Meet the Team
Major Bradley D. “Brad” Williams, FWC Retired
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Brad retired in September 2012 from a career as a State Law Enforcement Officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). He maintained his sworn police officer status with Florida as an active Reserve Officer with FWC until late 2017. At the time of his retirement, he was assigned as FWC’s Statewide Chief of Special Operations and Mutual Aid. His duties included the training and supervision of FWC’s Special Operations Group. He also oversaw the Disaster Response and RECON program, the Air Deployable Search and Rescue (ADSAR) program, the Maritime Preventative Radiation Nuclear Detection Program, Tactical Aviation Program, Multi-agency Waterborne Response Teams, Active Shooter training, and policy development.
As state law enforcement officer with the Florida Marine Patrol (FMP) and the Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) for 35 years and was a state law enforcement officer with the State of Mississippi’s Marine Enforcement Division for 3½ years prior to joining the Patrol.
During his career, Brad saw duty as a Patrol Officer, Field Training Officer, Large Offshore Patrol Boat Commander, Field Supervisor, and Field Office Commander. He has been involved in all aspects law enforcement operations including, Search and Rescue, Investigations, Narcotics Interdiction, Undercover Narcotics Operations, Homeland Security/Counter Terrorism Operations, and Emergency Operations Command.
As the Statewide Mutual Aid Operations Chief, he worked with Law Enforcement, Urban Search and Rescue, and Aviation specialists to develop Florida’s Air Deployable Search and Rescue (ADSAR) protocols, which have been heralded as a national model for air-supported disaster response.
He has been a guest instructor at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers (FLETC) in Glenco, Georgia and Artesia, New Mexico, and at the FWC Academy in Quincy, Florida. He is an adjunct instructor at the USAF Special Operations School at Hurlburt Field AFB in Northwest Florida.
Brad has a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and Leadership from the University of West Florida. He is also a certified Lead Instructor and the former National Tactical Program Manager for the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) Boat Operations and Training (BOAT) program.
William J. “Will” Plumas, TPWD Retired
Senior SME and Director of Field Operations
Will began his career with the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department on October 1, 1992, as a cadet in the 43rd Game Warden Training Academy in Austin, Texas. After completing the academy, he was stationed in the Rio Grande Valley, where he dedicated the next 26 years of his service. During his tenure in deep South Texas, he received several commendations, including a Director’s Citation from The Texas Rangers, a division of the Texas Department of Public Safety, for a comprehensive map book he compiled detailing the Rio Grande River. This resource became an integral tool in the early days of the state’s Border Operations.
As a certified Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) Instructor and the Lead Instructor for Boat Operations in Texas, Will has taught numerous courses internationally. He is known for his expertise in boat operations, firearms tactics, and his instructional skills. He formerly served as a Lead Instructor and National Program Manager for the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), overseeing the Special Operations Program.
With the establishment of his agency's full-time Marine Tactical Operation Group (MTOG) in 2012, Will played a key role in developing the team and became one of its charter members. In addition to his extensive operational background, Will is recognized as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) with the Department of Energy, specializing in frontier area operations for the detection and deterrence of radiological and nuclear smuggling, as well as maritime anti-smuggling initiatives through the National Nuclear Security Agency's Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence.
Following his retirement from the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department in 2018, Will continues to leverage his extensive skills and knowledge in training to support law enforcement and emergency services. His commitment to sharing expertise and enhancing operational effectiveness ensures that he remains a valuable resource within the field. With a passion for training and a dedication to advancing public safety initiatives, Will actively contributes to the ongoing development of professionals in security and law enforcement environments, ensuring that the next generation is well-equipped to handle the challenges they may face.
Inv. Robert E. “Eric” Johnston
Smuggling/Interdiction/Covert Ops Specialist
Eric recently retired after more than four decades as a State Law Enforcement Officer with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and its legacy agency, the Florida Marine Patrol. Throughout his distinguished career, he was assigned to statewide investigations, where he was involved in long-term, covert operations, undercover work, and vessel homicide investigations. His extensive experience includes maritime narcotrafficking, illegal migrant smuggling, human trafficking, and the investigation of radiological and nuclear materials smuggling throughout the State of Florida.
With a robust skill set in land-based operations, Eric possesses the knowledge, skills, and abilities to observe, identify, and respond to land-based smuggling activities through both training and experience. He is adept at recognizing and identifying smuggling routes and areas commonly utilized for illicit transportation, and he has the ability to track and apprehend violators effectively.
In the realm of maritime operations, Eric has acquired in-depth knowledge of smuggling methods and tactics typically employed in aquatic environments. He is proficient in vessel boardings and has a solid understanding of boat operations, which allows him to navigate maritime challenges effectively. His familiarity with drug cartels and their methodologies further enhances his ability to combat maritime smuggling activities.
In addition to his investigative work, Eric's collateral duties included conducting employment background investigations and providing maritime training for new recruits at FWC’s Law Enforcement Academy in Quincy, FL. Through his diverse experiences and ongoing commitment to professional development, Eric is dedicated to supporting efforts to disrupt illegal operations and enhance border security.
James Futch
James graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Florida Southern College. Following his graduation, he worked as a Graduate Research Associate at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, focusing on laser fusion. He also served as a Research and Teaching Assistant in Physics, specializing in high-temperature superconductors, at Florida State University. Additionally, James has experience in the phosphate industry, where he performed pilot plant testing for the uranium extraction process.
With over 36 years of experience as a health physicist, James has dedicated much of his career to the Florida Department of Health (DOH), specifically within the Bureau of Radiation Control (BRC) and its predecessor agencies. He has been an operations officer for the BRC’s state “PRND” team for over 15 years, leading missions that involve sophisticated radiological monitoring and analysis in collaboration with various law enforcement agencies during large public events such as Super Bowls, political conventions, and NASCAR races. These efforts are crucial in preventing the illicit use of radioactive material or improvised nuclear devices. In addition to his operational duties, James serves as the Florida State Nonionizing Health Physicist, where he manages the DOH nonionizing radiation program.
Senior SME and Radiation/Nuclear Specialist
Christopher A. “Chris” Williams, SAC-FDLE
Senior SME for Leadership and Policy
Chris has a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice from the University of West Florida. He launched his law enforcement career in 2002 as a civilian Installation Security Officer at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. In 2003, he became a Deputy Sheriff with the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office in Florida. He served in various capacities, including road patrol, traffic/DUI enforcement, media relations, field training, narcotics, and criminal investigations.
In 2008, he transitioned to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) as a Special Agent, initially stationed at the Fort Myers Regional Operations Center and later at the Pensacola Regional Operations Center. At FDLE, he investigated a diverse range of cases, encompassing public corruption, violent crime, use of force incidents, gang activities, electronic surveillance, organized narcotics trafficking, fugitive pursuits, network intrusions, and internet crimes against children.
In August 2015, he assumed the role of acting Special Agent Supervisor and was later officially promoted to the position in June 2016. He supervised several critical squads, including the Cyber/High-Tech Crime Squad, Major Case Squad, Organized Crime Squad, and Counterterrorism/Domestic Security Squad. In March 2018, he led the Northwest Florida Child Abduction Response Team to achieve Department of Justice certification through a collaborative effort with multiple agencies.
He was promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge in August 2018. In this capacity, he served as Chief of Investigations, overseeing six investigative squads, and directed operations at the Northwest Florida Fusion Center. In September 2021, he was selected for the role of Director/Special Agent in Charge for the Pensacola Regional Operations Center, where he now manages Investigations and Forensic Services for the western Florida Panhandle.
Additionally, he is co-chair for Region 1 of the State of Florida Domestic Security Oversight Council and co-chairs the Northwest Florida Drug Taskforce under the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA). He also oversees FDLE’s Region 1 Law Enforcement Coordination Team, which provides services with the Florida Department of Emergency Management for manmade and natural disasters
Inv. David A. “Drew” Nelson, FWC Retired
Investigative Techniques Specialist
Drew recently retired after 35 years of dedicated service in Maritime Law Enforcement, with a primary focus on critical investigations, homicide investigations, boating safety, resource protection, tactical operations, security zone enforcement, border protection and interdiction, and contraband detection and enforcement. Throughout his career, he has been committed to enhancing safety and security within maritime environments.
In addition to his enforcement duties, Drew's collateral responsibilities included conducting employment background investigations and providing training for incoming recruits at FWC’s Law Enforcement Academy in Quincy, FL. He is a certified law enforcement instructor with the Florida Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission and is recognized as an expert in adult training methodologies. As a Regional Training Lieutenant, he designed, implemented, and maintained regional-level training and certification for approximately 120 sworn law enforcement officers, developing training programs for partner agencies that resulted in significant operational competence and readiness.
Drew also served as a National/International Trainer and Consultant, specializing as a lead instructor in adult learning techniques, workshops, and exercises both in the U.S. and overseas. As an investigator, he conducted critical incident investigations in maritime and wildland environments, showcasing his expertise and adaptability in various challenging situations.
In his role as a Uniform Patrol Lieutenant and Watch Commander, Drew implemented and supervised patrol strategies and tactics, leading field operations involving the deployment and operational assessment of radiation detection systems in maritime and wildland environments. As an Investigations Lieutenant, he oversaw squad-level critical incident investigations and covert operations, ensuring thorough and effective responses to incidents.
Stephanie Brock
Radiation/Nuclear Specialist
Stephanie has a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond, KY. She is a certified DOE Radiological Worker II, DOE Modular Emergency Response Radiological Transportation Training (MERTT) Trainer, and a Radiation Specialist in Weapons of Mass Destruction.
She has twenty-four (24) years of experience working within Kentucky’s Radiation Control Program, with 19 of those years supervising all operations at the laboratory. She is the RSO for the Kentucky Radiation Control.
In 2012, she began building Kentucky’s PRND Program. The PRND program currently supports over 10 Kentucky first responder agencies.