TESTIMONIALS FROM ESI GRADUATES

Cary Kern and John Grauer, 2007 ESI graduates in Protective Detail with Governor Dean

February 20, 2008

Dear Sir:

I think it's safe to say that John Paul Grauer and I are making very good headway in Security Operations with the Democrats here in Denver, We are now tasked with the Protection details for the Chairman, ( photo attached) and C.E.O of the National Party and hope to be very busy working the Conference here in Denver August 25-28.

It was amazing how many people in the Security Industry are familiar with the Outstanding reputation E.S.I. has!! I am convinced that I would not have made it this far without you and E.S.I.

With respect and thanks,
Cary D. Kern ( soon to be C.P.S.)
Denver, CO

P.S. The Governor's aid offered to take this photo with his own camera, we did not solicit the photo.

November 26, 2008

Attached is my first course, Fundamentals of Defensive Shooting. I am very excited about this program now. This course was simply amazing. I have had training in firearms and shooting in the past but this is like food from the gods. I will be enrolling in my next course sometime in the next month or so.

Thanks again Michael McHenry

Fonda, December 15, 2008

Just a personal question in regards to the Human Intelligence course. (Question directed to you, Martha, and Bob, and Jack)

The Human Intelligence Collection & Analysis course is probably one of the most interesting courses I have ever taken, and I have enjoyed it, but what is the philosophy behind the focus on espionage and use of informants?

I am glad it is part of the ESI training program, but I was just curious as to how it all fits in with the Executive Protection. This course focuses on the espionage aspects, and how to manage agents. I personally love this particular course, and will likely re-read it in the future, as well as research other avenues of the subject.

It has helped create much more depth to me as an investigator, and will undoubtedly benefit me in the future.

Jeffery Brown Licensed Private Detective, KS, OK, TX, IA, NE, WI, IL, KCMO, NJ, NY, PA "Former Kansas Law Enforcement Officer, Investigator, Sgt., Chief of Police"

ACI-Association of Christian Investigators Kansas State Director, ESI-Executive Security International Alumni Member IAAI-International Association of Arson Investigators Member, NLLI-National League of Licensed Investigators Member, NLLI Cold Case Team Member, NLLI Regional 4B Director

Jeff,

Let me try to address your question about the connection between use of informants and protection work by giving the background story. Some ten years or more ago, we had several cases of ESI graduates working for different enterprises that had major threats. One of them was a medical research and instrument manufacturer. There was hard evidence of a conspiracy to place bombs at the national office, so our graduate on location decided to implement a proactive intelligence operation by infiltrating the organization. The agent not only collected information, but he recruited an informant who did not endorse the conspiracy, or at least they had major reservations about its possible outcome. The story ended well. The company personnel along with the police were on location at the factory when the bomber planted a pipe bomb. She was arrested and convicted....she didn't serve much time because there was no loss of life or property.

This incident and several others convinced Martha and I that while it is a rare set of circumstances to apply these concepts to executive Protection, when it arises, you need a different set of skills. This skill set, of course, come directly from Federal agencies, which is where we collected the study material for the course and the Protective Intelligence Program.

Hope that this helps, and take care,

Bob Duggan

August 7, 2008

Hi BOB,

Hope your doing fine. Just wanted to send you a email and say hi.   Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend the conference this year.
I'm working a high threat witness protection detail since last November and
we travel a lot. I wasn't able to get the time off.  Kent Moyer is going
this year. Last year's conference was awesome for me, seeing you and all the
ESI graduates, the NETWORKING ,classes etc....

A day doesn't ever go by, that I don't stop and thank God, for what you and all of ESI has done for me, in being the stepping stone into this incredible field. I'm the luckiest man alive, I'm cancer free and doing the one thing in life I love doing, executive protection.

GOD BLESS ..hope to see you next year, your student and friend

Mark Driscoll class of  '97

July 24, 2008

I would like to thank all the ESI Staff Board Members and everyone involved in helping ESI to be a fulfilling, life changing experience!  This all started with Las Vegas last year. I went to the conference not knowing a soul. I wanted to check out what types of people are associated with ESI. I then attended residence training in SEPT 07 and it was one of the best
experiences of my entire life. I went on my 1st detail in DEC. 07 with WCES and since then I have been fortunate to have earned more (quite a bit more) than what I paid to ESI. I am still financing my distance ed and am enjoying the info that I am learning.   Had I not gone to the conference I wouldn't have made the networking connections that helped me get the details. I am strongly encouraging everyone to go to the conference. Also participate in the speed steel plate challenge shooting match on the 8th.  I sincerely thank all of you.

Ellamarie Richmond Northern California, Class of '07

Dear Mr. Duggan,

I’ve considered it a privilege to be associated with you and ESI under all conditions in the past but never so much as now. I’ve been persistently promoting EP and security initiatives in my flight department for 3.5 years and I’ve really feared that my advancement would suffer because of it. I now find myself in Savannah GA at Gulfstream 450 & 550 school. Following my heart has proven to be a wonderful success.

It has been my hope to demonstrate to the corporate aviation community the mutual benefits of diversified “executive services” for flight crews. I will now be able to add the latest Gulfstream aircraft to my current lists of Boeing, Falcon, Citation and Learjet aircraft as well as my experience as an aircraft mechanic, EMT and CPS. It is my intention to use the credibility of this experience to help others relate with the potential that they possess and to pursue similar combinations of skills. EP is a central element in the services I provide. You can’t imagine how thrilled I was when John Paul and Carey told me about your offer to use us as a satellite member of your school.

Whatever your vision for using our organization is I would be privileged to participate. Instruction and mentoring is an important part of where I want to go in my business. I will endeavor to advance your initiatives and mine in such a way that ESI and the EP community thrives. I welcome discussion regarding how best to advance your interests and mine without allowing them to conflict. I see no problems but I want to have open, honest and successful rapport with you. The demand for EP and private jet services are truly immerging right now and I know that we can make a great difference in meeting those needs.

I regret that I won’t be back in Colorado until early July so I’ll miss the luncheon you’ve invited us to at your place but I look forward to the next opportunity to visit with you. Again, thanks for everything.

Respectfully,

Mike Turner

March 27, 2008

Grady,

shoot me that info we discussed and I will follow through with some personal advice....I also realized that it may benefit others to reply to the group as well.

Both responses posted on the ESI Network, prior to mine are 100% dead on. The situation as I view it on the ground in Baghdad is very complicated and the advice given by Mr. Collins and Mr. Sutton is accurate and relevant.

Currently PSD or WPPS work is very difficult to get without 1) a strong Military or LE Background, 2) Getting pretty lucky, or 3) Knowing someone. Sometimes it takes all three. That is the reality from my viewpoint sitting here.

Mr. Collins is dead on with regards to the WPPS Program. BW has had some challenges on the ground recently and now would probably be a good time to submit a bio and see where that goes. I would also Submit a Bio to Dyn and TC as well. Obviously the DOS has very strict guidelines with regards to the qualifications, and that mostly means either Military or LE. If you do qualify it can not hurt to apply.

When I first started looking for contract work I got the best piece of advice I have yet to receive, and I will pass it along:

• Don't put all your eggs in one basket!!
• Closely followed by...
• A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush!

As far as your primary question regarding the ESI training, I will say this. It seems to me, based on all the information that I have and hear, that the ESI program is the most comprehensive, well run program that you could attend.

Is it going to get you a prime PSD or WPPS slot in country? Maybe, maybe not. But it will certainly PREPARE you for the job, and will set you apart from the other thousand résumé's that the big companies receive every day. That, combined with your other training and experience, may be enough to get your foot in the door.

I attended the ESI EP program 21 years ago, and to this day it remains the best 'core' training I have ever received. Even if you never get a contract job overseas, you will value that training for the rest of your life. If you can afford it then do it.

The one thing that I can not stress enough, is that in this business, you absolutely must NETWORK!! It doesn't matter of you are the most High Speed Low Drag Delta SEAL SF guy on the Planet, you still need to network. That is where I think ESI will pay off the most.

Everywhere I go I hear about how the ESI Alumni Association takes care of their own. That is part of the reason I joined back up after some 2o years away, because I realize now more than ever that it is not only what you know, but also who you know.

When you are in a high risk environment such as the sandbox, there is nothing more important than knowing your Team member has your six. Vetting is crucial to getting a good gig, and the contacts you will make at the course, combined with the training and experience you will receive, will set you for success. What you do after that is up to you!

Good Luck... Stay Safe.

Sean McDaniel

March 8, 2008

Hi Grady,

While am not currently active in the EP field, I do have 7 years active military background (3 Army + 4 Navy). I also attended both the EP Advanced and The PSD Spec Ops courses through E.S.I. I found E.S.I. to be top notch. The course modules are absolutely chocked full of information. The "Stalker and Dangerous Human Behavior Course" for example is cutting edge. It is a perfect dove tail into E.S.I.'s summer conference on Aggression Detection.

Also, courses like "Human Intelligence Collection" can be used for things other than just EP work; for example, doing "legal" competitive intel research that can assist in building a strong investment portfolio.

The strongest advantage to E.S.I.'s courses however, are the instructors. I had the good fortune to attend the EP advanced when Jack McGeorge was the instructor for the Bio-terror portion of the resident training. Jack is renowned as one of the top 2 or 3 experts in this field. During both the EP Advanced and the PSD resident trainings, the staff included real experts with extensive real world knowledge in the field--Mike Green and Pete Dordal are both active in Iraq and Afghanistan, and both come from Special Forces backgrounds and they were the lead instructors for the PSD resident training. In addition, I had the distinct privilege to work with Joe Bannon, Tony Pagni, and Barry Wilson just to name 3 of the E.S.I. instructors. These three men were present at both of my resident training experiences at E.S.I., and I must add that all the instructors at E.S.I. were more than just excellent instructors, I also found them to be truly fine human beings as well.

Another thing to consider Grady, if you are "comparison shopping" are the little extras that often are the difference between an outstanding experience and a so-so experience. When it comes to these little extras, E.S.I. is tops. For example, Joe Bannon offered after hours knife fighting classes that I would have expected to pay a few hundred dollars for if offered as stand alone modules. Also, don't under estimate the actual class members you will meet. In the Spec Ops resident training we had a team that were in the class who were actual medic experts and dog handlers. They gave a mini-seminar on the dogs that was very rewarding. Finally, check out the E.S.I. main staff, Fonda, Martha, Brandy, Tom, and in particular the founder, Bob Duggan. Check out Bob's bio. This will open your eyes for sure.

Good Luck,

Mike Osborne

Good morning,

I simply wanted to drop ESI and staff a quick note on my developing career since graduating from ESI in May 1990. Upon graduation, I went back to Vermont and very quickly (and with nothing but luck and being at the right place at the right time), secured a protective detail position with the band Guns N' Roses on tour. Upon completion, I immediately interviewed and secured a position assisting with protective coverage for a visit from the Dalai Lama of Tibet for a speakingengagement at a local University. Once again, upon completion, I interviewed and secured a long term position on a protective detail for the Rockefeller family of New York (Laurence & Mary and immediate family). This position I held for a little over 12 years. From there, I joined Tactical Intelligence & Investigations, LLC., out of Orlando, Florida, working as an independent contractor for protective assignments. After some success with Tactical, a few contracts "fell though" and I found myself once again anxious for work (paycheck!). I've recently relocated to California and currently employed with Gavin de Becker & Associates and their Protective Security Division, and enjoying my new challenges and teammates on the job. Obviously, this all started with my enrollment and graduation from ESI, and I just wanted to send a short, informal letter of thanks. I'm always looking to assist with and grow in theprotective field, so should ESI be looking for coverage for assignments/work, please don't hesitate to contact me, and once again, thanks for everything!

Sincerely, Tim Gould

Hi Guys,

This is P.J. Marrero at Scottsdale Arizona. I just heard about the attempted Pirate attack at sea. I thought about our little team at Security at Sea. Tell Bob, he was always ahead of his time. I have seen how ESI has grown though out the years, and I wanted to say I have always been proud to be a graduate of ESI. Keep up the good work and may we have a chance to sit across from each other again, if it be the will of the Creator. Peace to all.

Paul Marrero, Graduate ESI Yacht Maritime Course.

Hi Bob.

I just want to say a heartfelt thank you for your dedication to this amazing profession. Every time I move up or laterally within this profession I have ESI and ultimately you to thank for your vision so many years ago of what this profession could be. I have just moved into thesenior protection specialist role within our corporation, responsible for foreign advances and protection of our executives and staffinternationally.

Our alumni network and ESI training programs, continue to be the backbone of success as our profession heats up.I have worked with many security professionals over the years and their different "schools" of training. I consistently find professionals in all areas however, the training and support provided by ESI continues to allow me to provide competent, professional services within our corporation.

Have a great day Bob, and thank you for dedicating your life, so that I, and others can continue to live our dreams.

Darrin Raymond

October 4, 2001
ESI has filled a personal void by providing me a super course of instruction in Executive Protection. No other EP related course or period of instruction on this complex art has even come close to fulfilling my needs in such an in-depth manner. This alone would be worth the cost of the program, but when coupled with the professional points of contact encountered in this unique field, it must be considered a bargain.If you are serious about breaking into this field of work, attend and earn your Certified Protection Specialist credentials through ESI.

"Hersh" Hernandez, C.P.S.
LT COL.US Marine Corp (Ret)
U.S. Embassy Monrovia
Africa Regional Director

September 14, 2001
Hello, Bob, Martha, Fonda et. al.

Since last year I work at the U.S. Consulate General in Curacao as a security investigator. I conduct advances and security escorts for the CG and Vice Consul, collect intel from public sources to inform DoS and DoD personnel on local situations and do background investigations as well, besides organizing and conducting special courses for the local guard force. So far, it's a lot of fun.

I even had the opportunity a few months back to do two classes onprotective detail operations for the local police's Special Response Unit! I may have new opportunities as well, among others with the local militia. I cannot tell you how happy I am to have enrolled in your courses, and to have been accepted as a security professional from day one the moment I returned to Curacao. It really says a lot about ESI's reputation and I thank you for having accepted me as a student in 1999! I have not regretted taking this career step!

We'll keep in touch.
Docco Engels.

November 3, 2000
Greetings Bob andESI Staff,

For any of you seeing dollar signs in your head, the security industry is already a staggering 100 billion dollar industry. The forecast for the next 10 years is that it will be close to a 200 billion dollar industry. With that comes the need for highly trained agents with professional skills, business skills and technical skills related to the industry.

If you're thinking of starting a career in executive protection or protective intelligence please take the time to research what is out their for you.I can assure you that you will find only one school that has a firm grip in training executive protection or protective intelligence agents on the private side. That school is Executive Security International (ESI) located in Aspen, Colorado.

I have been assigned to a mayor's protective detail for two years. Training for us is a luxury, when in fact it should be a necessity.Working in the State of California, I have only found two schools on the government side to be able to attend before coming to ESI.These two schools offered between 3 to 5 days of training.Their only prerequisite is that your duties involve protection of a public official.This is not to say the schools are inadequate but you just cannot learn something for several days and have no follow up training to continue the process.Eventually, I went in search of additional training on the government side with no success.However, what I did find was ESI on the web and after speaking with one of the owner's by the name of Steve Bigelow, he challenged my research of other schools and defended the ESI position as the cream of the crop of executive protection training schools.Steve further addressed how ESI is able to offer several types of diplomas or certificate do to their programs being approved by the Colorado State Commission on Higher Education.

Since that conversation, I have completed an Advanced Executive Protection Program that includes 450 hours of distance education and a 150-hour (17day) resident training course.After the training I was encouraged to obtain my E.M.T. certification.Not only that, I want to continue to update my knowledge through several other programs they have to offer.

If you are interested, let me say to you that the training is challenging and rewarding.The courses are not cheap, yet they are affordable and ESI is willing to work that out with you.You can not put a price on training that is up to date and stays in a progressive mode like that of ESI.I believe that because I have met some of their graduates from 5, 10 and 15 years ago that have been successful in all aspects of the executive protection field.Some of these graduates own and operate multi-million dollar security companies.Not surprising, that gave the training with ESI as the catapult to their success.

I truly believe that ESI is the best school on the private side of the executive protection industry.Overall, the only other training that is equal to or surpasses that of ESI would be training given to anyone assigned to dignitary protection units in the federal government such as the Secret Services and State Department.

The point of this testimonial is to say that if you want to be the best at what you do then do not, I repeat, do not accept training that only gives you a limited resources or backing.

That's why I'm proud to say that I'm a graduate of ESI.

Best Regards and Success
Douglas L. Jones,
Mayor Protection Detail,
Los Angeles, California

May 2000 Graduate

P.S.Bob, I will use this little saying to someone interested in hearing my thoughts about my ESI experience, "Your success will depend on your motivation and dedication but the knowledge and innovation will come from ESI.

December 8, 2000

Dear Bob:

The arrival of this package (with this letter) marks the completion my first program with E.S.I. I would like to use this letter to give appreciation to you and your staff, and to communicate my enthusiasm for the course I have completed (hopefully to academic standards).

First of all, I have had the fortunate life changing experience of meeting and getting to know many of the support staff, instructors and associates of E.S.I. over the past couple of years. While I had hoped that describing my experience with E.S.I., as a life changing experience would convey my enthusiasm - it may not fully. To better explain; I have had the goal, dream, hope and desire since my teen years to become a �bodyguard�. It was through my extreme interest and pursuit of that goal that I learned the better phrase: personal protection specialist. However, it was you and your staff that fully defined for me all that is personal and executive protection. That is not to say I fully understand the concept of personal protection, but what E.S.I. has given me has put me on the path and fueled my enthusiasm for accomplishing my goal.

I would directly like to thank Fonda, Steve, Martha and each instructor from my Resident Training for everything they did to assist me. Bob, you are truly fortunate to have such a great staff. While I still have a great deal to learn, I will direct my continuing pursuit of knowledge and increasing my abilities toward each of them, and E.S.I. as a whole.

Anyone wishing to enter the field of protection would benefit monumentally by attending courses with E.S.I. � I now know this first hand. I would and have encouraged anyone with desire to enter into protection work to seek out the many schools of interest available today. When they have exhausted their search they will undoubtedly be drawn by reputation, graduate success and experience directly to E.S.I. They would then be in for a truly life changing experience.

While my full intent is to continue with additional programs with E.S.I., next with Intelligence Operations and eventually an Associates Degree, I feel E.S.I. has given me the tools to begin my pursuit in the field with confidence and ready ability.

Sincerely,
L. �Jesse� Silva

PS Bob, I hope you don�t mind me borrowing �life changing experience�, but after all you were right.

November 20, 2000
(from a postcard)

Hi Bob, JJ, Steve and Fonda

I wanted to wish everybody at ESI a Happy Healthy Thanksgiving. I am here in Japan on a one month assignment - again. I will always be grateful for the training I received at ESI for all this would not have been possible without it.

Thank you, Godbless.
Mark Driscoll

June 21, 2000

Dear ESI Staff Members:

Having completed the Resident Training Course in Aspen this past September, I felt compelled to thank everyone for such an enjoyable opportunity. It was for sure one of the best learning experiences of my life. I did want to write and give my impressions so that future sessions might be refined and built upon.

First and foremost, I felt the quality of the instructors was second to none. Not only did each of them share the ESI philosophies, but were also willing to go the extra mile to spend extra time where needed. I was so impressed by the caliber of every instructor and his/her accomplishments in the real working world. They each taught according to what has worked for them as opposed to just repeating some written guidelines. Even though some may consider the cost of the session expensive, the quality of the instructors is well worth the added cost. ...

(Excerpt from four page analysis of his experience at Resident Training in the Fall of 1999)

Joseph Piccolo
Columbus, Ohio

Subject:
Question for Mr. Duggan
Date:
Wed, 10 Mar 1999 21:40:00 -0600
From:
James Gerardi < This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
To:
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Dear Mr. Duggan,
I will be enrolling in your Associates Degree program this April after much thought and research. I have found your school to be the best choice for several reasons. First of all, the ability to earn a degree in combination with the practical skills makes a person much more valuable in the job market.

Secondly, the range and depth of topics included in your programs exceed all of the other schools. Finally, the reputation of ESI was well known and respected by those members of the Executive Protection field that I interviewed.

The question I have for you is this:
In the article "A MARTIAL ART FOR BODYGUARDS", you wrote this sentence:
"ESI is currently developing the third and fourth year curriculum that will lead to a Bachelors of Arts Degree with an emphasis on security management, audio countermeasures, casino gambling, and fraud investigation." I gather from the article that this was written sometime in 1996 and I was wondering if this project is still in the works?
Thank you for your time and I look forward to meeting you for Resident
Training!

James Gerardi
Woodstock, IL

James
I look forward to having you in the program. I think that you will find it will meet your expectations. If it does not, I want to hear about it. It appears that you did all the research, and, naturally, I agree with your conclusions. I am curious, however, who you compared us with before making your decision. This may not affect the situation, but I am always taking a close look at what improvements we can make in the content of our courses as well as our presentation....I just posted two new Module Courses in that last few weeks.

I am also aware that many "schools" out there copy ESI, and it sharpens our focus in the way we present our program. An example of this is two years ago, no school talked about Low Profile Protection Details, Counter Surveillance or Covert Security in connection with Executive Protection. Now, they all talk about it.

To answer your question. We have developed the third year which is Intelligence Program, but the fourth year in Security Management and other specialization's is a way off yet. Getting the BA accreditation is quite a leap for us. Keep in touch with us on it, but I don't expect to achieve BA accreditation for a few years.

Thanks for writing. See you in the program
Bob Duggan

January 24, 1999

Dear Mr. Duggan,

Just a note to let you know that since we last spoke I have been working with Kroll Associates in Brazil conducting investigations and security consulting. If there is anything that I can help you with please let me know. I hope all is going well with you and ESI.

Best regards,

RC

Wed, 16 Dec 1998 16:36:46 PST

Bob Duggan

Just thought I'd let you know that I'm on the Governor's Security Unit now so things are going great! Drop me a line when you can. I'll talk to you later.

Larry Schemansky

Date: Monday, May 03, 1999 9:18 AM
Subject: Information on Bombing of Banker Alfred Herrhausen

Hi Bob,

Just to let you know that things are going great here in Michigan on the Governor's Security Detail. The training that I've received at ESI is always in the back of my mind while I'm working. I've been working and traveling more in the last several months than in the past 21 yrs with my department. I just caught the tail-end of a show that was talking about a bombing of a German Bank President Mr. Herrhausen by the RAF. I've searched the web and have not come up with anything on that as of yet. I guess I am interested in this one because he did have a quite large protection detail at the time Any information would be appreciated. Thanks....

Larry Schemansky

July 23, 1998

Greetings Bob Duggan,
It's been at least a year since I've had any mail from ESI. It was not until recently that an associate told me about your website. Very impressive! One of the nicest websites I've seen. I look forward to getting deeper into it and seeing all it has to offer.

I am still with the Chevron Corporation at our corporate headquarters in San Francisco. In my position as a Corporate Security Representative (investigator) my primary function is internal investigations and security consulting to all of Chevron's 100 plus subsidiaries. I've had the pleasure of doing some international work for the corporation, and yes, I've done my fair share of executive protection details as well. Just since the first of this year several of my more interesting details involved close support with the Secret Service and the California Highway Patrol (now our state police force). Dignitaries covered were the President of Kazakstan; the president of the Kazakstan National Oil Company; the governors of the States of California and Oklahoma; and two US senators. All of these were separate details. All had unique needs and concerns. All were learning experiences.

The Kazakstan presidential detail was especially amusing, I'll be happy to write you with details if you would like to know, and if you think the lessons learned may be of benefit to future students and academy graduates (Murphy is alive and very, very well . . .).
In any case, my management was very interested in the course work I had completed from ESI and I believe it had a lot to do with my obtaining the wonderful position and responsibilities I now hold. I have been with Chevron for over 10 years now and have used many of the skills the academy has taught me. I just wanted to write and say hello . . . and thanks!

Final thought: if you think it may have some value, I would be more than willing to write an article of my experiences since taking the ESI course. I've had some pretty unique experiences in the corporate world. Perhaps it would be of some use somewhere in the academy curriculum. Take care, best wishes to you and all students, grads and staff.
Jim Magdaleno, CFE
Chevron Corporation
Corporate Security

July 3, 1998

Bob Duggan,

I enjoy checking up on ESI on the Internet. Every time I look at your latest Web Page, I am proud to be a graduate of the Bodyguard school in Aspen. ESI changed my life and saved my life and truly saved mine.

I believe that ESI has touched many people, but could never come closer than I am with this training. Several people have questioned me about what it is like to take someone's life, or even try to explain what it is like to be involved in a situation in which you have no control over and you pray that you never have to deal with it again. I simply remind them that your body and mind can only react according to the training that it has be given, and after fifteen years of police training, I can truthfully say that ESI was the only training that helped me survive a gun fight that was never planned.

I am presently a licensed Private Investigator, and specialize in Executive Security. I will never forget what I learned in that short period of time in Aspen.

Respectfully yours,

Edward Vince
Metairie, Louisiana

December 20, 1998

Dear Fonda

Dreams to come true! I am presently employed as an adjunct agent for CSB Battery Technologies.

I have just completed two big details, in San Diego, Los Angeles and Mexico, for which I received praise from the President and the Director of Security, Carl Mountain. What a Great experience!

These were six men details and among them were agent Jeff Modell and detail leader Victor Folia, two ESI graduates. Incredible team!

CSB does not have a big employee turnover, since its agents are happy and Mr. Mountain is known to be one of the finest directors of security in this field. Therefore, it is quite uncertain as to if and when I may become a full time agent.

Please show this letter to Mr. Duggan. This would not have been possible without your help and the greatest training I received from ESI.

I wish you all a Happy Holiday Season.

Forever grateful
Mark Driscoll

February 16, 1998
Dear Bob

I had the honor of attending resident training in the Fall of 1997. At the time, I was preparing to enter the Active Air Force Reserve as a member of a newly formed Security Forces unit at Westover Air Reserve Base, in Chicopee, Massachusetts.

I have been fortunate in that one of my duties is to work on an intelligence team for anti-terrorism. I write this letter to you to inform you that your "Profiles of Terrorism & Violence" course has played a decent part in my work ethic - to the point that I have made corrections to some Air Force doctrine that we employ. I also want to note that the ESI Web Site is listed by one of the Air Force Schools (teaching anti-terrorist measures) as a source of information! Whether you are aware of this or not, I am not sure, but it brought a smile upon my face to make notice of the fact.

It was great to work with you and the ESI cadre during Resident Training, and Fonda is a constant help while I finish up my Home Study (between and during deployments). Please Keep up the excellent training that your school offers. Any correspondence should be sent to my personal address in your files.

Sincerely,

Charles Thomas, SSGT
439th Security Forces Squadron, USAFR

August 29, 1998

Subject:
Charles Thomas
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1998 09:22:07 EST
From: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
To: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Hello Bob!

I kind of lost contact with you. .........

Earlier this week I received my ESI credentials - a long time coming, but entirely worth it. Everything that I've studied through ESI applies with what I'm doing now. I think my best advice that I would give to ESI students would be to look into the military as part of getting into executive protection - even in the Reserves or National Guard; There's a lot of schools, courses and contacts that otherwise would be unavailable anywhere else, and ESI falls
right in line.

Keep in touch.

Sincerely,
Ssgt Charles Thomas, cps

August 11, 1998

Dear Mr. Duggan:

My name is Adalberto Fuentes, former student of ESI 1990. One year after my graduation I had a full-time protection specialist job in a bank in Puerto Rico were I live. Being a student of ESI gave me the confidence I need to do the job right without any situation arising.

Recently the Government of Puerto Rico decided to sell the Telephone Company to GTE and a Local Investors who is lead by my Protectee. The Sale of the Telephone Company had many negative reactions from people who were oppose to the sale, including left wing groups such
the Ejercito Popular Boricua also known as "Macheteros". Our Bank became a target and my protectee was the main target. We received direct threats from the Macheteros and Other groups. We also had bombings, sabotage and vandalism at our other branches. The situation was tense during the process of the sale and approval of the Government.

Thanks to ESI training I had the ability to handle the situation with confidence and contribute with the protection section for better ideas of protection and safeguarding the executives of the company. The threat is still there and I am still on guard as always!

Thanks for having a complete and professional school of Security and Intelligence. I feel proud to be part of that school. Keep-up the good job!! Also thanks for including a Spanish program in your school!

Thanks!
Adalberto Fuentes, PPS
Banco Popular of Puerto Rico
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ESI

I feel having gone through ESI, I acquired the best education in close protection theory and tactics available outside of government training. ESI offers the most comprehensive training available to the private sector. I have received positive feedback from employers and potential clients in reference to ESi as an institution and training academy. I also believe that this profession chooses its practitioners rather than its practiticianers choosing the trade. Only those professionals willing to make continual sacrifices to further their training and knowledge will succeed. To quote the author of the book, Keep "Em Alive", Paul Elhanan, "Here, anyway, is an introduction to the unique world of diehard romantics and stubborn fools who still believe they can save at least a reasonable chunk of the world by such unfashionable means as courage and selflessness."

Steven Hastings
Class of 1995

Dear Mr. Bob Duggan:

I write this letter to Thank You, and let you know that I appreciate your school and the work that you have put into it. I am currently a student, just under half way through the home study course. I have found course, thus far, to not only be informative obviously, but also interesting and eye opening. One of the aspects of the course that I like, is the information seems to be in a logical format as well as being directly applicable. It is intelligently done without being aloof. Sometimes the information does seem a bit over whelming, however, that is the nature of the beast. The only point of the course that I do not find entirely enjoyable, is the great amount of reading that must be done. While I was going through high school, and then the Marine Corp, I was not much of a reader. I have begun to read more within the last five years or so, but do find it somewhat of a challenge to engulf large quantities of information at a time. Within the course I am concentrating on learning, absorbing, and retaining the information. I have found, surprisingly, that I am not only doing, grade wise, much better than I thought I might. But also that I seem to be learning the information fairly easily. Much more so than I thought I would have. I look forward to completing the Advanced Executive Protection program. Also, to meeting yourself and the rest of Executive Security International staff. Thank You once again. Continued success, and God's speed. Sincerely,

Rod Noll Student
future Executive Protection Specialist

Bob Duggan,

"This letter is to recognize one of your former students, Preston Ellis. I have been a professional bail bondsman for four years and over the years I have found that I have needed assistance in apprehending bail bond violators.

"In mid-November, 1986, Mr. Ellis and I were introduced through a mutual friend. This friend informed me that he knew of someone who had just returned from a school for security specialists and had received training in the areas of defensive driving, use of firearms, and hand-to-hand combat. When I was told that the instruction was only two weeks in length, I was a little hesitant to believe he could possess a thorough competence of such skills. Primarily out of curiosity, I hired Mr. Ellis on a part-time basis. After one short month, however, I realized such thorough competence was possible and I quickly hired him on a full-time basis.

"In the past four years I have worked with police officers, ex-police officers, and active and inactive military personnel. None have demonstrated the skills or degree of professionalism to the extent Mr. Ellis has shown. As of June 30, 1987, Mr. Ellis has to his credit 60 arrests, with 50 of these being felony arrests. These facts reflect my growing opinion that ESI is a top security-defense school in this nation and has tremendous capability and success in training top professionals in this field.

"I realize that I am just a stepping stone in Mr. Ellis's career, and genuinely feel that he will go far in his goal of a top-notch executive security specialist. He will be leaving North Carolina within the next year to pursue this goal in Washington, D.C. Therefore, I want to take this opportunity to commend your school. I am enjoying working with one of your graduates.

Billy R. Boykin
Billy R. Boykin Bonding Co.
Wilson, North Carolina

"I am a professional in the field of law enforcement and proud that my present assignment of security is at my State Capitol Complex. My prior experience was with the Governor's security unit. The knowledge, in-depth concepts and workable skills ESI presented me, sharpened and highlighted my abilities and I say, it made me more of an asset to my state.

"To all those in the law enforcement, security and executive protection fields; seek out ESI's programs, the experience and proficiency gained may someday save a life, quite possibly your own."

Trooper Tony Murphy #879
State Capitol Security
Conn. State Police

"I'd like to thank you and your staff for all the training and assistance that you have provided me with. I am currently employed as the General Manager of this Private Detective Agency. A job which I may not have gotten without the guidance from Hawk (Jonathan Hawkins, ESI Placement Director). While considering enrollment into ESI, many people were skeptic as to if you were just going to take my money, train me, and then kiss me good-bye. However, I have been finding out more and more about the recognition that ESI has as a school that fulfills what it promises."

"I am so pleased with the training and assistance that ESI has given me, that I am making plans to return for the Intelligence Gathering course."

Gerald T. Pfingsten
Wisconsin
ESI Graduate

"I have some good news. I was selected to be head of security for an import export company out of Canada. Your school was worth every dime. In briefing your new students I would suggest that you tell them that along with an ESI Certificate, they should have experience and if possible a college degree. Thank you for letting me attend you school. It's made all the difference in my career and my life."

Kenneth Peays
New York
ESI Graduate

"As a result of my attending and graduation of this school, I feel it would be in the best interests and be extremely profitable to the Marine Corps to send personnel from the following Units to attend this school: Military Police, PMO; Marine Security Guards; Marine State Department personnel; Marine Barracks personnel; Reconnaissance Marines; any Marine required by the Corps to have substantial training in counter-terrorism; drivers of general staff vehicles in the U.S. and overseas."

"The training techniques for all phases of the course should be carefully screened by the Marine Corps. The methods in which the ESI instructors taught their material was very successful. The instructors were top-notch professionals in every aspect of training in and would stand up to military standards for teaching in a school. In two short weeks the students were at high levels of proficiency in all the security related subjects. ESI's teaching technique called "Reality Therapy" should be indoctrinated into the Marine Corps."

Authorized excerpt from U.S. Marine Corps officer's
evaluation of ESI Executive Protection Program

Bob,

"As a professional in the field of Executive Protection, obviously I'm very interested in anything which pertains to this valid, respected career. With several years of experience behind me, I was skeptical of the school. Until ESI, I had never found a useful source of information or training. When ESI came to my attention, my first step was a thorough background investigation with input from law enforcement contacts, the Better Business Bureau, and several West Coast colleagues. The school passed this scrutiny with "flying colors."

"Even so, at registration, I was still skeptical. I was dead wrong! The caliber of the staff, training, information, and even the students, was extremely professional ... useful, current and tense. In the no-nonsense reality of this field, any security conscious person or corporation would be well advised to take a serious look at the programs offered by ESI."

William D. Colansinski
Detroit, Michigan
ESI Graduate

"The 15-day training program is outstanding. I had worked as a bodyguard before going to ESI so I thought I knew what a bodyguard's job was. I couldn't have been more wrong! I learned so much it was incredible. They have great instructors and I believe ESI to be the highest rated bodyguard academy in the United States.

"After the second month of the first job I got, I had already made back the money it cost to go to ESI."

"I have to be honest with you: like any job, you have to sell yourself, but security is one of the fastest growing professions there is!"

As for the wages, you should expect to make between $30,000 to $80,000 per year. At the job I have now I started at $30,000 and a free house and I have now been promoted to Director of Security and got a raise to $50,000, a free house and a car. I have only worked here for two years now. So you can see, any time you invest in yourself it always pays off down the line."

Bob Anderson
ESI Graduate
Seattle, Washington

"I have been a police officer for fourteen years and a training officer for ten. I have been to every kind of training, both federal and state, that is available to an officer with my department. I learned more during the last two weeks at ESI than all the previous fourteen years! I just wanted to say that to the class before I left."

C.W. McCollum
Davenport, Iowa
ESI Graduate

"I am a graduate of your April-May '88, writing primarily to tell you how proud I am to have had the opportunity to attend your training. It has already helped me maintain a level of professionalism in the eyes of my peers that exceeds the standards of existing companies here."

"Having been in business since just June of this year I have already worked 3 protection details. Most recently I provided protection at the Black National Baptist Convention for a close associate of Bishop Desmond Tutu, of South Africa. Presidential Candidate Jesse Jackson made an appearance, complete with Secret Service detail. I stood near one particular Secret Service Agent while the speeches were under way. Obviously our movements and actions were nearly identical with respect to our clients. Later at a private meeting between our clients, the same Agent approached and inquired about my training. I gave him a brief description of my training and experience and he was visibly impressed, stating that the only people he has seen previously that carried themselves and reacted the way I had were members of his own agency and other federal agents."

"I believe in your training. I believe I had the best training available, anywhere!"

Ron Westcott
Kansas City