Board of directors

 Austin C. White has over twenty-five years of law enforcement experience to include criminal investigations, dignitary protection, intelligence analysis, and training. He is assigned as the commander of the Criminal Intelligence Division within the Virginia State Police (VSP) and holds the rank of Captain. His current position has him commanding the investigative and analytic resources of the Virginia Fusion Center and the Northern Virginia Regional Intelligence Center, VSP’s components of five FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces, Field Intelligence Unit, Behavioral Threat Assessment & Management Team, and the VFC Shield public outreach program. He is an instructor for Louisiana State University, FEMA’s Center for Domestic Preparedness, Virginia Department of Emergency Management, Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services and Executive Protection Institute. He has earned a Master of Public Safety Degree from the University of Virginia, a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Virginia Tech, is a graduate of the National Criminal Justice Command College and is a member of Order of the Sword and Shield National Honor Society. Captain White has received awards from the Anti-Defamation League and the National Fusion Center Association for his training and outreach programs and serves on numerous multi-agency workgroups. He is the President of the Global Shield Network, a worldwide information and intelligence sharing initiative building relationships between law enforcement, the intelligence community, and the public.    

Michael Pristoop is Assistant General Counsel with GardaWorld Security Services US, Legal Affairs. In that role he handles all labor relations and labor law matters, leads bargaining with organized labor unions throughout the United States, provides companywide education and training, and is a trusted advisor to GardaWorld leadership on labor and other legal matters. Michael previously served as the Director of Policy with the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commissions, responsible for developing model policy and practices for Maryland Law enforcement and correctional services agencies.  

Michael Pristoop was the Chief of Police of the City of Annapolis, Maryland from 2008 to 2017.  With over three decades of public service experience serving in multiple roles including executive-level law enforcement, he was credited with reducing violent crime in Maryland’s capital city to historic lows. Michael has extensive experience in police operations, organizational planning, and human capital assessment for public safety agencies. 

Before joining the Annapolis Police Department, Michael served as Chief of Police of the Maryland Capital Police after concluding a twenty-one-year career as a command-level officer with the City of Baltimore’s Police Department.

Michael Pristoop is a graduate of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy.  He holds a Juris Doctorate from the University of Baltimore, School of Law and a Bachelor of Science degree in Jurisprudence from the University of Baltimore. He graduated with distinction from both degree programs and earned the honor of acceptance into the prestigious Heuisler Honor Society, an institution that recognizes exemplary study in the field of law.

Michael Pristoop is admitted to the Maryland State Bar. He is a member and Past President of the Maryland Chiefs of Police Association. 

With over four decades of experience in the business services sector. Steve has established himself as a trusted advisor to Fortune 500 companies, international organizations, and local businesses.

Steve is board-certified by ASIS International and holds a CHS V in Homeland Security.  Steve is honored to hold leadership positions with the Baltimore County Police Foundation, Maryland Chiefs of Police Association, and is the co-founder of the Global Shield Foundation. Steve has been active with PPPs for over 25 years including the Howard County and Washington DC Police and Foundations, Maryland Crime Prevention Association, FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association, and was on the Advisory Board of the Maryland Institute for Public Safety Leadership’s Command College. Additionally, Steve has held numerous leadership positions with ASIS International. Steve currently serves as the Vice President of Strategic Alliances and Initiatives for GardaWorld in the United States.