Growing with the security industry

With more than 20 years of security experience, the ever-evolving nature of the security industry is what interests Jeremy Rodrigues, CPP the most.

“The security field is constantly evolving, with changes being a constant factor, and as security professionals, we’re trying to stay aware of new risks and challenges” he says. “But it’s also an opportunity for us to develop innovative solutions to complex problems that each of our companies face.”

Rodrigues, currently the Senior Director of Enterprise Security at Excelerate Energy, started his career in the U.S. Coast Guard as a Port Security Specialist. He served on active duty for six years, deploying as part of Law Enforcement Detachments onboard U.S. and allied warships conducting counternarcotics operations throughout Latin America and is also a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom. He then worked as a Border Patrol Agent at U.S. Customs and Border Protection before using his GI Bill to attend San Diego State University, where he earned degrees in International Security and Conflict Resolution, as well as in Homeland Security. From there, he took on the role of Homeland Security Project Manager at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory before serving as a Foreign Affairs Officer at the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security, overseeing private sector threat warning at the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC).

In 2016, Rodrigues transitioned into the private sector and has since held senior security leadership positions at The Boeing Company and Pratt & Whitney before the move to Excelerate Energy in 2022. He is an active member of the International Security Management Association (ISMA) and serves on the advisory council for Hostage US. In addition, Rodrigues also teaches homeland security studies at Arizona State University’s School of Public Affairs and serves as a member of the school’s advisory board. He retired from the Coast Guard Reserve in 2021 after 20 years of service of enlisted and commissioned service.

I've been shaped by people who've taken an interest in me and my career aspirations and I try to give back whenever possible.

In his role at Excelerate Energy, Rodrigues is the head of enterprise security. This includes maritime security compliance, executive protection, physical security, travel risk management, crisis management and the security technology employed by the company around the world. Rodrigues is also responsible for geopolitical risk analysis.

“I have a unique role at Excelerate that allows me to help our executives make informed decisions by evaluating how events taking place around the world impact our company,” he explains. “Excelerate is a relatively small company, but we operate in a fascinating component of the energy sector. We have a fleet of 10 specialized ships called Floating Storage and Regasification Units that can re-gasify liquefied natural gas (LNG) at sea, so we’re essentially a floating LNG terminal to aid countries in their energy transition, and they are employed everywhere from places like Argentina and Brazil, to Pakistan, Bangladesh, the United Arab Emirates, Finland, and soon, Germany. We also have corporate offices around the world as well. So, it’s been an interesting journey from government into aerospace and now into the energy sector and getting to use my past experiences to protect our people and assets at Excelerate.”

When looking back on his career, Rodrigues credits his successes to a desire to always learn something new either through traditional education or from the expertise of others. Rodrigues recently graduated from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, where he earned an advanced degree alongside a cohort of mid-career professionals at Thunderbird’s Washington, DC campus.

“There needs to be a willingness to learn — continuous education — and a willingness to go beyond your comfort zone,” he notes. “If there is something I don’t have subject matter expertise in, or a background in, it’s important to rely upon others in my organization, people on my team to help me come up to speed quickly, and ultimately fulfill the goals of the organizations.”

Supporting security professionals

When offering advice to those entering the security industry or seeking to advance their careers, Rodrigues emphasizes the importance of curiosity. “Stay curious, seek out diverse experiences, and continuously build your network,” he adds. “Having a broad understanding of different security disciplines will make you more versatile and valuable to organizations.” He also stresses the evolving nature of the security landscape, noting that future security leaders may come from varied backgrounds such as IT or human resources. According to Rodrigues, supporting other security professionals — whether through formal or informal mentorship — is an important way to advance and grow the security industry.

“I’ve been shaped by people who’ve taken an interest in me and my career aspirations, and I try to give back whenever possible,” he says. “It has taught me a lot personally, it’s helped me give back to my industry and to the organizations that I’ve been a part of. I’m imparting the knowledge that I received from the mentors that I’ve had throughout my career with people coming up. It’s extremely fulfilling!”