OUR PEOPLE

Mr. Snyder is a multilingual security and operations professional with over 30 years of experience in Japan and China in high-visibility events, crisis management, government relations, and corporate communications. He is fluent and literate in Japanese and Chinese with a proven ability to lead multi-cultural teams and execute difficult projects on time and within budget.

Mr. Snyder previously served in various roles with the Coca-Cola Company from 2002 to 2017, most recently as Director of Risk Management for China and Korea. In this role, he led proactive and reactive risk management functions, including incident management, crisis communications, corporate reputation, and enterprise risk management. As Coca-Cola’s Director of Security and Incident Management at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Mr. Snyder was responsible for security, crisis management, and risk assessment for the company’s Olympics activations, including their showcasing center, hospitality programs, and government liaison. As the Project Manager for the 2007 Special Olympics Summer Games, Mr. Snyder was responsible for formulating and implementing Coca-Cola’s marketing and hospitality programs, operations, and public relations activities.

As Director of Security and Incident Management at the 2002 FIFA World Cup in Japan, Mr. Snyder was responsible for security and crisis management planning, implementation, and response for Coca-Cola’s FIFA World Cup activations. He ensured that all potential risks were effectively managed. Prior to Coca-Cola, Mr. Snyder’s experience included roles as Managing Director for Kroll Associates Asia, based in Tokyo; Producer for Nippon Television Network, based in Washington, D.C.; and Senior Manager for Citibank in Tokyo. Mr. Snyder earned his master’s degree in International Economics and Japan Studies from The Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University and his Bachelor of Arts in East Asian Languages and Cultures from Columbia University.

Jess is a seasoned public service and security professional with over 25 years of service in local law enforcement, and on international programs. Jess is currently the Director of Global Embedded Services at TorchStone Global and specializes in building teams dedicated to risk assessments, security operations, workplace incident management, crisis response, mitigation and resiliency as well as business intelligence and environmental health and safety. Jess is also a subject matter expert in training, mentoring, and executive protection.

Jess worked in law enforcement for ten years, focusing on emergency response, special weapons and tactics, training and mentoring. Jess continued to focus on tactical operations, training and mentoring serving as a specialized unit commander for the United Nations, and later supported the Bureau of Diplomatic Security in Iraq and Afghanistan. He also provided sustained support for the Bureau of International Narcotics Law Enforcement, mentoring the Kosovo Police Service transition and professionalize, moving from conflict to peace. Jess is noted for his work in Kosovo; he was commended by both the U.S. and UK Embassies for his role in the 2013 Brussels Agreement that normalized security cooperation between Serbia and Kosovo. This experience shaped his thinking on the power of collaboration with safety and security partners and the holistic benefit of embedded mentors.

Jess has overseen TorchStone Global’s largest embedded program since January 2020, providing subject matter expertise and management excellence in our Fortune 50 customer’s management team. Under his leadership, the program grew exponentially in that time from four to 47 expert staff members and managers. This growth and service has only been possible because of Jess’s customer focus, attitude toward finding and retaining talent, and his dedication to collaboration and understanding of the customer’s strategic goals and operational needs. Jess joined the TorchStone Global team as Director this year. He holds an MA in Diplomacy from Norwich University.

As TorchStone’s Vice President of Protective Operations, Bryan Bachmann oversees the physical protection and all related operations for TorchStone’s high-profile and high net worth clients. Mr. Bachmann skillfully manages large teams of elite executive protection and residential security agents providing 24/7 protection. He is also adept at site assessments, identifying vulnerabilities, and thinking strategically and creatively to enhance client safety and security.

Prior to joining TorchStone, Mr. Bachmann served 30+ years in the government as a U.S. Department of State as a Senior Regional Security Officer. Mr. Bachmann is one of the most decorated members to come out of the U.S. Department of State, earning the Secretary’s Distinguished Service Award for coordinating the defense of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq during a 2019 attack on the compound. His experience in global security management, threat analysis, employee leadership, and training has also been recognized through the honor of Diplomatic Security Employee of the Year in 2015 and the Uncommon Valor Award. Throughout his assignments with the U.S. Department of State, Mr. Bachmann demonstrated excellence in intricate planning, coordination with various stakeholders, and successful implementation of comprehensive security measures to appropriately mitigate risk.

Mr. Bachmann holds a Bachelor of Arts in Law Enforcement from Washburn University and a Master of Arts in International Relations and Affairs from Webster University. He is a 6th Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo Karate and enjoys teaching and training students in a wide array of areas of awareness, body mechanics, self-defense, and self-esteem through martial arts.

As TorchStone’s Executive Protection Manager, Nina Hobson oversees executive security teams supporting high-profile celebrities. Ms. Hobson often provides an operational role within the team and will be seen leading from the inside. She is a strategic decision maker, ensuring that a celebrity client will have both highly effective, immediate solutions as well as long-term and sustainable protection and security plans in place. Ms. Hobson takes pride in her ability to truly listen and understand each client’s needs and desires to provide the most suitable security solution possible without compromising the safety of the client.

Prior to joining TorchStone, Ms. Hobson was the Head of Security for an ‘A’ list celebrity based out of Los Angeles, leading a large team of executive protection officers both domestically and globally. Before moving to the U.S., Ms. Hobson worked around the world providing both investigation and executive protection services for a high-net-worth individual, his family and his business empire. Ms. Hobson also served 15 years in the British Police force and resigned from the force as a highly decorated detective, having investigated serious and high-profile crimes such as kidnap, rape, murder, stalking and child abuse. Having left the public sector, Ms. Hobson made a seamless transition into the private sector, where she has worked for the past two decades.

Ms. Hobson’s experience in global security management, investigation and employee leadership has also been recognized internationally. She has been one of five finalists in the UK Woman of the Year Awards for services to her country, a two-time finalist in the Australian Woman of the Year Award, and a runner up in Australian Businesswoman of the Year.

Ms. Hobson has a passion for philanthropic works and has spent many years working on the ground with the anti-poaching unit in Zimbabwe, assisting in the operations to capture rhino poachers. Ms. Hobson has also been an advocate for the prevention of sex trafficking and has conducted many operations to recover sex trafficked.

Whit Darnell is a Senior Consultant and principal security risk management advisor for TorchStone Global. Mr. Darnell had a distinguished twenty-five year career with the FBI where he served in a variety of investigative, executive protection, training, and security leadership roles, including Unit Chief of the FBI’s Hostage and Rescue Team.

Mr. Darnell is well known for building and motivating cross-functional, diverse teams that exceed performance expectations. Through his vast experience as a trainer and lecturer with the FBI, he knows how to develop people, and he has continually demonstrated the ability to work under extreme pressure in high profile and rapidly changing situations and operates at the highest level of professionalism and discretion.

Mr. Darnell has extensive experience in developing comprehensive security programs, risk identification and mitigation, and crisis response in both the public and private sector. Examples of his experience include security planning at major speaking events and conferences for VIPs, US Presidential candidates, and US Government Senior Cabinet Level Officials. His expertise also extends to the sporting world, and he has worked closely with the Special Events Division at the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department to safely plan and deliver events such as the NCAA College Football’s Music City Bowl, Tennessee Titan’s football games and the Nashville Predators hockey games.

Since entering the private sector, Mr. Darnell has been Director of Security for a high-net-worth client, managing and sourcing a team of 24 executive protection personnel on a 24/7, 365 day-a-year basis. In this role, he was responsible for overseeing and managing threat identification and mitigation, strategic planning and analysis, incident management and response, training & skill development and external liaison.

Mr. Darnell maintains his HR 218 LEOSA certification, is qualified as a Personal Protection Specialist, Emergency Medical Technician, National Crisis Negotiator and has numerous other certificates that represent the highest level of achievement in law enforcement.

With over 30 years of experience in physical security and intelligence, Mr. Libby’s career spans a distinguished tenure in the United States Air Force, where he served in various leadership roles. His extensive background includes positions such as First Sergeant for eight separate organizations, Superintendent for the Inspector General, Human Intelligence (HUMINT) Team Lead, and Deputy Director of Military Intelligence for the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team. He completed five combat deployments in the Middle East earning numerous accolades including the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Combat Action Medal.

Mitchell Murphy serves as the Associate Global Security Operations Center (GSOC) Manager at TorchStone Global, based in Brentwood, Tennessee. In this role, he oversees daily operations, training, and management of a team of security professionals, ensuring seamless, high-pressure communications to protect high-net-worth clients worldwide. His leadership drives the delivery of customized risk mitigation solutions, maintaining exceptional efficiency and responsiveness in a premier global security firm. Mitchell’s expertise in coordinating high-volume communications and implementing strategic initiatives enhances client safety and operational excellence.

With a robust background in intelligence and security, Mitchell brings over a decade of experience from diverse, high-stakes environments. Prior to TorchStone, he founded and operated Murphy’s Law Readiness, a consulting firm focused on educating individuals and groups in firearms, emergency preparedness, and self-defense techniques. His tailored training programs empowered clients to enhance personal security and reduce reaction times in emergencies. As an Intelligence Analyst at the Tennessee Office of Homeland Security, Mitchell coordinated requests for information, collaborating with federal, state, and local law enforcement to deliver critical intelligence reports that safeguarded communities.

Mitchell’s distinguished 10-year career in the United States Navy further honed his expertise. As Intelligence Manager and SME Trainer at the Kennedy Irregular Warfare Center, he facilitated information sharing and trained personnel in advanced intelligence analysis. At the National Joint Intelligence Operations Center in the Pentagon, he produced sensitive reports for senior officials, demonstrating exceptional analytical and prioritization skills. As Intelligence Watch Supervisor for the Pacific Fleet and Independent Duty Intelligence Specialist aboard the USS CHAFEE, he led teams, delivered critical briefings, and optimized processes under intense operational demands.

Jacob Smuda is a Consultant and Principal Security Risk Management Advisor at TorchStone Global. Prior to joining TorchStone, Mr. Smuda completed a distinguished 14-year tenure as a U.S. Navy SEAL, during which he held key leadership, operational, and training roles in global security operations. Notably, he served as Senior Operations Manager for the U.S. Navy’s Naval Special Warfare Development Group, the Department of Defense’s premier maritime counterterrorism unit, where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his exemplary service.

Mr. Smuda is widely recognized for his ability to build, lead, and inspire high-performance teams across diverse functions, consistently exceeding expectations. His vast experience as both a trainer and instructor with the Navy SEALs has sharpened his expertise in talent development, and he has consistently excelled in high-pressure, dynamic environments. He has trained elite personnel from various organizations, including Navy SEALs, international military forces, FBI agents, and SWAT teams, specializing in urban movement, close-quarters combat, and target assaults.
Beyond his operational expertise, Mr. Smuda possesses extensive experience in developing and implementing comprehensive security programs, risk identification and mitigation, and crisis management across both public and private sectors. His professionalism, discretion, and strategic insight have made him a trusted advisor in complex, high-stakes situations.

Mr. Smuda holds a Bachelor of Science in Strategic Studies and Defense Analysis from Norwich University. He has been honored with several awards, including Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals for Leadership and Valor in Combat.

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. He served in various capacities and specialties to include fugitive apprehension, protection of Federal Judges and U.S. Attorneys, high threat trials, and the Witness Protection Program. He has protected U.S. Presidents, Vice Presidents, the Secretary of the Treasury, and Foreign Heads of State. Mr. Whiteside has a wide-ranging criminal investigative background in financial crimes, bank fraud, telecommunications fraud, asset forfeiture, intelligence gathering, threat assessments, surveillance, and counter-surveillance.

After his government service, Mr. Whiteside managed AT&T’s Global Executive Protection program, and then became Director of Global Executive Protection 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. Using his expertise in risk assessment, threat administration, and executive protection and advance work, Mr. Whiteside has advised U.S. officials, senior government staff, security teams from foreign governments and private firms, and Chairman and CEO-level executives. 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.

With a high-level network of domestic and international security and business resources, Mr. Whiteside serves as an advisor to high net worth individuals and families, including 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.

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, where 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.

Lee Fields has more than 34 years of experience in the law enforcement and security arena, having served nearly 32 years with the U.S. Secret Service. During his Secret Service tenure, Mr. Fields led the Jacksonville, FL Field Office and served as Deputy Assistant Director of the Office of Investigations in Washington, D.C. where he was the Senior Executive Service official responsible for all domestic investigative operations, overseeing 41 investigative field offices, 85 resident and domicile offices, and 68 criminal task forces. In this capacity, he managed a workforce of 2,776 employees, which included both special agents and administrative personnel. Mr. Fields conducted and managed criminal investigations, and protective security advances for Secret Service protectees, including presidential and vice-presidential candidates. He also has conducted domestic and international protective intelligence advances and served in supervisory roles for visiting foreign heads of state.

Mr. Fields’ investigative experience includes conducting criminal investigations of counterfeit currency, forgery, access device fraud, and mortgage fraud. His headquarters and protective assignments included the Office of Investigations, Office of Administration, Presidential Protective Division (President William Clinton), Counter Assault Team, Intelligence Division, and Forensic Services Division. He also served on several task forces that investigated organized crime.

Mr. Fields holds a Master of Science in Management with an emphasis in Leadership, as part of an Executive Leadership Program at Johns Hopkins University. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Florida.

Ms. Kallab is a corporate security consultant for TorchStone based in Nashville, TN. Prior to joining TorchStone, she served as a Regional Security Advisor for the Central Asia, Middle East, and North Africa countries at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington, D.C. Ms. Kallab also worked at WorldAware (formerly iJet), where she managed and developed corporate travel security programs for multinational organizations. Her analysis has been cited in publications including Travel Risk Management newsletter, the Washington Post, and USA Today. She received a B.A. in International Relations and French Literature from Johns Hopkins University in 2008 and an M.A. in International Security from the Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po Paris) in 2010. Ms. Kallab was born in Beirut, Lebanon, and speaks English, French, and Arabic.

Ben West has 14 years of experience as a global security analyst working to ensure business continuity for major fortune 500 companies in the tech, energy, and retail sectors. Mr. West’s prior projects have included advising a major tech company on integrating physical and cyber security responsibilities, monitoring organized criminal threats to energy supply chains in Mexico, and anticipating supply chain disruptions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. He also has expertise in industrial espionage, political unrest, terrorism, and executive travel security. Mr. West holds an M.A. in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

Kori Sidwell joined TorchStone Global in 2019 as a Protective Intelligence Analyst Intern and now serves as an Intelligence Analyst. Ms. Sidwell helps mitigate physical and reputational risks affecting high-profile individuals and corporations on TorchStone Global’s protective intelligence team. Utilizing Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) tools and research strategies, she collects and analyzes raw data to prepare actionable and proactive, protective intelligence reports. Ms. Sidwell earned both her B.A. in Intelligence Studies (Summa Cum Laude) and an M.A. in Criminal Justice Administration from Mercyhurst University. She was also honored with her program’s top graduate student award.

Mare Cunningham is an Intelligence Analyst for TorchStone, providing expert investigative analysis by employing innovative approaches utilizing Open-source intelligence (OSINT) to produce actionable intelligence and has over 20 years of expertise as an investigative analyst with local and federal law enforcement agencies.

Mare has served as a Tactical Analyst in numerous command posts, often designated as the primary analyst during large-scale events and operations to include Super Bowl LII, NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four and the Minneapolis Civil Unrest in 2020.

In addition to the 2020 FBI Director’s Award, Mare has been recognized for her investigative analysis by receiving Excellence in Investigation from the Minneapolis Police Department and the Medal of Excellence from the FBI.

Mare earned a Bachelor of Science in Rhetoric at the University of Minnesota, certification as a Crime and Intelligence Analyst from the University of California, Sacramento and attended the FBI Tactical Specialist Basic Training at the FBI Academy in Quantico.

As TorchStone’s Operations Coordinator, Douglas is responsible for coordinating and managing domestic and international operations. With extensive experience in global security operations, Douglas engages with clients and security partners all over the world to ensure each operation matches TorchStone’s high quality standards. He is driven to elevate the company’s already sterling reputation and expand into newer markets.

Douglas also leverages TorchStone’s Global Security Operations Center to help provide 24/7 intelligence updates on areas of operation. By embedding with the Operations Center’s intelligence analysts, the team is able to provide accurate and timely intelligence updates to clients and protection agents in the field in keeping with company motto of “The Business Before.” With extensive experience in special operations planning and execution, he will further enhance the synchronization between intelligence and security operations.

Prior to joining TorchStone, Douglas served in the US Army from 2016 to 2023 as a Human Intelligence Collector supporting Special Operations Forces. He deployed to the Middle East three times in a counterterrorism and near-peer adversary role, working with local and Coalition partners. Several of his intelligence reports were published in classified publications and briefed to senior military officials at the strategic level. Douglas received certifications as an interrogator, strategic debriefer, source handler, and Arabic linguist. After leaving the Army, he worked as a Project Manager for Hospital Corporation of America, supporting medical record automation efforts.

Douglas earned his Bachelor’s degree in History and Journalism from Miami University (OH). Douglas worked as writer for The Miami Student, the oldest student newspaper in the U.S. He proudly supports Reboot Recovery and other military charities.