How Jack Byrd Maintains Professional Development Standards Across  Solaren’s Growing Workforce

Jack K. Byrd III manages training programs that maintain professional standards across Solaren Risk Management’s workforce of over 300 security contractors. The company implements certification systems that exceed state minimum requirements while addressing operational challenges across multiple southeastern markets.

Training programs operate through systematic approaches that combine regulatory compliance with specialized instruction. “We regularly hold, especially for our Nashville area and the Middle Tennessee area of focus that we have, we hold in-person courses regularly,” states Bethany Gill, Solaren’s Chief of Operations. “Anytime we hire a bunch of people for unarmed, for example, once we get to a certain number of people that we’ve hired, we invite them all to come out to a class.”

Tennessee mandates four-hour training sessions for unarmed security personnel, including Dallas Law qualifications required for Nashville entertainment venues (https://www.linkedin.com/company/solarenrm). Byrd expanded these baseline requirements into comprehensive curricula addressing diverse operational environments and client specifications.

Darrell Webb serves as training coordinator while maintaining active law enforcement duties, providing current industry expertise to certification programs. “We have a training coordinator, Darrell, who’s phenomenal. He’s a current law enforcement officer, and he knows his stuff for sure,” according to Gill. “He does a lot of the training through the law enforcement agency, the department that he works in.”

Instructor qualifications emphasize practical experience through active or retired law enforcement professionals who maintain current certifications. Webb’s dual role creates continuity between public safety standards and commercial security operations. Multiple instructors contribute specialized knowledge while ensuring training content addresses contemporary security challenges.

Certification offerings encompass armed security, unarmed security, restraints protocols, and active shooter response training. Armed security renewal courses provide condensed updates covering legal developments, use of force principles, and range qualification. “Armed security officers, we do training for them. We do active shooter training as well,” Gill explains.

Advanced training includes tactical emergency casualty care spanning three instructional days. The program covers tourniquet application, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and emergency medical response protocols. “We had the tactical emergency casualty care course, which was a three-day course talking about how to use tourniquets, how to do CPR, all that kind of stuff,” Gill describes.

Documentation training addresses report writing requirements that vary across client types and jurisdictional standards. “We have regular report writing classes because not everybody knows how to write a report. Not everybody knows what categories on their report mean,” states Gill. Proper documentation supports legal compliance while providing evidence for incident resolution and liability management.

Training effectiveness is demonstrated through measurable, real-world applications of learned skills. Gill recounts an incident where tactical emergency training proved valuable: “One of our guards, a guy, ran up to him while he was working at one of the bars, she was on the street doing ID checks. A guy ran up to him, and he had been stabbed in the arm. And this officer that we had applied a tourniquet, not everybody knows how to apply a tourniquet.”

Performance recognition programs incentivize continued professional development through financial rewards and advancement opportunities. Annual ceremonies acknowledge exceptional performance and specialized training completion. “At the end of the year, we have a Christmas party, a company Christmas party that we do,” according to Gill. “If somebody based on those performance evaluations throughout the year has just done an exceptional job, they’ll get an award, which usually correlates with some kind of pay boost.”

Training completion generates specific recognition and monetary incentives for participants. The tactical emergency casualty care program earned completion awards due to its emergency response significance. “If you took that course, then you got your certificate and an award for it because that was a really big deal for us,” Gill notes.

Career advancement pathways reward demonstrated competence with promotion opportunities from field assignments to supervisory positions. “Nine times out of 10, it comes from people who have worked for us out in the field and have really done a good job,” Gill explains regarding leadership recruitment. Field performance combined with training achievements creates eligibility for management roles.

Promotional processes involve a comprehensive evaluation, including panel interviews with administrative and operational leadership. “We have a panel interview for that person. We have them talk with multiple people individually, and then we have a panel interview where everybody sits together from both the admin and operations side,” Gill describes. Candidates face scenario-based questions testing the practical application of training concepts.

Quality assurance mechanisms ensure training standards translate into operational effectiveness across diverse client environments. Performance evaluations occur quarterly and annually, providing systematic feedback while identifying additional development needs. Jack Byrd’s emphasis on professional standards creates accountability for sustained competency improvement.

Geographic challenges require innovative delivery methods for personnel operating at remote locations across multiple states. Nashville-area contractors benefit from regular in-person sessions while distant operations necessitate alternative approaches. “They’re out of state, and so they still need to get that certification at some point. So we try to cover as many bases as possible,” Gill observes.

Digital platforms supplement in-person instruction to accommodate scheduling flexibility and geographic dispersion. Online courses enable self-paced completion while maintaining standardized content delivery across all operational territories. These systems support consistent training outcomes regardless of contractor location or time constraints.

Professional development investments address industry-wide recruitment challenges by creating competitive employment packages that attract qualified personnel. “Security is not the most appealing industry anymore. It’s hard to find people who genuinely are just passionate about this kind of industry,” Gill states. Comprehensive training differentiates Solaren from competitors experiencing similar staffing difficulties.

Specialized client requirements drive customized training development for specific operational environments. School assignments require active shooter certification, while healthcare facilities demand additional medical training protocols. “For example, you may be an armed security officer, but you will not be able to work at a school because you don’t have your active shooter certification,” Gill explains.

Training documentation systems maintain detailed records of certification completion, renewal schedules, and specialized qualifications for each contractor. Digital platforms track individual histories while generating compliance reports for client requirements and regulatory audits. Systematic record-keeping ensures personnel deployment matches client specifications and legal mandates.

Continuous curriculum updates incorporate regulatory changes, industry developments, and emerging security threats. Regular instructor development maintains current training content aligned with law enforcement practices and security innovations. Jack Byrd’s systematic approach adapts to operational requirements while preserving foundational professional standards.

Training partnerships with technology providers expand the curriculum beyond traditional security education. Equipment-specific certification ensures optimal utilization of technological investments while maintaining manufacturer compliance requirements. Collaboration with surveillance system providers requires technical training for deployment and monitoring operations.

Professional development measurement includes quantitative metrics such as certification completion rates and qualitative assessments through client feedback and incident analysis. Regular program evaluation identifies improvement areas while documenting successful outcomes. Solaren’s methodical approach creates sustainable competitive advantages amid challenging labor market conditions.

Return on investment from professional development manifests through reduced liability exposure, improved client satisfaction, and enhanced market positioning. Well-trained personnel generate fewer incident reports, demonstrate superior judgment under pressure, and provide better customer service outcomes. These results support client retention while enabling premium pricing for specialized services.

Advanced certification pathways prepare qualified personnel for specialized assignments, including investigations, executive protection, and crisis management operations. Higher-level qualifications support service diversification while creating advancement opportunities that improve employee retention rates. Jack Byrd’s comprehensive development strategy addresses immediate operational needs and long-term workforce objectives.

Training effectiveness is ultimately demonstrated through consistent operational performance across Solaren’s client portfolio. Standardized service delivery, regardless of assignment location or client type, validates systematic professional development approaches that enable continued expansion throughout southeastern markets. Professional standards maintained through rigorous training support sustained business growth while meeting diverse security requirements across multiple jurisdictions.