This year’s DIVERSIFY marketplace has come and gone, and it felt like it happened in a flash. As with many good experiences, it felt quick because of how much fun it was and how smoothly the weeklong event went. While we were zipping around, talking with vendors and making sure everyone was having as much fun as we were, Global Protective Services kept everything safe and held together behind the scenes.
We called Curtis Greene, Global Protective Services’ proprietor and director, to learn a more about the protective services field and how he got into that line of work. In the process, I learned that Greene’s company extends beyond traditional security services. In fact, Greene and Global Protective Services have been behind some high-profile events.
Check out our Q&A with Curtis Greene below.
Trend: Tell me a little bit about your business – what exactly do you do?
Curtis Greene: Global Protective Services started, officially, in 2010 for executive estate protection and VIP protection for events and clients. My main focus is to add something different to the traditional security company. I try to hire those with first responder backgrounds, such as EMTs, retired law enforcement and veterans.
Trend: How many employees to you have?
Greene: We have 20.
Trend: You mentioned offering something a little different than traditional services – what does that entail?
Greene: I’ve found that traditional service companies tend to hire individuals with less experience, and they don’t always completely understand client needs. My agents are certified in responding to high-threat incidents.
Trend: Are you a part of a larger organization? Or is this something you’ve started from the ground up?
Greene: I started Global Protective Services. My background is in law enforcement, which I’ve been in since 1994. I worked with the Chattanooga Police Department for 10 years, went to work for the Chattanooga Housing Authority as a criminal investigator and was then hired on to do high-level protection for executive clients – most people just call that a bodyguard. When I returned home, I opened my business.
Trend: Are you still working in law enforcement?
Greene: Yes. I’m currently the Chief of Police at Chattanooga State Community College.
Trend: What’s your favorite type of event to work?
Greene: I like all of them. Executive protection is a little more tedious. We have to do more advance work and research with executive protection, but we approach everything with the same foundation. We stay pretty busy – Global Protective has worked events such as the Bessie Smith Strut, and we were subcontracted for the 2016 Republican and Democratic National Conventions.
Trend: What are some misconceptions about your field that you face?
Greene: One misconception is with the term “security guard.” Most think that the criteria are small to be a security officer. In fact, I don’t consider my employees “security guards.” I call them agents.
Trend: What is one of the most challenging parts of your field?
Greene: It’s actually vetting the individuals who work for me. My standards are quite high.
Trend: And what is one of the most rewarding things?
Greene: Happy clients. I really enjoy getting positive feedback on the guys who go out for assignments.
Trend: How did you get linked in with DIVERSIFY?
Greene: When I first started Global Protective, I did some work for the Chamber. When this year's DIVERSIFY marketplace came around, the Chamber reached out to me to work the event.
Visit Global Protective Services Facebook page to learn more.
