Jack Byrd Leverages Security Experience To Tackle Modern Threats Through Solaren

Jack Byrd’s Solaren Risk Management balances technology integration with human expertise in its expanding security operations.

Jack K. Byrd III, CEO of Solaren Risk Management, transitioned from public law enforcement to private security when he co-founded the Nashville-based firm in 2017.

From his early days at the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office to leading a company with hundreds of contractors, Byrd’s background provides the foundation for Solaren’s approach to modern security threats.

Career Trajectory and Professional Background

Byrd’s security career began at age 19 as an intern with the Davidson County Sheriff’s Office. He attended the DCSO training academy upon turning 21 and was promoted to corporal within a year. His assignment to the Armed Services Division included responsibilities for inmate transportation and movement.

In 2014, Byrd joined the United States Marshal Service as a District Officer, a position he held until July 2015. Byrd began developing a plan for Solaren during this transition period, with the company officially launching on January 16, 2017.

“He knows the industry. He still does. He’s definitely a professional when it comes to security,” says Bethany Gill, Chief Operations Officer for Solaren. “He knows the ins and outs of the law and the regulations and who to talk to about what.”

Company Development and Current Operations

Solaren Risk Management was co-founded by Byrd and Curtis E. Dodson in 2017. The firm expanded to managing hundreds of contractors throughout Nashville within a few years.

“The inception of Solaren was super quick,” explains Gill, “and so we went from that small team and a small office in a mall to the office that we’re in now, with around 300-plus contractors that work for us throughout just Nashville, and that happened within the span of maybe two or three years.”

The company currently provides several security services, including:

• Armed and unarmed security personnel
• Off-duty police services
• Traffic control
• Private investigations

The security provider has also expanded beyond Nashville to serve clients throughout the southeastern United States, with company materials noting operations in five states with over 1,200 personnel as of 2025.

Training Program Development

The company’s training approach appears influenced by Byrd’s law enforcement background, with programs covering areas including report writing, physical restraint techniques, and active shooter response.

“We continue this commitment to education by requiring regular training each year to renew licenses and refresh our officers on the latest advances in safety technology and tactics,” Gill notes.

The training program is led by experienced personnel, including Darrell Webb. “We have our training coordinator, Darrell Webb, he’s phenomenal. He’s active law enforcement and he knows his stuff for sure,” Gill explains.

Event Security Operations

Solaren provides security for various events, including the Pilgrimage Music Festival in Franklin, Tennessee. “We have worked with the event and production team for years to ensure that fans and vendors have a safe and enjoyable experience each time,” the company stated.

Event security represents a significant segment of the private security market, with companies like Solaren competing with numerous regional and national providers.

Case Study: Hurricane Response Operations

In 2024, Solaren was called in to provide security as part of disaster response to Hurricane Milton. The company deployed security personnel to protect client properties in Florida.

“Our primary objective was to prevent looting,” Byrd told Yahoo News regarding the hurricane deployment. “When mandatory government evacuation notices go out, certain people see it as an opportunity because everyone has had to leave.”

This operation involved security teams stationed in multiple Florida counties including Sarasota, Polk, Manatee, and Hillsborough to defend against looters and protect people. The company reportedly detained seven individuals allegedly attempting to loot protected properties during the operation.

Technology Integration Approach

The company’s security approach involves the integration of surveillance systems with human personnel. The company has partnered with LiveView Technologies to deploy mobile surveillance trailers with AI-powered cameras.

“A lot of our clients have loved having that option,” Gill explains.

While embracing certain technologies, the company maintains a perspective that emphasizes human judgment. “A lot of people think that it takes away from the physical security aspect, but it really doesn’t. If anything, it supplements it,” Gill emphasizes. “The human eye is going to recognize things and be able to process things better than AI.”

Future Direction and Industry Positioning

According to Gill, Solaren is exploring expanded service areas including cybersecurity and open source intelligence (OSINT).

“Jack Byrd is actually exploring a device that will actually detect based on a certain square footage if there’s been some kind of digital hack coming into that certain zone, and it’ll shut it down immediately,” she says.

“We’re very comfortable exploring those new avenues,” she continues. “We want to try to widen our scope as much as possible and be able to provide services to as many people as possible.”

Jack Byrd’s law enforcement background appears to have significantly shaped Solaren Risk Management’s approach to security services. The company’s training programs, operational protocols, and crisis response capabilities reflect elements of standard public safety practices, while adapting to the commercial requirements of the private security sector.

The company’s growth trajectory — from a two-person operation to a multi-state security provider — suggests market acceptance of its service model.

As the security industry increases emphasis on technology integration and emerging threats, Solaren’s ability to address both operational requirements and regulatory compliance will likely determine its long-term position in the market. The company represents one case study in how former law enforcement professionals are translating their experience to the private security sector.