Our History
FromApollotoSOCOSIX.
A highly specialized global risk management firm built on decades of military, intelligence, law enforcement, and corporate security experience.
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Years active duty
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Combat missions flown
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Distinguished Flying Crosses
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SOCOSIX founded
Timeline
The road to SOCOSIX.
- 1965-1973
An Air Force career rooted in intelligence
A West Point graduate, Colonel Richard T. "Dick" Ryer began his Air Force career as an Intelligence Officer. His service began with the USAF Office of Special Investigations in DaNang, Vietnam. After his first tour, Dick trained to become a pilot, where he then returned to Vietnam and flew 333 combat missions in the A-37 Dragonfly with the 603rd Special Operations Squadron at Bien Hoa Air Base. His combat flying achievements surpassed those of any other U.S. Air Force pilot, earning him recognition as "America's most decorated pilot" during the Vietnam War. Dick received several medals and commendations, including three Distinguished Flying Crosses for heroism in combat flight operations.
- 1974–1977
Air Officer Commanding at the U.S. Air Force Academy
From 1974 to 1977, Dick served as an Air Officer Commanding at the U.S. Air Force Academy where he helped prepare the way for the first female cadets.
- 1977–1989
Middle Eastern studies and Air Attaché postings
Dick was selected for post-graduate studies in Monterrey, California where he studied Arabic and obtained a master's degree in Middle Eastern Affairs to prepare for his next appointment as Air Attaché to Saudi Arabia and Yemen. Following this appointment, Dick served as the Chief of the Office of Defense Cooperation in Montevideo, Uruguay from 1982 to 1985. He then became the U.S. Defense and Air Attaché to the Philippines and served in this position until 1989, where he earned the prestigious Defense Superior Service Medal.
- 1995–2016
Apollo International Security
After his Air Force career, Dick co-founded Apollo International Security (AIS) and served as Vice Chairman and Co-CEO from 1995 to 2016 — building a firm whose domestic uniformed guard services and international security offerings distinguished it in the corporate security market.
- 2016
Apollo sale and the founding of SOCOSIX
Following the sale of Apollo International Security in September 2016, Colonel Ryer gathered trusted colleagues-- Mark Hambley, Richard Secord, George Butson, and Shannon Pressley to launch SOCOSIX Strategies, LLC.
- 2021
Honoring our founder
Colonel Dick Ryer passed away on November 10, 2021. His vision of highly specialized, integrity-driven, internationally focused risk management remains the foundation of the firm.
- Present
Continued Global Growth
Today, Shannon Pressley, Mark Hambley, and George Buston continue to uphold the values that SOCOSIX was founded on. As CEO, Shannon Pressley has gathered a new generation of professionals from the Emerald Coast and beyond to expand SOCOSIX's global reach and service line capabilities, providing security and risk management solutions through five integrated programs that support organizations wherever they operate.
Archives
Frames from a life of service.
Tap any frame to reveal the story behind it.
