The Estate Management Network is pleased to welcome United Citadel Group as an Industry Partner. United Citadel Group is a private security firm “grounded in the values of Safety, Security, Service, and Confidentiality”. They provide tailored security solutions designed to fit the unique needs and lifestyles of their clients. Their wide array of services includes private estate security, executive protection, secured transportation, travel logistics, and threat assessments.
United Citadel’s team consists of highly skilled security professionals who bring extensive security experience and a proactive approach to risk management. They are committed to delivering exceptional service and peace of mind, building strong relationships with their clients based on trust, reliability, and integrity. At United Citadel, they aim to exceed expectations and become a trusted partner in their clients’ security journey.
The inspiration behind United Citadel’s founding comes from a deeply personal place. Trent Keefer, the founder, explains, “I’ve always seen myself as a protector, someone dependable when situations turn difficult. This mindset was instilled in me by the men in my life, especially my father and grandfather, who were warriors in their own right.” He adds, “I was also fortunate to be mentored by some incredible individuals in this profession, who taught me a crucial lesson: evil exists everywhere.” Trent continues, “These experiences inspired me to establish United Citadel Group, with the mission of providing exceptional security services to those most at risk. My goal was to create an organization that offers the highest level of service and protection to people in need around the world.”
Key leaders in the company bring a wealth of experience to their roles. Matthew Schallmo serves as the COO of United Citadel Group, holding a Master of Arts degree from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary and a Bachelor of Science in Business with a focus on Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises from Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management. Matthew excels in leading business development efforts, shaping the company’s strategic direction, and driving growth. His strategic thinking, business acumen, and leadership skills have been instrumental in the company’s success. Throughout his career, Matthew has shown a strong commitment to developing leaders and fostering relationships across diverse backgrounds.
James Keefer brings an impressive background to United Citadel Group, shaped by a distinguished career in military, law enforcement, and private security. Following his retirement from law enforcement, James excelled as a leader in close protection operations in Iraq for over a decade. His clients included State Department officials, top government officials, and presidential candidates, all of whom were successfully protected in a high-risk war zone without incident. James’s extensive experience in security, police, and military operations makes him an invaluable asset to the firm. As the Director of Protective Services, he oversees all security operations, both domestic and international. Additionally, he plays a pivotal role in leading United Citadel’s Jump Team, a specially formed unit dedicated to assisting their most at-risk clients. James’s wealth of knowledge and experience brings a profound sense of comfort and trust to their protectees, ensuring their safety and security in every situation.
What sets United Citadel apart from other firms is their equal emphasis on both service and security. Trent explains, “We’ve often seen ‘security professionals’ who are unwilling to go beyond their basic duties, whether it’s helping to carry a bag, staging or cleaning a vehicle, or providing extra assistance outside the job description. At United Citadel, we do things differently. Our team ensures that your hotel room is stocked with everything you need and that your transportation is equipped with essential items like chargers, water, and emergency supply kits.” He adds, “This attention to detail not only alleviates stress for our clients but also supports the work of executive assistants and estate managers. While our primary focus is on protecting our principals, we also aim to set up private staff for success, ensuring a stress-free experience for everyone involved.”
United Citadel’s typical clients include hedge fund managers, C-level executives from large companies, and UHNWIs who are concerned about their safety or face potential security threats. They also provide services for government officials and political public figures.
Estate managers can greatly benefit from United Citadel’s estate security services. Their highly trained and vetted security personnel bring extensive experience in working with HNWIs, ensuring the utmost professionalism and discretion. They offer flexible security solutions, operating either covertly to remain out of sight or overtly to deter unwanted attention, depending on the client’s preferences. With 24/7 monitoring, perimeter security, and access control, they create a secure environment that allows estate managers to focus on their core responsibilities without security concerns. Their services also streamline daily operations by managing entry points, deliveries, vendors, and guest protocols, reducing the workload for estate managers and executive assistants.
United Citadel is thrilled to introduce two innovative services: Emergency Patrol Services (EPS) and Security Technologies. EPS includes covert vehicle and boat counter-surveillance, with their highly trained agents covering multiple properties to proactively identify and neutralize potential threats. These agents also serve as “first responders” in emergencies, working seamlessly with law enforcement and providing detailed incident reports after each shift. Clients have direct access to their agents through scheduled car phone numbers for immediate assistance.
Their Security Technologies service features advanced systems like facial recognition cameras and strategically placed motion beams, ensuring constant monitoring and prompt threat detection. They create customized security plans based on thorough assessments to address specific needs, providing exceptional protection. Additionally, they collaborate closely with local authorities to ensure compliance with regulations, offer first responder alerts, and safeguard assets, delivering outstanding security and peace of mind.
United Citadel is based in Jupiter, Florida, and primarily operates from Orlando to the Keys. They have diligently built a network and partnered with other reputable security firms to support their operations both within the United States and internationally.
Regarding the process of engaging their services, Trent Keefer states, “To engage our services, estate managers can either email Matthew or myself, visit our website to submit an inquiry, or call us directly. As a boutique security firm, we pride ourselves on being easily accessible.” He further explains their onboarding process: “The onboarding process is straightforward: after receiving a service request, we conduct a brief phone interview to understand your basic security needs. We then schedule an in-person meeting at the estate or our office to discuss these needs in detail. This meeting allows us to get to know each other and understand the specific requirements of the principal. Following this consultation, we draft a tailored security plan, which usually takes no more than 10 days. We’ll send revisions and ask any further questions during this time. Once the plan is finalized, we present it in a second meeting, and upon approval, our team begins implementing new security personnel, SOPs, and the overall security strategy.”
Trent Keefer concludes, “At United Citadel, we are dedicated to the Safety, Security, Service, and Confidentiality of every protectee, as well as those who work closely with them. Our firm was founded on these four principles, and we remain unwavering in our commitment to them. These core values set us apart in the industry and define who we are. We look forward to partnering with you and your principal to enhance both safety and ease in their life and yours.”
For more information, you can visit their website at https://www.unitedcitadel.com/ or contact them directly at
Tr***@un***********.com
or
Ma*****@un***********.com
.
