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John R. Christman is an international security management executive with significant experience in global security strategies, risk management, executive protection, crisis management, program development and counterintelligence operations spanning M&T Bank Corporation, an international financial institution, UnitedHealth Group, a “Fortune Top 10” globally managed health care company, Bayer, a leading pharmaceutical and agrochemical company, and a federal law enforcement agency tasked with the protection of the President of the United States. 

As Chief Security Officer at M&T Bank and Wilmington Trust Corporation, John leads the Corporate Security Department including Physical Security, Executive Protection, Business and Contract Operations, Event Security Management, Risk Management, Physical Security Systems Technology, the Global Operations Center and Protective Intelligence Operations. Supports and oversees the protection of people, property and assets of a Fortune 500 financial corporation. Ensures compliance with all federal and state banking laws relevant to corporate security functions across 32 U.S. states and 6 countries, totaling over 1000+ bank branches, 2200+ ATM locations, 10+ million square feet of real estate, and over $225B in assets. 

As Vice President – Global Security Operations, at UnitedHealth Group where John served from 2018-2024, he was responsible for leading the enterprise’s Global Security Operations team comprising of the implementation and management of global security procedures and technologies that protect and support the company’s facilities, data, brand reputation and 350,000+ personnel located across the global enterprise. Concurrent with this role, John led governance over the company’s global physical security protection strategies, visitor and employee access management programs, security technology, risk and threat management programs, global contract security guard program, security integration of acquired business entities and the Global Security Operations Center with its global regional hubs within Brazil and India. 

Prior to his tenure with UnitedHealth Group, John served 4 years as an Associate Director - U.S. Corporate Security, at Bayer where he was responsible for managing and providing direction to site and business senior leadership regarding physical security operations, security policy development, crisis management, contract security force management, biosecurity initiatives, criminal/compliance investigations and workplace violence prevention training initiatives. From 2016-2018, John led physical security change management, regarding the company’s divestment of over $9 billion in assets, in furtherance of the integration of Bayer’s $68 billion acquisition of U.S.-based Monsanto. 

Prior to his tenure with Bayer, John served 16 years with the United States Secret Service, under both the U.S. Department of Treasury and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, with increasing supervisory responsibilities. John served as a Special Agent assigned to the Newark, NJ Field Office, FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force, Protective Intelligence Division, Presidential Protective Division and the Washington, DC Field Office. John served on President George W. Bush, First Lady Laura Bush and President Barack Obama’s personal protective details, from 2004-2009, as a member of the Presidential Protective Division while participating in the security arrangements for Presidential travel in over 60 countries, to include two Olympic Games. John coordinated several high-level intelligence operations and managed the U.S. Secret Service Director’s Crisis Center as wells as the agency’s Protective Intelligence Operations Center while being selected to develop security policy changes as a member of the White House Security Enhancement Review Committee. John received recognition awards for his investigative efforts into the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York, NY and counterintelligence and Presidential threat investigations within Baghdad, Iraq. 

John received his Bachelor of Science Degree from the State University of New York at Brockport, a Certificate in Executive Management and Leadership from the University of Notre Dame, a certificate in Strategic Security Management from Technische Hochschule University in Germany and is an active member of the ASIS International, Association of Threat Assessment Professionals, The Conference Board Chief Security Officer’s Council, International Security Management Association (ISMA), and the United States Secret Service Association. John served as the Chairman of the Research Triangle Park, NC Security and Crisis Management Committee, whereby he led the development of a park-wide crisis management planning initiative, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, for deployment to 250+ companies. John currently serves as Board Member for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York City and Western New York, Member of the Board of Directors for the Erie County Law Enforcement Foundation as well as Chief Advisor of Quantum Leap/Artificial Intelligence and Automation Initiatives with InGen Dynamics.