William J. Cousins is an independent security consultant with 30-plus years of experience in federal law enforcement and private industry security. He is considered a leading authority in “seed to sale security” for marijuana facilities, having authored over 100 cannabis security plans in multiple states.
A 22-year veteran of the United States Secret Service, Bill completed his career as an Assistant Special Agent in Charge of the Detroit Field Office, gaining invaluable experience in security operations, protection, investigations, and training.
While in the Secret Service, he conducted countless security advances, and established security measures for five Presidents and Vice-Presidents, visiting Heads of State, as well as Presidential and Vice-Presidential candidates. Bill’s assignments included the Vice-Presidential Protective Division, Training Division, Secret Service Headquarters, and the Detroit Field Office.
In 2004, while in the Detroit Field Office, he supervised the movement of approximately $4 billion in U.S. currency when the Detroit Branch of the Federal Reserve relocated to its new facility. Bill was also assigned as the Secret Service security advisor for both the 2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game and the 2006 National Football League Super Bowl Game.
In his capacity as Director of Global Security for two major manufacturing companies, Bill led a team of security personnel responsible for conducting vulnerability, risk, security, and threat assessments. He was also responsible for executive protection, investigations, physical security, as well as security for corporate ex-pats and families internationally.