LEADERSHIP
Director of Training & Safety
BALAM Global Security Solutions
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Jennifer Mahecha serves as the Director of Training and Safety at BALAM Global Security Solutions, where she oversees the development and implementation of elite-level training programs and safety protocols across all divisions of the company. With over a decade of experience in safety compliance, risk mitigation, and personnel development, Jennifer brings a results-driven and safety-first mindset to every operation.
A graduate of Florida Atlantic University, Jennifer is OSHA-30 certified, CPR/First Aid instructor, and has led large-scale training and compliance initiatives in both the private and public sectors. She plays a pivotal role in maintaining BALAM's commitment to exceeding federal, state, and industry safety standards across executive protection, residential security, and investigative services.
Jennifer is fluent in both Spanish and Haitian Creole, which enhances her ability to effectively communicate and train diverse teams and clients. Her multilingual skills contribute significantly to BALAM’s culturally competent training approach, particularly in multi-ethnic communities and high-need areas.
Jennifer’s leadership style blends technical knowledge, field experience, and a passion for excellence. Her commitment to continuous improvement ensures that every member of the BALAM team is trained, prepared, and equipped to operate at the highest levels of professionalism and safety.
Director
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Andres Mahecha brings over two decades of distinguished law enforcement experience to BALAM. A retired NYPD Detective First Grade, he served in high-profile investigative units in New York City. He was also a Task Force Officer with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and a Special Agent with FDLE. Now, as Director, Andres leads BALAM into comprehensive risk advisory. Beyond physical protection, he focuses on digital security and operational risk, ensuring clients’ safety across all dimensions. His hands-on leadership guarantees professionalism and discretion in both physical and digital realms.
Advisor / Director of Operations Orlando, Fl.
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Jesus Romero is a retired U.S. Naval Intelligence Officer and U.S. Army Civil Service as an Intelligence Operations Specialist with over 37 years of service. He served in various surface, air, and staff assignments in the continental U.S. and overseas at U.S. embassies. His assignments also include as director for the larger Naval Exercise UNITAS and PANAMAX. He has operated through the interagency process, law enforcement, and partner nation conducting a myriad of operational and security deployments worldwide including Latin America and the Caribbean. Mr. Romero is an expert in providing personal and organizational security services including air, ground, and maritime services. He has personally supported VIP security services of high level dignitaries including presidents, ambassadors, cabinet level representatives, entertainment, and different industry representatives. He is highly respected and enjoys international recognition as an accomplished author and geopolitical and security expert.
Intern – CC Private Investigator
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Samantha Mahecha is a dedicated and driven intern investigator at BALAM Global Security Solutions. Born and raised in New York City, Samantha grew up surrounded by the world of law enforcement, often listening to stories of real-life investigations and criminal cases shared by her father, a retired NYPD Detective First Grade, and his colleagues. This early exposure fostered a deep curiosity and passion for investigative work from a young age.
Now proudly serving as a military wife, Samantha brings strong discipline, adaptability, and an eagerness to learn the intricate and rewarding world of private investigations. Her unique background, combined with her commitment to excellence, makes her a valuable asset to the team as she trains under seasoned professionals in surveillance, research, and case management.
Senior Investigator/ Director of Financial & Transnational Investigations – Latin America
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Jairo R. Vargas is a retired senior criminal investigator and financial intelligence specialist with over 20 years of service supporting complex transnational investigations throughout Latin America. Prior to joining BALAM Global Security Solutions, he served with U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, where he conducted and supported high-level criminal, civil, and administrative investigations involving transnational criminal organizations.
He operated extensively through interagency and international law-enforcement frameworks, working closely with U.S. and foreign partner nations on a wide range of financial and security-related operations. His investigative expertise includes anti-money laundering, financial crime analysis, cryptocurrency investigations, intelligence integration, and cross-border criminal network disruption.
Mr. Vargas supported numerous operational and intelligence deployments throughout Latin America in support of financial crime enforcement, narcotics trafficking investigations, human smuggling cases, weapons violations, fraud, and visa security matters. He is highly experienced in advanced investigative planning, intelligence reporting, and strategic coordination with government and private-sector partners.
Mr. Vargas is highly respected internationally for his work in financial and transnational investigations and has received multiple U.S. and international awards recognizing his contributions to global security and the disruption of complex criminal networks.
Director of Strategic Contracts & Investigations
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Bob is a senior security and investigative executive with more than four decades of experience spanning federal law enforcement, national security investigations, and private-sector security operations. He is responsible for strategic business development, contract acquisition, and client engagement, supporting public and private organizations requiring discreet, high-level security and investigative solutions.
Bob served over 25 years with U.S. Customs Service and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), retiring as a Senior Special Agent in Miami following the creation of the Department of Homeland Security after September 11, 2001. Throughout his federal career, he conducted and supervised complex investigations involving narcotics trafficking, money laundering, fraud, asset forfeiture, document and identity crimes, alien smuggling, and national-security-related matters. His assignments included participation in the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), Operation Greenback, and a DEA Drug Task Force, working closely with interagency and international partners.
Since transitioning to the private sector, Bob has led and advised security and investigative operations for attorneys, corporations, financial institutions, and senior executives, providing executive protection coordination, risk and vulnerability assessments, background investigations, and strategic surveillance support. A seasoned expert witness and trusted advisor, he brings operational credibility, interagency insight, and contract-driven leadership to every engagement.
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In his current role, Bob focuses on identifying, developing, and securing security and investigative contracts, leveraging decades of government and private-sector relationships to expand organizational reach and deliver mission-critical services to high-value clients.