Senior Security/Anti-Terrorism Strategist Yftah Kaluski Joins Firestorm Expert Council Firestorm is pleased to announce the addition of Senior Security Expert Yftah Kaluski to the Firestorm Expert Council. "I was attracted to Firestorm for two key reasons," said Mr. Kaluski; "First, 'Every Crisis is a Human Crisis'.  When working with client companies to identify security and threat vulnerabilities, I have always looked at the people in the company as closely as facilities, technologies, processes and systems. Second, the Firestorm Expert Council is recognized worldwide for the depth of excellence and expertise of its members." About Yftah Yftah Kaluski worked for Guardsmark LLC (Guardsmark is the fourth largest security company in the world), from 2001 until April 2013.  For the past four and a half years he served in the capacity of Vice President Regional Manager. As suc...

An Interview with Rocco DelMonaco, Jr., Security Expert, Firestorm Expert Council Member Special Feature Interview by Marchet Butler, Contributing Editor It's hard to imagine a security situation Rocco (Rocky) DelMonaco, Jr. can't speak to. A recognized expert in law enforcement and national security, DelMonaco started as a police officer when he was just a college senior. His path eventually led to the U.S. Secret Service where he spent over 20 years.  After working in the private sector, he was hired on as the Vice President of University Safety at Georgetown University where he headed campus security for 5 years. During our interview, DelMonaco drew from his vast experience to address some of the security risks facing businesses and schools today--especially those on campuses. DelMonaco's ability to address important issues with down-to-earth examples and practical experience ...

Firestorm is exceptionally pleased to announce the addition of Crisis Communication and Merged Media Expert Stan Polit to the Firestorm Expert Council. "I am very honored to join the Expert Council because Firestorm and I share the same passion for understanding the human elements of a crisis.  As someone who studies the narratives emerging from crises, a partnership with Firestorm seemed like a natural fit.  My goal is that this partnership will help clients to embrace their role in shaping these stories and find new ways to emphasize restoration and resilience." Stan Polit is a nationally recognized speaker, communication coach, and crisis communication scholar. As a three-time collegiate national champion public speaker, he has actively worked with universities and organizations to improve the quality of their public communication efforts.   Prior to serving on Fires...

Former VP Georgetown University Office of University Safety, DHS, Special Agent Joins Firestorm Expert Council Firestorm is exceptionally pleased to welcome our newest Expert Council Member, Rocco (Rocky) DelMonaco, Jr. The Firestorm Expert Council is an advisory group made up of specialists from various disciplines, professions and industries. The Expert Council is designed to bring subject matter knowledge and expertise to Firestorm and its clients. The members of the Expert Council lend credibility and skills to the work which Firestorm performs, both through their direct involvement and the weight of their reputations. Rocco (Rocky) DelMonaco, Jr. served as Vice President for Georgetown University’s Office of University Safety from 2007 through 2012. As Vice President for University Safety, DelMonaco was responsible for the strategy, planning and execution of all safety and securi...

Sandy: A $100 Billion Blind Spot By Gary Patterson, CPA, Firestorm Expert Council Member and Author I trust you were fortunate this time. That Sandy had little or no impact on your business or life. However, for far too many others, Sandy has struck their business or life devastating blows, particularly on the Eastern US. What can you learn from this tragic event moving forward to at least reduce your likelihood of future financial, physical or emotional loss, or ideally see an exposure that your solving now creates a business opportunity? The first realization may be that Sandy was a foreseeable billion dollar blind spot. (In fact my recent research suggests that on my blind spots scale™ from 1 to 10, this is level 3 in the real blind spots category.) Why? People could see the issue (hurricanes happen every year), but the Mid Atlantic and New England region felt the likelihood of a...

My Business Paints an Overly Optimistic Financial Picture (to Our Customers, Vendors or Finance Sources) This article is the fifth and final in this series by Firestorm Expert Council member Gary W. Patterson exploring the Five Key Areas where Risk may be lurking in your company, an excerpt from his book Stick Out Your Balance Sheet and Cough Review Part 1 and take the Internal Exam Survey: The Internal Exam – Five Areas Where Risk Can Lurk Review Part 2: Question Today the Ongoing Value of Capitalized Items – Part 2 of 5 Review Part 3: When Your #1 Customer Loses Profitability – Risk Management – Part 3 of 5 Review Part 4: The Company Would Be Better Off Selling the Asset How many companies have painted an overly optimistic financial picture to a customer, vendor, or financing source? According to ADP Screening and Selection Services “44% of Americans lie about their work hi...

Firestorm Expert Council Member Carolyn Mears, Ph.D. Releases New Book and Webinar Series PRESS RELEASE Atlanta, GA, and Colorado May 7, 2012 Firestorm is pleased to announce the release of a new book by Firestorm Expert Council Member Carolyn Mears, Ph.D. titled "Reclaiming School in the Aftermath of Trauma." The Aftermath of Trauma – Reclamation Lessons learned for businesses, organizations, schools, communities and individuals  Firestorm Expert Council Member Carolyn Lunsford Mears, Ph.D., of DU’s Morgridge College of Education, has released a new book, entitled Reclaiming School in the Aftermath of Trauma: Advice Based on Experience (Palgrave Macmillan, 2012).  In addition to her book, Firestorm is pleased to host a first webinar in a series featuring Dr. Mears’ work. This work considers the long-lasting consequences of traumatic events and shares strategies that ha...

Firestorm announced today the addition of Jerry Hudspeth to its elite Expert Council For Immediate Release May 4, 2012 Atlanta, GA The Firestorm Expert Council™ is an advisory group made up of specialists from various disciplines, professions and industries. The Expert Council is designed to bring subject matter knowledge and expertise to Firestorm and its clients. The members of the Expert Council lend credibility and skills to the work which Firestorm performs, both through their direct involvement and the weight of their reputations. In this light, Firestorm is thrilled with the addition of Mr. Jerry Hudspeth.  Said Mr. Hudspeth, "The Crisis Management, Business Continuity and Predict, Plan and Perform programs and tools developed and provided by Firestorm directly affect the client's ability to control and manage its success factors. I look forward to being a member of the...

PRESS RELEASE   For Immediate Release: Donald A. Donahue, Jr., appointed as Advisory Member to American Academy of Disaster Medicine  Dr. Donahue, a Firestorm Expert Council member and a fellow of the Center for National Preparedness of the University of Pittsburgh, accepts appointment as an Advisory Member to the American Academy of Disaster Medicine (www.aadm.us). Atlanta Georgia, 02/17/2012 – Firestorm today announced the appointment of Firestorm Expert Council Member Don Donahue, DHEd, MBA, FACHE, as an Advisory Member to the American Academy of Disaster Medicine. The American Academy of Disaster Medicine (AADM) is a unique volunteer organization dedicated to promoting and educating physicians and healthcare professionals concerning the critical importance of disaster medicine preparedness. AADM Advisory Members function as Advisors and provide valuable recommendation...