Ashlee Cervantes-Thomas

Ashlee Cervantes-Thomas is a leading authority in physical security and risk mitigation. With over 15 years of experience, she has led high-level security teams specializing in Armed Security and Executive Protection. As CEO of Guardian Protection Force Inc. and Founder of Guardian Secure Solutions LLC, Ashlee empowers businesses to implement proactive safety strategies and build secure environments. Holding an MBA from the University of California, Davis, she brings both leadership and innovation to every operation. Based in Northern California, Ashlee’s mission is to support businesses in becoming Guardians of their workplaces. Her legacy is one of community protection, core values, and building trusted security systems. Ashlee’s expertise has helped countless business owners navigate the complexities of workplace safety, offering tech-driven solutions and real-world application. She is passionate about creating safer spaces and educating leaders to take charge of their organizational security needs with clarity and confidence.

In this gripping episode of Talking with the Experts, host Rose Davidson chats with Ashlee Cervantes-Thomas, a seasoned security executive and CEO of Guardian Protection Force Inc. Discover how business owners and HR professionals can step into the role of Guardian and implement effective workplace safety strategies—no security experience required!

💼 Learn how to:

✔ Write a violence prevention plan
✔ Vet and establish security vendors
✔ Navigate physical risk mitigation and compliance

Ashlee breaks down the essential strategies for protecting your business and people in today’s ever-changing safety landscape. Whether you’re an HR leader, executive, or small business owner, you’ll leave with clear, actionable steps to safeguard your workplace.

📌 Subscribe now and take control of your workplace security!

#TalkingwiththeExperts #RoseDavidson #WorkplaceSecurity #BusinessSafety #HRCompliance

💡 THREE Key Points from the Interview:

1. Why every business needs a violence prevention plan—and how HR teams can create one effectively.
2. How to vet and partner with the right security vendors for long-term workplace protection.
3. What business owners need to know about becoming Guardians of their workspace in today’s evolving security climate.

Introduction of Ashley Cervantes Thomas

• Ashley Cervantes Thomas is introduced as a seasoned security executive with over 15 years of experience in the field of security solutions and physical risk mitigation.

• They hold a Master’s in Business Administration from the University of California and have overseen hundreds of security professionals specializing in armed security and executive protection.
• They are the CEO of Guardian Protection Force Incorporated and the founder of Guardian Security Solutions, a full-service technology-centered security operations center.
• Their career mission is to create guardians for the communities served, prioritizing core values to deliver high-caliber security services. 

Ashley’s Career Path in Security

• They began their career in retail loss prevention, starting as a sales associate and demonstrating a talent for catching shoplifters.

• They were mentored by experienced professionals, including retired law enforcement and military personnel, which helped shape their career trajectory.
• Their background in business administration combined with security experience led to opportunities in the private security sector.
• They emphasize that a natural inclination towards safety-mindedness and personal experiences, such as growing up in a rougher neighborhood, contributed to their career path in security. 

Overview of the US Physical Security Market

• The US, particularly California, faces unique security challenges, including active shooter situations and rising homelessness, which impact infrastructure security.

• There is a growing trend of businesses turning to private security due to reduced law enforcement response times, partly attributed to the ‘defund the police’ movement.
• Many business owners report significant delays or no response from law enforcement for security incidents, leading them to hire private security as a supplement.
• The private security sector aims to complement rather than compete with law enforcement, filling gaps in public safety services. 

Comparison of US and Australian Security Landscapes

• Australia has stricter gun laws implemented after a major incident, requiring licenses and mental health checks for firearm ownership.

• Australian law enforcement generally responds more quickly to incidents compared to the current situation in many parts of the US.
• The US has seen a reduction in community policing and officer presence over the past 50 years, with most areas no longer having two officers per patrol vehicle.
• These changes in the US have led to significant response time issues, even for serious incidents like the machete-wielding individual on a Southern California campus. 

Workplace Violence Prevention Planning

• The company has offered workplace violence prevention programs for over a decade, which were recently mandated by law in California for all employers.

• Every business, regardless of size or industry, can benefit from workplace violence prevention planning.
• Common forms of workplace violence include customer-to-employee, employee-to-employee, and incidents involving personal relationships (e.g., domestic violence spilling into the workplace).
• The first step in prevention planning is identifying potential risks and exposures specific to the business.
• Even businesses that seem low-risk, such as florists, can benefit from having a workplace violence prevention plan. 

Women’s Safety in the Workplace

• According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, women account for 75% of workplace violence victims.

• They advocate for women’s basic self-defense training and developing situational awareness.
• Women are often conditioned to ignore instincts and prioritize politeness, which can compromise their safety.
• It is important to trust one’s instincts and set firm boundaries, even if it means being perceived as rude.
• Distraction, particularly from mobile devices, is a significant safety risk for everyone, but especially for women who are more likely to be targeted. 

Key Safety Tips for Women

• Individuals should maintain situational awareness at all times, being conscious of their surroundings.

• They should trust and act on their instincts and gut feelings about potentially dangerous situations.
• Setting firm boundaries is essential, and individuals should not hesitate to be assertive when feeling uncomfortable or unsafe.
• Avoiding distractions, particularly from mobile devices, is crucial when in public spaces or potentially vulnerable situations.
• Understanding that personal safety takes precedence over social niceties or fear of appearing rude is vital. 

Closing Thoughts on Security

• Safety principles are universal and transcend borders, applicable regardless of location.

• Starting the thought process about security and safety is the crucial first step for individuals and businesses.
• While not everyone needs high-level security measures like bodyguards, everyone can benefit from the forethought that goes into professional security planning.
• They offer no-cost, no-obligation risk assessments to help individuals and businesses begin their security planning process.

• Introduction of Ashley Cervantes Thomas, a seasoned security executive with extensive experience in physical security and risk mitigation, as a guest to discuss workplace security.
• Ashley Cervantes Thomas shares her journey from business administration to a career in security, highlighting her background in loss prevention and her current role as CEO of Guardian Protection Force.
• Discussion on the current landscape of the physical security market in the US, including the impact of incidents like active shooter situations and the rise of homelessness on security concerns.
• Exploration of the challenges faced by business owners in the US due to reduced law enforcement response times, leading to increased reliance on private security services.
• Introduction to risk assessment and workplace violence prevention planning, emphasizing the importance of these practices in mitigating workplace violence.
• Emphasis on the significance of situational awareness and trusting instincts for women’s safety, particularly in the context of workplace violence.
• Offer of a no-cost risk assessment service by Ashley Cervantes Thomas to help businesses enhance their security measures.
• Final remarks on the universal importance of safety and the value of forethought in security planning, applicable across different countries and industries.

#TalkingwiththeExperts #RoseDavidson #WorkplaceSecurity #ViolencePrevention #PhysicalSecurity #BusinessSafety #HRCompliance #GuardianMindset