Executives and Team Members

With many decades of cumulative security, investigative, military, law enforcement, intelligence, and risk-mitigation experience, the growing TorchStone team offers world-class, in-house capabilities.

By combining a global network of security professionals, cutting edge technology solutions, proprietary technologies and peerless industry experience, TorchStone differentiates itself within an unstructured security industry.

 

Eljay B. Bowron, Chairman

Eljay Bowron, is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of combined government and private sector experience. Mr. Bowron's distinguished government service includes his appointment and tenure as 18th Director of the United States Secret Service, where he had final determination over the protection of the President of the United States, many other high ranking government officials and foreign heads of state. He also served as Inspector General in the Department of the Interior and held senior positions at the Social Security Administration and Government Accounting Office. Mr. Bowron’s considerable leadership abilities have also been demonstrated in his prior role as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Vance International, a prominent global security and consulting firm.

Frank E. Rodman, President

Frank Rodman is a security executive with over 25 years of qualitative experience building pragmatic security solutions. He has worked with diplomats, business leaders and ultra high net worth families to develop sophisticated strategies to avoid risk. Prior to TorchStone, Mr. Rodman served as head of global security and investigations for the family partners of Ziff Brothers Investments, one of the largest private investment firms in the United States. Mr. Rodman was also a senior security consultant for Dell Computer Corporation, where he developed and personally executed protection plans for the company's founder and Chairman. Prior to joining the private sector, Mr. Rodman served as a Special Agent with the U.S. Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service, where he led protection teams for U.S. diplomats and visiting dignitaries, and managed security at diplomatic facilities abroad.

William H. Pickle, Director

William Pickle is the founder of The Pickle Group, LLC; a Washington, D.C. based Business Development and Governmental Affairs firm. Prior to this, Mr. Pickle served as the 37th Sergeant at Arms of the United States Senate. In this role, Mr. Pickle was the Chief Operating Officer of the Senate, responsible for the day to day operations of the Senate as well as for oversight of the U.S. Capitol Police Department. Previous to being nominated and elected to this position by the Senate, Mr. Pickle served as the first Senior Executive Service Security Director of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Prior to the creation of TSA, Mr. Pickle served as the Deputy Inspector General of the Department of Labor. The bulk of Mr. Pickle's public service was with the United States Secret Service where he rose through the Agent ranks to become Deputy Assistant Director. During this 25 year career, he served in numerous senior positions to include Special Agent in Charge of the Vice Presidential Protective Division during the 2000 Presidential Election, as well as head of the Secret Service Legislative Affair Office during President Clinton's first Administration. Mr. Pickle is a highly decorated Vietnam Veteran who served as an infantryman and door gunner with the First Cavalry Division in 1968-69. Today, he serves as Chairman of the Board of Digital Defense Group as well as Director and Senior Advisor for a number of telecommunications and technology corporations to include Hysky Communications, Koolspan Technology, Criterion Systems and Cornerstone Associates. He is a former member of the 2004 Presidential Election Advisory Committee and a current member of the Presidential Medal of Valor Committee. Mr. Pickle continues to hold Top Secret Clearance with the United States Government.

David T. Niccolini, Executive Vice President

David Niccolini is a security executive with over 16 years of experience across multiple industries, in both the private and public sectors, and among domestic and international clientele. Most recently, Mr. Niccolini served as Director at Total Intelligence Solutions (TIS), a private security firm headquartered in the Washington, DC area. In that role, he led all corporate strategic initiatives and account management activities, as well as managed all private sector business development. While at TIS, Mr. Niccolini was also intimately involved with multiple opportunities within the U.S. public sector, and with allied foreign governments. Before joining TIS, Mr. Niccolini spent several years in the pharmaceutical industry, and was also a manager with a consulting firm advising the utilities sector across North America. From the latter, he has retained his training in Structure Analysis and his expertise as a both a process specialist and a project manager. Mr. Niccolini graduated from Duke University cum laude.

Michael D. Massa, Managing Consultant

Mike Massa is a risk management expert with a diverse background spanning 22 years. Most recently, Mr. Massa was Managing Director and Global Head of Risk Intelligence at Deutsche Bank, where he also led the Americas and UK-Middle East-Africa Security and Risk Management Groups for the global investment bank. Responsible for large distributed teams, he managed real crises such as the 2010 Chilean earthquake, the 2009 London G-8 riots, and the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, and provided specialized support to banking operations and large enterprise projects. Before joining Deutsche Bank, Mr. Massa was a founder of Sentek Consulting, a commercial and government consultancy specializing in Command and Control networks, Integrated Intelligence and Imagery and Open Source information management. Mr. Massa has also delivered technical and financial services, including offshore software development in Asia, the Middle East and the U.S., as well as large-scale enterprise systems (Enterprise Resource Planning) integration for KPMG. Earlier in his career, Mr. Massa served as an Officer in the US Navy (SEAL), operating in more than 50 countries across Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, including missions to Pakistan, Somalia, Kenya, and the Arabian Peninsula.

Timothy J. Wilson, Senior Consultant

Tim Wilson is a decorated veteran of the New York City Police Department, where he achieved the rank of 1st Grade Detective. He served the majority of his police career in the Executive Security Section and Dignitary Protection Unit of the elite Intelligence Division. Mr. Wilson coordinated protective security for Mayor Koch, Mayor Dinkins and Mayor Giuliani, as well as for numerous visiting dignitaries, politicians and celebrities. After his public service, Mr. Wilson was appointed the Deputy Director of Security for Giuliani Security and Safety. There he continued to provide protective security as a team leader and confidential aide to former Mayor Giuliani. He helped coordinate security and logistics for Giuliani’s daily schedule and for numerous domestic and international trips, including the Mayor’s official trip to the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Italy as a U. S. Presidential Delegate. Mr. Wilson went on to form and lead the executive protection team at a privately held financial firm, where he coordinated security operations for one of the wealthiest families in the United States. His knowledge of high-level protective security is unparalleled. As a Senior Consultant at TorchStone Global Mr. Wilson manages executive protection and counter-surveillance services for some of the most prominent individuals and organizations in the world.

William Whiteside, Senior Consultant
Bill Whiteside has twenty-six years of public and private sector experience in the security industry. He has served with the U.S. Justice and Treasury Departments as both a Deputy U.S. Marshal and as a Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service. After his government service, Mr. Whiteside was Director of Global Executive Protection for AT&T, and then for Citigroup, where he had the responsibility for the safety of their CEOs, Presidents, CFOs, Board of Directors and other senior executives and their families, both domestically and internationally. Mr. Whiteside has advised U.S. officials, senior government staff, foreign government and private security teams, Chairman and CEO-level executives with an expertise in risk assessment, threat administration, executive advance work and protection. He has extensive experience in tactical planning and budgeting for large-scale security assignments and investigations, and has managed additional responsibility for aircraft, ship, ground transportation, residential security, as well as event security and protocols. With a high level network of domestic and international security and business assets, Mr. Whiteside serves as an advisor to high net worth individuals and families, to include industry leaders and celebrities. He manages comprehensive security assessments, due-diligence, surveillance, counter-surveillance, investigations and risk mitigation programs. He designs and coordinates personal and residential protection programs and global travel security for multiple high net worth families.

 
Jeffrey S. Riner, Senior Consultant
Jeff Riner is an industry recognized expert in personal security, operational security and facility security. During his career, both as a federal agent with the Diplomatic Security Service, and as a Senior Security Consultant in the private sector, Mr. Riner has counseled high level officials, to include U.S. and foreign ambassadors, foreign government leaders and U.S. corporate executives, entertainers, members of the media and other prominent personnel. Mr. Riner served as a Regional Security Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan from 1994 to 1996 and at the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon from 2001 to 2002. Mr. Riner also served in the Protective Intelligence Division of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security. He managed the U.S. Government’s “Rewards for Justice” program, a multi-agency effort designed to reward others for information resulting in the arrest and conviction of anyone who plans or commits an act of terrorism against the United States. As a result of his professionalism and dedication, Mr. Riner has received numerous awards and commendations from the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, The Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Marshall’s Service, the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Department of Defense, the U.S. Secret Service and various members of the U.S. Intelligence Community.
 
Xavier Castellanos, Senior Consultant
Xavier Castellanos is a 27 year veteran of the federal government, where he served in a variety of intelligence and law enforcement roles. He is a specialist in Latin America. Mr. Castellanos began his career as an intelligence officer with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and served abroad in Latin America. He was also a member of the CIA’s paramilitary reserve. Mr. Castellanos then went on to work as a Special Agent with the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) of the U.S. Department of State. During his 20 year career with DS, Mr. Castellanos served at numerous U.S. Embassies in Latin America and other parts of the world. He is a skilled criminal investigator and personal protection specialist, having served on high level protective details. He is well versed in physical security and chemical and biological countermeasures. Mr. Castellanos is fluent in Spanish, and regularly consults with TorchStone's clients on Latin American security issues in the region.

 
Peter T. Quinn, Executive Protection Specialist
Peter Quinn has served for over 20 years with the Suffolk County Police Department, including 10 years assigned to the Emergency Service Unit (ESU). Mr. Quinn is a certified emergency medical technician (EMT-D), hazardous materials technician, and firearms instructor. He was selected to instruct at the first statewide Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) school certifying all SWAT officers in New York. Prior to joining the Police Department Mr. Quinn spent four years in the U.S. Marine Corps where his awards included the Combat Action Ribbon. Mr. Quinn has an extensive background in event security and executive protection throughout the United States, including at least 10 years experience on protective assignments for high profile and high net worth individuals. Pete is an avid marathon runner and triathlete.
 

 

 

Return to Top