stories buried pages deep in the news. Yes, shootings are so common now that only the most egregious make the news.
Why is it that every post-incident interview includes the phrase “We never thought that could happen here?” Sandy Hook, Parkland, Aurora, Sutherland Springs… none of these places are “high crime,” yet
the worst still happened to them and rocked their towns. Forever.
We don’t have to settle for it. We don’t have to sit around and wait in fear. That’s probably why you’re here, isn’t it? You know there has to be something we can do to protect ourselves, our businesses and our colleagues.
That’s why we are here. That’s why we created ThreatShield 5. Because you should have the knowledge and training to feel empowered and stay safe.
We come from a wide range of backgrounds. From Navy Seals to Threat Assessment and Management experts to clinical psychologists to business training and development specialists. We believe in a better way to keep people safe.
1. Training doesn’t have to be scary to be effective. In fact, people learn less from military-style training with masked gunman running down the hallways of your business. We focus on using and practicing right and reasonable responses. An empowered, confident person has the best chance to effectively survive a real-world violent encounter.
2. Prevention is possible and that principle should lead our efforts. Active Shooter is a real threat we must address (if you question this fact, look at the stats on the home page). But barricading ourselves under our desks or hiring full-time armed security aren’t our only options. With our backgrounds in Threat Assessment and Management, ThreatShield 5 adds layers of protection between you ever experiencing an Active Shooter situation. Yes, we address the worst-case scenario, but we also arm you with the same strategies that the Secret Service uses for spotting and neutralizing issues before they occur.
3. Understanding the tactical skills is only one half of the equation. Most of our team is highly experienced in working within businesses of all sizes (from Walmart to startups). We understand the business, culture, and effective training techniques. We know what it takes to create engaging training that attendees listen and respond to. We know what they need to absorb to prevent and protect themselves and others from an attack, and we deliver it in a way they can use in a worst-case scenario.
Ready to meet the team we’ve assembled to help you tackle this need?
Doug Elms, PPS, PMP, LSS-GB
Doug Elms is an expert in assessing violent behavior, business risks, and at keeping people safe.
Beginning his career with the Little Rock Police Department as a uniformed Police Officer, Doug worked the streets of what is known as “The Most Dangerous Small City in America”. During his ten years in law enforcement, Doug managed thousands of violent crime investigations and arrests and relied on intense training to survive several deadly encounters. During Bill Clinton’s Presidential Campaign based in Little Rock, Doug gained extraordinary experience in understanding threats to protectees, protective intelligence, and in dignitary protection. Doug served as an Executive Board Member of the Arkansas State Fraternal Order of Police and is a graduate of the highly regarded Executive Protection Institute.
With such proven experience, Doug was recruited by Walmart Stores, Inc. into their Loss Prevention Division. In his 24-year career with the world’s largest company, Doug was directly responsible for assessing business and security risks to the global enterprise and managing corporate security measures in stores, the home office, and facilities worldwide. For three years, Doug lived in China, introducing the Asset Protection and Safety profession to Asia as Walmart opened Walmart Stores, Sam’s Clubs, Distribution Centers, and Global Procurement Offices throughout Asia.
Doug was a founding member of Walmart’s Global Security Division and its Executive Protection Team where he was personally responsible for the protection of three CEOs and members of the Walton Family. Post 9/11, Doug formed and led the Risk Intelligence Sharing Consortium (R.I.S.C.) a forum for security leaders of top Fortune companies and law enforcement to share information about risks and mitigation strategies.
Doug excelled within Walmart and was promoted to lead operations business segments with over $1 billion in annual sales, and then led teams of Innovations Architects where he was responsible for, or a contributor to, game changing business initiatives such as $4 Generics, Walmart on Campus, Walmart Pay, 3-2-1 Save, and opening Walmart stores, and procurement offices, throughout Asia. Doug has earned designations, and is skilled, in Lean, Six Sigma, and Project Management.
Retiring from Walmart in early 2017, Doug is founder and Principal Consultant of SafeHaven Security Group, LLC., where he partners with a select group of clients providing workplace violence prevention / threat assessment & management, uniformed security specialists, and executive and family protection. His clients include bank groups, philanthropic foundations, high wealth / high risk families, churches, food manufacturers, and medical professionals.
Doug is a sought-after security and business consultant, has two adult children and two younger children, and resides and rides motorcycles in beautiful NW Arkansas.
Note: Ask Doug about the best way to stop a bullet.
Chief Tim D. Keck, ret.
Tim D. Keck is a best-selling author, a top-rated speaker and a court-certified expert on threat management. He has taught thousands of people how to stay safe even under the most difficult of circumstances.
That all started because his police department was taken over by a man who’d murdered two people and kidnapped his ex-wife. As Tim crouched outside the building wondering how the night would end, he began to think that this crime was preventable. They’d all seen the signs, yet no one knew what to do. So, he set out to change all that.
Tim was a career police officer and SWAT leader who rose through the ranks to Chief of Police. He has testified before a Congressional committee, provided VIP protection to celebrities, and spearheaded a multi-national undercover investigation.
Tim is the founder of GoBulletproof.com, a boutique management consultancy based in NW Arkansas. He has been quoted in publications from Newsweek to The New York Times and has made several appearances on national television.
Tim’s presentations are full of both wit and wisdom. He uses improvisational humor and true stories to illustrate learnings that can be put to use immediately.
In his previous career, Chief Keck’s work was recognized by several federal agencies including the Drug Enforcement Agency and Department of Homeland Security. The Department of Justice wrote “The FBI and the American people have been the beneficiaries of your professionalism and dedication to duty…” about his career-long efforts.
Tim has assisted people and organizations from L.A. to London and from Calgary to the Caymans. Clients include PepsiCo, Kimberly-Clark, Walmart Stores, Tyson Foods, Marriott, Arvest Bank Group, J.B. Hunt, OppenheimerFund, Total Oil – Canada and many more.
Note: Ask Tim why Otters are his favorite animal.
Mark A. Cummings
Mark started his Navy career with the war in Vietnam still raging. His sole purpose for enlisting was to get into a SEAL Team. And that he did.
After getting through BUD/S he was assigned to UDT- 12 in Coronado outside San Diego. During his time at UDT – 12, Mark was assigned to the West coast Navy Parachute Team where he spent two years before transferring to SEAL Team One. Mark was later transferred to the admiral’s staff being assigned to Naval Special Warfare Command. After three years, he returned to SEAL Team One in charge of the Intelligence Department. After serving two decades as an elite warrior, Mark retired from the Navy.
In 1997 he moved to Arkansas where he worked the streets of Springdale as a patrol officer until he retired a second time in September of 2011.
With piracy on the high seas making a comeback, Mark of course opted for three years in the Middle East in Maritime Security, involved in the anti-piracy effort.
Mark loves to spend time with his three daughters and three grandchildren here in NW Arkansas.
Note: Ask Mark about what happens when the EOD guys says “We might be too close.”
Arianna Grace
Arianna Grace is one of the most interesting people you will ever meet.
A survivor of child abuse so horrific she needed facial reconstruction; Arianna personifies the victim-to-victor story. She has achieved success in many business endeavors, has traveled the Middle East alone, and has a passion to keep people safe from violence.
Arianna has worked for small, rapid growth startup businesses, for three years as a consultant for a Fortune 20 corporation, in her own businesses, as well as with ministries, community organizations, and individuals. In her various roles, she has led the development of a major e-commerce site, built custom accounting tools, caught a contract loophole that added millions to the bottom line, led the turnaround of a downturning company culture, turned around a failing RFP process (worth millions), written hundreds of practical and proven processes and process documents and put out hundreds of fires (and prevented thousands more!).
Arianna holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, but considers her time with startups the best MBA on the planet. Her professional roles have been in the areas of Product management, Program management and Strategic management roles, but truly she loves solving problems and using abundant energy and creativity to maximize every activity, every process, every person and every dollar she encounters.
Arianna helped conceive the ThreatShield 5 program and was instrumental in its development, launch, and ultimate success.
Arianna has designed a life she loves with the freedom to pursue her passions of travel, connecting people and cultures, and supporting the development of businesses around the world. She is a serial entrepreneur with a passion for social entrepreneurship and its power to transform lives.
Note: Ask Arianna about the time she lived in a crack house.
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