Gary Harris
Retired FBI Special Agent
Serves on the Board of Directors for Gold Shield 1811, Inc.
Licensed Private Investigator
Licensed Security Officer
Twenty-seven years of experience in specialized tactical law enforcement, security operations, and crisis management
Served 10 years at Quantico (Virginia) on the FBI’s Hostage Rescue Team as a team leader, supervisor, and National Breaching Program Manager (NBPM). As NBPM (aka “Master Breacher”), he was the primary consultant to all FBI SWAT teams regarding methods of entry into buildings. He further provided breaching advice to US Special Forces and foreign law enforcement agencies.
Served 10 years in Atlanta as the Senior Team Leader (Commander) of FBI-Atlanta’s SWAT Team
Has extensive National Security Special Events (NSSE) management expertise. He conducted physical security assessments and planned, directed, and implemented security measures and crisis response for more than fifteen NSSE to include: multiple Super Bowls, Winter and Summer Olympic Games, G8 Summits, Presidential Inaugurations, and State of the Union addresses
Conducted physical security assessments and wrote security protocols related to power plants, sports venues, and key government facilities located in the State of Georgia
Developed, implemented, and managed the security surveys and assessments associated with the following National Security Special Events (NSSE):
2004 G8 Summit - over 50 security assessments were conducted, to include residences, hotels, airports, and chemical/industrial plants
The Olympic Village and the Cross Country Skiing Venue, Salt Lake Winter Olympics
The Olympic Village and Olympic Venues, Atlanta Summer Olympics
2000,2002,2005 Super Bowl Stadiums and associated Venues
Developed, implemented, and managed the Critical Infrastructure Program for the FBI’s Atlanta Division. Every identified critical infrastructure asset located in the State of Georgia had a security assessment conducted based on the methods and protocols established under this program.
Conducted security assessments for the Department of State for US Embassies located in Dakar, Senegal; Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire; and Pretoria, South Africa.
Developed and conducted training for local, state, federal, and foreign law enforcement agencies regarding critical incident management, physical security assessments, and crisis resolution
Team Leader for the protection detail for Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano, the key witness in the prosecution of John Gotti, head of the Gambino organized crime family
Team Leader for a protection detail for Giovanni Falcone, an Italian Magistrate who worked in Palermo, Sicily, prosecuting the Sicilian Mafia. The protection detail was conducted during a trip by Falcone to the United States. Falcone was later assassinated in Sicily by the Corleonesi Mafia clan.
Developed and implemented the protection and escort detail for the Oklahoma City Bombing evidence when it was transported from Oklahoma to FBI Headquarters in Washington DC
Planned and led numerous protection details for US Attorneys General and FBI Directors
Planned and led more than 500 high-risk entries resulting in the apprehension of more than 600 subjects
Senior Team Leader for an escorted shipment of live smallpox virus through Atlanta
Managed all aspects of FBI-Atlanta’s SWAT Team capabilities including operational planning, deployments, logistics, certifications, and training
Since retiring from the FBI, served as a security consultant for the NCAA at the 2012, 2013, and 2014 Final Four Basketball Championships
With Gold Shield 1811, has conducted numerous physical security assessments and provided executive protection for large corporations and high-net-worth individuals
Prior to joining the Bureau, served as an officer with the Arlington County (VA) Police Department
