TorchStone Global Executive Leadership Team
TorchStone Global’s executive leadership team represents a disciplined, mission-driven approach to security and risk management, grounded in excellence, integrity, and performance. Built from within, these leaders bring deep institutional knowledge and a shared commitment to the standards that have shaped TorchStone’s growth and reputation. Their experience spans government service, corporate security, psychology, and business leadership, supported by backgrounds in elite law enforcement, Fortune 250 organizations, and four Inc. 5000 rankings.
TorchStone’s client relationships are built on a foundation of trust, discretion, and uncompromising service. Drawing on decades of experience and enduring relationships across the global security community, the leadership team delivers strategic, high-impact solutions in complex and high-consequence environments. This combination of operational credibility and advisory expertise positions TorchStone as a leader in the global security industry.
Frank Rodman
President, Co-Founder
Frank Rodman is the visionary behind TorchStone Global, bringing over thirty years of experience building pragmatic, sophisticated security solutions for some of the world’s most discerning clients, including business leaders, corporations, and ultra-high net worth families. His leadership has guided the firm through sustained, record-breaking growth, earning four Inc. 5000 recognitions as one of America’s fastest-growing private companies.
Before founding TorchStone, 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. This foundation in government service continues to inform TorchStone’s rigorous, intelligence-led approach to protection.
Malique Carr, PhD, CTM
Chief Operating Officer
Dr. Malique Carr is a uniquely credentialed executive who combines clinical psychology, threat assessment expertise, and operational leadership in a way that is rare in the security industry. As one of only a few hundred Certified Threat Managers in the world, she leads TorchStone’s Threat Management Team services while overseeing end-to-end execution across administrative functions including finance and human resources. Her blend of strategic insight, emotional intelligence, and cultural stewardship has been central to operationalizing TorchStone’s rapid expansion.
Dr. Carr joined TorchStone in 2016 as a Protective Intelligence Analyst and rose through the ranks, serving as Vice President of Intelligence before stepping into her current role. She holds a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Palo Alto University and a B.A. from Wellesley College with double majors in Psychology and Media Arts & Science. She is a longstanding member of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP) and holds active psychology licenses in California and Washington.
Mark Lex
SVP of Corporate Consulting & Chief Growth Officer
Mark Lex is a performance-driven security executive with over 30 years of industry experience, including 15 years as the senior security executive for three separate Fortune 250 companies, Abbott, WW Grainger, and Kraft Foods. At TorchStone, he has been instrumental in shaping the company’s advisory and corporate embedded services, helping clients navigate complex security challenges through tailored, high-impact solutions. He also served as emeritus faculty and consultant with the Security Executive Council for nearly a decade.
In his role as Chief Growth Officer, Mr. Lex leads TorchStone’s growth strategy, overseeing business development, strategic partnerships, and market expansion. His proven ability to forge strong client and partner relationships and his strategic vision continue to extend TorchStone’s reach and influence across the global security landscape.
John Gainer
SVP of Strategic Services & Chief Security Officer
John Gainer brings an exceptional blend of elite law enforcement, military, and corporate security experience to his role leading TorchStone’s security operations. He completed 25 years of distinguished service as an FBI Special Agent, with a career highlight as an Operator on the FBI’s elite Hostage Rescue Team (HRT), where he engaged in high-risk operations, international deployments, and National Special Security Events including NFL Super Bowls and the Republican National Convention. He is also a U.S. Navy veteran, having served as an Operations Division Officer conducting maritime security operations in the Persian Gulf.
As Chief Security Officer, Mr. Gainer ensures TorchStone’s security operations remain world-class in both execution and impact, driving operational excellence and aligning long-term growth initiatives with the highest standards of security performance. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Marquette University and a Master of Arts in Police Leadership from the University of St. Thomas.
Eljay B. Bowron
Chairman and Co-Founder
Eljay Bowron is a seasoned executive with over thirty 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. After his government career, Mr. Bowron served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Vance International, a prominent global security and consulting firm.
William H. Pickle
Director and Co-Founder
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 Affairs 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.
Anthony Dick
Board Member
Venture-capitalist Anthony Dick spent twenty-one years at Train, Babcock Advisors, a New York-based investment advisory firm focusing exclusively on individuals and families with $600 million under management. In 1992, Tony was promoted to Portfolio Manager with responsibility for client portfolios and wealth management. In addition to portfolio management and company research responsibilities, Tony served as a member of the Investment Committee. In 1996 he became a partner in the firm and held that position until his resignation in 2008. During his time at Train, Babcock Advisors he managed over 60 family relationships with an approximate total of $175 million in assets.
After leaving Train, Babcock, Mr. Dick worked as a Senior Advisor for Watch Hill Partners LLC, a small New York-based boutique investment bank where he focused on special projects, specifically business development for a long-only equity fund. Tony is a graduate of Brooks School in North Andover, Massachusetts and he received a B.A. in History from Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut.
Robert Fix
Board Member
Robert Fix is a Partner at William Blair and Company, where he has been with the Private Client Advisors group since 1970 and became Partner in 1977. For over fifty years, Mr. Fix has dedicated his career to William Blair and his clients. To this day, Bob works with some of the original clients he brought to the firm in 1970, a testament to the depth of his investment experience and his commitment to client service. Prior to his tenure at William Blair, Mr. Fix served in the United States Marine Corps and graduated from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio.
Stuart Page
Board Member
Stuart Page is the Chairman of Page Group Limited. He has over twenty years experience in the commercial investigations and security industry. Mr. Page is an acknowledged expert in complex international fraud and asset tracing investigations. Furthermore, he has managed close protection assignments and full service embassy and delegation security contracts in complex and hostile environments.
Mr. Page commenced his career as a police officer serving with the Metropolitan Police where he was assigned to Scotland Yard’s Anti-Terrorist Squad and Special Branch. Later, he was an Army Reservist with the Royal Military Police.
Chuck Vance
Board Member
Chuck Vance founded Vance Executive Protection (later Vance International) in the early 1980s with the single objective of offering security services to the private sector that were on par with the standards of the United States Secret Service. A former Secret Service agent himself, Mr. Vance accomplished that goal by implementing the principles and techniques of his former agency and by building a seasoned management team, as well as an elite cadre of security officers. Chuck Vance maintained a senior advisory relationship with Vance International through its original sale in 2003 and its ultimate sale to Garda World Security in 2006.
Throughout his career, both as a Special Agent for the Secret Service for 14 years and his time in the private sector, Mr. Vance has directly protected, or managed the protection of, U.S. Presidents and Vice Presidents, international heads of state, dignitaries, royalty, and prominent individuals. He has appeared on more than 400 national and international news programs, and has been quoted as a security expert in hundreds of print media articles. Mr. Vance has testified as an expert witness on presidential security before the U.S. Senate, has authored multiple articles on security, and co-authored the textbook, “Fighting Back: Winning the War Against Terrorism.” He is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley.