The Security Foundation

We were excited for the chance to learn more about OSAC Executive Director Jerry Tavares. He brings not only a wealth of experience but also a personal connection to OSAC’s mission, having been involved with the organization for more than two decades. His journey with OSAC began in 1999 when he served as a U.S. Marine at the U.S. Embassy in Manila, Philippines where there is an active OSAC chapter to this day. Now, as Executive Director, Tavares leads OSAC’s efforts to ensure U.S. organizations are safer, stronger, and more prosperous through an ongoing security information exchange and network of public-private security professionals.

How did your life and career path lead you to OSAC?

Working in DS, I never dreamed in a million years that I’d now be the Executive Director of OSAC. I started out as a Marine and was fortunate enough to land a job as a Marine Security Guard.  I served in Manila and Cairo, Egypt, and had some amazing mentors along the way.  Then, I decided to get my bachelor’s degree in business. In 2004, I joined Diplomatic Security (DS) as a Special Agent, served in the Miami Field Office, volunteered for Baghdad, and went on to complete six overseas tours, along with five domestic ones. My work encompassed the full array of security operations, risk mitigations, and risk management to enable the delivery of U.S. Foreign Policy objectives from Laos to Colombia.  After serving as a Division Director for Physical Security, I was headed toward another headquarters assignment when DS leadership approached me and asked if I’d be willing to become the Executive Director. I told them, “Let me think about it… yes.”

With your insight as a former RSO, what do you see as OSAC’s primary value to the public side of this partnership?

The biggest benefit to the U.S. Government when it comes to OSAC is, without a doubt, the information. The data we receive from our members, partners, NGOs, and academia—particularly from areas where we don’t have personnel—provides us with a complete picture. This not only includes the threat environment, but also the economic and political landscapes, among other factors. This information helps us and all U.S. organizations manage risks and security challenges, and ultimately ensures America is safer, stronger, and more prosperous overseas.

TSF funds go directly to supporting OSAC’s 150+ country chapters and 13 common interest committees. Why are these meetings so essential?

The funding received from TSF enables all our members to meet, connect, and share timely security information. In 2024, OSAC held over 150 events all over the world and many of those events were funded by U.S. organizations through donations made to TSF. OSAC is not just a partnership in name but in practice. TSF enables the OSAC partnership and the timely exchange of information that helps America navigate crises, local security challenges, and even major events such as the Olympics and FIFA World Cup.

And let me emphasize: much of the information we receive from the private sector, NGOs, and even academia is new information for us, as these entities are commonly in areas of conflict where incidents, uprisings, or illicit behavior may impact U.S. organizations’ ability to operate safely. The U.S. government may not have a presence in those  areas, so this engagement truly makes it possible for us to have the most complete understanding of the security environment. I want to take a moment to thank TSF’s generous sponsors for their continued support. They are what makes the magic of OSAC possible.

What surprised you the most when you started up at OSAC?

The size and enthusiasm of the OSAC membership is truly remarkable. We now have over 30,000 members representing almost 7,000 different U.S. organizations. What’s even more remarkable is how essential OSAC has become to organizations, particularly in the private sector. Some of the largest companies in America depend on our work, and I’m proud that we can offer such a valuable resource free of charge.

What stands out to me most is the networking—and how deeply OSAC is loved, cherished, and valued by the private sector. This is primarily because of our ability to connect, collaborate, and share information. We facilitate those connections through our events, communication channels, country chapters, and regional and industry-based committees. The public-private platforms we offer for networking and sharing is truly unmatched, bringing people together in ways that likely could never have happened otherwise.

What are you most excited to get into in your new role?

What am I most excited about? It’s really quite simple and straightforward: first and foremost, my priority is to take care of our membership—our clients. OSAC is here to deliver the products and services needed for U.S. foreign policy, U.S. businesses, and U.S. interests to succeed around the world. That’s my goal as Executive Director: to deliver for our membership and ensure America is  stronger, safer, and more prosperous.