About the Founder

Christopher Smith

30+ years across the United States Marine Corps, law enforcement, and corporate executive protection. Built for environments where failure is not an option.

I operate in the space between visibility and invisibility.

Christopher Smith, Founder

Christopher Smith, USMC Sergeant, with President George W. Bush - signed presidential photograph

Whenever the people are well-informed, they can be trusted with by their own government.

Thomas Jefferson

Leadership

The People Who Run It

Careers built across the most demanding operational environments in the country.

Director, Lioness Program

Kearstin Woods

Kearstin Woods serves as the Director of the Lioness Program at Praetorian Executive Protection, where she leads the development, recruitment, and growth of the organization's elite female operational teams. Her mission is to elevate the standard for women in the executive protection industry by establishing professional standards, developing highly capable female operators, and preparing them to meet the evolving needs of clients with confidence, professionalism, and discretion.

Kearstin's background includes supporting the Department of Defense in roles focused on human behavior, behavioral assessment, and information collection. Combined with her experience in health, fitness, and human performance, she brings a well-rounded approach to executive protection that emphasizes situational awareness, sound judgment, proactive risk assessment, and the ability to build trust in dynamic environments.

Driven by a passion for leadership and service, Kearstin is committed to creating meaningful opportunities for women in the protective services profession. Through the Lioness Program, she is building a community of professional female operators who embody integrity, adaptability, operational excellence, and a client-first mindset.

Senior Lead

Dennis Davidson

Dennis Davidson started his executive protection career in 2005. His specialties are close protection, residential protection, and defensive tactics. A former professional mixed martial artist, Dennis holds a 3rd degree Black Belt in Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He is also a certified advanced instructor for the Bang Muay Thai system under two-time UFC coach of the year Duane “Bang” Ludwig.

A veteran of over 300 executive protection operations, Dennis has leveraged his experience in the industry and in martial arts to deliver top-level instruction to executive protection agents of all experience levels. He has over 16 years of instructor experience and currently holds active Florida teacher certificates in three subject areas.

Executive Protection Lead

Ryan Mitre

Ryan Mitre serves as Executive Protection Lead at Praetorian Executive Protection. A combat-proven Green Beret veteran with over a decade of high-stakes security, tactical leadership, and crisis management experience, he delivers tier-one security solutions tailored to corporate executives, high-net-worth individuals, and high-value assets.

Ryan's approach combines battlefield-tested decision making with technical and analytical acumen. He holds a Master of Science in Information Technology Management, which lets him bridge the gap between physical security infrastructure and digital threat mitigation. Adaptable and discreet, he operates with a proactive threat-management mindset to ensure flawless execution in any environment.

A decorated combat leader holding both the Special Forces Tab and the Ranger Tab, Ryan is a certified Anti-Terrorism Instructor with an active Advanced Special Operations Techniques (ASOT) Level 2 certification, giving clients protective intelligence and counter-surveillance capability few teams can match. Across more than 11 years with the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) he served as a Joint Terminal Attack Controller and Senior Communications Sergeant, and remains an expert in coordinating complex operations, secure communications, and emergency logistics.

He is certified in defensive driving — secure transport, route risk mitigation, and evasive maneuvering — and is a National Registry-certified Emergency Medical Technician with active Basic Life Support and CPR credentials for immediate life-saving care under pressure. He is also proficient in Spanish, supporting protective operations across international borders.

Ryan's decorations include the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal. He holds Private Security Officer Class G (armed) and Class D (unarmed) state licenses.

Standards

Held to a Written Standard

Executive protection has spent decades without a common benchmark. Anyone could print a card. That is finally changing, and we intend to be measured by it rather than wait to be.

Our leadership attended the Executive Security Operations Conference in June 2026 at Lake Buena Vista, Florida — the annual conference of the Board of Executive Protection Professionals, the ANSI-accredited body writing the first nationally recognized standard for providing executive protection.

Three days on state licensing, insurance, protective intelligence, and advance work. We came back with sharper practice and a clearer view of where this profession is heading — and we will keep showing up.

Philosophy

Protection is Not About Presence

Executive protection, at its core, is not just about security. It's about prevention, discretion, and control. My background in military operations, law enforcement, and corporate security allowed me to develop a protection philosophy centered on proactive threat mitigation, disciplined presence, and maintaining the client's ability to operate freely without disruption.

Every operation begins with intelligence. Understanding the threat environment, identifying vulnerabilities, and building a security plan that allows the principal to move freely and confidently. That is the standard. That is what 30 years of operational experience delivers.

What This Background Powers

The Services and Solutions Built On It

Chris's 30+ years across the Marine Corps, state law enforcement, and Fortune 100 corporate security inform every capability Praetorian offers.

01Executive ProtectionClose protection for chief executives, HNW families, and public figures.

02Protective IntelligenceThreat assessment, OSINT, and proactive monitoring.

03Residential and Family ProtectionHome assessments, perimeter, access control, and family coverage.

04Clandestine OperationsLow-visibility protection, surveillance detection, counter-surveillance.

05Lioness ProgramFemale protection specialists for female principals and gender-specific details.

06Hurricane ProtectionPre-storm planning, stand-behind residential coverage, and post-storm overwatch.

07Corporate Duty of CareK&R-aligned EP programs for boards, risk officers, and counsel.

08Divorce ProtectionDiscreet protection through high-conflict and high-asset divorces.

09Stalking ProtectionProfessional protection for stalking victims, coordinated with LE and counsel.

View every service Browse problem-focused solutions Florida coverage areas

Operators

Veterans and law enforcement: we're hiring.

Praetorian operates as a Florida Class "B" Security Agency and is actively onboarding W-2 protection officers and 1099 strategic advisors. Confidential applications reviewed year-round.

Apply

Direct Access

Ready to discuss your requirements?

Four fields. 15-minute response during business hours. Senior practitioner, not a sales team.

Space Coast Leadership

Direct Kennedy Space Center Experience

Christopher Smith served as Senior Site Security Lead for Amazon Project Kuiper at Kennedy Space Center, building and leading security for a major new aerospace program. He also operated as the on-site lead for the executive personal security detail supporting Jeff Bezos and the Amazon Board of Directors during their KSC visits. This is the exact environment where aerospace executives, contractors, and VIPs operate today.

Explore Aerospace & KSC Protection

For KSC visits, site build logistics, launch support, or contractor security on the Space Coast, call (321) 320-5483.