Panel Discussion: What Security Managers Need to Know When an Employee is Taken Hostage

ASIS International

What Security Managers Need to Know When an Employee is Taken Hostage

Despite a robust travel risk mitigation program, an employee is taken hostage. What’s next? Many organizations have plans to get a hostage home. But most have not thought through how they will support that employee’s family during the crisis or what will happen once the hostage is released. Why does it matter to get this right? Hear answers from a former hostage, representatives from the U.S. government, and industry professionals. Discuss the challenges and resources that every security manager needs to consider to reach a successful conclusion to this crisis.

CONTRIBUTORS

  • Rachel Briggs

    Rachel is the Executive Director of Hostage US. In 1996, Rachel’s uncle was kidnapped in Colombia while he was working as an engineer. For seven and a half months, she and her family were thrown into an alien world of fear, isolation and helplessness as others negotiated for his release. This experience left her determined to learn more about kidnapping and ultimately to help set up and then run Hostage UK, which was established in 2004.Rachel has a long and distinguished career as a writer and policy analyst working on national security issues with governments and the private sector around the world. She was awarded an Officer of the British Empire by Her Majesty the Queen in 2014.

  • Jonathan “JP” Phillippe

    Jonathan “JP” Phillippe is a Protective Intelligence Analyst with Stratfor. Before joining Stratfor, Jonathan was the International Security Manager for a multinational NGO. In this position, he was responsible for protective security and crisis management in over 50 countries while also serving as Chairman of a common interest council for the U.S. State Department’s Overseas Security Advisory Council. He has worked on the security team of a government contractor and served as an Emergency Medical Technician. Jonathan serves on the Board of Directors for the InfraGard North Texas Members Alliance in addition to his involvement with Hostage US as a Family Support Volunteer. Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Arts from George Mason University and a Master of Arts from Dallas Theological Seminary.

  • Roy Hallums

    Roy Hallums’ work as a career Naval officer and a civilian defense related contractor has taken him to employment sites worldwide. Departmental and budgetary authority often included over $100 million and large human resource staffs. After retiring from the U.S. Navy as a Supply Corps Commander he worked with the Royal Saudi Naval Forces for ten years. This service involved support for more than 50 Saudi ships in the port of Jubail, Saudi Arabia. Upon completion of his contract with the Saudi Navy Roy accepted a contract with a Saudi company doing business in Iraq. While working in Iraq Roy was kidnapped and held for 311 days. He was eventually rescued by U.S. Army Special Forces.