Tim Sutton has nearly 40 years of security experience. His expertise includes operational security management and program development, loss prevention, physical security and risk assessments, and technical security systems design and implementation. He has worked with clients in diverse sectors including medicinal and adult-use cannabis, healthcare, retail, government, manufacturing, and multi-use properties.
Notable Guidepost Projects
- Provided security content for multiple permit applications for cultivation, processing, and dispensing cannabis in Illinois and a provisioning center in Michigan. Designed security technology plans, authored an RFP for its installation, helped select the provider, managed the installation and commissioning of the project, and acted as the security director for the Michigan provisioning center.
- Worked with marijuana company authoring security plans for their 10 applications for cultivation, manufacturing, and dispensary operations in the highly competitive medical cannabis application process. All 10 applications resulted in permits being awarded. Provided security technology designs and security SOPs for operations.
- Worked with a cannabis industry company providing security content and systems designs for their distribution license application in Redwood Valley, CA. Provided a Security Master Plan and SOPs for its operation and provided a temporary Security Manager during construction and through operations startup. Worked closely with architect and GC ensuring compliance and efficacy in all things security.
- Provided security content for a premium craft cannabis cultivator and product manufacturer’s grow and dispensary permit applications in Illinois. After award of permits developed 3D security technology plans, drawing sets and specifications for the security technology deployment.
- Created an inventory of physical security hardware and software assets for 42 U.S. and international offices for an American multinational law firm and a full-service legal services provider which lead to recommendations for solutions to current security vulnerabilities. Developed minimum standards necessary for sufficient information and physical security, including as required for ISO 27001 certification.
- Created an inventory of physical security hardware assets for a multinational discount supermarket chain’s 26 distribution centers and district offices. Designed security technology systems for the construction of a new distribution center and district office to be used as a standard for security technology moving forward. Redesigned the security systems at all locations and worked with the company through the bid and build process managing the projects through commissioning.
- Conducted a security and vulnerability assessment and evaluated worker and patient safety, physical well-being of patients, patient movement, and evacuation for a 586-bed hospital expected to serve COVID-19 positive population with a range of acuities in Illinois. Provided security planning and developed facility security policies and procedures as well as a template for security incidents. Stood ready to serve as an advisor if/when the facility became operational providing recommendations for contracted / onsite security and provide after action reviews and recommendations for safety and security incidents at the facility.
- Developed a comprehensive security program for the application for licensure to operate an adult use cannabis craft grow within the state of Illinois. Delivered a 3D video plan and full drawing set of all security systems design. Post award, provided key security management support.
Prior to joining Guidepost Solutions as a Senior Security Consultant, Mr. Sutton worked as a director of security for Greenhouse Group and its Grassroots and Herbology banners, responsible for enterprise security risk management in all markets. He authored Security, Emergency Action and Fleet Safety Plans along with security training and operations manuals. He also conducted new hire background investigations and security advances at dispensaries. Prior to Greenhouse, he worked as the director of security for Revolution Enterprises with similar security responsibilities.
Mr. Sutton is a highly sought-after security subject matter expert within the cannabis and healthcare industries and speaks at security and cannabis seminars and conventions across the country addressing security planning, management, operations, and technology. He first entered the cannabis industry as a security consultant when he authored security content for the extremely competitive Illinois medical cannabis permit application process for two cultivation and three dispensary permits. After winning all five permits, Mr. Sutton has continued to provide security consulting services and authored security content for winning applications and operations in multiple states.
In addition to operational roles within two vertically integrated multi-state cannabis organizations, Mr. Sutton has worked as a hospital security director, manufacturing facility security coordinator, and retail director of loss prevention. He also has held several positions within a security integration company including account executive, senior systems engineer, and licensee in charge.
Mr. Sutton has contributed to most of the ASIS standards and guidelines and currently serves as the Chair of the ASIS Professional Standards Board (PSB). He sits on the ASTM D37 Committee on Cannabis’ Security and Transportation Subcommittee and chairs the US TAG to ISO/TC 353 Safety, security and good production practices of cannabis facilities and operations. He was a contributing author to the 2021 edition of the ASIS Protection of Assets collection and contributed to and authored the preface to the 3rd edition of Implementing Physical Protection Systems: A Practical Guide.
Did You Know?
Tim is an accomplished harmonica player; his stage name is HARPDOG. He started playing after high school in 1985, has played with blues legends such as Eddie Snow, Junior Wells, and Charlie Musselwhite, and has contributed to two movie soundtracks.
