Instructor Bio's:

Josh Reeve

CEO, Empire Protection LLC (Australia, USA & Thailand) 

With nearly two decades of experience in private security and both state and federal law enforcement, Josh Reeve has established himself as a foremost authority in protection and security operations. He founded Empire Protection in 2013, envisioning an elite security and protection provider that has since expanded globally as Empire Executive Protection.

Josh specializes in risk assessment and management, close personal protection—including executive and witness protection, protective surveillance, secure transportation, event security planning, industrial dispute management, crisis management, and security advising. By employing leading-edge methods and rigorous operational training, he exceeds industry expectations on every assignment.

Simon Lancaster

Director of Special Projects & Training, Empire Protection AUS

Seasoned security and risk professional with over a decade of experience operating in high-threat environments. A former Sniper Team Leader in the Australian Army, Simon served with distinction on deployments to Afghanistan in 2012 and Iraq in 2016. During these missions, he played a pivotal role in protecting humanitarian aid workers, such as those from AusAID, and was heavily involved in mentoring and training Iraqi forces during their fight against ISIS. His responsibilities required advanced marksmanship, leadership in austere conditions, and operational planning in hostile environments.

Following his military career, Simon transitioned into the private security sector, where he served as a Team Leader for diplomatic protection operations in Kabul from 2017 to 2021. In this role, he managed the security of government personnel, NGO workers, and diplomats, coordinating movement planning, threat assessments, and incident response in one of the world’s most volatile capitals. His leadership in this domain required not only tactical excellence but also cultural sensitivity and real-time risk management.

Don Hooper

Director of Special Projects & Training, Empire Protection USA

Don Hooper is a proven Security Leader with over 20 years of experience in the Military and Private Security Sector. During his tenure at the U.S. Department of State, Don worked closely with the Diplomatic Security Service to shape and execute high-threat security and counterterrorism programs. He played a pivotal role on the Foreign Emergency Support Team (FEST), guiding participants through complex interagency training exercises.

Post Military, Don dedicated his strategic and leadership capabilities to the Private Sector, where he has protected some of the highest-profile clients in the world. Currently serving as the U.S. Director of Special Programs and Training at Empire Protection, Don delivers advanced instruction in risk management, crisis response, and operational leadership.

Tom

Manager of Special Projects & Training, Empire Protection

Tom is an accomplished security professional with more than a decade of experience in the Military and private sector. His career began in the Australian Defence Force, where he developed core expertise in operational planning, risk management, and leading teams in complex, high-pressure environments. 
Following his transition from military service, Tom has taken on senior roles within the private security sector, where he specialises in executive protection, crisis response, and high-level risk mitigation. Tom oversees protective operations for clients operating across a range of sensitive and demanding environments.
He now manages special projects and training, with responsibility for delivering operational capabilities both domestically and internationally. This includes coordinating deployments across multiple jurisdictions, ensuring team readiness for diverse threat environments, and overseeing training programs aligned with real-world operational demands.