Geoff Burkart is the Founder and CEO of Guardian Centers and Guardian Centers of Georgia.

Geoff’s interest in emergency management and disaster response was shaped in 2001 as a Director with BellSouth’s aviation operations during the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11. Four years later, he witnessed the devastating damage from hurricanes Katrina and Rita as he coordinated emergency airlift operations and logistics through BellSouth’s response efforts. These experiences identified a gap in joint training and disaster preparedness now filled by the privately funded Guardian Centers of Georgia under Geoff’s leadership. Geoff retired from AT&T after a 30-year career leading aviation maintenance, security and operations. He was responsible for developing CONUS / OCONUS departmental security programs and training to prepare for man-made or natural disasters.

He has since served on numerous advisory boards and associations including Raytheon Aerospace, Fairchild – Dornier, Cessna Aircraft, Honeywell Aerospace and the National Business Aircraft Association Technical Committee. Additionally, he served on the Federal TSA “gateway” airport access security steering committee and the Georgia Governor’s aviation task force.

Geoff completed the Executive Management Program at Darden Business School at the University of Virginia and is a graduate of Alabama Aviation and Technical College.

Tim brings 10 years of active duty experience with the United States Marine Corps specializing in the planning, training, exercises, and response operations. He started his career in the Marine Corps as a Logistic Officer, serving three tours in Iraq. His last tour was with the Chemical Biological Incident Response Force (CBIRF), Indian Head, MD.

As a company commander, Tim was responsible for the worldwide deploy-able Initial Response Force. Tim supported, planned or participated in exercises from local level to National, Special Security Events such as the Vancouver Winter Olympics, National Boy Scout Jamboree, State of the Union address, Nuclear Security Summits, and G8 Summits.

In 2010 Tim served on the planning team and was responsible for overseeing the deployment of a complete Initial Response Force to support Operation Tomodachi, in the wake of the devastating tsunami in Japan.

Doug brings over 33 years of experience in the Fire and Emergency Service, Emergency Management and CBRNE response fields. He retired from active duty as a Chief Master Sergeant after serving 31 years in the United States Air Force and the Florida Air National Guard. He has multiple deployments in support of wartime and peacetime contingencies CONUS/OCONUS. Prior to joining Guardian Centers, he served as the Air National Guard’s Region 4 Emergency Management Chief responsible for supporting Air National Guard bases throughout the southeast from Kentucky to Puerto Rico and served as an analytical and technical advisor to federal, state and local senior leadership during natural disasters, major accidents, and CBRN related events. He is a proven project leader and program manager with a record of excellence in generating small to large-scale exercises for military and civilian responders. Highly skilled in team and exercise development; interpreting training specifications and shaping and transforming force development.

In addition to his military service, he worked as a State of Florida Assistant Fire Chief of Operations & Training at the 125th Fighter Wing, Jacksonville, Florida; a firefighter/EMT and Hazardous Materials Technician for Cobb County Fire Department, Marietta, GA; and as a firefighter/EMT for Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department, Jacksonville, Florida. Doug earned his Bachelors of Science Degree in Emergency and Disaster Services from Thomas Edison State University.

Chris is a native of Colorado Springs, Colorado who enlisted in the U.S. Navy at age 17. He retired from active duty as a SEAL Chief Warrant Officer Five after serving 33 years in the Naval Special Warfare and Joint Special Operations communities. He has over 14 deployments in support of combat operations and peacetime contingencies that include Bosnia, Kosovo, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, and East, North, and West Africa.

Chris’ Enlisted Naval Special Warfare and operational assignments include platoon and task unit leading petty officer, lead SDV navigator, and training department leading petty officer at SEAL Delivery Vehicle Team 2. In addition, he served as team leader, troop chief, training department Leading Chief Petty Officer and as the plans and exercises leading chief petty officer at Naval Special Warfare Development Group.

As a SEAL Chief Warrant Officer, he served as the training officer of Special Boat Team 22; Training Officer and Task Unit Operations Officer at SEAL Team 2; Training and Combat Systems Officer at Naval Special Warfare Unit Two. In addition, he served as Squadron Operations Officer, k-9 Division Officer, Command Operations Warrant Officer and Command Chief Warrant Officer at Naval Special Warfare Development Group.

Chris’ previous staff assignments include NSWDG Liaison Officer to Joint Special Operations Command and as the NSWU-2 Liaison Officer to Joint Special Operations Command-Europe. In addition, he has served as the J3 Operations Officer and Deputy Operations Officer at the Task Unit, Troop, and Task Force levels.

Chris and his wife Bridget have been married for 30 years and have three children, Connor, Daniel, and Erik.

Kerry brings more than 25 years of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) Defense and Emergency Management experience. Prior to joining Guardian Centers, Kerry served more than 20 years in the United States Marine Corps, retiring as a Chief Warrant Officer 3 (CWO3) following a successful tour with the United States Marine Corps Chemical Biological Incident Response Force (CBIRF).

Kerry is also currently a member of the Houston County HAZMAT Team in Georgia, along with also having previously worked with the Charles County Tactical Response Team and has demonstrated experience in the coordination of Emergency Management and CBRNE incidents.

As the Director, CBRNE-WMD Program at Guardian Centers, Kerry has responsibility for designing, constructing, and implementing innovative and realistic training scenarios at both the Georgia complex and at various locations throughout the world to meet a wide array of client training objectives and requirements.

Mike brings over 35 years of professional experience as a former USAF Intelligence and Space Operations Officer followed by a career as a Federal Government Contractor supporting the Intelligence Community, Department of Defense and the US Department of State. Mr. Griffin held positions in Senior Management and is well versed in Global Security, C5ISR, Cybersecurity, Operations and Mission Planning. Beyond his technical competencies, Mike’s expertise includes roles in program and project management, capture management, client relations, business strategy, and business development. Mr. Griffin spent much of his career in the Washington DC area before relocating to Tampa, Florida where they currently reside.

Mr. Griffin holds a B.A. in History and Political Science from the University of North Carolina – Charlotte and an M.S. in International Relations from Troy University. Mike is an avid scuba diver and not only dives recreationally but also serves as a volunteer diver at The Florida Aquarium in Tampa.

Mr. Lavender brings over twenty years of faithful service in the United States Marine Corps. He is a motivated, highly-capable professional with experience in the complex environment of Consequence Management Operations. Extensive experience leading planning teams and supervising the execution of operations for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and High-Yield Explosive (CBRNE) related training and real-world events. Exceptional analytical ability in implementing and managing plans, policies, and procedures during Humanitarian Assistance / Disaster Relief incidents. He is an experienced platform instructor in CBRN Defense, Anti-Terrorism/ Force Protection, and Combat Marksmanship.