Our Mission Statement
Our mission statement is simple, to provide the very best Executive Protection, Security and Training to our clients. Our client’s safety and security is our number 1 priority. After that, customer service, communication, employee satisfaction and attention to detail will be what make our company #1 in the industry. Having this mission statement in mind, the company name was easy to come up with, TIER1. We will be second to none, we will do whatever it takes to get the job done, and get it done right!
Meet the Executive Team
Brad Johnson, Owner and Operator
Brad Johnson moved to SW Florida in 2013. He has a bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Economics. Brad is a Private Security Contractor who received his training from one of the governments most senior instructors. Brad is a certified Law Enforcement Firearms Instructor, and Chief Range Safety Officer. He currently provides training for local LEO, civilians, various organizations and businesses in the SW Florida region. From Concealed Weapons Training, Advanced Handgun and Rifle classes, to active shooter training, the team at Tier1 has done it all. Brad has a rating of Expert in both Handgun and Rifle, trained in Close Quarter Combat, and is a Certified Executive Protection Agent. Brad has several years of private security and executive protection experience. He also holds a current State of Florida “K” Firearms Instructor license which allows him to make state of Florida licensed “G “armed security Guards and provide them with yearly re-qualification training as required by the state.
D license#1931557-Security Officer
G license#1908625-Statewide Firearms license
K license#3200051-State of Florida instructor license
B license#3200377- State of Florida Security agency
Leo Instructor license #238859553
CCW license #WX1749948
NRA Instructor and Chief Range Safety Officer #NRA238859553
*American College of Surgeons ---Stop the Bleed Certification Expires 10/23/2025
*American Heart Association ---First Aid, CPR, and AED Certification Expires 10/23/2025
Gary E Johnson, V.P. and Community Outreach Director
Gary is a proud and distinguished U.S. Army Veteran. During his 26 years of service, Gary served as a infantry man and is a graduate of the Henry Caro Advanced Infantry NCO academy. Gary was a Certified Instructor with the Academy Primary Leadership NCO Course and a Winter Operations Instructor. Gary also graduated from the NBC Defense NCO course, Military Intelligence NCO Course, and the 101 Airborne (SERTS) Airborne Mobility class. Gary instructed soldiers on the M16, M203, M60, and M2 Machine Guns as well as performing as a Range NCO. He retired with the rank of Master Sergeant. After the Army, Gary worked as a Misdemeanor Probation officer and later as a State of Florida, DCF investigator in Monroe County Florida. Gary transferred from Investigations to accept a position with Veterans Affairs, eventually becoming the Monroe County Director of Veterans Affairs. Gary has a degree in Liberal Arts and graduate course work toward his MBA. Gary is a State of Florida Licensed Security Guard and a NRA Trained Instructor and Range Safety Officer.
*State of Florida Security Officer license #D3125680
*State of Florida Armed Security license #G3107564
*State of Florida Concealed Weapons Permit license #W2708827
*NRA Instructor license #006874325
Mara Martinez, Director of Operations
Mara is a current State of Florida Security Officer. She holds both her “D” unarmed license and “G” armed security License. Mara has taken several courses in safety, security, and firearms training. Mara is a strong advocate for Women’s Self-defense, defense with a handgun and overall awareness and protection. Mara attended the Civ. Police academy in Michigan. Mara moved to SW Florida in 2020, where she fell in love with the great weather, outdoors and Florida’s wildlife.
*State of Florida Security Officer license # D3125691
*State of Florida Armed Security license # G3107563
*State of Florida Concealed Weapons Permit license #WX3287259
*American College of Surgeons--Stop the Bleed Certification- expires 10/23/2025
*American Heart Association--First Aid, CPR, and AED Certification- expires 10/23/2025
JoEllen Johnson, Information Technology Consultant
JoEllen is a US Army Veteran. During her 12 years of service, she served as a Military Police officer and had several overseas missions, including deploying for Operation Iraqi Freedom II. She has spent her professional civilian career in the IT industry working for a global Information Technology services organizations.