About Us

Brandon Pierce, President & CEO

Brandon Pierce founded SSM in 2001 and has over 20 years of experience at the senior level in both private and public law enforcement settings. He has experience in security planning and management, investigations, protective operations, emergency preparedness, crisis management, and disaster response. Brandon is an expert in executive protection, security planning and operations at stadiums, convention centers, and major entertainment venues. He is a member of FEMA’s Community Emergency Response Team, is a Certified Executive Protection Specialist and regularly works as a consultant for local law enforcement agencies.

James R. Barren, PhD, LPC, LLP – VP, Training and Special Response

James Barren has a PhD in Psychology from Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Dr. Barren started his career with the Detroit Police Department in 1973 and was promoted to Sergeant in 1983, and to Lieutenant in 1994 managing the operations of the Special Response Team. In 1999 he was promoted to Commander in charge of managing the operations of DPD’s Mobile Strike Force and Critical Incident Response Units, which included SWAT, Tactical Services, Aviation Unit, Mobile Support Section, Fatal Squad Unit, and Mounted Unit. Dr. Barren was promoted to Deputy Chief in 2003 and retired in 2004 after 31 years of service and two Medals of Valor went on to teach as an Adjunct Professor at Wayne State University. In 2004 he joined Securitas Security Services as an Executive Protection Specialist providing security to General Motors executives, before joining Stratus Security Management in year. In 2005, he was recalled to active service in the US Army and served in Iraq. Dr. Barren is a licensed Psychologist and Counselor in the State of Michigan. He speaks at conferences and has published works on the need for critical incident interventions for shootings, dangerous crime situations, traumatic incidents and hostage situations. Dr. Barren is a licensed helicopter pilot with the Federal Aviation Administration.

Charles A. Richey, VP – Training and Special Response

Charles Richey served in the US Army Military Police from 1979 to 1986 and worked for the US Justice Department’s Bureau of Prisons from 1986 to 1989. In 1989 he joined the Detroit Police Department and worked as a patrol officer, plain clothes investigator, detective, helicopter pilot, and flight instructor. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2006 and has worked in a variety of assignments and roles, including Senior Flight Officer, Office of Operations, Tactical Mobile Section Officer In Charge, Training Division and Executive Protection. Sergeant Richey holds a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Commercial Pilot License and an FAA Flight Instructor rating for Helicopters/Airplanes.

George H. Chester, Special Training Instructor

George Chester served in the US Army Military Police from 1989 to 1996, working as a member of the Special Reaction Team and later as an investigator. From 1992 to 1993 he worked as an investigator assigned to the General Crimes Section, and was assigned to the Juvenile, Gang and Surveillance section from 1993 to 1996. George joined the Detroit Police Department in year and currently works in the Special Response Team section as an Entry Team Member and Assistant Team Leader. Over his career, George has executed over 300 high risk search warrants, worked in over 100 armed barricaded gunperson situations, and served on the executive protection details for political dignitaries including President Bill Clinton, President George W. Bush, and to the Mayor of the City of Detroit. He has also performed executive protection details for entertainers including Bill Cosby and Sean Combs. George has trained federal state, local and military law enforcement on tactical-critical incident resolution strategies and served as an instructor in courses on Hostage Negotiations and Tactical Shotgun Training . He has completed specialized training in advanced security tactics, including Advanced Burglary & Terrorist Trend Investigations, Child Abuse Investigation, Interview & Interrogation Techniques, Weapons of Mass Destruction Training, and Counter Sniper Techniques. George joined Stratus Securities in year.