rloatman

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So far rloatman has created 6 blog entries.

Is Your Executive Protection Team a Program – or Just a Presence?

2025-06-10T18:49:29+00:00

At first glance, it may look like your executive protection is in place. There’s a driver. A familiar face at the event. Someone to manage movement when schedules get tight. But is it really a program - or just a presence? This is the question we ask organizations every week. Because in our experience, protection that “looks fine” on paper can fall apart when tested in the real world. What’s often missing is structure: strategy, accountability, operational discipline, and a clear understanding of risk. Without those, what you have isn’t protection - it’s improvisation. So what separates a well-structured executive protection (EP) program from a loosely coordinated effort? Here’s what we look for. Know the Risks Before You Protect Against Them Effective EP starts with risk clarity. Not in general terms, but specific to the individual: their role, visibility, recent threats, family considerations, travel patterns, and exposure due to corporate events or litigation. Too many organizations build protection around assumptions - or worse, visibility - instead of verified threats. A strong program begins with a formal threat and risk assessment, and that assessment should guide everything else: staffing, posture, logistics, and budget. One Program, Multiple Environments Real protection doesn’t stop at the office entrance. It spans every space the executive operates in - home, work, travel, events, even digital platforms. One of the most common gaps we encounter is inconsistency across domains. A company may invest heavily in office security while overlooking residential risks, or fail to vet travel itineraries where exposure is actually highest. If your protective posture doesn’t follow the executive, it doesn’t protect them. Planning Is Non-Negotiable Advance work is what distinguishes a professional EP operation from a reactive one. For every movement - whether it's a high-profile event or a routine commute - [...]

Is Your Executive Protection Team a Program – or Just a Presence?2025-06-10T18:49:29+00:00

From Crisis to Confidence: Strengthening Executive Protection Programs After the UnitedHealthcare Attack

2025-05-28T14:33:49+00:00

From Crisis to Confidence: Strengthening Executive Protection Programs After the UnitedHealthcare Attack The recent attack on UnitedHealthcare’s CEO has raised urgent questions about how we protect corporate leaders. I’ve shared a practical framework for strengthening executive protection programs—grounded in experience, not hype. 📄 From Crisis to Confidence: Strengthening Executive Protection Programs After the UnitedHealthcare Attack

From Crisis to Confidence: Strengthening Executive Protection Programs After the UnitedHealthcare Attack2025-05-28T14:33:49+00:00

5 Hidden Vulnerabilities in Executive Travel Security – And How to Fix Them

2025-05-27T12:39:19+00:00

When executives travel, whether for board meetings, investor conferences, site visits, or international deals, the risks they face multiply dramatically. It’s not just about where they’re going or what they’re doing; it’s about the structure (or lack thereof) behind their movement. Even companies with solid executive protection protocols often overlook subtle but critical gaps in travel security. Based on decades of experience safeguarding high-profile leaders in complex environments, here are five of the most common vulnerabilities we see - and what you can do about them. 1. Unstructured or Ad Hoc Itineraries The Risk:Many executive trips are coordinated last-minute or pieced together from multiple sources, travel departments, executive assistants, and external partners. This fragmented approach makes it easy to lose sight of the full itinerary, which complicates planning and increases exposure. The Fix:Establish a centralized itinerary control process. Whether you use a secure digital platform or assign an EP team leader, every trip should have a single source of truth that integrates travel, lodging, meetings, and social events. If your EP team doesn’t see it, they can’t protect it. 2. Overreliance on Local Ground Transport The Risk:Executives often rely on ride-sharing services, hotel shuttles, or third-party providers for ground transportation, especially internationally. These drivers may not be vetted, trained in security protocols, or even aware of who they’re transporting. The Fix:Use vetted transportation providers with trained security drivers who understand movement protocol, contingency planning, and executive-level professionalism. In high-risk locations, pair the driver with an advance team or EP agent. 3. Unsecured Accommodations The Risk:Hotel reservations are frequently made based on brand, loyalty points, or proximity to meetings, with little thought to physical security, surveillance, or escape routes. In some cases, executives are booked into known high-risk areas or rooms with poor access control. The Fix:Conduct a [...]

5 Hidden Vulnerabilities in Executive Travel Security – And How to Fix Them2025-05-27T12:39:19+00:00

1 Seat Remaining for Our Exclusive 3 Day Fundamentals Program at the Dallas Cowboys’ Training Center

2025-05-29T16:13:47+00:00

1 Seat Remaining for Our Exclusive 3 Day Fundamentals Program at the Dallas Cowboys' Training Center! Join us for an intensive three-day Executive Protection training program that blends foundational concepts with hands-on exercises and immersive scenario work. Designed for law enforcement, military, and private sector professionals, this course builds practical skills essential to safeguarding public officials, high net worth individuals, and other at-risk principals. Hosted onsite at the Dallas Cowboys’ world-class facility in Frisco, Texas, this unique experience offers a “back to basics” approach that benefits both new and experienced practitioners. Space is extremely limited—secure your spot today.

1 Seat Remaining for Our Exclusive 3 Day Fundamentals Program at the Dallas Cowboys’ Training Center2025-05-29T16:13:47+00:00

Behind the Scenes with an Executive Protection Pioneer

2024-04-25T13:11:37+00:00

Bob Oatman was recently featured as a guest on the Ontic Protective Intelligence Podcast series. "Fred Burton had the honor of sitting down with Bob Oatman, a well-respected figure in the executive protection industry. Oatman, the president of RL Oatman & Associates, shares his remarkable journey to becoming a major in the criminal investigation division and ultimately retiring early to start an illustrious career in executive protection. He reflects on his decision to leave the police department after two decades and his journey into the private sector of protection." Link to Podcast

Behind the Scenes with an Executive Protection Pioneer2024-04-25T13:11:37+00:00
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