Protector’s Edge

Charles “Chuck” Randolph is a recognized leader in protective intelligence, executive protection, and enterprise risk leadership, with more than 30 years of experience spanning military, government, and the private sector. He has led global security, intelligence, and executive protection programs at Microsoft, Ontic, and AT-RISK International and currently serves as Chief Strategy Officer at 360 Privacy.A retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, Randolph was recognized for valor during combat operations in Afghanistan and spent his military career leading pioneering Information Operations initiatives. He is a co-founder of the International Protective Security Board (IPSB) and the Pathfinder Collective and is a frequent speaker and published author on protective intelligence, resilience, and security leadership.Jonathan Wackrow is a CNN Law Enforcement Analyst and former U.S. Secret Service Special Agent with more than 25 years of experience in national security, executive protection, and crisis response. He served on the Presidential Protective Division, serving on the President’s and First Lady’s details. He developed and led security operations worldwide, working with law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and the military to protect senior government officials and visiting foreign dignitaries. He also played key roles in securing National Special Security Events, including the Presidential Inauguration and the United Nations General Assembly.In the private sector, Wackrow has provided exclusive on-air analysis for CNN on law enforcement and national security, as well as coverage of critical incidents, for over 10 years. Wackrow is Managing Director of Sentinel Resource Group, advising Fortune 500 companies, boards, and ultra-high-net-worth individuals on enterprise risk, executive protection, and organizational resilience.Fred Burton is a former police officer, special agent and New York Times best-selling author, recognized in 2021 by Security Magazine as one of the Most Influential People in Security. As an author, terrorism and protective intelligence expert, Burton has appeared on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, Fox Nation, CNN, Morning Joe, Good Morning America, Drug Wars, SNIPER film, and many others. He is an advisor to several companies, to include Ontic, 360Privacy, Altr, and Centerseat.ai.

• Section I: The Landcape of Leadership. 1. Leading in the New Risk Landscape 2. From Executive Protection to Executive Presence 3. Defining Leadership in the Protection Profession 4. Leadership Mindset: From Reactive to Proactive Section II: The Protector as Leader. 5. The Protectors’ Code 6. Crisis Leadership and Legacy Building 7. Leading Up: Becoming a Trusted Advisor Section III: Sustaining and Scaling Leadership.8. Protecting the Protector: Mental Health and Burnout 9. Intelligence-Led Leadership: Data Informed. Section IV: Leading in the Converged Threat Environment. 10. Leading in the Age of Hybrid Threats 11. Purpose-Driven Leadership 12. The Protector’s Edge

‘Uncertainty will always exist, but what matters is how leaders prepare for it, who they include in navigating it, and how they sustain the people who carry it forward. The Protector's Edge offers a practical, human-centered framework for enterprise security leadership rooted in stewardship rather than spectacle. Drawing on real-world experience across intelligence, technology, GSOCs, and executive protection, Randolph, Wackrow, and Burton show how protection enables trust, continuity, and sound decision-making. Grounded in ethics, inclusion, and a culture of care, this book meets leaders where they are and helps them grow into the kind of protectors their people and their organizations need for what comes next.Arian Avila, Corporate Safety & Security Executive; co‑editor of Vocal Lanterns'The Protector's Edge is a timely and important blueprint identifying the steps an effective protection professional team must undertake in order to succeed in today's ever changing threat environment. A wide range of risk exposures must be anticipated, prepared for, and mitigated in a purposeful and strategic manner. Limiting preparations to reacting to visible threats alone is no longer enough. Careful assessment of threats and vulnerabilities, preparing for "what if" scenarios, and ensuring robust and coordinated preventative action are among the capabilities today's protection professionals must embrace.'Gary W. Noesner, Chief, FBI Crisis Negotiation Unit (retired) and author of "Stalling For Time, My Life as an FBI Hostage Negotiator"'Whether it is the assassination of a major corporate executive in Midtown Manhattan on the way to an investors conference, a ransomware, kidnap, or an AI-generated video that can cause viral reputational damage, one thing is clear: This is not your father’s security business. In The Protector’s Edge: Leadership Through Strategy and Action, Burton, Randolph, and Wackrow take us into the currents of the threat-stream rapids. They give us a roadmap to intelligence to see problems on the horizon, tactics to confront them, and leadership to develop a team that is ready for all threats. These are “right now problems” which makes this a “right now read”.'John Miller, CNN Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst; Former Deputy Commissioner of Intelligence & Counterterrorism of the New York Police Department'With a radically changing threat landscape, including the continuously evolving effect of the ubiquitous technical surveillance environment on the protection industry, this is a must read, an indispensable roadmap for leaders who understand that change is upon us, and we either adapt or fail.'Marc Polymeropoulos, CIA Senior Intelligence Service (retired) and current MSNow national security contributor'The Protector's Edge is a masterclass in leading under pressure from three exceptional security professionals who have actually lived it; blending real-world insights with timeless principles of trust, foresight, and resilience. It’s an essential read for anyone seeking to navigate high-stakes geopolitical environments with clarity, courage, and strategic influence.'Michael T. Evanoff, Former Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security and author of "High Value Target$"'Today's threat environment is unlike any previous time. Attacks on a Presidential candidate, influential figures, political protests, and threats of violence have become commonplace. Security professionals will have to be at the top of their profession, every time, adversaries only have to be on target once. This book will become the protection professional's bible and will help to save and protect lives.'Robert J. Bodisch, Sr., Deputy Director/Chief of Staff (Retired), Texas Dept. of Public Safety, Texas Homeland Security