Team Biographies

Frederic M. Piry, MPA, (known by his callsign “Razor”) has over four decades of wide-ranging experience from the foxhole to the boardroom in the fields of law enforcement, security, and training. He is a known expert, providing testimony to the Congressional Oversight Committee on Counter-Terrorism & Security Issues, contributing to Fox News on terrorism and tactics, serving as guest speaker on various national security issues, and featured in the 2002 book “Relentless Pursuit: The DSS and the Manhunt for the Al-Qaeda Terrorists”.

As a U.S. Marine, he served as a corporal at the prestigious 8^th & I Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C. After tours at the White House and United Nations, he began a career in foreign service where he served over 20 years with the Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) as a Counter Terrorism Special Agent. During his assignments, he served in the elite Mobile Security Deployment (MSD) as a Team Leader responding to high threats situations around the world including Operation Desert Storm. He served in over 120 countries as well as at the American Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon as the Regional Security Officer. He was also responsible for the development and implementation for numerous two-week Protective Security Operations training programs for U.S. Naval Special Warfare Development Group (SEAL TEAM 6) and U.S. Army Special Forces Operations Detachment-Delta personnel.

He served in numerous high-visibility roles. He was the Agent in Charge of the protective detail for former U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, as well as responsible for the protection of the former Presidents Aristide and Préval of Haiti and former President Hamid Karzai of Afghanistan. He was the lead Diplomatic Security investigator in the investigation of many high-profile international terrorist incidents including the World Trade Center bomber Ramzi Yousef, the East African Embassy bombing, OPM/SANG bombing in Saudi Arabia, the Khobar Towers bombing in Saudi Arabia, the killing of U.S. Consulate employees in Pakistan, the hostage taking at the Japanese Ambassador’s residence in Peru and the killing of U.S. Embassy employees in Haiti, among many others. He was responsible for the capture of College Francois who killed the embassy employees in Haiti. After the terrorist attacks on 9/11, he spent many years in Afghanistan and Iraq setting up security at the embassies and the Presidential compound in Afghanistan for the protection of former President Karzai. He was responsible for setting up the High Threat Protection Division and was responsible for the Worldwide Protective Security Contract valued at $3 billion and overseeing thousands of contractors providing security at High Threat Embassies.

Upon entering the private sector, Mr. Piry held several senior leadership positions with organizations that provided security and training programs for the U.S. government and a Classified Agency. This included running the Global Anti-Terrorism Assistance Training and Overseas Building Operations programs.

He has been recognized with the highest civilian award, the Medal of Valor, by former Secretary of State James Baker III. He has received many other Superior Honor Awards to include a Letter of Appreciation from former FBI Director Louis Freeh for assisting in the capture and investigation of Ramzi Ahmed Yousef, an FBI Top Ten Fugitive.

Mr. Piry has a bachelor’s degree in Administration of Justice from Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree from West Chester University. Mr. Piry is a graduate of the Executive Development Program at University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton Business School. He is also a certified trainer for weapons/tactics, surveillance detection, hostage survival, and personal protective measures having trained thousands of U.S. government and military personnel.

Vice Admiral Colin James Kilrain, born in 1958 in Quincy, Massachusetts, stands as a paradigm of naval excellence and dedication, encapsulating distinguished service in the United States Navy, spanning nearly four decades from 1985 to 2023. 

A graduate of Lehigh University, Kilrain established himself early on as a formidable athlete, achieving the status of a three-time NCAA All-American wrestler, a testament to his dedication and competitive spirit. Further academic pursuits led him to earn a Master of Science in National Resources Strategy and Management from the National Defense University’s Eisenhower School. Additionally, his linguistic accomplishments are notable, having mastered both German and Spanish at the Defense Language Institute, skills that would serve him well in his international assignments.

Kilrain's commissioning in 1985 marked the beginning of an exceptional naval career, with his early years characterized by the rigorous training challenges of Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL (BUD/S), which he completed in 1986. His progression through the ranks of the Navy SEALs was marked by a series of increasingly critical command and leadership roles. These included commanding Naval Special Warfare Unit 4 in Puerto Rico, SEAL Team 4, and Naval Special Warfare Group Two in Virginia, culminating in leadership roles as Commander of the Special Operations Command Pacific in Hawaii, Associate Director for Military Affairs (ADMA) for the Central Intelligence Agency from 2019 to 2021, Commander of the NATO Special Operations Headquarters from 2016 to 2019, and finally as Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 20, 2021 to February 2023.  

Throughout his tenure, Kilrain’s operational assignments were diverse and global, highlighting his versatile and dynamic approach to Naval Special Warfare and Joint Special Operations Command missions. Noteworthy was his involvement in the Personal Exchange Program with the German Navy Kampfschwimmer Kompanie in Eckenförde, Germany, which underscored his international military collaboration and expertise.  He also led a number of task forces in both Iraq and Afghanistan, to include JSOC Task Forces during combat operations in Afghanistan. His deployments spanned five continents, demonstrating a commitment to global security and operational excellence in various theaters of operation, including the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War. His exceptional service in these conflicts and others earned him numerous accolades, such as four Defense Superior Service Medals, two Legion of Merit awards, and five Bronze Star Medals, reflecting his valor, leadership, and significant contributions to national security.

Kilrain’s roles extended beyond operational Commands into strategic and policy-making capacities, which included serving as Operations Officer for Special Operations Command South in Panama, Operations Officer for the State Department's Office of Counterterrorism, and Director of Strategy and Policy for the Office of Combating Terrorism at the White House during the Obama Administration. His insights and leadership were further recognized in his appointment as Senior Defense Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. His career culminated in the pivotal roles assisting the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Central Intelligence Agency, where he continued to influence key military and national security strategies.

On a personal note, Vice Admiral Kilrain is married to Susan Kilrain, an American aerospace engineer, former U.S. Navy officer and the youngest NASA astronaut to pilot a Space Shuttle with more than 3,000 hours flown.  Together with their four children, they reflect the highest ideals of the U.S. Navy and the nation it serves; and they serve as beacon of naval leadership that is exemplified by Vice Admiral Kilrain’s remarkable career, strategic acumen, and steadfast service to his country.

Jim Foreman retired in 2018 after 27 years in the U.S. Navy SEALs where he rose through the ranks to become a Command Master Chief.  During his tenure as Command Master Chief, Jim also served as a Squadron Master Chief, and as an Operations Master Chief for a command with 2,000 SEALs, and then finally as a Training Master Chief where he was responsible for overseeing the leadership development and training operations of all East Coast based U.S. Navy SEAL Teams. 

Jim has 18 combat deployments in twelve countries, and a distinguished record of honor, professionalism, and success.  While deployed, he planned and executed our nation’s highest priority combat missions and furthered the national security objectives of senior leadership within the Pentagon, the Legislative branch, and the Office of the President.  For his outstanding leadership and distinguished service, Jim was awarded a Silver Star medal, eight Bronze Star medals, a purple heart and five Presidential Unit Citations.

During the 1990’s Jim was stationed in the Balkans where he served on several diplomatic security teams that were tasked with protecting US State Department personnel.  While working as the Agent in Charge (“AIC”), and as a member of the advance team, Jim was responsible for planning, assessment, and enhancing U.S. Embassy facility security.  These enhancements included improvements to security protocols, establishing secure and discreate safe houses for emergency evacuations, and hardening security for residential housing that was occupied by senior diplomats. 

After the Balkans, Jim leveraged his diplomatic security experience by assessing and improving facility security for U.S. military bases located in austere environments.  From 2013 to 2017 Jim was engaged as a Senior Advisor for facility security at forward deployed bases in extremely high threat areas.  At the time, he was responsible for the security of a base that housed 1,000 coalition forces, and numerous other smaller bases throughout the world.  

In his last year of active duty, Jim wrote the Standard Operating Procedures Handbook for leadership roles and responsibilities amongst the U.S. Navy SEAL Teams.  The Handbook established a comprehensive set of basic tactics, guidelines, and procedures that all future U.S. Navy SEAL leaders are expected to know and live by.  Today this Handbook has been adopted by Navel Special Warfare, and it is considered required reading for the next generation of Navy SEAL leaders on both the West and East Coast.

Since his retirement from the Navy in 2019, Jim has been involved with a variety of government and private security contracts ranging from red team, and security/ vulnerability assessments to classes for senior executives and their families.  Recently, Jim has worked to develop new equipment designed for military and law enforcement, and he continues to train military and law enforcement units in weapons handling, shooting, leadership skills, decision making, team building and culture.

Prior to working with ACC, Neil served as an enlisted personnel within the Navy Seal Teams for eleven years where he supported counter-terrorism and counter-narcotic operations in Africa, Europe and South America.  In Colombia Neil was in charge of a clandestine SEAL element supporting operations out of the Buena Ventura Port in support of security operations. He was also responsible for training Mexican special forces units who conducted high risk assault and recovery operations. While deployed in Somalia, Neil was the primary Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) and the Reconnaissance team leader for multiple counter-terrorism operations against Al-Shabaab throughout the Galkayo and Dhuusamareeb regions.  Neil was also deployed in Europe, Bosnia and Herzegovina where he worked with SIPA to enhance security control measures for the US Embassy.  Neil has provided tactical training to hundreds of civilians and SOF soldiers throughout the United States, South America, Africa and Europe.  

Neil is a Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) and an NSW trained Sniper with proficiencies in ballistics, cameras, lasers, minutes of angle, shooter/spotter dialogue, range estimation, observation camouflage, sniper weapon systems and long range target engagement.  His additional proficiencies include, Special Operations Mission Planning, Close Quarters Combat, Small Unit Tactics, Underwater Demolition, Diving, Cold Weather Maritime tactics, Tactical Ground Mobility, Parachute Free Fall and Helicopter Rope Suspension Techniques.  As a JTAC operator, Neil has significant experience with Military Communications and Close Air Support tactics.     

Neil also demonstrates a high acumen for product development and business savvy.  At the outset of COVID-19, Neil worked tirelessly to resolve vulnerabilities in the domestic medical equipment supply chain.  He immediately recognized the lack of N95 masks and melt blown materials manufacturers in the U.S.  In response, Neil became a founding member of Never Again Industries (NAI), a U.S. melt blown material manufacturing company that was responsible for producing over 40 tons of meltblown filtration material. This material was used in the production of over 30 million masks during the Covid-19 pandemic. He was told by many industry experts that this type of operation was impossible to do without considerable experience in the meltblown filtration manufacturing industry, and it would take at least 18 months to get operational. Not only did he accomplish the task of starting a meltblown manufacturing facility in the United States from scratch with no prior expertise in the industry, but he did it in 4 months while on a deployment in Europe.  Prior to establishing Never Again Industries, Neil also founded McLean Corp USA, a U.S. manufacturer and wholesaler of firearms accessories.  Neil designed a proprietary snap hook for the rapid transition of rifle slings used by SOF operators, and McLean Corp USA was awarded a utility patent for his innovative design work.  The Dynamic Retention Sling (DRS) has received overwhelming market support from both civilian and military end users by providing a tactical advantage through increased accuracy, speed and rifle retention.  Never Again Industries and McLean Corp USA continue to deliver high quality products and shareholder value to this day as a direct result of Neil’s leadership and contributions.    

Mr. Febbroriello is a Texas and Massachusetts licensed attorney with experience representing prime and subcontracting defense companies assisting them with regulations promulgated by the State Department (DDTC), Department of Defense (DFARS), the Commerce Department (BIS) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). He regularly works with firearms and munitions companies on a variety of matters ranging from the ITAR and export compliance to general corporate matters and litigation risk management.  Mr. Febbroriello has worked extensively with microcap and small cap growth companies on various United States stock exchanges and quotation systems including the NYSE, NASDAQ and OTC Markets and he has successfully closed PIPE-financed RTOs and registered offerings for companies valued up to $500,000,000.  Mr. Febbroriello also represents leading investment banking institutions, placement agents and FINRA/SIPC registered broker dealers and he is a registered FINRA Arbitrator.  

Mr. Febbroriello is a graduate of Hong Kong University, Suffolk University Law School, and Gettysburg College. He holds an LL.M. in Corporate Finance, a Juris Doctor, a B.A. in Psychology and he speaks and writes Mandarin Chinese.  While attending law school Mr. Febbroriello clerked for the Rhode Island Business Court under the Honorable Michael J. Silverstein and studied European Union Law at Lund Universitet in Sweden.   

With a distinguished 12-year career as a Navy SEAL, Aaron Paseur brings a wealth of experience to his role as Partner and Managing Director at Active Crisis Consulting. Aaron's military tenure is marked by significant roles, including Lead Instructor for the Lead Combat Swimmer course, Military Freefall Jumpmaster, Assault Team Leader, Lead Breacher, SUAS Pilot, HRST/C Master, Diving Supervisor, and Primary/Lead Driver. His deployments across AFRICOM, SOUTHCOM, and EUCOM regions have honed his skills as a combat-proven leader and mentor, recognized for his innovative techniques and adaptable personality.

At the Advanced Training Command, Aaron's pioneering spirit was evident as he spearheaded advancements in cold water closed circuit diving and underwater propulsion curriculum. His collaborative research efforts with MIT and other entities underscore his commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.

In his current capacity at Active Crisis Consulting, Aaron leverages his extensive maritime operations experience to oversee the company's maritime initiatives. His expertise extends to instructing Close Quarters Battle (CQB), combat shooting, and Active Shooter Training. Aaron's proficiency in conducting Vulnerability Assessments is a testament to his comprehensive understanding of security and crisis management.

Aaron's professional philosophy centers on the synergy of creativity, willpower, and teamwork. He advocates for thinking outside the box while remaining grounded in reality, emphasizing the mastery of basics and fundamentals as the cornerstone of success.

With a career defined by leadership, innovation, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, Aaron Paseur continues to be an invaluable asset to Active Crisis Consulting, driving forward its mission with vision and expertise.

Gary Sheppard has over 30 years of domestic and international security and law enforcement experience with an emphasis on executive protection, risk assessment, physical security and training. 

Working as a security consultant at GXS Worldwide LLC, Gary participated in executive protection and conducted extensive security assessments. He started his security career as a Special Agent with the U.S. Department of State’s elite Bureau of Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) in New York in 1987 and quickly expanded his experience as a Regional Security Officer at the American Embassy in Bogota, Colombia. As a Supervisory Special Agent, he served on the Secretary of State’s Protective Security Detail, as well as at various overseas posts, including the embassies in Estonia, Panama, and Afghanistan.

He has provided leadership in numerous field offices domestically and has filled assignments to include: investigations of passport and visa criminal cases, protection of Secretaries of State and visiting dignitaries both domestically and abroad, training and embassy security augmentation with the Mobile Security Division, investigations of protective intelligence cases, liaison with the Intelligence Community at the Central Intelligence Agency and he has served as an instructor at the DS Training facility teaching executive protection to newly hired Special Agents. During the latter part of his employment with the Department of State, he served as Chief of investigations at the Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, worked at the Department’s Counterintelligence Office in Virginia, and acted as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge at the Washington Field Office.

Gary has received advanced training in all aspects of first aid and communications and has taught various defensive tactics, high risk driving, and dignitary protection techniques. Mr. Sheppard has a Master’s Degree in Safety and Security Leadership from George Washington University. He also maintains a U.S. Government Top-Secret security clearance with a counterintelligence polygraph rating.

Richard Marianos is a senior law enforcement consultant, having served more than 27 years at the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives fighting violent crime.  He most recently served as Assistant Director in the Office of Public and Governmental Affairs, and as Special Agent in Charge ATF's Washington Field Division. 

Marianos began his career with ATF in September 1987 in the Chicago Field Division where he worked on complex-gang investigations. and was recognized as a national expert using the continuing criminal enterprise and RICO statues to dismantle some of the most dangerous street gangs in America. 

In 1997 Marianos was promoted to resident agent in charge of the Colorado Springs Field Office, Phoenix Field Division where he oversaw large-scale investigations into violent crime, to include outlaw motorcycle gangs, ethnic street gangs, and firearms trafficking organizations. In 1998 he was named Incident Commander and led ATF in the shooting investigation at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. During this tour Marianos received two Distinguished Service medals and was ATF employee of the year.

In 2005, Marianos was promoted to deputy chief of the Public Affairs Division at national headquarters, and in 2008 became deputy chief of the Special Operations Division, overseeing five special response teams and operations throughout the country. 

Marianos was born in Chicago, Ill., and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from Northern Illinois University and a Masters in Police Executive Leadership in 2003 from University of Colorado. He is currently on staff at Georgetown University, where he teaches several advance Masters level courses for law enforcement executives worldwide. 

Dr. Scott Nichol CAS CHPP CEM started his career as a U.S. Navy Intelligence Officer and later transitioned to the Department of Homeland Security. He developed an expertise for combating terrorism through intelligence preparation, coordination, and planning. He has a deep knowledge of international threat issues, including terrorism, instability, and political violence. He has a comprehensive knowledge of special military operations tactics, techniques, and procedures required to develop, coordinate, and implement plans related to special operations forces and interagency operations.

With this knowledge, Dr. Nichol has served as a Fox News radio correspondent in addition to teaching as an Adjunct Professor at the University of North Texas’s College of Health and Public Service in the Criminal Justice Department and serving as the Director of Academia at the Emergency Operations Proving Grounds. Recently, Dr. Nichol as served as a Staff Advisor to the Office of the Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS at the United States Department of State. Dr. Nichol is a member of the board for the National Defense Industrial Association, Emergency Operations Proving Grounds, as well as many other public and private companies.

Dr. Scott Nichol CAS CHPP CEM received his Bachelors of Science from Carroll University and his Masters in National Security Studies from the American Military University. He went on to the Sciences Po in Paris, France to complete his Doctorate in Political Science for International Relations. He has also received a Certificate of Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Dr. Nichol is a Certified Homeland Protection Professional (CHPP) with the Global Society of Homeland Security Professionals, a Certified Anti-Terrorism Specialist (CAS) with the Anti-Terrorism Accreditation Board, a Certified Emergency Manager (CEM) with the International Association of Emergency Managers and a Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Certified Instructor .

Commander Clowers enlisted in the Navy Reserve in 1988 and progressed to the rank of IS2.  In 1993 he was selected for commissioning as an intelligence officer. 

CDR Clowers’ tours include FIRSTEURLANT 0108, SOCOM 0208, HS-75, JAC EUCOM 0167, DIA 0466, NCIS 0166 and SOCOM 0108.  CDR Clowers was mobilized in support of NCIS in early 2014 through 2016 in support of the Military Commissions prosecuting the five defendants from September 11, 2001.  Prior to that he was mobilized in mid-2006 and deployed to CJTF-HOA as the J2X Operations Officer with a follow-on deployment to Iraq as the MNF-I Chief/Interrogation Operations.  As Chief/Interrogation Operations, CDR Clowers was responsible for development, implementation and monitoring of interrogation policy for the theater and for the intelligence screening of over 26,000 detainees.

CDR Clowers has been on long term orders with Joint Intelligence Operations Center Europe, Joint Reserve Intelligence Support Element (JRISE) Detroit since November 2012.  CDR Clowers is the Chief/Joint Operations for approximately 200 joint intelligence reservists distributed between Selfridge Air National Guard Base and Wright Patterson Air Force Base.

His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, and Navy Commendation Medal.

A Tennessee native, CDR Clowers retired after 24 years of service as a special agent with the United States Department of Justice.  He served in a variety of positions throughout the United States and South America, retiring in 2012 as the Attaché for South American Operations.  He has also spent significant time since retirement working as an instructor throughout Africa in support of Department of Defense and Department of State initiatives.   

Pat has 30 plus years in law enforcement, international security, and military training. He began his career as a U.S. Capitol Police Officer and Detective and spent the next 23 years as diplomat/federal agent in the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service. Throughout his career, Pat was permanently stationed to embassies in Muscat, Beirut, Kuwait, Doha, Seoul and Iraq, the last three as senior advisors to the ambassadors. During Operation Iraqi Freedom, Pat served as the Team Leader of a Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) in Anbar, where he was embedded with Marine Corps Regimental Combat Team-1. The embedded PRTs were a component of the Surge and were tasked developing local governments, and overseeing civil society and governmental development projects. His position was at the civilian level equivalent to a One Star General. Pat has also worked civil wars and non-combatant evacuation orders around the globe to include missions in Iraq, Lebanon, Panama, Liberia and Kuwait. Shortly after retiring, Pat was asked to return to the State Department to serve as the Senior Security Advisor at the U.S. Embassy in Yemen during that nation’s civil strife. While there, Pat supervised a Marine Fleet Anti-Terrorism Support Team and oversaw the departure of U.S. citizens and the drawdown of the embassy  

Domestically, Pat served in the State Department’s Office of Counter Terrorism and two tours as the Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge of the New York Field Office. In that assignment, he supervised over 120 special agents and 100s of contractors who protected foreign dignitaries and conducted criminal visa and passport investigations covering five states covering eleven federal prosecutorial justifications.

In 2015, Pat was recalled to the State Department and was sent to Iraq as part of the State Department’s Inspector General’s review of Operation Inherent Resolve (the President’s anti-ISIL operation). And for his service he received the Inspector General’s Award.

Pat is the recipient of eight Meritorious and Superior Honor Awards. They include his work on the investigation of Ramzi Yusef, then the world’s most wanted terrorist, for his service protecting Nelson Mandela during his historic visit the United States in 1989, and for his work on the evacuation of Lower Manhattan after the 9/11 attacks. In addition, he earned an Award for Heroism for his service in Iraq during the Easter 2008 Rocket and Missile Barrage in the Green Zone where “during continuous rocket and missile attacks.....and without regard for his own safety, he came to the aid of colleagues.” 

Since 2011, Pat trained the military on non-combatant evacuations, counter-insurgency, interagency operations and diplomatic engagements. He also provides security consulting to private corporations and oversees security surveys and hardware installation.

Pat was born and raised in New Jersey and graduated from Drew University with a double major in Sociology and Political Science. He attended the University of Maryland for post graduate studies. He has consulted for authors on international terrorism and has done press interviews to include the Los Angeles Times and National Public Radio. He is also an assistant wrestling coach at Point Pleasant Beach High School. While there, the team that has won multiple team state championships.