The National Protective Services Institute

 Mr. Jason McLendon, Owner/Chief Instructor

Since beginning his protective career in 1995, Mr. McLendon has gained extensive experience in leadership, management, and instruction overseeing various programs in protective operations, law enforcement, and security management, to include high-threat executive/dignitary protection, nuclear security, emergency management, law enforcement, and emergency medical response (as a licensed Emergency Medical Technician) with service in multiple federal, county, and municipal agencies. Holds numerous instructor certifications and licenses, and has experience teaching a variety of topics including, but not limited to: law enforcement, executive/dignitary protection, active shooter response, anti-terrorism, security, firearms, defensive tactics, baton, pepper spray, TASER, first aid/CPR/AED, HAZMAT, security driving, and less-lethal weapons. Served as a federal anti-terrorism instructor, protective services instructor, military SWAT team commander, hostage negotiator, and protection specialist.

Has provided protective security for the President of the United States, Vice-President of the United States, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Army, Secretary of the Air Force, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Chief of Staff of the Army, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, multiple other high-ranking military officials, multiple US Congressmen, entertainers/celebrities, witnesses, corporate executives, and other threatened persons. Has conducted worldwide Threat and Vulnerability Assessments, Emergency Plan Validation Exercises, and Antiterrorism Operational Assessments through the full spectrum of risk management. Served as Terrorist Operations Specialist for military Vulnerability Assessment Teams. Represented US Army and US Air Force law enforcement programs at joint-service initiatives and service component headquarters levels.

He holds a Bachelor's Degree from Auburn University at Montgomery in Justice and Public Safety (with a specialization in the area of Security Administration), a Master's Degree from Webster University in Business and Organizational Security Management, and a Master of Divinity from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary, as well as the coveted Certified Protection Professional (CPP) designation from the American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS) and the Master Peace Officer Award from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). Mr. McLendon is also an Eagle Scout.

Mr. Jeff Saupp, Instructor

Mr. Jeff Saupp brings over 30 years of diverse and accomplished experience in protective services, public safety, and tactical operations, having served across the corporate, federal, and public sectors. His career began in the early 1990s after earning his Corporate Protection Specialist certification from the Institute of Security & Technology. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Protective Services Training Course and has received advanced training from federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies. 

Early assignments include protection of a corporate engineer, private-sector principals, and entertainment executives in the Philadelphia area. In 1995, Mr. Saupp began work with Vance International Executive Protection, deploying on numerous assignments until 2005. His client list includes senior executives from various employers, including Caterpillar, FMC, BP, Northwest Airlines, members of the Royal Saudi Family, the World Presidents Organization, federal witnesses, and actors. He has also protected high-value exhibitions such as the Dead Sea Scrolls and other irreplaceable assets.

With operational leadership experience across all three sides of the Public Safety “Triad”—Fire, EMS, and Law Enforcement—Mr. Saupp has served in roles ranging from Tactical Medical Specialist (trained by S.E.T.S. and the FBI National Academy in 1993) to Deputy Chief of Police for a suburb of Dallas, Texas. Mr. Saupp has held Security Director-level positions at museums and entertainment venues and has served as Security Project Manager for high-profile operations including ABC World News, post-hurricane disaster response, and the Deepwater Horizon incident. He was also selected to lead security operations for Super Bowl XLI and the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

Mr. Saupp has worked with and instructed within multiple law enforcement, military, and private sector tactical units. His instructional experience includes Evasive and Counter-Ambush Driving, Special Response Operations, Maritime Security, and Tactical Medical Support. He first joined the National Protective Services Institute instructor cadre in 2002 and continues to serve as a valued instructor in the Protective Services Operations Course. He is currently pursuing his Certified Protection Professional (CPP) designation from ASIS International.