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Gavin de Becker and Associates

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Gavin de Becker and Associates
Company typePrivate
IndustrySecurity and consulting firm
Founded1978
HeadquartersLos Angeles, California, United States
Key people
Gavin de Becker
(founder)
Websitegdba.com

Gavin de Becker and Associates (GDBA) is a security and consulting firm that offers personal protection detail services to individuals and businesses. Headquartered in Los Angeles, the company operates in 27 cities and seven countries.[1]

History

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Gavin de Becker and Associates was founded in 1978 by Gavin de Becker.[2] In 2013, GDBA took on TPG Growth as a minority investor.[3][4] In 2019, Gavin de Becker bought back 100% of the company.[5]

Services

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Gavin de Becker and Associates is a "threat assessment and security firm"[6] that provides private security[7] and also offers protection training courses.[8]

They have provided services to corporations, government agencies, and schools. Clients reportedly include the Central Intelligence Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and "the 90 most prominent families in the world".[9] Over the years, public client references have included Theresa Saldana, Madonna, Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer, Michael J. Fox, Barbra Streisand, Jeff Bezos, John Travolta and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.[10][11][12]

In September 2023, protectors from de Becker’s firm surrounded and detained a man who demanded to see presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr., whom the firm reportedly protects. The man displayed fake United States Marshals identification and was found to be carrying two loaded handguns.[13] Kennedy posted on X: “I’m very grateful that alert and fast-acting protectors from Gavin de Becker and Associates (GDBA) spotted and detained an armed man who attempted to approach me at my Hispanic Heritage speech at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles tonight.”[14]

The following month, protectors from de Becker’s firm arrested an intruder at Kennedy’s Los Angeles home. After being released by police, the same intruder entered the property again and was again arrested by de Becker’s employee. The two incidents made national news and led to calls for presidential candidate Kennedy to be granted United States Secret Service protection.[15][16]

The Private Suite

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Gavin de Becker and Associates opened the Private Suite at the Los Angeles International Airport on May 15, 2017, which is described by The Wall Street Journal as "a remote terminal for VIPs, celebrities, CEOs", and anyone willing to pay for privacy.[17] de Becker reported the Private Suite will soon open at John F. Kennedy International Airport.[1]

In November 2017, it was reported that GDBA opened a version of the Private Suite at the Westfield Century City shopping center, which provides VIP shoppers the opportunity of a private shopping experience.[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Dobson, Jim (November 14, 2017). "First Look Inside The Top Secret Celebrity Suites At Westfield Century City Mall". Forbes. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
  2. ^ Scalet, Sarah (July 2004). "Interview with Gavin de Becker". CSO. CXO Media, Inc. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  3. ^ "Kirkland & Ellis LLP, Hamed Meshki - Partner". Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  4. ^ "Mike Davis Appointed CEO of Rhapsody/Napster Parent Company". Music Business Worldwide. May 13, 2016. Retrieved May 13, 2016.
  5. ^ "20200023: Gavin de Becker; TPG Growth II DE AIV II, L.P." Federal Trade Commission. FTC.gov. October 16, 2019. Retrieved September 6, 2021.
  6. ^ Salladay, Robert. "Spending May Prove Costly to Governor". California Clean Money Campaign. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  7. ^ Bice, Daniel (June 22, 2015). "Chris Abele hires pricey security guards, upgrades to full-size SUV". Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel. No. June 22, 2015. Scripps Media. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  8. ^ Putnam, Lindsay (June 16, 2015). "Everything you need to know about J.Law's sexy dog sherpa". New York Post. NYP Holdings Inc. Retrieved June 22, 2015.
  9. ^ Schmidt, Ingrid (November 22, 2017). "How to Experience Westfield Century City Like a VIP". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 5, 2017.
  10. ^ Robert F. Kennedy Jr. [@RobertKennedyJr] (July 15, 2024). "Thank you to President Biden for granting me Secret Service protection. And I am so grateful to Gavin deBecker [sic] & Associates for keeping me safe for the last 15 months of my Presidential campaign" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. ^ "Right to Privacy". Lakeland Ledger. No. March 11, 2002. Retrieved June 23, 2015.
  12. ^ Stone, Brad (May 5, 2021). "The Untold Story of How Jeff Bezos Beat the Tabloids". Bloomberg News. Retrieved May 6, 2021.
  13. ^ Kerr, Nicholas (September 19, 2023). "Armed man arrested at RFK Jr. campaign event in Los Angeles charged with misdemeanors:LAPD". ABC News. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  14. ^ Alexis, Jones (September 16, 2023). "Armed Man Impersonating U.S. Marshal Arrested at Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Presidential Campaign Event". People. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  15. ^ Bond, Paul (March 6, 2024). "RFK Jr.'s Latest Secret Service Request Cites Specific Assassination Threat". Newsweek. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  16. ^ Cadelago, Christopher (October 26, 2023). "Intruder arrested twice in same day outside Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s California home". Politico. Retrieved November 11, 2024.
  17. ^ McCartney, Scott (26 April 2017). "The Paparazzi-Proof Airline Terminal". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved April 26, 2017.
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