Well, it’s finally here the long-awaited fall edition of the circuit magazine. It was a pleasure to interview Tony Scotti, who is one of our industries icons. Here is an excerpt from that interview.
Question: Who or what inspired you to get involved in the field of executive protection?
Answer: It began with a moment of opportunity, which was followed by a life time of inspiration. In the mid 70’s the concept of training people to avoid an ambush while in a vehicle was not common, and in fact almost unheard of. In 1974 two gentleman, Diego Arguello, a Cuban National, who worked security in Venezuela, and Steve Van Cleave, a security consultant and an original member of ASIS, took a chance on this new concept called “anti terrorist driving”, of which I was offered the opportunity to teach. I spent the mid 70’s conducting training throughout South America and the Middle East. The inspiration came from the positive results of the training and discovering how rewarding it was to apply my education as an engineer to this type of training.
Question: What tips might you have for new people trying to break into the executive protection business?
Answer: Training, Determination, and Perseverance. Attend a recognized training program, one that has a good network of former students and teaches the core skills: driving – advancing – surveillance detection. These are the skills that show up on job descriptions. Be willing to start at the bottom. Become a student of the profession – learn as much about the business end of the industry as you would about the operational end of the industry. Network – network – and then network some more. Emulate those who are successful in the business – do the right thing and pass it forward.
For the complete article visit: http://www.bodyguardmagazines.com
“Tony Scotti” please excuse my previous misprint.
Very Nice interview. Thanks Hucky and Toni, learned a great deal from the Q and A.
Yeah, no sh*t get some good training and network with people in the field. “Tony Scotti advises us to learn more, to network and network and network more. And to become a student of the Profession. Priceless advise!” Priceless advise….hey Maxwell, when it’s cold out put on a coat. Now that, gents, is priceless advise.
Tony Scotti advises us to learn more, to network and network and network more. And to become a student of the Profession. Priceless advise! I have worked with some fellows that make close protection work difficult because they are stuck in some training the did in the 60’s. I have observed me and discovered they never add their knowledge to sharpen their skills. Pity!
Bodyguard careers is one sure way that I use to stay in the light of what’s transpiring in the field of CP!
Mr Harlan, I salute you! You are doing tremendous work.
Mike, there are now several places where you can get The Circuit including the home pages of the British Bodyguard Association (www.the-bba.org.uk) and the NABA (www.AmericanBodyguards.org) . Feel free to grab it wherever is most convenient.
Harlan, would love to read interviews with Mr. Kobetz & Mr. Douggan. Make it happen!
Mike, we already have done interviews with John Sexton and Elijah Shaw. Who knows maybe in the near future we will have an opportunity to do interviews Bob Duggan and Dr. Richard Kobetz.
Why is there two different URLs, doesn’t matter which one I go to?
http://www.circuit-magazine.com/
http://www.bodyguardmagazines.com/
Cool article, do you have plans on doing interviews with other industry professionals?