*Caution: sensitive material* In this episode we discuss the events of the tragic shootings that took place on October 1st, 2017 at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival in Las Vegas, as recalled by a member of the festival audience. Some people may find the content upsetting or triggering and we advise your consideration before listening.
Our guest today has over 25 years of local and federal law enforcement experience. As a member of the US Secret Service he served on the Presidential Protective Division, and the Counter Assault Team within the Special Operations Division. Later he joined the ATF, serving as a Special Response Team assaulter and sniper before rising to Team Commander of the Los Angeles-based SRT.
Post Agency, Geoff has worked in corporate security and executive protection, including as a Global Security Advisor for ExxonMobil, applying the same threat assessment discipline to boardrooms and facilities that he once applied to protective details and tactical entities. He is now the Director of Corporate and Executive Security for Lionheart International Services Group.
On October 1st, 2017, Geoff was off duty with his wife in the crowd at the Route 91 Harvest Country Music Festival in Las Vegas, when the shooting from the Mandalay Bay began. His experience, situational awareness and courage that day, helped not only him and his wife, but also a man who had been critically injured and two other women get to safety. We go beyond the headline story with Geoff to understand what it takes to be able to think clearly under the most extreme duress, and to be able to remain calm to direct and help others. We discuss his training and explore his thoughts on preparation, leadership, personal awareness in public spaces, and the recovery from this traumatic event.