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Our Team

Ten professionals. One standard: the client comes first.

Our leadership team brings careers from the NYPD, Nassau County PD, the U.S. Marine Corps and Army, FBI, DEA and Secret Service details to every assignment.

Philip Brady

Founder & Co-Owner

  1. U.S. Army Military Police
  2. NYC Transit Police
  3. Nassau County Police Department
  4. Bureau of Special Operations
  5. Nassau County Top Cop Award

Founder

The client always comes first.

Philip Brady specializes in site security and executive protection. He has provided executive protection to many high-profile dignitaries and has worked with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to assure the safety of his clients.

Phil served his country in the U.S. Army as a military police officer from 1985 until his honorable discharge in 1988. In 1990 he joined the NYPD’s Transit Police, serving as a union delegate from 1992 to 1994, before joining the Nassau County Police Department in 1994, where he served the community until 2019.

At Nassau County he received numerous awards, including multiple departmental awards and twice being named recipient of the Nassau County Top Cop Award. From 1998 to 2019 he was assigned to the Bureau of Special Operations — the county’s special tactical response team — as a training officer and instructor in active shooter deployment. For more than 10 years he was a union representative overseeing the contractual rights of over 200 police officers.

Phil is a state-certified police academy instructor and has completed many federal, state and departmental courses in law enforcement and dignitary protection.

Ownership

Matthew McCartin

Co-Owner

NYPDNassau County PD SergeantSchool safety liaison

A law enforcement professional of nearly three decades, from the NYPD to the Nassau County Police Department, with years of private protection for high-profile clients.

Read Matthew’s full bio

Matt is a law enforcement professional with a career spanning the NYPD and the Nassau County Police Department. He has served in multiple capacities and is a Sergeant assigned to Special Projects in the Chief of Support’s Office.

Matt was previously assigned to the Problem Oriented Policing Unit in the Second Precinct, working with school districts and community leaders to address school and community safety and serving as a liaison for the precinct and department. He has lectured on lockouts, lockdowns and active shooter drills, updating and reviewing schools’ building safety procedures. As an occasional guest speaker at Suffolk County Community College, he shares insight with students in the Criminal Justice degree program.

In late 1999 Matt founded All Resource Consultants, LLC after receiving requests for his security services from high-profile celebrities and executives in the medical field, and has since traveled with clients throughout the United States protecting their lives, property and events.

In November 2015, Matt joined Phil Brady and Mike Schmitt in Upfront Security Associates — a partnership with more than 80 years of combined experience and one primary goal: the best possible service for every client.

Michael Schmitt

Co-Owner

27+ years NYPD & Nassau CountyPBA representativeInvestigations

A retired police officer with more than 27 years of service to New York City and Nassau County, now a business owner and investigative expert.

Read Michael’s full bio

Mike is a retired police officer who dedicated more than 27 years of service to the citizens of the City of New York and the County of Nassau. He was recognized by both departments for excellent police work, investigations, arrests and community service.

For more than 19 years Mike served as an elected union representative in both the NYC Housing Police PBA and the Nassau County PBA, safeguarding the contractual rights of his colleagues and serving on many committees benefiting fellow officers.

Mike joined Matt McCartin in the security business in 2009, growing its clientele and building a sound professional reputation by helping companies and event planners develop and implement security plans. After retiring from the force in 2015, he and Matt partnered with Philip Brady to broaden the spectrum of Upfront Security Associates.

The combined knowledge of Mike, his partners and their law enforcement–experienced staff gives Upfront the resources to safeguard each client, their assets and whatever needs they may have.

Directors & Coordinators

William Hughes

Director of School Security Services

31 years NYPDNYPD SergeantSchool security aide

A 32-year law enforcement professional and former NYPD Sergeant who now leads Upfront’s school security programs.

Read William’s full bio

William Hughes is a resourceful, accomplished law enforcement professional with more than 32 years of experience in dynamic, high-pressure environments — known for strong problem-solving, decision-making and the ability to build and implement effective action plans.

He served 31 years with the NYPD. Beginning in 1988 in the 102nd Precinct, he patrolled by car, bicycle and on foot and worked closely with school counselors and administrators on juvenile matters. As a Detective from 2002 he served on the Felony/Misdemeanor Warrants Team and the I-Card Apprehension Team. Promoted to Sergeant in 2006, he led a squad of 30 officers, trained recruits and advised command staff until his retirement in 2019.

Since 2019 William has served as a Security Aide for the Valley Stream School District — patrolling and inspecting school premises, managing building access, monitoring surveillance systems and responding to suspicious activity. He has also provided corporate event security, personal protection and secure transportation for celebrities and executives.

His certifications include Active Shooter Response, Crowd Control, Counter Surveillance, Facial Recognition, Verbal Judo, TASER, COBRA (Weapons of Mass Destruction), CPR/AED and Basic First Aid.

Joseph Smith

Director of Administrative Services

33+ years NYPD & Nassau CountyApplicant Investigation UnitPBA trustee

A retired officer with more than 33 years of service who now runs Upfront’s background searches, onboarding, scheduling and HR — and still works tours in the field.

Read Joseph’s full bio

Joe is a retired police officer who dedicated more than 33 years of service to the citizens of the City of New York and the County of Nassau, recognized by the Nassau County Police Department for excellent police work, investigations, arrests and community service.

For more than 13 years he served as an elected union representative and trustee in the Nassau County PBA, safeguarding the contractual rights of his colleagues.

After retiring from the Nassau County Police Department’s Applicant Investigation Unit in 2020, Joe joined Upfront Security Associates. He applies his law enforcement, investigative and administrative experience to background searches, new employee onboarding, scheduling, record keeping and HR — and works numerous tours at security locations.

John V. Bulone

Investigations Coordinator

NYPD Detective 2nd GradeDEA Task ForceHonor Legion

An NYPD Detective 2nd Grade with 20+ years in narcotics, organized crime and major-case investigations alongside the DEA and Homeland Security.

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John V. Bulone is a law enforcement professional with more than 20 years of experience across investigations, crime scene preservation, evidence handling, threat mitigation, risk avoidance and case organization. He specializes in organized crime and enterprise corruption and holds the rank of Detective 2nd Grade with the New York City Police Department.

Joining the NYPD in 2002, John worked uniformed and plainclothes patrol in Queens South before moving to Narcotics Borough Queens (2007–2014) for undercover investigations, informant management, tactical planning and warrant execution. In the Major Case Unit (2014–2017) he led long-term investigations into international trafficking organizations, recovering more than 600 kilograms of narcotics, dozens of firearms and over $1 million, and taught Title III and electronic surveillance for the Organized Crime Control Bureau.

From 2017 to 2019 he served on the NY Drug Enforcement Task Force with the DEA and New York State Police, including protecting witnesses for high-level international trials. Since 2019 he has worked Auto Crime Major Case jointly with the Department of Homeland Security’s Border Security Team.

A decorated officer and Honor Legion member, John has received multiple Commendation Medals, numerous Meritorious Police Duty Medals and an Investigator Citation from the New York Shields. His training includes Executive Protection, Homicide and Criminal Investigations, Surveillance, Active Shooter Preparedness and CPR/Trauma Injury certification.

Robert Nardo

Lead Investigator

30+ years law enforcementNassau County Homicide SquadDetective

A former Nassau County Homicide Squad detective bringing more than three decades of investigative discipline to every case.

Read Robert’s full bio

Robert Nardo brings more than three decades of law enforcement experience, progressing from patrol to elite homicide investigation. He began with the NYPD in 1985 before graduating from the Nassau County Police Academy in 1987 and serving in the Second Precinct.

He earned Field Training Officer certification and completed Auto Crime School, Standardized Field Sobriety Testing and Instructor Development. In 2004 he completed detective school and joined the Second Squad; after NYPD homicide investigation training in 2008, he was assigned to the Nassau County Homicide Squad in 2009, with advanced homicide training through the New York State Police in 2012.

As Lead Investigator, Robert applies the attention to detail and case-building experience of a career in major crimes to deliver thorough, professional investigations for Upfront’s clients.

Training Department

Patrick Kelly

Director of Training & Tactics

USMC Lieutenant ColonelNYS Firearms InstructorCRASE instructor

A Marine Corps Lieutenant Colonel with four post-9/11 deployments and 15 years in law enforcement, leading all firearms and tactical training.

Read Patrick’s full bio

Patrick Kelly serves as Lead Training Officer for Upfront Security Associates, delivering a professional, robust training capability to the Upfront team and its clients.

He brings fifteen years of law enforcement experience with the NYPD and Nassau County Police Department across Patrol, Highway Patrol and Motor Carrier Enforcement. A New York State certified Firearms Instructor, he oversees entry-level, in-service and advanced firearms training, and is a certified TASER instructor and Civilian Response to Active Shooter Events (CRASE) instructor with additional certifications from the FBI, Colt and Glock.

Patrick is a twenty-one-year member of the U.S. Marine Corps, active and reserve, holding the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. As an Infantry Officer he deployed four times in support of post-9/11 operations, including Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve. His decorations include the Navy & Marine Corps Commendation Medal with Gold Star, the Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat “V,” and the Combat Action Ribbon.

A graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (B.S., Marine Engineering), he joined Upfront in 2024.

Tim Marinace

Assistant Director of Training & Tactics

FBI National AcademySecret Service sniper liaisonSWAT supervisor

A 34-year veteran sergeant, FBI National Academy graduate and former counter-sniper for presidential and vice-presidential details.

Read Tim’s full bio

Tim Marinace brings thirty-four years of law enforcement experience, retiring as a Police Sergeant after a career spanning patrol, narcotics, SWAT and academy instruction. He supervised details from uniformed patrol to security at Presidential debates.

His service began in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1981 as a Rifleman and Anti-Tank Gunner, followed by the NYC Housing Police and a long career with the Nassau County Police Department, where he rose to Supervisor in the Bureau of Special Operations. He served as a Counter Sniper for Vice President Gore, on the Counter Assault Team for President Bush, and as a Secret Service Sniper Liaison.

A graduate of the FBI National Academy, he completed FBI Firearms Instructor, FBI SWAT and FBI Sniper schools, NYPD ESU Tactical and Dignitary Protection schools and the DEA Clandestine Laboratory School, plus DHS maritime and CBRNE SWAT training, Incident Command, High Angle and Confined Space Rescue and Tactical Combat Casualty Care. He is also a certified Krav Maga instructor.

In the private sector, Tim has provided personal and event security for clients including MTV, the Discovery Channel, Loews Movie Theaters, the National Association of Home Builders and the Prime Minister of Singapore, as well as prominent sports, entertainment and corporate figures.

Don Carney

Assistant Director of Training & Tactics

USMC First SergeantDignitary Protection14 years tactical ops

A retired Nassau County detective and Marine Corps First Sergeant who spent a decade protecting senior U.S. officials overseas.

Read Don’s full bio

Don Carney brings more than 32 years of police experience and a decade of military executive-protection service.

He began with the NYPD in 1985 in the 28th and 103rd Precincts and Emergency Service Squad #1. In 1992 he joined the Nassau County Police Department, retiring as a Detective after 25 years, with service in the Bureau of Special Operations, the Special Investigations Squad’s Counter Terrorism Section and Dignitary Protection unit, and a U.S. Department of Justice Federal Task Force — 14 years of tactical operations in all.

In parallel, Don served as a First Sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps, retiring in 2021. He was Team Chief for the Multi-National Force–Iraq Chief of Staff’s Personal Security Detachment, Team Commander for a battalion commander’s detachment in Afghanistan, and served on the personal security detachments for the commanders of U.S. Central Command and U.S. Joint Forces Command.

Today Don provides executive protection, personal security and training for Upfront’s staff and clients.

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