The National Security Training Institute (NSTi), a division of Special Aerospace Security Services, Inc. (SASSi), is dedicated to the advancement of the security professional through the presentation of courses and seminars in the national security arena. NSTi is known for highly interactive training provided by nationally recognized security experts from all the security disciplines. The courses and seminars meet the needs of the career security professional – entry level, journeyman and expert

Mr. Joseph D. Cooper developed the idea for the National Security Training Institute in 2002 and was instrumental in getting it incorporated as a non-profit organization in 2004. He serves on the Board of Advisors and as Course Director for the Industrial Special Security Administrator’s Course.

Mr. Cooper began Special Aerospace Security Services, Inc (SASSi) in 1988 with a vision of providing the highest quality training for Industrial Special Security Officers. He developed and presented the one week Industrial Security Officer Course (ISOC) to industry with excellent results from 1988 to 1991. In 1991, the US Government funded the course and continued to do so for the next ten years. Since 1991 Mr. Cooper’s company has grown and expanded its resources. In addition to owning SASSi, Mr. Cooper started a construction and alarm company, SCIF Constructors, LLC to provide high security construction capabilities to the Intelligence Community and associated contractors.

Mr. Cooper is a founding member of the Industrial Security Working Group (ISWG) and presently sits on the ISWG Board of Advisors. He is also a past president of the Florida Chapter of the National Classification Management Society (NCMS).

Mr. Cooper has created and presented numerous security awareness, education, and training programs for industry, government, and professional organizations including: “Developing Management Support” for NCMS National Seminar, “Cost-Effective Security Programs” for ASIS Chapter, and “Cost-Effective Physical Security” for ESL, Inc.

Prior to founding SASSi, Mr. Cooper was a US Army CI Officer with several counterintelligence assignments and a tour with Special Forces in Southeast Asia. As an Army Intelligence Officer, Mr. Cooper was the Special Agent in Charge of the Tampa Field Office of the Defense Investigative Service. After six years of Active Duty he remained in the Reserves until retirement in 1991 obtaining the rank of Major.

Following military service Mr. Cooper began his industry career as a security administrator for Harris Corporation, Melbourne, FL where he went on to become the Manager for Special Security Programs. While at Harris he developed a robust security program for a 200-acre facility with over 10,000 employees and 20 buildings used for classified programs.

As Security Director for Ultrasystems Defense and Space Inc, Irvine, CA Mr. Cooper was responsible for all aspects of security management and physical security for a six-site Corporation.

Mr. Cooper has a B.S. in Psychology and Social Science from the University of Tampa and a M.S. in Security Management from Rollins College

Mr. Robert L. Tschudi has over thirty-four years of proven experience in challenging management and security positions. Thirty plus of those years have been spent directly involved in intelligence activities or supporting the Intelligence Community. These activities include collection management, field operations and analysis. Mr. Tschudi was also the Operation director for US Army Counter Intelligence activities in the southwest United States and Latin America. He has program management experience and is nationally recognized in both industry and government for imaginative and practical security policy, implementation guidance and counsel. Mr. Tschudi in an expert at integrating security support into the operational and product team and has strong leadership skills with recognized ability to form cohesive teams focused on customer support and mission accomplishment.

Mr. Tschudi is currently an independent contractor supporting the Director of National Intelligence, Special Security Center as well as the Director of Security, National reconnaissance Office as a senior policy analyst. He continues as an instructor for the National Security Training Institute providing training in those areas where he has developed expertise during his career.

Until the fall of 2006 Mr. Tschudi served as Vice President of Operations of Special Aerospace Security Services, Inc where he was responsible for the Training Division and special projects. Prior to that he was responsible for a 12 million-dollar plus contract providing security staff support to the National Reconnaissance Office.

Mr. Tschudi has held other important positions concurrent with Program Manager Responsibilities. He served as a senior staff member of the Office of the Director of Security, National Reconnaissance Office providing advice and counsel to the Director, Deputy Director, and other senior NRO managers and staff members. He is sought out by government and industry for pragmatic and cost effective advice for solving tough security issues. Previously he served as the Special Assistant to the Director of the Field Activities Office, OSAF, assisted in the development of a revolutionary full service security organization, and provided leadership to the team building necessary to merge three disparate cultures into a single, disciplined integrated and effective customer focused organization. He worked with the Division Chiefs and staffs of the personnel, physical/technical and information technology security elements to dramatically reduce security requirements and costs and with senior members of the Intelligence Community, Department of Defense, Office of Management and Budget, and Director of the Information Management Oversight Office in the resolution of security issues and formulation of the policies. Mr. Tschudi served as his customer's representative on two working groups of the U.S. Security Policy Board.

Mr. Tschudi is an advisor to the National Security Training Institute and is an instructor in the Special Security Officer's Course and the Practical SCIF Construction course.