Dr. Justin Reid is a recognized global security expert with over 24 years of experience in security, investigations, and consulting. Dr. Reid currently manages corporate risk mitigation, disaster preparedness, and emergency response planning for enterprise clients and high-net-worth individuals within Guidepost Protective Services practice. He also specializes in maritime compliance, investigations and supply chain security.
Corporate clients seek Dr. Reid’s counsel in developing security policies and procedures for mass layoffs and high-profile terminations. Additionally, he understands the challenges these clients face during natural and man-made emergencies such as major strikes, natural disasters, and civil unrest. His goal is to provide clients with a physical security presence coupled with online monitoring of events when internal resources are stretched thin. Dr. Reid also provides active shooter training and workplace violence seminars to prevent tragedies before they occur.
The following are highlights of his experience.
Protective Operations
- Designed and managed privatized protection for several witnesses to a criminal event. A national spotlight on the event caused wide-spread civil unrest and targeted demonstrations against the parties involved as well as their witnesses. In addition to 24/7-armed protection and escorts for the witnesses, he also coordinated monitoring of social media discussions to identify threats before they could impact the witnesses’ safety.
- Oversaw protective operations during a strike of over 1,100 union members within the energy sector. During this years-long project, Dr. Reid personally rendered aid and coordinated the medical evacuation of an employee, and his highly experienced team quickly stabilized a gunshot wound victim.
- Provided personal and corporate executive protection to homes and businesses during mass riot and looting events.
Maritime Security
- Directed a team of 23 defender class boats and 100 federal officers for escorting ships carrying high-value assets and military-grade ordinance to ensure its safe arrival.
- Led an at-sea ship boarding with helicopters and K-9 units looking for contraband onboard an incoming East-African vessel. Coordination with relevant U.S. Government agencies resulted in the detention and arrest of multiple stowaways and ensuring the safety of the crew for further travel.
- Identified and tracked down suspect with ties to European terrorist organization onboard deep draft vessel attempting to enter U.S. illegally, resulting in flawless apprehension of subject.
Prior Experience
Prior to joining Guidepost, Dr. Reid was a senior leader for a global security firm overseeing several projects in executive protection, emergency response planning, and risk consulting. He also spent five years as a vice president for a business development consultancy focused on the defense, aerospace, and maritime industry, responsible for the formation of corporate and strategic risk mitigation planning as well as developing strategic alliances between Fortune 500 companies and small businesses.
Dr. Reid retired honorably from the U.S. Coast Guard as a Lieutenant Commander. Throughout his service, he held numerous roles including Chief of Boat Forces, Chief of Operations, Chief of Law Enforcement, and District 8 Intel. While on active duty, he served in Operation Iraqi Freedom & Operation Enduring Freedom overseas with a Deployable Specialized Forces unit and was later handpicked to supervise the largest small boat fleet within the agency.
During his roles, he led a team of sworn federal officers and directed national security missions involving ports, waterways and coastal security, and high interest vessel boardings within Sector Houston-Galveston, a strategic and economically vital part of the nation’s economic security accounting for 25% of the total U.S. tonnage by ships, contributing over $1 trillion to our nation’s economy.
Community Engagement
Dr. Reid is actively involved in a faith-based, nonprofit boxing organization which provides free amateur and professional coaching to veterans. The organization aims to support wounded soldiers, their spouses and children.
Did you know?
Justin was a childhood saxophone player!
