Who We Are/Who is Philip Farina

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OUR CORE VALUES 

Risky Business evolves and grows with time, like the chameleon that must adapt and change in its environment. We will always be recognized for our insight and leadership in the global marketplace. Our culture is fostered by the unique attributes that translate to who we are, the way we do business and what is truly important to us as an organization.

Uncompromising Excellence, Extraordinary Customer Service, Courageous Passion, Empowering Teamwork, Unquestionable Value & Enlightening Innovation. These are the elements of Our Business, Our People, and Our Success.

Uncompromising Excellence

We are committed to consistently providing clearly superior services and management to our clients with the highest level of quality and excellence. Every member is a leader in an environment where each of us can excel and continuously improve to our greatest potential.

Extraordinary Customer Service

We focus on the needs and honor the successes of our clients. By being responsive and exceeding their expectations, we turn our clients into advocates and trusted partners of Risky Business.

Courageous Passion

We truly love what we do! As a high-energy, fast-moving and decisive organization, we act ethically, respect and inspire each other, have fun, and celebrate the achievements of our clients. We set aggressive goals and strive to achieve the best. We show pride, enthusiasm and dedication in everything that we do. We are passionate about helping others.

Empowering Teamwork

Our success is dependent upon the collective intelligence, trust and energy of all of our members. We value diversity, encourage partnerships and honest communication between our staff, clients and the community. Together, we can achieve the "Impossible".

Unquestionable Value

We anticipate, understand and focus on our client’s needs with exceptional and sustainable value. Our success is linked to the success of our customers. We make doing business with us easy by listening, planning, and delivering high quality, strategic solutions and continuously enhancing our performance.

Enlightening Innovation

Challenging the status quo, we advance the industry by delivering innovative solutions to the marketplace from making bold decisions and out-of-the-box thinking. First in the discovery and development of breakthrough services, we will evolve constantly, be open to new ideas and capitalize on the many opportunities that arise. 

Risky Business is a Veteran-Owned and Operated premier consulting and legal services firm specializing in security management, workplace safety, and disaster preparedness/crisis management services.We cater to a diverse clientele including: hotels, hospitality organizations, corporations, multi-family properties, commercial real estate, and private individuals. 

Philip Farina, the Founder and Chief Advisor, overseeing our global client support, strategic planning, and corporate management. Additionally, Philip serves as the Lead CPTED Practitioner for compliance, assessments and training, aligning with Florida Statute 768.0706 (HB 837) and provides expert witness litigation support to attorneys.Philip has 115+ Professional Recommendations on Linkedin.

Philip Farina has been recognized as a pioneer in all facets of security, safety and risk management/mitigation. He began his career while serving in the United States Naval Intelligence Community, where he held top security clearances and gained expertise in antiterrorism, protective services, tactical firearms and security. Mr. Farina is a Gulf War Veteran and Expert Marksman who participated in numerous U.S. military special operations, amphibious, law enforcement and lifesaving campaigns throughout the Middle East, Latin America, Europe and Africa.

As a Nuclear Tactical Officer with the U.S. Department of Energy, he protected radioactive fuels, nuclear facilities and sensitive structures from the threat of terrorism and sabotage. He also trained in conducting U.S. government-level security and risk assessments. 

During his tenure as a Lead Federal Law Enforcement Officer/Training Officer with the U.S. Department of Defense, he conducted risk assessments, penetration tests and “Red Team” exercises against military installations and government facilities to analyze existing protection and security initiatives and measures. In this capacity, he also designed and wrote the training curriculum for security, police and maritime security personnel for a new patrol boat concept for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

Philip was the Vice President of Risk, Loss Control and Loss Prevention for the combined Aimbridge Hospitality and Interstate Hotels and Resorts portfolios. He was responsible for leading all global enterprise security management, safety and loss/fraud prevention services to protect 90,000+ employees, company operations, guests and assets for over 1800+ hospitality locations in over 23 countries.

Additional Career Highlights:

• Managed security and emergency procedures for hotels during the Boston Marathon Bombing.
• Developed security and crisis management plans for  major high-profile events, Hotels and hospitality properties associated with Super Bowls XLVII - LVIII and 2012 - 2024 Republican and Democratic national conventions.
• Lead corporate investigations, uncovering $35M+ losses from internal/employee fraud.
• Created and initiated new corporate roadmap that improved safety and security compliance by 87%+.
• Developer/Leader for the Corporate Incident Response and Crisis Communications Plan.
• Pandemic Expert: Award Recipient for developing COVID-19 Plans, and creating continuity, compliance and response protocols. Saving company from financial ruin.
• Managed Security and Protected Guests and Employees during the 2020 Protests and Riots in U.S. cities.
• Managed overall security and emergency response for two citywide Conventions in Orlando, FL and Las Vegas, NV.
• Lead incident response and mitigation of Active Shooter event at Radisson Hotel in Green Bay, WI.
• Senior Team Leader for an 80-Agent Executive Protection Detail for Royal Family Members.
• Point Person: wrote plans and managed both man-made and natural disaster/crisis events including hurricanes, wildfires, winter vortex, earthquakes, active shooters, terrorism and workplace violence.
• Created occupational workplace safety training and assessment processes that saved company $6M+ annually from OSHA/CalOSHA citations.
• Architect for a behavior-based loss control safety program, saving $8M+ annually in worker’s compensation insurance costs and $20M+ in general liability costs.
• Managed and lead security programs for $100M+ Assets of the US Navy Marine Mammal Program.
• Developed the 1st P.O.S.T. Law Enforcement Certified Executive/VIP Protection Training Program, recognized by the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC).
• Pioneered the 1st Hotel Emergency Response Team within U.S. Department of Homeland Security/Citizens Corp.
• Creator and leader of the longest running Corporate Safety and Security Council.
• Commissioned by a government contracting organization, to design new high speed catamaran-style patrol and interdiction vessels.
• Managed a new Hotel Active Shooter training video in partnership with San Diego, CA Police Department.
• Creative Director/Script Writer for a 12-Unit series of Hotel Safety, Security and OSHA Compliance Videos.
• Creative Director/Script Writer  for a series of safe and defensive driving videos for hotel shuttle van drivers.
  

ASIS International 

Philip Farina has been an active member and dedicated leader of ASIS International for 25+ years. His Highlights:

• 12+ years Subject Matter Expert (SME) for the Hospitality Entertainment and Tourism (HEaT) Security Council.
• 4+ years Assistant Regional Vice President (ARVP) of Special Projects for the State of Florida.
• 4+ years Assistant Regional Vice President (ARVP) for the State of Texas.
• 4+ years Texas State Director of Education/Certification - Responsible for the Certified Protection Professional (CPP) Review Program.
• Winner of the 2008 and 2009 Regional Professional Certification Board Award for Excellence in Security Management and Loss Prevention.
  

American Hotel and Lodging Association (AH&LA)

Philip Farina has also served as a prominent board member of the Safety and Security Committee for American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) for 20+ years.

Certifications and Specialized Training

Philip Farina is a lifelong learner, participating in continuing education.

• Board-Certified Protection Professional (CPP) 
• Board-Certified Physical Security Professinal (PSP)
• Certified Lodging Security Director (CLSD)
• Certified Protection Officer (CPO)
• Antiterrorism Force Protection-Level 3 Certification
• Personal Protection Specialist Certification
• University Certificate in Private Security Management from Gwinnett Technical College
• Certified Practitioner of the Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) by the State of Florida Attorney General’s Office for Statute 768.0706 compliance.
• Graduate of the Executive Protection Institute (EPI)
• Graduate of Vance Executive Protection Academy 
• Graduate of Tony Scotti Security Driver/Bodyguard Course
• Certified Submachine Gun, Pistol, Shotgun and Tactical Operations Instructor from Heckler & Koch International Training Division.
• Certified OCAT Instructor Trainer from PPC
• FEMA Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) Instructor Trainer Certification 
• WMD Threat and Vulnerability Assessments Certification from George Mason University
• Operational Threat, Risk and Vulnerability Assessments Certification from Texas A&M University and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
  

Training and Presentations

Throughout his career, Philip Farina has trained thousands of professionals worldwide in the areas of corporate security, antiterrorism, executive/vip protection, surveillance detection, maritime security, CPTED and target hardening, hotel security management, close quarter battle (CQB), tactical firearms and SWAT/Special operations. He has been a speaker and lecturer at universities, colleges, state hospitality organizations and law enforcement academies.

Mr. Farina is a recognized security and safety expert, speaker, educator and noted author. A media favorite, Philip is frequently interviewed as an expert source and provides commentary, opinion and recommendations on matters of security and safety, antiterrorism, emergency preparedness, corporate theft and loss prevention affecting global markets. He has authored several articles and contributed to professional publications.

As the driving force behind Risky Business, Philip Farina’s leadership has engrained key values that make up the culture of our organization. His belief in extraordinary customer service, his commitment to being a true and valued partner with our clients, his courageous passion to continually advance and improve industry standards and his dedication to provide uncompromising excellence as one of the most respected professional service firms in the global marketplace.

Linkedin Profile

http://www.linkedin.com/in/philipfarina