As corporations and public-facing organizations confront heightened security threats, the UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education has launched a Executive Protection: Private Executive and Corporate Protective Operations certificate program, designed to prepare professionals to protect leaders, communities and critical assets in an increasingly complex risk environment.
Recent attacks targeting senior corporate executives, along with increased security concerns across the country, have intensified demand for highly trained executive protection professionals. Organizations nationwide are seeking security leaders capable of anticipating threats, assessing risk and operating effectively in high-visibility, dynamic environments.
UC Irvine’s executive protection certificate program was developed by retired U.S. Secret Service special agents and is taught by instructors with elite experience in national security, protective intelligence and executive protection operations. Delivered on a university campus, the program bridges applied industry expertise with academic rigor.
“This program connects a Tier 1 public university with real-world executive protection expertise to meet the moment we are in,” said Lorenzo Robert Savage III, program lead and retired Secret Service executive. “Our instructional team represents the highest levels of protective operations and is committed to delivering rigorous, interactive training that reflects today’s threat landscape.”
Savage brings decades of high-level protective experience to the program, shaped by a distinguished career in the Secret Service. Over the course of his career, Savage held senior leadership roles in the Presidential Protective Division, Dignitary Protective Division and Secret Service field offices in Los Angeles and Las Vegas. In 2012, he was nominated for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary’s Award of Excellence for his leadership as event coordinator for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting, a designated National Special Security Event. He was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in 2015 as special agent in charge of the U.S. Secret Service Los Angeles Field Office – the third-largest of the agency’s 42 field offices – where he oversaw all protective and investigative operations across the greater Los Angeles region.
Following his retirement in 2018, Savage briefly served as the CEO of a Beverly Hills private security firm before co-founding Savage III, a Los Angeles–based security company providing elite executive protection services and specialized security operations. As the company’s CEO, he leads a team of seasoned professionals – including former Secret Service special agents with Presidential and Vice-Presidential Protective Division experience – who are responsible for protecting members of Congress, high-profile clients, corporate leaders and critical infrastructure across the country and around the world.
Approved for use with VA education benefits, the three-course program develops core competencies essential to modern executive protection, including protective intelligence, advance planning, emergency response, legal considerations, ethics and operational decision-making. Participants also gain an understanding of the legal aspects surrounding use of force and liability, secure a variety of environments such as residences, hotels, aircraft and vehicles, and apply physical protection strategies and deployment formations in corporate and private settings. The program incorporates hands-on simulations, real-world applications, and classroom instruction.
“Managing risk, applying de-escalation principles, and protecting all people – including executives and dignitaries – is mission critical,” said Kristine Collins, dean of the Division of Continuing Education. “As organizations place greater emphasis on safety, there is a growing need for advanced training led by professionals who have operated at the highest levels of security. This program reflects UC Irvine’s commitment to workforce-ready education that meets today’s realities.”
Courses are taught in an immersive classroom format over five consecutive full days per course and are designed for security professionals, law enforcement personnel, military veterans and individuals seeking to advance or transition into executive, corporate, or private protection and security roles. Participants who complete the program earn a certificate from a globally recognized public university.
The first course begins May 11, 2026, and enrollment is now open. For more information, visit https://ce.uci.edu/programs/business/executive-protection.
About the UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education:
The UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education (UCI DCE) was established in 1962 and has served the lifelong learning and career development needs of individuals, organizations, and the community on a local, regional, and global scale. Through a wide range of educational opportunities, including certificate and specialized studies programs, short courses, and strategic partnerships, UCI DCE provides learning pathways for those seeking career advancement or personal enrichment. For more information about UCI DCE, including its new strategic plan, vision, mission, and values, visit ce.uci.edu.
About the University of California, Irvine:
Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more on UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.
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