An Elite Team

We bring a unique and effective mix of business acumen, security and anti-violence knowledge and training expertise, blended perfectly to help make your organization a safer place.

mike hurndon

Executive director of operations

Mike provides engaged daily oversight of current operations, organizational leadership development, strategic initiatives, & personalized customer support. He is a 34-year veteran of the U.S. Army where he served as a Tactical Combat Leader, Institutional Training Commandant, and Strategic Regional Advisor.  He served at every echelon, from the Operational Team to the Multi-National Joint Command Level.

Retiring from the Army as a senior Command Sergeant Major, Mike conducted 14 overseas deployments to ten separate foreign nations, including four combat deployments to both Afghanistan and Iraq for a cumulative four years. As a result, he has garnered a wide breath of security-specific experience, both domestically and internationally. He served as a senior leader of the NATO International Security Assistance Force, the senior leader in charge of the U.S. Military’s Operation SkyGuard at Atlanta-Hartsfield International Airport, immediately following the 9-11 terrorist attacks, and served as a tactical operational leader and administrator within Georgia Counterdrug Task Force, directly supporting local, state, & federal law enforcement agencies throughout the State for over ten years.

Mike’s qualifications and certifications include U.S. Army Ranger, Airborne, Air Assault, Rappel Master, Sniper, Recondo, Jungle and Artic Warfare Schools. He is a graduate of both the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy and the Georgia Police Officer Standards & Training (P.O.S.T.) Police Academy, and is currently PO.S.T. certificed. Mike studied Aeronautical Science at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and is a licensed pilot. He is also actively involved as a volunteer organizer, facilitator, and trainer for Team River Runner, which is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that supports Veterans by providing health, healing, and community through paddle sports.

Mike is a native of metro Atlanta where he currently resides with his family.

Chris Sims

founding Partner

Chris is a Ranger qualified Green Beret with over 20 years in the United States Army with 15 of those years serving in the Special forces. He has an extensive background as an instructor and in curriculum development conducting training for both civilians and foreign forces all over the world. His numerous deployments to both combat and other semi-permissive environments provide the experience and insight so valuable in creating procedures and training plans for our clients.

Chris developed and taught the precursor to our Mindset and Awareness course and has been an instructor for numerous advanced courses including High Risk S.E.R.E. (Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape) level C to soldiers who are in a high-risk-of-capture category. Chris was an instructor for Special Forces Advanced Urban Combat (SFAUC) and Jumpmaster school to US Army Green Berets and support personnel and is a Certified Firearms Instructor through NATO and the US State Department. Chris holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and is currently pursuing his Masters in Business Administration.

Marcus Ruzek

founding Partner

Marcus Ruzek is a 13-year US Army combat veteran, having served as an Army Special Forces Officer (Green Beret), commanding a Special Forces “A-Team” in his final assignment.

Among Captain Ruzek’s awards and decorations are three Bronze Star Medals, one for Valorous actions on the battlefield, and two for meritorious service in both Afghanistan and Iraq.

While assigned as an Infantry Officer in 2009, CPT Ruzek deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He later graduated from the rigorous two-year training pipeline at Ft. Bragg, NC to serve in the 1st Special Forces Regiment. CPT Ruzek deployed to northern Iraq in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE in 2015. CPT Ruzek commanded a Special Forces “A Team” which partnered with Kurdish Peshmerga in the fight against Islamic State terrorists (aka: ISIS).

Marcus is a NRA Certified Firearms Instructor.

Bob Whitley

founding & Managing Partner

Bob manages business operations for Mindset 1st and has helped found, scale and manage startup companies as well as developed and driven turnaround strategies for established firms. Bob's background includes executive roles in operations and sales management, as well as 15 years of F100 corporate high-tech sales.

Bob holds a Management of Technology focused MBA from Georgia Tech and is a NRA Certified Firearms Instructor.