Meet the Empire Security Team
Empire Security’s team brings decades of experience in executive protection, investigations, and specialized security operations. Our professionals include former federal, state, and local law enforcement officers, military personnel, and security specialists dedicated to providing discreet and professional protection.
Founder
Paul Gherardi
Founder | Executive Protection Specialist
Former Senior Special Agent | SWAT Team Leader | 28 Years Law Enforcement Experience
Professional Summary
Paul leads Empire’s executive protection and security consulting services. Drawing on nearly three decades in law enforcement, investigative work, and tactical operations, he provides discreet protection and risk planning for corporate leaders, high-profile individuals, and organizations operating in sensitive environments.
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Executive protection for foreign dignitaries, senior executives, and high visibility individuals in dynamic and high risk environments
Worked alongside U.S. Secret Service protective details for the President, Vice President, and foreign heads of state
Close Protection Intensive Training graduate
Threat assessment and high-risk protective operations experience
Licensed Private Investigator & Protective Agent
Executive Protection Specialists
Our executive protection specialists provide discreet security services for corporate leaders, high-profile individuals, and organizations requiring experienced protective support.
Dean Drajkowski
Protective Operations & Event Security Planning | 30 Years Law Enforcement Experience
Professional Summary
Dean specializes in planning and coordinating executive protection operations and high-profile events. His strength lies in organized preparation and dependable execution in complex environments.
Executive Protection Specialist
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Led planning and logistics for large-scale public events and protective operations
Organized security for professional sports organizations, major festivals, and high-attendance events
Coordinated protection for presidential visits and dignitary engagements
Served as motorcade driver for U.S. presidential and vice-presidential protective details
Provided executive protection and transportation security for national political leadership
Continued protective services work following retirement with private security firms
Pat Gibbs
Executive Protection Specialist
Governor’s Executive Protection Unit | 30 Years Law Enforcement Experience
Professional Summary
Pat brings extensive experience in executive protection assignments involving senior government officials, corporate leaders, and high-profile environments. His background in tactical operations and vehicle security supports protection work that requires preparation, discipline, and steady performance under pressure.
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18 years in the Minnesota State Patrol’s Governor’s Executive Protection Unit, protecting four consecutive governors
U.S. military veteran and former Minnesota State Trooper
Member of the State Patrol’s Special Response Team (SRT)
Advanced training in vehicle ambush countermeasures through the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center
Executive protection and secure transportation for corporate leaders, dignitaries, and professional athletes
Paul Gorski
Executive Protection Specialist
Governor’s Executive Protection Unit | 30 Years Law Enforcement Experience
Professional Summary
Paul brings extensive experience protecting senior government leaders in highly visible environments. His background in dignitary protection and threat assessment supports executive protection assignments that require discretion, preparation, and steady judgment.
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Sergeant, Executive Protection Unit – Minnesota State Patrol
Provided executive protection for the Governor of Minnesota and family members
Planned and supervised security and transportation for domestic and international travel, including trade missions and dignitary visits
Assisted in threat assessment and follow-up investigations involving executive security risks
Joshua Florell
Executive Protection Specialist
Former Special Agent in Charge | SWAT Team Leader | 30 Years Law Enforcement Experience
Professional Summary
Joshua brings extensive tactical leadership and training experience to executive protection assignments. His background leading specialized units and training law enforcement personnel supports protection work that requires preparation, discipline, and confident operational decision-making.
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Special Agent in Charge, Predatory Crimes Unit – Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
Led and trained the Bureau’s SWAT team
24 years as a Use-of-Force and Firearms Instructor
Instructor in tactical man tracking and less-lethal systems
Collaborated with the U.S. Secret Service during dignitary visits to Minnesota
David Minkel
Executive Protection Specialist
Defensive Tactics Instructor | Retired Law Enforcement Professional
Professional Summary
David brings a strong foundation in defensive tactics instruction and field-level law enforcement experience to executive protection assignments. His background in training and operational support reinforces protection work that requires preparedness, professionalism, and steady decision-making.
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Defensive tactics instructor and field training officer
Served in patrol, investigations, and school resource roles
Experience supporting multi-agency public safety operations
Recipient of the Metro Transit Police Department Tim Bowe Award for outstanding service
Frank Molina
Executive Protection Specialist
Protective Driver & Motorcade Operations | Retired St. Paul Police Department
Professional Summary
Frank specializes in protective transportation and executive movement operations. His experience supporting a mayoral protection detail brings a calm presence and dependable performance to assignments where safe and secure movement is essential.
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Executive Protection & Driver Specialist for the Mayor of St. Paul
Provided secure transportation and close protection support for executive leadership
Advanced training in vehicle ambush countermeasures and protective driving operations
Jacob J. May
Executive Protection Specialist
Retired Special Agent in Charge | 30+ Years Law Enforcement Experience
Professional Summary
Jake brings senior-level leadership and a disciplined, low-profile approach to executive protection. His experience in risk assessment, operational planning, and coordinated response supports protective assignments where discretion, preparation, and sound judgment are critical.
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Supports protective operations through advanced planning, risk assessment, and multi-agency coordination
Extensive experience operating in dynamic, high-risk environments requiring discretion and real-time decision-making
Background in surveillance, threat identification, and proactive risk mitigation strategies
Coordinates closely with local, state, and federal partners to ensure secure movements and environments
Provides training in firearms, use-of-force, and situational readiness for protective teams and personnel
Thomas Claymon
Executive Protection Specialist
FBI National Academy Graduate | Law Enforcement Instructor | 25+ Years Experience
Professional Summary
Thomas combines executive protection experience with decades of leadership and instructor-level training. He is particularly valued for strengthening team readiness and operational preparation.
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Graduate of the FBI National Academy
Law enforcement instructor teaching security and SWAT training programs
Served as Sergeant supervising multiple operational divisions
Executive protection experience supporting media personnel during high-profile events
Close Protection Intensive Training graduate
U.S. Army veteran with more than 25 years of public safety experience
Ken Hanson
Executive Protection Specialist
Captain of Investigations | SWAT Tactical Operator | 34 Years Law Enforcement Experience
Professional Summary
Ken brings extensive experience operating in high-risk environments and large-scale security operations. His background in tactical teams, investigations, and event security supports executive protection assignments requiring preparation, awareness, and decisive action.
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Captain of Investigations with leadership experience overseeing complex operations
SWAT Tactical Operator and Bomb Detection K9 Handler
Security operations for presidential visits, national conventions, and major public events
Executive protection for high-profile individuals and families
Close Protection Intensive Training graduate
Background in venue security supervision and multi-agency coordination
Investigators
Empire’s investigators bring decades of experience managing complex cases, conducting background investigations, and supporting sensitive matters requiring professional discretion.
Paul Dunnom
Senior Investigator
Former Executive Sergeant of Homicide | 27 Years Law Enforcement Experience
Professional Summary
Paul brings nearly three decades of investigative leadership and case management experience to complex and sensitive matters. Having supervised homicide investigations and supported grand jury proceedings, he is known for thorough case development, sound judgment, and professional investigative practices.
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Executive Sergeant, Homicide Unit – St. Paul Police Department
Led complex homicide and major felony investigations, including gang-related cases
Grand Jury investigative support for the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office
Conducted background investigations for law enforcement and civilian personnel
Recipient of the Detective of the Year Award (2013)
Scott Campbell
Senior Investigator
Former Police Detective Sergeant | Violent Crime & Complex Case Specialist | 28+ Years Law Enforcement Experience
Professional Summary
Scott brings extensive experience investigating complex and sensitive cases, including violent crime and multi-agency investigations. He applies a practical, organized approach to investigations that require discretion, clear communication, and careful attention to detail.
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Detective Sergeant, Duluth Police Department
Led investigations involving homicide, kidnapping, sexual assault, robbery, and major felony crimes
Managed the Violent Crimes Unit and Family Crimes Unit
Extensive experience in narcotics and organized criminal investigations
Coordinated joint investigations with the DEA, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, and Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
Specialized training in homicide investigations, criminal enterprises, and gang activity
Joseph Backlund
Senior Investigator
Former Chief of Police | 30 Years Law Enforcement Experience
Professional Summary
Joseph brings steady leadership and a practical, people-focused approach to investigations. His background leading police departments and working closely with communities supports investigative work that requires discretion, fairness, and clear communication.
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Chief of Police, City of Hawley
More than 30 years serving Minnesota communities in municipal law enforcement
Supervised and mentored officers while managing daily department operations
Built strong community partnerships and collaborative public safety programs
Experience guiding agencies through complex operational and personnel challenges
Ernest L. Beitel, III
Senior Investigator
Former County Sheriff & Chief Deputy | SWAT Team Member | 38 Years Law Enforcement Experience
Professional Summary
With nearly four decades of law enforcement leadership, Ernest served as both Chief Deputy and County Sheriff overseeing multi-division operations. He applies calm judgment and practical problem-solving to investigative matters requiring discretion and trust.
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Former County Sheriff and Chief Deputy overseeing multi-division operations
38 years of law enforcement experience, including 11 years as a SWAT team member
Directed agency training, personnel development, and operational oversight
Experience managing complex public safety operations and large-scale initiatives
Conducts pre-employment and professional background investigations
Tim Bender
Investigator & Firearms Instructor
Former Deputy Sheriff | 32 Years Law Enforcement Experience
Professional Summary
Tim is known for a practical, hands-on approach to investigations and clear communication with clients. His experience in firearms instruction and public safety training adds an additional layer of safety awareness and sound judgment to investigative work.
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Deputy Sheriff, Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office
Conducted investigations ranging from property crimes and traffic incidents to missing persons, assaults, and death investigations
Served as Court Security Coordinator and Corrections Officer
Certified firearms instructor and Minnesota Permit to Carry educator
Experienced in pre-employment background screening for public agencies
Tactical and Medical Support
Specialized medical and tactical support personnel strengthen operational readiness during protective assignments and high-risk environments.
Mark Tutila
Tactical Medical Support Specialist
50 Years Emergency Medical Services Experience
Professional Summary
Mark supports protective and tactical operations as an embedded paramedic and tactical medic. His decades of experience help ensure rapid response and operational readiness in high-risk environments.
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50 years in emergency medical services, 45 of those years serving as a tactical medic and team leader
Supported operations with municipal, state, and federal law enforcement agencies
Firearms instructor and competitive shooter
Extended Professional Network
Empire maintains an extended network of more than 30 former law enforcement and tactical professionals who can support specialized assignments and large-scale security operations. This network includes:
Former Chiefs of Police from metro agencies
SWAT instructors and team leaders
Certified use-of-force and firearms instructors
Field training officers
First aid and tactical medical professionals
Emergency vehicle operations–certified personnel
When engagements require additional staffing or specific expertise, Empire can rapidly scale to meet client needs.
Empire Investigation & Protective Services, Inc.
Hibbing Office:
PO Box 682
Hibbing, MN 55746
Minneapolis Office:
901 Twelve Oaks Center Drive
Wayzata, MN 55391
Contact@empiresecurityteam.com
218-969-3752