Brandon Edwards Email & Phone Number

Jacksonville, Florida Area

Direct all aspects of security operations for the organization, developing and implementing strategic security plans to protect JEA critical infrastructure, assets, and personnel against internal and external physical threats. Leading a team of security professionals in conducting risk assessments, implementing security measures, and coordinating emergency response protocols to ensure uninterrupted business operations and compliance with industry regulations.Spearheaded emergency management and business continuity programs for the organization, devising and implementing comprehensive plans and procedures to ensure readiness for various crisis scenarios, including natural disasters, cyberattacks, and acts of terrorism. Collaborated with cross-functional business units to develop and refine emergency response protocols, business continuity strategies, and incident management teams.Provide strategic guidance and regular updates to executive leadership on security and emergency management topics, emerging threats, and investment priorities to mitigate risk and support informed decisions. Cultivated strong relationships with government agencies, emergency responders, and community partners to facilitate effective coordination and communication during security incidents and emergency events.Direct the organization’s Identity and Access Management (IAM) program to manage and secure logical access to its technology systems, applications, and data. Leading this program requires collaboration with the Technology Services and Information Security departments to provide a holistic strategy for JEA’s information technology systems and projects.Develop and direct the department’s multimillion-dollar capital and operational budgets, procurement strategies, and vendor relationships to optimize resource allocation and maintain cost-effective solutions.

Manages the development, implementation, and administration of the JEA physical security program. In support of organizational goals, and senior leadership directives, manages the selection, application, and operational life-cycle of the physical and fire protection systems employed at JEA properties to safeguard against criminal activities, or other circumstances, that have the potential to endanger or disrupt JEA assets and services. Manages physical security maintenance program to include supervision of direct reports charged with preventative and corrective services. This duty includes responsibility for periodic performance appraisals, quality control metrics, and professional development programs for all direct reports.

Recognized Subject Matter Expert of Physical Protection Systems (PPS) for the seventh largest multi-service utility company in the United States. Primary director of the design and operation of integrated systems, across an 800 square mile service area, involving multiple locations such as electrical substations, water treatment plants, water reclamation facilities, and generating stations. These projects incorporate stakeholder input and operational commitments while adhering to life safety codes, governing regulations, and ensuring alignment with organizational strategic plans. Direct management of the JEA Security Department annual capital and operational budgets. This includes the production of budgetary planning documents, project justifications, and analysis of expenditures. Contract Manager responsible for the creation, development, and administration of all JEA Security capital and operational contracts. Operational aspects of this duty include the direct supervision of over contract employees providing services in support of these contracts. This requires the creation of work schedules, job tasks, performance monitoring metrics, and periodic evaluations. Administrative aspects of this duty include the production of contract specifications and requirements, contractor negotiations, and project management. Developed and implemented the JEA Security Program Manual and the Security Maintenance Program. The Security Program Manual establishes the corporate policies, standards, and procedures for all facets of JEA Security operations. Key aspects of the manual address personnel security, security guard force management, notification and response, workplace violence, and risk management. The Security Maintenance Program created policies and procedures governing the reactive and preventative maintenance of the JEA Security PPS.

Security Systems Engineer responsible for the design and deployment of advance physical protection systems across a broad spectrum of client applications. In most cases, these systems were customized to achieve present and future security objectives, meet government regulations, and apply defense-in-depth strategies. The clientele for these systems ranged from Department of Defense installations, municipal governments, and a variety of Fortune 500 companies.Security Systems Engineer responsible for the research and development of security technologies to ensure client applications incorporates the latest technological advancements. This required extensive systems laboratory and field tests in a host of environmental conditions. The testing data was evaluated to determine the proper application in existing and future security technology projects.Security System Engineer responsible for the design and installation of numerous global and enterprise-level access control, intrusion detection, and video surveillance systems. These diverse clients included Naval Hospital Jacksonville, Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Southeast Toyota Distributors, JM Family Enterprises, and the Orange County Public School Board.Security Consultant responsible for conducting detailed security surveys and assessments for potential and existing clientele. These surveys involved a risk, threat and vulnerability assessments, and the resulting gap analysis; a comprehensive recommendation of cost-effective security countermeasures designed to mitigate risk at optimum cost.

Physical Security Officer: Managed the station physical security program in its entirety. Guided subordinate Security Specialists in the development and implementation of policies, procedures, standards, training, and methods for identifying and protecting information, personnel property, facilities, operations, or material from unauthorized disclosure, misuse, theft, assault, vandalism, espionage, sabotage, or loss. Served as the organizational nucleus for related security programs such as personnel, industrial, physical, information, and communications security. Antiterrorism Officer and Vulnerability Assessment Management Program coordinator: Managed an AT/FP program based on continual assessments of threats and vulnerabilities. Identified, coordinated, allocated, and employed resources to ensure AT/FP measures are developed and deployed to provide the appropriate level of protection for all applicable threats. Security Education: Responsible for the Security Education, Training and Awareness (SETA) Program which focused on Personnel Security, Physical Security, Antiterrorism/Force Protection, Industrial Security, and Operational Security (OPSEC). Assessed security training needs, developed, and implemented ongoing programs of initial and refresher security education and awareness.Direct supervisor of all personnel assigned to the Physical Security division. This division consisted of civil service and contract employees. These duties included the development of internal personnel plans and programs such as: selection of subordinates in collaboration with superiors; hearing and responding to grievances or complaints; taking disciplinary action on employees which may involve suspension or removal; determines training needs of individuals; prepares performance evaluations on subordinates; acts as a detachment representative in dealing with the union during contract negotiations and other formal meetings; and supports EEO and other associated programs.

Project manager for planning, procurement, and implementation of enterprise-level physical protection systems for the Naval Air Station. This duty included budget management and planning, developing construction plans, and serving as a stakeholder on all facilities construction projects. Contracting Officers Representative (COR) and technical expert for all contracts developed by the physical security department. This duty entailed contract production, monitoring, and verification of all contractual obligations.Project manager for the integration and consolidation of two simultaneously operating large-scale access control and intrusion detection systems for Naval Support Activity (NAS), Naples, Italy. With the support of security and public facilities contractors, this project created a fiber network that linked the data and video imagery of the two systems into a singular electronic security system. The unification of the systems dramatically reduced the costs of manpower and supplies to support the dual systems. Physical Security Specialist responsible for organizing and directing numerous physical security/force protection assessments of government structures and restricted areas. These surveys examined each area thoroughly providing risk analysis, threat assessment, and physical security evaluations for executive review.Financial manager responsible for the budgetary concerns and planning of the Physical Security division. This duty required long-term budget analysis and planning in addition to the management of fund allocations.Produced contingency and response plans for high vulnerability and threat situations impacting the naval installation. These plans incorporated the deployment of crisis response units, manning of critical facilities, issuance of arms to be deployed, and the standard operation procedures for proper management of each event.

•Infantry Squad Leader•Marksmanship Instructor •Training Officer