Our Leadership Team
Unparalleled Expertise, Unwavering Commitment
At GIA PROTECTION, our strength lies in the exceptional caliber of our leadership.
Comprised of seasoned professionals with distinguished backgrounds in military special operations,
intelligence, law enforcement, and advanced security disciplines,
our team brings a wealth of real-world experience and strategic insight to every challenge.
We are united by a shared commitment to excellence, integrity,
and delivering the highest level of protection and peace of mind to our clients.
Each member of our team is not only an expert in their respective field but also a dedicated leader,
continuously refining our methodologies and staying ahead of evolving global threats.
Get to know the individuals who drive GIA PROTECTION’s mission forward.
MAJ
Michael J. Makropoulos
Director of Geopolitical RiskManaging Director at Palisade International
MAJ. Makropoulos provides critical analysis on global political and economic trends,
assessing their potential impact on GIA PROTECTION’s operations and client interests.
His expertise extends to advising on strategic entry into new international markets,
ensuring our clients navigate complex global landscapes with informed security
strategies.
With over 40 years of experience in security, operations, and technology
management, Michael is a Georgia Licensed Private Investigator, Armed Guard,
and State Instructor. He is also an NRA and USCCA instructor, a military weapons instructor,
and a practicing martial artist for over four decades, underscoring his profound
understanding of both strategic and tactical security.
Key Skills: Global Political and Economic Trend Analysis, International Market Entry
Advisement, Executive Protection, Close Protection, Risk Assessment, Vulnerability
Analysis, Operational Security, Military Weapons Instruction, Martial Arts, Active
Shooter Response, Home Invasion Prevention.
Qualifications & Experience Highlights:
Brian Mastrofini
Director of Tactical Training & StandardsBrian Mastrofini is the architect of GIA PROTECTION’s unparalleled operational readiness.
As Director of Tactical Training & Standards, he is responsible for developing
and validating all training curricula, ensuring the highest standards
of weapons and tactical proficiency across the organization.
His role involves rigorous after-action reviews to continuously improve tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs).
With three decades of experience spanning military service (elite / Ranger Battalion),
international security contracting, and law enforcement,
Brian brings a wealth of practical knowledge.
He is an NRA-certified Pistol and Rifle Instructor and holds a
Master of Science in Homeland Security Leadership, making him a
formidable leader in tactical education.
Key Skills: Law Enforcement, International Security Contracting, Tribal Policing, High
Threat Protective Operations, Operational Precision, Cultural Fluency, Public Safety,
Security Program Management, Executive Protection, Risk Management, Training
Curriculum Development, Weapons Proficiency, Tactical Proficiency, After-Action
Reviews.
Qualifications & Experience Highlights:
Dean E. Craig
Senior Threat Assessment DirectorDean E. Craig leads GIA PROTECTION’s Threat Assessment Division, where he and his team deliver strategic,
multi-layered security solutions for high-value clients, corporate assets, and critical infrastructure.
He specializes in identifying vulnerabilities, forecasting potential risks, and building proactive
strategies that keep clients ahead of emerging threats.
A former Sergeant First Class (19D) with the U.S. Army’s 82nd Airborne Division,
Dean brings nearly a decade of frontline leadership and operational expertise.
His background as a Master Marksman, Master Combatives Instructor, and
seasoned Executive Protection Specialist gives him a unique edge in high-stakes environments.
Dean also holds credentials as a Licensed Georgia Bail Recovery Agent,
Nationally Registered EMT, and State-Certified Firefighter—blending tactical expertise
with emergency response skills to provide unmatched protection and risk management.
He maintains multi-state security credentials, allowing him to operate seamlessly across diverse jurisdictions.
Qualifications & Experience Highlights:
Tristan Searra
Director of Intelligence, GIAFounder & CEO, ThiinkVP
Dr. Tristan Searra is a highly educated intelligence professional with a PhD and over a decade of experience in Telecommunications,
Technical Surveillance Countermeasures (TSCM), and private investigation. As Director of Intelligence at GIA,
Tristan leads the integration and orchestration of intelligence programs across multiple operations,
ensuring achievement of strategic objectives with precision and operational excellence.
He has worked closely with both local and international police departments and government agencies,
managing intelligence workflows in three continents. Tristan specializes in counterintelligence and complex surveillance operations,
frequently analysing and recommending innovative solutions tailored to unique security challenges.
His leadership skills drive efficient coordination between internal and external teams to deploy intelligence systems effectively.
Tristan is fluent in multiple languages and has served as an extradition agent across more than 30 states,
further demonstrating his operational expertise and global reach.
As Founder and CEO of ThiinkVP, Tristan provides virtual private investigation solutions and advanced
counter-surveillance services, blending cutting-edge technology with strategic intelligence to secure clients worldwide.
His mission is to build a collaborative intelligence community that delivers the most insightful and
actionable intelligence, sustaining resilience in dynamic and high-risk environments.
Sheldon L. Kuhn
Director of information Security & Cyber Intelligence, GIA(CISO) Chief Information Security Officer.
Founder and CEO of SHEL infosec
Sheldon Kuhn is a seasoned Cybersecurity expert and the Director of the Cyber Division at GIA.
With over a decade of experience in protecting digital infrastructures and managing advanced Cybersecurity Operations,
Sheldon leads GIA’s efforts to deliver mission-critical Cyber Intelligence and Defence solutions.
Before joining GIA, Sheldon founded and heads SHEL infosec, a Cybersecurity company
specializing in Managed Cybersecurity services with a 24/7 Security Operations Centre (SOC).
Under his leadership, SHEL infosec developed its flagship product,
SILENT EDGE, a Military-Grade remote monitoring and management (RMM) platform that provides
AI-driven threat detection, automated incident response, compliance reporting, and endpoint protection.
Sheldon’s expertise spans endpoint security, SIEM systems,
cloud and premise-based security, and cyber threat intelligence.
His collaborative leadership style and technical depth have enabled successful deployments
for SMBs, startups, nonprofit organizations, and enterprise clients, helping them navigate
complex cyber threats and compliance landscapes such as POPI Act, GDPR, and PCI DSS.
At GIA, Sheldon applies his extensive technical skills combined with an operational mindset
shaped by years of Cybersecurity service to ensure clients receive
comprehensive cyber protection aligned with intelligence-driven risk management.
His vision is to integrate state-of-the-art cyber defence capabilities into GIA’s Global Intelligence Operations,
reinforcing their promise of precision, resilience, and confidentiality.
Beyond his technical ventures, Sheldon is a passionate advocate for Cybersecurity awareness and
ethical digital practices, committed to advancing industry standards and fostering trust in cyberspace.