Management Team

“For more than 30 years Intelligarde has challenged the security industry to be better. We revolutionized the industry once already and now we’re doing it again by investing a significant portion of our resources back into our employees. We truly believe that the security industry can be a source for social good around the world, but it starts with treating our guards right and helping them to build the futures they dream of.”

Ross has always been a well-known innovator in the security industry developing new methods and important advances to benefit all members of the industry nationwide. As the founder and current CEO of Intelligarde, for over 30 years, he has been integral in revolutionizing the industry – most recently with the introduction of Intelligarde’s Employees Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) & B Corp Certification.

Through consultations with security, police, facility and property management experts nationwide, he has driven Intelligarde to shift its focus to prioritizing a hybrid program developed to address the need for security personnel to engage in complex administrative tasks while still being able to remain assertive in the protection of people and assets across our client base. While most companies prioritize “old fashioned” pre-2010 models with a blind focus on either “enforcement” or “service” resulting in either too aggressive or too passive an approach for post-2010 security programming, Ross has redesigned Intelligarde’s recruitment, training and professional development process to produce a “hybrid” approach properly balancing these priorities with an acute focus on courteous and professional security and reception services.

Ross is continuously developing new and innovative programs designed to increase employee retention and development, while keeping Intelligarde’s price-point in line with being the highest value currently available on the market.

“I started my career in security with Intelligarde at the age of 18. I am living proof that with hard work, passion and the opportunity provided by Intelligarde, anyone can build the life they’ve always dreamed of. I started at the very bottom rung of the security industry and worked my way up to the Chief Operating Officer of one of Canada’s largest and most influential security firms. Now, my job is to impart that knowledge on our guards and help them to blaze that same trail for themselves.”

For over 17 years, Chris has succeeded in moving up through Intelligarde holding every operational position currently available within Intelligarde’s Leadership & Management Program. With 3 years of experience as a Correctional Officer and member of the Institutional Crisis Intervention Team, Chris brings forward a seasoned approach to security philosophy in both large and small scale security service provision. After being promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2012, Chris’ focus on customer service training and progressive career track programming for Intelligarde’s employees enabled Intelligarde to become and remain a rapid growth company. His commitment to controlled profitable growth strategies and high value placed on employee satisfaction coupled with a mutual commitment to personal growth has allowed Intelligarde to expand its executive residential, corporate & retail services portfolio to include many new and influential asset management organizations across Ontario and Manitoba.

Chris has been instrumental in the growth and deployment of Intelligarde’s Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP), and led the charge in achieving the B Corporation designation. Chris continues to push the limits of what security means to Canadians, and what fair and proper employment looks like to employees in the security industry.

“We are only as good as our weakest guard, and so I’ve made it my personal mission to elevate our management, leadership and training standards to eclipse those of all others in the industry. Our progress has been monumental and we’re excited about where our future is headed.”

Michael Gavendo is the Vice President of Business Development and has over 20 years’ experience in the security industry. Michael laid the groundwork for Intelligarde’s leaders of tomorrow as a major proponent of our Leaders & Management program. As Intelligarde’s National Account Manager from 2007-2012, Michael solidified relationships with asset, property, and management groups and provided them with effective crime prevention strategies. Michael forges and maintains client relationships by ensuring an unparalleled quality of customer service throughout the entire process.

His administration of Intelligarde’s Management & Leadership program has allowed him to further improve the impact of intelligarde’s Employee Share Ownership Plan (ESOP) and help to contribute to a more productive and fulfilling environment for everyone at Intelligarde.

“As an employee-owned company our culture is our backbone. I come to work every day with the goal of bringing on new employees and helping them to find a career path that is right for them. Helping our employees to achieve financial stability and personal goals drives me to be a better, more effective leader every day.”

Marjaan is a graduate of The University of Ontario Institute of Technology’s Criminology. In her time at Intelligarde she has demonstrated remarkably strong emotional intelligence, compassion, and a drive to be better.