Management Team

John J. DiPaolo, President

John J. DiPaolo served as a Special Agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for more than 25 years (1989 to 2014).  He served as a Supervisory Special Agent at FBI Headquarters, Washington, D.C. and Miami Division.  Mr. DiPaolo participated and managed criminal investigations into organized crime, kidnappings, major theft rings, drug trafficking, money laundering, maritime/ aviation crimes, and white collar crime.  He has extensive experience in Counterterrorism, Counterintelligence and Domestic Terrorism investigations.  Mr. DiPaolo has international investigative experience and has traveled to the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Guantanamo Bay Cuba, Prague and Bermuda to conduct investigations and to provide dignitary protection for senior government officials.  Mr. DiPaolo has a broad base of experience in crisis management, risk management, managing crisis events, managing major investigations, and planning/participating in national special events.

Prior to joining the FBI, Mr. DiPaolo served as a police officer in Rochester, New York.  He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Rochester Institute of Technology

R. Scott Rivas, CEO

R. Scott Rivas served for more than 25 years with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a Special Agent and Supervisory Special Agent in two field offices and once at FBI Headquarters in Washington, D.C.  Mr. Rivas demonstrated extensive investigative experiences in a variety of areas to include violent crime, international drug trafficking, money laundering, organized crime, cargo theft, and both domestic and international counterterrorism.  Mr. Rivas deployed on numerous occasions throughout the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East in an investigative capacity, and has extensive experience in tactical responses and crisis resolutions evidenced in his 15 years in the FBI SWAT program.  His vast expertise in strategic planning and leadership was consistently demonstrated while he was the Senior Team Leader of the Miami FBI SWAT team, a Supervisory Special Agent of a major theft squad, and a Supervisory Special Agent of two international counterterrorism squads.  In addition to his extensive investigative and managerial experiences, he has extensive skills in threat management, conducting threat assessments of special event venues, articulating written and verbal security assessments, and evaluating current levels of risk.

After retiring from the FBI, Mr. Rivas worked in the private sector as a Managing Director for a firm providing security consultation and investigative support for clients in the Southeast United States.  Mr. Rivas is a current and active member of the Florida Association of Licensed Investigators (FALI), the Society of Former Agents of the FBI, and an Associate Member of the Miami-Dade County Association of Chiefs of Police.

Prior to joining the FBI in 1988, Mr. Rivas proudly served with the Houston Police Department (HPD) as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, and Sergeant/Detective in the Robbery Division.  Mr. Rivas earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology, with a Minor in Business Administration, from Florida State University.