Team

MICHAEL R. NOVAK
Managing Partner

Mike has more than 34 years of security experience, most recently as the Senior Vice President, Chief Security Officer for News Corp & FOX Corporation.  Prior to his tenure with News Corp/FOX, Mike served as the Director of Corporate Security for Comcast.  Before entering the private sector, Mike served in the United States Secret Service, retiring as the Deputy Special Agent in Charge of the Presidential Protective Division. Mike was then selected as the Deputy Director of the Federal Air Marshal Service before being named the Transportation Security Administration's first Assistant Administrator of Training and Workforce Engagement.  In his most recent role as the Chief Security Officer for News Corp/FOX, Mike had oversight of executive protection, corporate investigations, business recovery as well as crisis and risk management.

Mike and his family reside in the Washington DC area.

EDUCATION
Michigan State University
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Psychology, 1980

ACTIVITIES & AFFILIATIONS
International Security Managers Association
International Association of Chiefs of Police 
Association of Former Agents of the United States Secret Service

DAVID J. O’CONNOR
Managing Partner

David has more than 34 years of experience, and most recently served as the Vice-President, Chief Security Officer (CSO), Director of Global Security for Thermo Fisher Scientific, where he oversaw all security for  ~120 thousand employees, and more than 400 sites globally.   Prior to Thermo Fisher Scientific, David was the former Senior Vice President, CSO, at Bain Capital, overseeing the firm’s international security needs, 1000 employees on four continents, as well as providing security consultancy to 40+ portfolio companies.  Prior to entering his executive leadership roles, David spent more than 26 years with the United States Secret Service, retiring in 2012 as the Assistant Director, Office of Investigations.  During his tenure with the Secret Service David had several assignments with the Presidential Protective Division, Dignitary Protective Division, and in Field Offices conducting and leading Criminal Investigations.

David and his family reside in the Greater Boston area.   

EDUCATION
Harvard University National Preparedness Leadership Initiative,
John F. Kennedy School of Govt.

Norwich University
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Govt. 1985

ACTIVITIES & AFFILIATIONS International Security Managers Association
International Association of Chiefs of Police

Eric P. Zahren
Partner

Eric has more than 35 years of experience in both the government and non-profit sectors. He spent more than 25 years as a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service, retiring in 2016 as the Special Agent in Charge of the Pittsburgh Field Office, overseeing all investigative, protective and liaison responsibilities for Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Earlier assignments included the Presidential Protective Division, as USSS Attaché in Berlin Germany, and as head of both the Office of Government and Public Affairs and International Programs Division.

Since retiring from government service, he has led the Carnegie Hero Fund as Executive Director, President and Chair. He has been published in two related publications and appeared widely on national and international media outlets including CBS’s 60 Minutes. The Hero Fund, a private foundation established in 1904 by Andrew Carnegie, investigates nominated acts of heroism throughout the United States and Canada and awards the Carnegie Medal for Heroism. It has awarded over 10,000 Carnegie Medals in its history, and has provided over $45 million in grants and other financial support for heroes and families.

EDUCATION

University of London (PG Dip. / Laws)
Treasury Executive Institute – Inaugural Executive Forum Cohort
Indiana University of Pennsylvania (BA – Criminology/German)