Chief Executive Officer | Founding Partner

Joey is the former Director of Public Safety and Chief of Police for the University of Lousisana at Lafayette. He has over 29 years in law enforcement; 15 years in senior and executive level positions responsible for all aspects of administration and supervision of an agency. He brings a unique perspective to the screening and hiring of police officers because of his academy and agency head experience.

Joey earned his Bachelor’s degree in education in 1992 from University of Southwestern Louisiana, Master’s degree in education administration in 1999 from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and attended the FBI national Academy 225th session in 2006. He is an FBI/post instructor in numerous areas including firearms and defensive tactics. He is also a Certified Computerized Voice Stress Analyzer Examiner and Consultant for threat and vulnerability security assessments, policy development, leadership and management training, for private and public sector clients.

Joey has served as director of St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office police academy, the Acadiana Law Enforcement Training Academy, and the Regional Skills Training Center. He also served as a member and Vice President of the Academy Directors Association.

Joey served as a captain on the command staff for the Iberia Parish Sheriff’s Office and was a key member of the consolidation team where he served as the commander of various divisions including training, criminal investigations, and patrol during his tenure.

He also worked as the airport training manager for region eight of the country (Northeast- 42 airports) for the federalization of our nation's airports; site coordinator for Baltimore International, the 1st nationalized airport in the country and was the lead person on the ground in the conversion to TSA.

Joey has been trained and certified in forensic hypnosis since 1996 and attended training in Texas for both basic forensic analysis and advanced hypnosis techniques and has performed forensic hypnosis sessions for agencies across the state for almost 20 years developing both investigative leads and composite sketches.

Chief Operating Officer

Willie Shaw Jr. is the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and serves as a Senior Consultant for SSG. He brings a unique perspective to the screening and hiring of police officers because of his agency head and training academy experience. Willie holds bachelor degrees in psychology and organizational management. Willie is also a graduate of the FBI NA #225 Session and the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development 71st Session. He started his career in law enforcement with the Shreveport Police Department as a patrol officer in 1990 and retired in 2016 as Chief of Police. As Chief of Police, he planned, organized, coordinated, prioritized, assigned, hired, terminated, developed, disciplined, and evaluated the work of police officers, and civilian employees of the Police Department. Willie was responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the programs and activities of an 800 person department.

Additionally, he was responsible for the approximately sixty million dollar annual operations budget. He also worked with other local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in the apprehension and detention of criminals. As Chief, he reviewed operations, made assignments, and applied efficient and effective law enforcement practices and procedures. He ensured proper police and safety standards were maintained, and the work of the department was executed professionally. He was also responsible for preparing reports, summaries, and correspondence related to the work of the police department. Under Willie's tenure as Chief of Police, by building and expanding upon established concepts of community-oriented policing, the City of Shreveport saw dramatic decreases in almost every category of crimes across the board. As a result of Willie's leadership, Part I crimes such as homicide, rape, robbery, burglary, theft, and auto theft remained at levels not seen since the early 1970s.

Joseph F Fierro | Business Development

Joseph F. Fierro is a native of Newark, Delaware. Mr Fierro is a 1987 graduate of the University of Delaware, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, with a concentration in Finance and a minor in History.

Mr Fierro served his country as a United States Air Force (USAF) Officer, as an Air Weapons Controller, and Combat Crew Commander while stationed overseas and at Hurlburt Field, Florida. He achieved the rank of Captain and separated from the USAF following the conclusion of Desert Storm. In 1993, Mr Fierro left the USAF to pursue a corporate career with Pepsico during which he served as a Regional Manager overseeing operations of Pizza Hut restaurants in Iowa and Wisconsin. Subsequently, Mr Fierro served as a Vice President of the Excalibur Motor Company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He oversaw operations, sales, manufacturing and marketing of a specialty line of automobile products.

In 1996, Mr Fierro left Corporate America to pursue a career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). Following the completion of New Agents Training at the FBI Academy he was assigned to the Cleveland Division where he served as a Special Agent (SA) for approximately eight years. While in Cleveland SA Fierro investigated Violent Crimes, Public Corruption, White Collar Crime, and was assigned to the Organized crime and Drug Enforcement Task Force. His collateral duties included Firearms and General Police Instruction. In 2003, SA Fierro was promoted to Supervisory Special Agent and served in Washington, DC FBI Headquarters Internal Investigations Section, the Office of Professional Responsibility and the inspection Division. In 2006, he was assigned as the Supervisory Senior Resident Agent in Tulsa, Oklahoma. He had responsibility for the Northern Oklahoma judicial district and supervised FBI operations, investigations and personnel in 11 counties. In 2009 he was selected as the Assistant Special Agent in Charge for the Mobile Division and was responsible for all Criminal and Administrative programs in the Middle and Southern Judicial Districts of Alabama. During 2013, he returned to FBI Headquarters and served as the Unit Chief in the Strategic Information and Operations Center (SIOC), the FBI’s 24/7 clearing house for strategic information and center for crisis management and special events monitoring. In February 2016, he retired from the FBI and began his career with the City of Orange Beach as the Chief of Police. He served for approximately four years and oversaw the management and operations of the roughly 85 personnel which comprised the Police Department.

In 2019, he resigned and retired to his home in Orange Beach, Alabama. Mr Fierro has been married to Kathie for over 31 years and is the proud father of two sons

Dennis Crispo | Business Development, Florida

Dennis Crispo was born and raised in the Boston Massachusetts area, his father a Boston Fire Department Rescue 1 Lieutenant. Dennis is a 1979 graduate of the University of Massachusetts / Boston State College with a Bachelor of Science Public Service - Law Enforcement Degree.

Dennis moved to Florida in 1980 and began his career at the West Palm Beach Police Department in 1981. He retired in 2011 as Assistant Chief of Police, at that time the Police Department served a permanent population of 105,000 citizens, a daytime service population of 300,000 with a service area of 56 square miles. The department had 470 employees, 310 were sworn officers and a $49 million budget.

Dennis graduated the US Department of Justice 225th FBI National Academy-University of Virginia, June 2006 and the University of Louisville - Southern Police Institute - 109th Administrative Officers Course in May 2003.

Dennis worked his way through the ranks of the West Palm Beach PD as a Patrol Officer, Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Captain and Assistant Chief of Police. He worked and commanded several specialized units including Narcotics-Street Crimes, the Federal Weed and Seed Task force, and the Organized Crime / Special Investigations Section. His work with DEA, FBI and ATF task forces were recognized accomplishments during his career. He was a career SWAT operator who eventually commanded a 32 man SWAT Team. He was instrumental in implementing the first SWAT Fire-Medic program in Palm Beach County.

As Assistant Chief of Field Operations/ Uniform Services he was responsible for all uniform services and crime control. In addition he was able to implement several innovative administrative programs including a patrol briefing training schedule, Quality Control Checks for patrol activities such as report writing, incident investigation, Field Interrogation reports and Mobile Communications Terminal Messages to ensure accountability at all levels. He chaired a committee in the implementation of a new Officer Evaluation Process and patrol officer career development opportunities.

During his tenure as Assistant Chief, Dennis was assigned to the Support Services Bureau. He was responsible for CALEA Accreditation, In-service and firearms training, recruiting, applicant processing, employment interviews and hiring new recruits. He was also responsible for promotional testing and evaluation processes. He worked closely with the City’s Human Resource Department to develop the police departments promotional testing, hiring and recruitment processes.

Doctor | Founding Partner

Dr. Eckholdt received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology from Louisiana State University in 1992, Master of Science in Experimental Psychology from the University of Southwestern Louisiana in 1994, and his Doctoral Degree from Tennessee State University in 1998. More recently, he completed his post-doctoral M.S. degree in Clinical Psychopharmacology at Alliant University in 2008 resulting in licensure as an Advanced Practice Medical Psychologist.

He also has had extensive forensic psychology experience while at the DeBerry Special Needs Facility for the Tennessee Department of Corrections from 1996 to 1997, Federal Bureau of Prisons May 2000 to May 2003, and Psychologist for Eunice Police Department 2001 to the present.  He has served on the Louisiana Psychological Association executive committee in several roles.  Dr. Eckholdt has authored and co-authored numerous presentations, lectures, publications, and book chapters, as well as reviewed for peer-reviewed psychology journals and served as adjunct faculty at several major universities.

Clinical and Medical Psychologist

Dr. Laurie Z. Darling is a licensed clinical psychologist and a native of New Orleans, LA. She earned her Master's and Ph.D. in Medical/Clinical Psychology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, with intensive training in behavioral medicine, clinical psychology, and health psychology. Dr. Darling’s practice emphasizes the use of empirically supported, evidence-based approaches to assessment and treatment with children, adults, and older adults. She provides customized psychological assessment related to a variety of cognitive, academic, emotional, and behavioral areas, including ADHD, learning disorders, anxiety, depression, and acute/chronic health conditions. She also conducts pre-procedural evaluations for medical interventions pertaining to weight loss and pain management. In addition, Dr. Darling offers consultation, intervention and treatment within a cognitive-behavioral framework to help individuals overcome obstacles and gain the tools to become healthier, happier and more successful. She is dually licensed in Louisiana and Alabama.

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Binder Stabler received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Child Development (double major) from Florida State University and both her Master’s degree and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the University of Southern Mississippi. She completed her clinical internship in child and adult clinical psychology at DePelchin Children's Center and Ben Taub General Hospital, both affiliated with Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas. Dr. Binder Stabler specializes in evaluation and treatment of children with a suspected Developmental Disability or Autism Spectrum Disorder.  She is also interested in diagnosis and treatment of children with learning and attentional disorders and children exposed to trauma.  Dr. Binder Stabler uses empirically supported treatments, including cognitive behavioral therapy and behavioral methods, to address internalizing and externalizing behavior problems.   Dr. Binder Stabler works closely with medical and educational providers to ensure a multidisciplinary and integrated treatment approach is utilized.

Clinical Psychologist

John Tracy is a postdoctoral intern who earned his doctoral degree in Counseling Psychology at Louisiana Tech University. He is a former graduate of Louisiana State University. He has experience in providing psychotherapy and assessment services to children and adults. Dr. Tracy has training in residential and outpatient substance abuse treatment and individual and group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for anxiety and depression. He completed his doctoral internship at the Central Alabama Veterans Health Care System and also completed national VA training for the treatment of PTSD. Dr. Tracy provides psychotherapy for adolescents and adults primarily related to anxiety, depression, grief, anger, and trauma. He also provides personality, career, and cognitive assessments, including ADHD and Learning Disorder evaluations.

Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Averette received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Carleton College and then went on to work in college admissions for a few years. Cedrina later completed the requirements for a Masters of Education degree in Counseling and a Doctorate degree in Counseling Psychology from the University of Houston in Texas. She completed a one-year internship at the Southern Louisiana Internship Consortium in Baton Rouge, LA as part of her doctoral requirements. She has conducted therapy and assessment in a variety of clinical settings including university counseling centers, an inpatient psychiatric hospital, private practice, vocational rehabilitation programs and the Michael E. DeBakey Veteran’s Administration hospital in Houston, TX. She has counseled a diverse set of client populations, from college students to Veterans to older adults. During her pre-doctoral internship training she provided group therapy and assessment to pre-trial, civilly committed and NGBRI patients at a state hospital in Jackson, LA. Most recently, she served as a staff therapist for the Louisiana State University Mental Health Service. Dr. Averette specializes in adult psychotherapy, evaluation and assessment. She often integrates the evidence-based approaches of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy.

Clinical and Forensic Psychologist

Dr. Romano is a Clinical and Forensic Psychologist. He founded Brandon P. Romano, Psy.D. & Associates in 2005.  Dr. Romano has worked in the field of behavioral health since 1989 in a variety of public and private facilities and programs serving in roles ranging from direct care to clinician to administrator.  He obtained his Bachelors in Social Counseling, his Masters in Pre-Clinical Psychology / Psychometrics, and his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.  He completed his doctoral internship at the Mississippi State Hospital and his postdoctoral residency with the LSUHSC Juvenile Corrections Program.  In addition, Dr. Romano completed his Postdoctoral Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology through Alliant International University in 2010.  His private practice ranges from the evaluation and treatment of forensic (legal) matters to emotional, behavioral, educational, mental health, and substance abuse problems.  Dr. Romano was the sole recipient of the Louisiana Psychological Association's Early Career Award in 2008.  He has been featured in local and national periodicals as well as on television and radio talk shows discussing topics ranging from sex offending to parenting, and violent mental health.  Dr. Romano currently provides services at his Main Clinic (Baton Rouge) and provides community-based services throughout Louisiana.