About Us
Merletti Gonzales International (MGI) is a well seasoned, international and multifaceted company offering a range of services. We work across several industries, with various governments and countries worldwide. MG has the capability and expertise to deliver customized solutions to our clients whether their needs are domestic or overseas.
Ralph Gonzales and Lew Merletti have led similar lives and careers. Both served their country honorably in the military, including tours in Vietnam. They met while both were United States Secret Service (USSS) Agents. Lew was appointed Director of the USSS and Ralph was appointed to the Senior Executive Service. It was in the Secret Service that Lew and Ralph’s relationship grew while protecting the Presidents of our nation. Collectively, Lew and Ralph protected Presidents Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Clinton, and George W. Bush. Following retirement, they pursued different careers. In 2016, Lew and Ralph reunited and formed Merletti Gonzales International, an international firm that is veteran-owned. The following are their stories.
RALPH
GONZALES
Chief Executive Officer
Senior Executive, U.S. Secret Service (Retired)
Jim
Savage
Senior Advisor
Risk Management
Jim Savage
Jim Savage is a global risk management strategist and practitioner with extensive experience in the energy industry and in the U.S. Secret Service, including assignments in high-risk locations.
Throughout his career, he has been a trusted partner of and advisor to top management and the board of directors, valued for strategic planning, threat assessment, policy development, crisis management, asset protection and emergency preparedness.
As a Senior Advisor of Merletti Gonzales International, Jim advises corporations and private sector clients in developing comprehensive risk management, security, and workplace violence prevention programs for operations domestically and abroad. He also provides training, protective strategies and personal risk management advice to business executives and high-net-worth clients and families.
As Senior Vice President for the Global Security Department of Hunt Consolidated Inc. (Hunt Oil Company), a diversified holding company for a privately owned group of businesses in several industries, including oil and gas exploration and production, Jim reported directly to the Chairman and CEO. He was the leader in creating and executing security and risk-management strategies to protect people, facilities and brand across the entire organization, including headquarters-based personnel and assets in Dallas, and international assets in Kurdistan, Peru, Romania, Mexico, Northern Iraq and Yemen.
Jim’s employment with Hunt Consolidated followed a full career as a Special Agent with the United States Secret Service, where his last position was that of Deputy Assistant Director responsible for threat assessment, preparedness, and prevention programs.
He also brings extensive experience on Boards of Directors, having served as a current Member on the Genesis, Crimes Against Women Conference Board; founding and current Board Member of Genesis Women’s Shelter, HeROs Men’s Alliance; Co-Founder and Former Chairman of OpMed Foundation; Current Vice Chairman of The Texas Department of Public Safety Foundation; and past Board Member of the C.C. Young Senior and Retirement Center. He established, implemented and chaired the Courtroom Advocacy Group of men from the non-profit Genesis Women’s Shelter to support victims of domestic violence in the courtroom.
Affiliations include being a member of the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS), International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and US. State Department Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC). He led membership development efforts of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP) in the DFW Metro area and now serves as the North Texas Liaison Representative. The mission of ATAP is to prevent targeted violence by advancing knowledge in the areas of stalking, threats and homeland security.
Jim earned a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Texas at Austin. He has participated in several professional development programs, including the Senior Executive Service certification program, ongoing behavioral threat assessment and workplace violence training through the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals, Intelligence Community Senior Leadership Program, Tel Aviv University Homeland Security Executive Program, Hostage US Reintegration and Family Support, and Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Center (ALERRT): Civilian Response to Active Shooter instructor certification.
Joe
Goodwin
Senior Advisor
Supply Chain & Logistics
Joe Goodwin
Joe Goodwin is a Supply Chain Professional with 20+ years working for major corporations in the US and Canada such as Kraft / Nabisco, Coca Cola, AutoZone, Pilgrim’s Pride / JBS. Mr. Goodwin directed Supply Chain networks for Domestic US and Canada distribution networks as well as Import & Export networks. He is operationally versed with systems operations and configuration for Distribution Network Analysis, Transportation Management Systems and Fleet Optimization. Mr. Goodwin served as Director of Logistics for Country Fresh Holdings / The Fresh Group, Director of Logistics Transportation and Supply Chain Manager for Pilgrim’s Pride, and Director of Transportation Supply Chain at Seaboard Foods.
Additionally, Mr. Goodwin created and implemented cross-dock distribution for Canadian-US customers resulting in a $1.2 million reduction in Canadian freight costs for distribution to US customers and $60,000-year one elimination of outside cold storage costs through the consolidated cross-dock in US facility. Also, consolidated multiple LTL distribution and plant transfers shipments reducing multiple LTL shipments to two consolidated shipments weekly with a $540,000 in savings in year one. Designed and facilitated food service production and distribution move from Brampton to Reading, facilitating move for $20 million customer revenue distribution from Canada to US in 8 weeks, and consolidating 18 distribution routes optimized to 12 routes savings of $240,000 in freight charges.
He oversaw operations of a private fleet of 45 trucks and 52 trailers running 60-80 routes per day, including facilitating fleet maintenance, and cultivating relationships with ~5 3PLs. Joe also maintains compliance on fleet vehicles and employees and overall compliance with DOT, USMCA, USDA, FDA, and FSMA regulations.
Developed relationships with buyers, brokers, shippers, and end-users to ensure high levels of customer satisfaction for key customers, including Walmart, South East Grocers, Harris Teeter, Publix, Sysco, Kroger, NY, LA School systems, HEB, Brookshire, Albertsons, Gordon Food Service, Chick-Fil-A, Loblaws, Save On, Hello Fresh, Ahold, and Wegmans.
Received a Master of Science in Management, Master of Science in Operations, and Bachelor of Science in Professional Aeronautics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Additional training received in: SAP Configuration Training Seminars for SD, CRM, and Procurement modules, Kraft Accelerated Management STEPS program.
Mr. Goodwin proudly served in the United States Air Force as Chief, Facility Manager and Chief, Air Traffic Controller.
Nicholas
Galbraith
Senior Advisor
Risk Management
Nicholas Galbraith
Nicholas Galbraith is a retired British Army officer with The Parachute Regiment. Subsequently serving as a military advisor to both the Omani Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of the Palace Office over a period of 18 years. As a Senior Advisor for Merletti Gonzales International, Nicholas consults on a wide range of international projects, provides support for Crisis Management and Executive Protection planning, performs business development and advises on marketing strategies.
Assisted with the formation of The Second Regiment of The Sultan’s Special Force and led several successful training exercises and tours with the Omani Infantry Battalion assigned to the border. Additionally, Nicholas served as Chief Instructor, Officers Wing, at the Ugandan School of Infantry in charge of producing all course material, training, range exercises and advising commanding officers. Nicholas is accustomed to dealing with government officials, senior military and police officers and diplomatic missions during times of peacekeeping and heightened tensions.
He gained further Middle East and North Africa experience while working as Regional Security Advisor for Chevron from 2003 to 2012. This included opening an office in Baghdad, recruiting, and training his own Iraqi security team. Nicholas provided the necessary security support for projects throughout the region including Libya, Lebanon, all the Gulf countries and Turkey. Additionally, during his time in Middle East, he was elected as Chairman of Bahrain and Erbil Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), liaised with government officials, security counterparts, local law enforcement and military forces.
Nicholas served as Senior Security Consultant in Iraqi Kurdistan from 2013 to 2016 for Hunt Oil Company. He managed various aspects of the security program for the field facilities, provided training to host nation government forces, conducted contingency and evacuation planning and training, performed audits, and analyzed geo-political and security threats in the region.
With over 30 years in the Middle East and North Africa region, Nicholas has a comprehensive knowledge of the culture, customs, written and spoken Arabic language essential for successful operations, planning and training. He has a wide range of high-level contacts and is a subject matter expert in his field.
Paul
Johnson
Senior Advisor
Supply Chain & Security
Paul Johnson
Paul R. Johnson is an American security risk management expert, known for building, transforming and leading organizations that provide industry-leading security capabilities for both the private and government sectors. Mr. Johnson has served as the Chief of Global Security for a Fortune 1000 multi-national company with demonstrated experience in developing and building enterprise business programs, executing business strategies, security risk management, business operations, threat mitigation, cyber & IT risk mitigation, executive protection, and crisis management strategies. A resourceful and strategic thinking business leader who mitigates risk with a data driven mindset and pragmatic approach.
In 2014, Mr. Johnson joined Papa John’s International as the company’s first Chief of Global Security and Chief Information Security Officer where he served until 2020. He oversaw and coordinated global security efforts throughout Papa John’s International and all its business units, including enterprise wide security strategy and programs, cyber security, executive protection, physical security, brand integrity, supply chain security, business intelligence and threat analysis. Papa John’s International is the third largest pizza company in the world with over 5600 locations in over 49 countries and +120,000 employees. Prior to joining Papa John’s International, Paul spent over two decades both as a Special Agent and a senior executive with the United States Secret Service serving in multiple investigative and protective assignments throughout the world, finishing his career as the Special Agent in Charge of the Louisville Field Office covering Kentucky and southern Indiana.
Paul is a graduate of the United States Naval Postgraduate School and holds a Master of Arts degree in National Security Studies, with a focus on the study of: “Insider Threats to Organizations.””
Robert
Grech
Senior Advisor
Risk Management
Robert Grech
Robert Grech is a global security and law enforcement executive with over 30+ years of experience in managing high-level security operations in challenging environments. He has served as a police officer with the New York City Police Department and a special agent with the Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security. His expertise is in program design, crisis management, and executive protection.
As a Senior Advisor of Merletti Gonzales International, Robert consults companies and organization across the globe on all security matters. Also, provides risk vulnerability assessments, executive protection, security and crisis management planning and training, and liaison with security counterparts worldwide. Robert assists with business development and marketing strategies.
Robert is able to foresee and identify complex problems and develop improvement strategies, while managing diverse and complex teams. Robert possesses an appreciation and understanding of diverse cultures, people, and customs gained from broad international experience in more than 60 countries with permanent overseas assignments in Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
Robert retired from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) in 2018 after 20 years of service. During his last posting he held the role of Supervisory Special Agent, Chief of Overseas Criminal Investigations Division where he led a global investigative force consisting of DSS special agents and foreign law enforcement officials. Additionally, Robert held the rank of Special Agent-in-Charge and led federal law enforcement officers and support personnel in executive protection for foreign VIP’s, conducted criminal investigations and liaised with foreign diplomatic missions in the region. As Deputy Regional Security Officer for the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City, Robert directed and managed all facets of security for the Embassy and Consulates in Mexico. Previous held positions include Regional Security Officer of U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem, Israel and Zagreb, Croatia.
Professional affiliations include Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC), Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA), and American Foreign Service Association (AFSA).
Gary
Stone
Senior Advisor
Risk Management
Gary Stone
Gary Ray Stone is a Senior Advisor of Risk Management and Lead Investigator for Merletti Gonzales International. Over the course of his career, Mr. Stone served as Manager of Security Services for Hunt Consolidated, Inc. for 10 years, where he was responsible for security oversight of family owned businesses and residences, information collection, liaison with local, state and federal officials. Additionally, Mr. Stone retired as the Assistant Chief, Criminal Law Enforcement Division, Texas Department of Public Safety, with tenure of over 31 years.
The Criminal Law Enforcement Division, comprised of approximately 1,039 personnel from the state police Narcotics, Intelligence, Motor Vehicle Theft and Crime Laboratory Services. Mr. Stone was the primary oversight officer responsible for Homeland Security and intelligence collection efforts in Texas.
Prior to his position as Assistant Chief he held the position as Major, Criminal Law Enforcement, directing special projects for the department including the concept, design and operation of the Texas Fusion Center, the focal point for collection, analysis and dissemination of criminal information relating to terrorism and homeland security in Texas. Mr. Stone directed the department’s implementation plan for response to a WMD (Weapons of Mass Destruction) incident in Texas; this program trained and equipped over 4000 DPS officers to respond to a WMD event.
Mr. Stone attended Southwest Texas State University and various programs at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas, at Austin, Texas. Mr. Stone holds a Master Peace Officer Certification, TCLOSE Instructor’s Certificate, and is certified in Vulnerability Assessment for Critical Infrastructure.
Mr. Stone held the position as President of the Texas Capitol Area Law Enforcement Officers Association and is a member of the Department of Public Safety Officers Association. He held the position of Vice President of the River City Scholarship Foundation, a nonprofit organization that raised funds for college scholarships. He served as a member of the Texas Homeland Security Council and is a former member of the FBI Dallas InfraGard (National Infrastructure Protection) Board of Directors.
