Tyler Gordy
Chicago
Summary
Strategic security executive and U.S. Department of State Special Agent with more than 20 years of experience leading mission-critical security, investigations, and crisis-management programs in high-risk international environments. Expert in protecting personnel and assets, developing cross-agency partnerships, and steering large-scale protective and investigative operations. Proven record managing multimillion-dollar security programs, supervising teams of hundreds, and coordinating with U.S. and foreign law-enforcement agencies to mitigate complex global threats. Recognized throughout the Foreign Service for exceptional leadership, interagency collaboration, and results under pressure—ready to translate this success to the corporate enterprise level.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Special Agent
U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service
01.2023 - Current
- Serves as a Special Agent in the Chicago Field Office, overseeing liaison, investigative, and protective operations across a multi-state region. Leads executive protection teams for high-level officials, both internationally and domestically, ensuring security operations align with national standards. Spearheaded interagency coordination with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, including the FBI, DHS, Secret Service, and U.S. Attorney's Office on three regional task forces. Conducts complex criminal and visa fraud investigations, develops actionable intelligence to support prosecutions, and maintains critical partnerships with private-sector security directors and corporate stakeholders. Mentors and trains 12 junior agents.
Special Agent
U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service
01.2021 - 01.2023
- Directed security and investigative operations for U.S. interests in Venezuela while based in Colombia; managed $125K operational budget and a multi-agency portfolio of criminal and visa-fraud investigations. Acted as Regional Security Officer for extended periods, overseeing security for a 140-member local staff in a critical-threat environment. Designed three re-entry missions into Caracas, coordinating with Diplomatic Security HQ and the Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs; efforts secured the release of seven unlawfully detained U.S. citizens. Authored an Integrated Country Strategy goal adopted as mission guidance; hosted the Venezuelan Criminality Conference uniting regional law enforcement agencies. Closed 39 criminal inquiries, drafted SOPs establishing the Investigations program, re-established OSAC channels for American businesses, and led management reforms as Vice-Chair of the Post Employee Association.
Special Agent
U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Supervised over 500 Locally Employed Staff and guards overseeing physical, residential, and personnel-security programs. Served as de facto Deputy RSO, leading full-spectrum security operations and mentoring agents. Implemented guard-force reforms, reducing hours from 60 to 40 per week while hiring 50 new guards and introducing a Merit-Based Compensation System. Designed the COVID-19 operational decision framework, led a multi-agency criminal investigation into serious misconduct, and authored a cybersecurity awareness campaign reducing exposure to hostile surveillance. Spearheaded $200K in Soft Target Program upgrades protecting U.S. schools. Negotiated sensitive host-nation issues to secure release of detained staff awarded the Superior Honor Award for leadership and crisis management excellence.
Additional Assignments
Department of State and United States Army
2003 - 2017
- Oversaw physical and residential security programs for six constituent posts across Brazil; managed the modernization of alarm systems, reducing costs and improving reliability. Led protective operations for multiple heads of state visits and international summits, coordinating with the U.S. Secret Service and host-nation security. Advanced risk-management programs emphasizing intelligence-driven threat assessment, business continuity, and interagency collaboration. U.S. Army combat medic and paratrooper, with multiple combat deployments during the Global War on Terrorism. Leadership of troops in combat, and training coordinator. Consistently met and exceeded recruitment goals as a Recruiting Station Commander in Northern Indiana from 2008 to 2010.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Indiana University
Fort Wayne, IN01-2012
Advanced Diplomatic Security Service Training - High Threat Operations
U.S. Department of State
Vienna, VASkills
- Law enforcement practices
- Personnel management
- Access control
- Security management
- Security training
- Crisis management
- Asset protection
- Cybersecurity
- Travel security
- Executive protection
- Event security
- Physical security
Certification
- Certified Protection Professional (CPP) 2017-2020
- Spanish Language Program, Foreign Service Institute, 2019
- Portuguese Language Program, Foreign Service Institute, 2017
- EMT and Combat Medic Certifications, U.S. Army 2003-2010
LANGUAGES
English
Native or Bilingual
Spanish
Professional Working
Portuguese
Limited Working
Timeline
Special Agent
U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service
01.2023 - Current
Special Agent
U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service
01.2021 - 01.2023
Special Agent
U.S. Department of State, Diplomatic Security Service
01.2019 - 01.2021
Additional Assignments
Department of State and United States Army
2003 - 2017
Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
Indiana University
Advanced Diplomatic Security Service Training - High Threat Operations
U.S. Department of State
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Superior Honor Award, U.S. Department of State (Leadership and Crisis Management), Meritorious Honor Award, U.S. Department of State, Multiple commendations for exceptional performance and protection of U.S. interests.
SECURITY CLEARANCE
Active Top Secret / SCI