Matthew Parker

Summary
Matthew Parker is a licensed private investigator and professional dignitary and executive protection specialist with over seventeen years of executive and dignitary protection experience. Since his retirement in 2011 after twenty years of service with the US Army, he has been the Chief Executive Officer and the Director of Training for Independent Security Advisors LLC, a certified disabled veteran-owned company.

Mr. Parker is a Department of Defense certified master instructor and state certified law enforcement instructor serving as the course lead and master instructor for programs of instruction relating to dignitary & executive protection and terrorism.

These executive protection training programs developed by Mr. Parker are currently awarded law enforcement or state regulatory accreditation in six states, recognized for college credit, and received the first-ever endorsement by the International Foundation of Protection Officers.

Mr. Parker is also a graduate of the Federal Law Enforcement and US Army Law Enforcement Training Academy’s and has received specialized training in instructional design and training, close protection, physical security, and counter/anti-terrorism.

Professional Experience
Executive Protection Agent; Independent Security Advisors (ISA)
2011-Present
Mr. Parker is directly responsible for the general safety, emergency medical response, privacy, and proactive and personalized close protection of international diplomats, corporate executives, candidates for public office and various celebrities. He also continues to work on various solo assignments and details to support our affiliates and industry partners as a driver, close protection agent, or detail lead.

Conducts ongoing threat and vulnerability assessments; reviews and analyzes intelligence reports to assess safety/security conditions, trends and potential problems prior to principle visits; prepares and adapts SOPs; optimizes physical security and counter surveillance plans and procedures, and coordinates as required with law enforcement, diplomatic security and government agencies; prepares and reviews advance reports and operational orders to design and implement risk mitigation procedures and protocols to address the threat level.

Plans, oversees and conducts protective, surveillance detection, and advance operations; Assists with international and domestic travel arrangements and ensures the safe and secure transportation of the client/protectee.

Responsible for the safe operation and maintenance of various vehicles used for client/protectee movement,; selects and coordinates secure primary and alternate transportation by air and ground; conducts route analysis develops primary, alternate and tertiary vehicle routes.

Responsible for safeguarding and custody of highly sensitive and confidential information and material; oversees technical surveillance counter-measures and procedures, operates and maintains secure communication systems.

Notable Assignments/Experience
Close Protection Detail Lead, Special Adviser
2019-Present
Provide close protection and advice to the national democratic party, various other national and state officials and candidates for office.

Director of Close Protection; International Trade Delegations
2011-2012
Responsible for the close protection of senior diplomats, trade delegation staff during official state visits; Conducted protective service operations and coordinated with the US State Department and other governmental agencies.

Director Independent Security Advisors (ISA) Training Division
2011-Present
Directly oversees the ISA Training Division; serves as the course lead and master instructor for ten programs of instruction relating to dignitary and executive protection, terrorism, use of force, medical response, drivers training, and surveillance detection, provides training for federal, state, local law enforcement, the US military, and other agencies.

Oversees and participates in the Instructional Systems Design process and is responsible for the planning, designing, and development of new training courses; leads comprehensive reviews of programs of instruction and evaluates the impact of projected changes and updates in order to stay current on policy, technology, operational procedures, and skill sets.

Master Instructor responsible for the design and development of course materials, syllabus, curriculums, and detailed lesson plans; selects and evaluates appropriate training delivery methods; assigns individual training classes to instructors; ensures instructors prep for courses; conducts instructor performance evaluations and annually evaluates instructors training.

Plans, organizes, manages, and conducts presentation of major course offerings to include initial, sustainment, specialty, and external training; resolves problems that occur in training sessions; evaluates courses to ensure that they conform to applicable training and performance standards, FLETA accreditation, and adult education requirements.

Coordinates course schedules with instructors and subject matter experts (SME); manages the logistics arrangements which includes availability of space, facilities, equipment, and multimedia team and approves receipt of inventory; establishes and maintains liaison with a broad array of law enforcement, security, military, government and civilian organizations affected by the training mission.

Notable Assignments/Experience
 Diplomatic Protection Instructor, Ukrainian Security Services, Rivne Ukraine 2022. Trained over 50 members of the Ukrainian Security Services for the close protection of government officials during a time of war.

 Selected by State and Federal agencies and training academies to conduct Dignitary and Executive Protection Training.

 Programs of instruction were awarded law enforcement accreditation in six states, continuing education credits for private security in two states, recognized for college credit and received the first-ever endorsement of an executive protection training program by the International Foundation of Protection Officers.

 Collaborated with the University of Maryland Public Safety Academy and Mount Eagle College respectively to develop various training programs, serving as the lead instructor and program manager.

Special Advisor for the Institutional Investors Consulting Company
2017- Present
Security Consultant / Associate member & SME, providing advice and guidance on matters of diplomatic protection, terrorism, international commerce security and supporting democracy programs.

Special Advisor for MS Global LLC
2012- Present
Security Consultant / Associate member & SME, providing advice and guidance on matters of diplomatic protection, supporting international commerce & democracy programs and military affairs.

United States Army
1990-2011
U.S. Army Senior Non-Commissioned Officer and combat veteran with more than 20 years of distinguished military service, Mr. Parker has served in a variety of leadership and instructor positions. His most notable experiences include Cavalry Troop First Sergeant, Director, Protective Service Detachment Iraq, Assistant Professor of Military Science & Leadership, Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg Virginia, Training Department Manager, U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear School, Ft. Leonard Wood Missouri, and successfully served in every
position assigned a 19D Cavalry Scout.

Special Advisor, Government of Iraq & Kurdish Regional Government
2008-2009-2011
** Mr. Parker was requested by H.E. Dr. Barham Ahmed Salih Qassim the Deputy Prime Minister and H.E. Qahtan al-Juburi the Minister of Tourism and Antiquities to oversee training of one hundred Iraqi security service officers assigned to their protective service details. including those for the current President.

Notable Recognition and Awards
In 2021 *Received the Iraqi Commitment Medal from the Government of Iraq.

Assistant Professor of Military Science at Virginia Polytechnic University
May 2009-2011
Responsible for coaching, mentoring, and training over 100 cadets, developed, adapted and revised lesson plans and training support materials for the instruction of the principles of leadership. small unit tactics, and fieldcraft.

Protective Service Assignment, United States Army
1990-2011
Multiple assignments on protective service details responsible for safeguarding senior and flag officers, members of the US State Department, Members of Congress, and various other dignitaries.
 Egypt; 1998-1999
 Bosnia; 2000-2001
 Iraq; 2004-2005, 2006-2007, 2008-2009

Note: US Army Bronze Star, Multi National Division Center Headquarters, Iraq
05/20/2009

Education & Professional Certifications
University of Maryland, BS Homeland Security,
2011-Current

Central Texas College, Criminal Justice Degree Program
Ft. Hood TX & Ft Leonard Wood Missouri
1995-2003

Columbia College History and Political Science Degree Program
Ft Leonard Wood Missouri
2002-2003

Vehicle Dynamics Institute
2011
Security Driver Instructor Course
Recertified Counter-Surveillance Course
Recertified Evasive and Protective Service Drivers Course

Delaware State Police Executive Protection Internship
01/17/2011
Dover Delaware

Protective Operations In-Service Course
03/21/2008
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC)
Cheltenham MD

Maryland Police Training Commission Academic Instructor /
Instructor Certified 2012- Current

License – Maryland Private Investigator, Maryland Private
Detective Agency Maryland, Lic # 106-4274. 2012-Current

US Army Training Centers
 Executive and High Risk Personnel Security Course
 Senior Anti-Terrorism Advisors Course
 Anti-Terrorism Program Managers Course
 Instructor Certification
 United States Southern Command Protective Service Course
 Physical Security Course
 Emergency Medical Technician Basic Course/Recertification
 Initial Protective Service Training

DOD Diplomatic/Executive Protection Specialist (DPS)
DOD Accredited Anti-Terrorism Officer (ATO)
DOD Physical Security Specialist