Later, as one of many Managers of the Camp David Resort and a White House Chef, he furthered his art of private estate management. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from the Starkey International Institute for Household Management and has helped families and family offices worldwide for 30+ years leading over a dozen on our team, including Mr. Antwain Thomas and Mr. Allan Miller, owner Stormy Mongiello, and Kim Hambright. 

Photo credit: The White House, Sharon Farmer. President Bill Clinton (middle), Secretary Hillary Clinton (right), and Marti Mongiello, left. This photo was taken during Marti's US Navy career as a Presidential Aide to the first family. Over 25+ years, Laurel team members have worked in the CIA, FBI, NSA, black ops sections of the CIA, the White House Military Office, and all military branches. Our Vice President, Martin CJ Mongiello, CSCS (SS/SW), USN, Ret. holds a 30-year retired certificate from the military.

Photo credit: Security Distributing and Marketing (SDM) Magazine published our Vice President, Martin CJ Mongiello's microwave protection systems solutions which were adopted to protect aircraft in the Gulf Wars, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. 

Security Distributing and Marketing Magazine (SDM) also published Marti's designs and blueprints for panic switches, alarm systems, and CCTV.

Personal Protection Standards that we require when reviewing team members for hire: Bodily protection measures are necessary and different from physical security as they include personal protection and electronic protective methods. These include high-level meetings held in the mansion that could be bugged or tapped. Electronic countermeasures technologies are critical to being understood as the office typically offers the most significant protections, and the estate does not. Digital theft, copying, banking online, scams, schemes, and photographing are all areas to evaluate and put your Estate Manager to the litmus test against. In all cases – these skills can still be taught – should an Estate Manager not have them on their CV.

Duress codes, devices, and signals are critical and must be understood. Ask them to explain the difference between all three for the average family. Poisoning is on the rise worldwide. Billionaire Long Liyuan (49 years old) recently was poisoned with meat in the Guangdong Province, China, and Millionaire Stephen Clayton (64) was poisoned with eye drops in his water in Clover, SC, USA by his wife Lana (52). She was a US Department of the VA nurse. Stephen had rebuilt a perfect replica of Mount Vernon for his wife at her request for their home. Neither were our clients, and we have never lost a single client, including USMC Commandant Gray or President Bill, Secretary Hillary, and Chelsea Clinton.

Some new studies have been released now, proving children six and above survive more, depending on your car and seat belts, sitting up in the front. The front and back devices are not the same in many cars. Traditional models still show high-success rates when the car seat is in the middle of the back seat - and NOT left or right. Much of this depends on the physical growth shape and size of children and age - as well as booster seat use.

Bodyguard and weapons proficiencies/techniques may be needed, and to most extents, not all Estate Managers can facilitate those needs – but some can. Before hiring or evaluating in this area, know that Independent Security Advisors (ISA) designates graduates with credentials behind their name. Matt Parker is the CEO. In all cases – in all of these areas – look for certifications and graduations that lead to classifications. “Self-appointed,” authorities and the local Black Belt rarely bring the skills that are needed. 

Team members, the greatest asset is the capability to maintain integrity within themselves, not succumb to bribery and have the willingness to die when faced with overwhelming threats against their own family. You can read more about our high-profile cases here and warnings issued worldwide.