Scott Stewart is a seasoned protective intelligence practitioner with over four decades of analytical, investigative and security experience. Scott led Stratfor’s global analysis of terrorism and security topics from 2004 to 2020. Before joining Stratfor, he was a special agent with the U.S. State Department for 10 years. Scott was the lead State Department investigator assigned…

John Gainer brings an exceptional blend of elite law enforcement, military and corporate security experience to his role leading TorchStone’s security operations. He served 25 years 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…

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. Mr. Snyder previously served in various roles with the Coca-Cola Company from 2002 to 2017, most recently as…

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. Through his vast experience as a…

Mr. 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 including fugitive apprehension, protection of Federal Judges…

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…

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, proactive protective intelligence reports. Ms. Sidwell earned both her B.A. in Intelligence Studies (Summa…

Ms. Cunningham provides expert investigative analysis by employing innovative approaches utilizing Open-source intelligence (OSINT) to produce actionable intelligence. She 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…

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. He 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,…

Nina Hobson oversees executive security teams supporting high-profile celebrities. She often serves in an operational role within the team as well. She is a strategic decision maker, ensuring a celebrity client will have both highly effective, immediate solutions and long-term and sustainable protection and security plans in place. Prior to joining TorchStone, Ms. Hobson was the…

In this role with TorchStone, Mitchell 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. Mitchell’s expertise in coordinating high-volume communications and implementing strategic initiatives enhances client safety…

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. He also served as Senior Operations Manager for the U.S. Navy’s…