OUR TEAM

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Justin is a highly accomplished U.S. Army combat veteran with distinguished service in the 82nd Airborne Division and as a member of JSOC’s Task Force Red and Task Force Knight. With extensive experience in high-threat, austere environments, Justin has successfully completed numerous combat deployments, specializing in personal security details (PSD) and direct-action raids (DA). Following his military career, Justin has further honed his expertise by attending elite executive protection schools and instructor courses, focusing on firearms, close-quarters battle (CQB), and executive and close protection (EP/CP) tactics. He has also provided invaluable support on private military contracts and executed numerous high-profile executive and close protection operations both domestically and internationally. Justin’s comprehensive skill set and dynamic training methodology bring unparalleled value to the APS team, ensuring mission success and unparalleled professionalism for any scenario.

DIRECTOR OF LICENSING AND COMPLIANCE

After 22 years in the US Secret Service, Steve Burris retired as a Senior Special Agent with a total of 25 years in federal law enforcement. As a Regional In-Service Training Program Manager, he trained over 200 agents across 7 states and specialized in small detail, Tactical Combat Casualty Care, and control tactics training. With four years as an instructor at the Secret Service Academy and certifications as an ASP-Baton and Pepper Spray instructor, Steve's expertise extends beyond his background in protective intelligence. Steve is an ALERRT certified instructor and provides Active Shooter and CPR/Stop-the-Bleed training throughout the state of Texas.

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

At age 20, Marcos Fernandes joined the Army in 2010, serving as an Infantry Team Leader, Personal Security Detachment, Radio Operator, Rifleman, Machine Gunner, and Armored Vehicle Driver. He deployed to Afghanistan twice, with 170th IBCT and 3rd ID, and was awarded multiple medals, including a Purple Heart and ARCOM with Valor Device. Upon leaving service, Marcos became a firearm instructor, and Armorer, before earning a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from UTD. He completed his degree interning as a business consultant and firearm instructor. Marcos currently works with tactical training companies, as a business owner, consultant, and firearms, medical, urban and rural movement Instructor. During his Private security career, he has been in charge of assignments that included protecting presidential candidates, public figures, very-high net worth individuals, large crowds, and hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of equipment.

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Carter Durham is a distinguished U.S. Army veteran whose service forged a foundation of unparalleled tactical expertise. With boots-on-the-ground experience in intelligence collection, area surveillance, and direct-action (DA) mission support. He is survival-trained, medically cross trained, and highly proficient in advanced weapon systems–skills sharpened under extreme conditions and high stakes environments. Post-military, Carter transitioned seamlessly into the private sector, where he has trained teams in critical lifesaving techniques, advanced pistol, and rifle tactics. Carter has also served on executive protection teams for multiple high-net-worth individuals, including one ultra-high-net-worth client, providing discreet, strategic security with the same precision and discipline that defined his military career.

PARTNERING INSTRUCTOR

Randy is a retired Navy SEAL veteran with 22 years of military experience and multiple combat deployments. In 2012, Randy was selected as the SEAL Team SEVEN, NSWG Group 1, and Naval Special Warfare Command SEAL/Sailor of the Year. Additionally, he served as the Leading Chief/Course and program manager for the Naval Special Warfare Combatives department for three years where he spearheaded the development of the current NSW combatives and combatives instructor programs, which is the pinnacle of what SEALs learn today in hand-to-hand combat. He is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blackbelt. Randy is a USCCA firearms instructor and Texas License to Carry Instructor. He is an NSW Range Safety Officer Instructor and Range Operations Safety Officer in Static & Dynamic Small Arms; Rockets & Standoff Weapons; Ground Mobility Fire & Maneuver; Close-Quarters Combat; and Explosive Breaching. Upon retiring from the SEAL Teams in 2016 Randy worked as firefighter for the City of San Diego for six years. During his time with SDFD he was part of several active shooter drills and developed the departments Combative Patient Program. In 2019, he was awarded Firefighter of the Year by Poway VFW.  In 2022 he left SDFD and started teaching at a Dallas based Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym as a professor, self-defense, and tactical instructor in 2022. In 2024, Randy reopened his tactical company, American Warrior Combatives teaching fulltime tactical shooting ranges and self-defense. Additionally, he holds a master’s degree in organizational leadership from National University.