Physical security trailblazers from TorchStone Global, Visa, Dell and Discovery Land Company are honored

AUSTIN, April 20, 2021 – In further recognition of the pioneers and thought leaders who have driven new shifts and novel practices, development of innovative solutions, and are contributing to, influencing and advancing the physical security and protection industry, the Ontic Center for Protective Intelligence today announced new “Protective Intelligence Honors” recipients.

Among those recognized with Protective Intelligence Honors are Scott Stewart, VP of Intelligence at TorchStone Global (Pioneer); Mary Hackman, Director, Global Intelligence and Global Security Operations, Visa (Thought Leader); John Haynes, Senior Director for Protective Intelligence and Operations, Dell (Thought Leader); and Michael W. Trott, VP, Global Safety and Security, Discovery Land Company (Thought Leader).

“The need for protective intelligence and innovation in physical security continues to grow, and we are reminded why by tragic events like those in Atlanta, Orange County, Boulder and numerous other cities across the country,” said Fred Burton, Executive Director of the Ontic Center for Protective Intelligence. “Throughout their careers these honorees have had the foresight, courage and leadership to protect innumerable people. Their efforts and vision have had a profound impact on physical security and will undoubtedly continue to shape its future as we navigate new and complex challenges.”

Scott Stewart, VP of Intelligence, TorchStone Global is being recognized as a “Protective Intelligence Honors” Pioneer, which is bestowed on those who developed and/or trailblazed the application of new physical protection models, methods or areas of protective knowledge; innovated a protection solution and/or drove new shifts in thinking or approaching protection.

A seasoned protective intelligence practitioner with 35 years of analytical, investigative and security experience, before joining the executive ranks of TorchStone Global, Stewart led global analysis of terrorism and security topics at Stratfor from 2004-2020. Prior to Stratfor, Stewart was the protective intelligence coordinator for Dell and served as a member of Michael Dell’s executive protection team.

Stewart also spent a decade as a special agent with the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS), where he was involved in a large number of high-profile terrorism and protective intelligence investigations. He was the lead DSS investigator assigned to the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and the follow-up New York City bomb plot. He also led a team that assisted the Argentine investigation of the 1992 bombing of the Israeli Embassy in Buenos Aires, among other cases. Stewart served as the deputy regional security officer in Guatemala City and was responsible for embassy and diplomatic security at that post as well as in Belize City.

Over the years, Stewart has written for The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Security Management Magazine, and Security Magazine, and his analysis has been widely reprinted by other outlets. A popular speaker on security topics he is also frequently interviewed by journalists from such leading news outlets as The New York Times, CNN, Fox News, NPR, Reuters, the Associated Press, Time Magazine, and USA Today.

“Protective Intelligence Honors” Thought Leaders are veteran practitioners and established experts in the field who are actively contributing to and advancing protective intelligence industry knowledge and careers. Thought Leaders being honored include:

• Mary Hackman, Director, Global Intelligence and Global Security Operations, Visa – An international global security and conflict specialist with over 20 years’ experience designing, leading, and managing U.S. government and private sector analytical and security programs, Hackman is a recognized subject matter expert on counter-violent extremism, protective intelligence, and organizing multi-stakeholder efforts toward understanding complex issues driving global insecurity and courses of action for mitigation.A program start-up specialist, building budgets, teams, and products that meet stakeholder needs effectively, Hackman trains teams on analytic techniques, product design, and risk indicators, as well as working group facilitation and effective public speaking. Her work resulted in U.S. military and civilian agencies adopting realistic policy recommendations to increase stability and mitigate security threats in countries that include Nigeria, Libya, Somalia, Syria, and Yemen.
• John Haynes, Senior Director for Protective Intelligence and Operations, Dell – As Senior Director for Protective Intelligence and Operations at Dell Technologies for 17 years, Haynes is responsible for the company’s executive protection, protective intelligence and event security programs. Prior to Dell, Haynes served many years with the U.S. Government in various assignments around the world, including security, protection, threat analysis, counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism.
• Michael W. Trott, VP, Global Safety and Security, Discovery Land Company – A respected and accomplished international security professional with 35 years of combined military, government, corporate and private sector experience,Trott serves as vice president and corporate head of global safety and security for Discovery Land Company, a preeminent developer of international private residential club communities, consisting of members and owners that are part of an exclusive group for which security and privacy are among their highest priorities. Trott has held several senior positions in his career, including embedded advisor and project manager for a multimillion-dollar Personal Security Initiative for a key U.S. Middle East ally.

Trott began his career as a Security Specialist in the United States Air Force, serving in Europe, where he was also assigned to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI), and provided close protection to three Generals under high terrorism threat conditions. He was a team leader and field supervisor for an operational 15-man tactical unit and conducted bilateral counter-terrorism training and joint operations with the German Special Police and military Special Operation units. Between his military and private sector careers he was a Special Agent for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Concurrently, he supported the Agency’s clandestine efforts to provide critical low-profile protection in various overseas locations in extreme high-threat conditions and concluded his tenure supporting other Agency directorates.

The Protective Intelligence Honors is an ongoing program that recognizes Pioneers and Thought Leaders in physical security who are selected by a committee of experts at the Ontic Center for Protective Intelligence. To learn more or nominate a Pioneer or Thought Leader, visit ProtectiveIntelligenceHonors.com.

About the Ontic Center for Protective Intelligence
The Ontic Center for Protective Intelligence provides strategic consulting, multidimensional services and resources for safety and security, legal, risk and compliance professionals at major corporations across multiple industry sectors including financial services, technology, retail, entertainment and consumer products. Through its initiatives, global industry experts and authorities in protective intelligence share best practices, insights on current and historical trends, and explore lessons learned from physical security peers. The Center is led by Fred Burton, one of the world’s foremost experts on security and counterterrorism. A former police officer, special agent and New York Times best-selling author, Burton has served on the front lines of high-profile investigations including the hunt for and arrest of Ramzi Yousef, the mastermind behind the first World Trade Center bombing. For more information please visit ontic.co/center

About Ontic
Ontic is the first protective intelligence software company to digitally transform how Fortune 500 and emerging enterprises proactively address physical threat management to protect employees, customers and assets. Ontic’s SaaS-based platform collects and connects threat indicators to provide a comprehensive view of potential threats while surfacing critical knowledge so companies can assess and action more to maintain business continuity and reduce financial impact. Ontic also provides strategic consulting, multidimensional services, education and thought leadership for safety and security professionals at major corporations via its Center for Protective Intelligence. For more information please visit ontic.co