Gavin de Becker and Associates
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Security and consulting firm |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California, United States |
Key people | Gavin de Becker (founder) |
| Website | gdba |
Gavin de Becker and Associates (abbreviated as GDBA) is a firm specializing in security and consulting, providing personal protection services for both individuals and corporate clients. Based in Los Angeles, the organization maintains a presence across 27 cities in seven different countries.
History
Established in 1978 by Gavin de Becker, the company has evolved significantly over the decades. In 2013, GDBA welcomed TPG Growth as a minority stakeholder. Subsequently, in 2019, Gavin de Becker reacquired full ownership, regaining 100% control of the business.
Services
Operating as a "threat assessment and security firm," Gavin de Becker and Associates delivers private security solutions along with protective training programs. Their clientele encompasses corporations, government entities, and educational institutions. Notably, their services have been extended to agencies such as the Central Intelligence Agency and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as well as to "the 90 most prominent families worldwide."
Publicly acknowledged clients have included figures like Theresa Saldana, entertainers such as Madonna, Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer, Michael J. Fox, and Barbra Streisand, as well as prominent individuals including Jeff Bezos, John Travolta, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr..
In September 2023, security personnel from GDBA detained an individual who attempted to approach presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy Jr.. The man was impersonating a United States Marshal and was found carrying two loaded firearms. Kennedy expressed gratitude on X for the swift intervention by GDBA protectors during his Hispanic Heritage speech at Los Angeles’ Wilshire Ebell Theatre.
The following month, GDBA security officers apprehended an intruder twice at Kennedy’s residence in Los Angeles after the individual had been released by law enforcement. These events received national attention and prompted renewed demands for Kennedy to receive protection from the United States Secret Service.
The Private Suite
On May 15, 2017, Gavin de Becker and Associates inaugurated the Private Suite at Los Angeles International Airport. Described by The Wall Street Journal as "an exclusive terminal catering to VIPs, celebrities, CEOs," it offers privacy to those willing to invest in a discreet travel experience. de Becker has announced plans to launch a similar facility at John F. Kennedy International Airport in the near future.
In November 2017, reports indicated that GDBA introduced a version of the Private Suite within the Westfield Century City shopping mall, granting VIP customers access to a secluded shopping environment.
See also
- Bill McGlashan, founder and managing partner of TPG Growth
- XOJET