K2 Intelligence, an industry-leading investigative, compliance and cyber defense services firm founded by Jules B. Kroll and Jeremy M. Kroll announced the appointment of former New York Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly as Vice Chairman of the firm.
“Ray Kelly is a renowned expert in risk management and one of the world’s most highly esteemed law enforcement leaders,” said Jeremy Kroll, President, CEO and Co-Founder of K2 Intelligence. “Ray has dedicated his career to protecting the public against a range of serious security and criminal threats. The skill-sets, strength and strategic thinking he brings to K2 Intelligence perfectly complement our corporate mandate to not only help clients address problems and complex situations, but to help them manage risk.”
Mr. Kelly brings decades of experience setting strategy to combat threats faced by nations around the world, by the public and by the private sector. A distinguished leader and protector, he is New York City’s longest-serving police commissioner. Under his leadership the NYPD has been described as the premier domestic public-safety agency in the United States. He also launched a world-class counterterrorism and intelligence apparatus credited with foiling numerous attacks on New York City.
“The world is changing in ways unimaginable fifty years ago. Organizations need to be as vigilant as ever with multi-disciplined capabilities in place to respond to a variety of different security events, be they physical or online or both,” said Mr. Kelly. “K2 Intelligence’s finger is on the pulse of the market and is matched by the incredible team they have built and continue to build. I am delighted to be a part of the firm and to work alongside leaders that founded the corporate intelligence industry and are committed to excellence in security, investigative technology and risk mitigation.”
Mr. Kelly will provide valuable insight into the design and development of tailored enterprise risk solutions for clients around the world. Both internal and external risks affecting the safety of client assets and the reputation and stability of their key stakeholders will be addressed. He will provide C-suite executives and government municipalities top-level guidance on issues such as infrastructure safety, regulatory compliance, and government enforcement response.
“The mitigation of serious and disruptive risk via tailored solutions is a powerful offering for our clients. We are looking forward to working alongside Ray as we help clients prepare, protect, and mitigate risk across the strategic, operational and reputational landscape,” said Robert Brenner, Chief Operating Officer of K2 Intelligence.
Mr. Kelly joins K2 Intelligence from Cushman & Wakefield where he was President of the firm’s Risk Management Services group. This group offered clients of the commercial real-estate firm tailored solutions to manage and mitigate risks around the world.
Mr. Kelly’s almost 50 year-career in public service includes serving as Commissioner of the US Customs Service and as Undersecretary of Enforcement at the US Treasury Department. He served as a Vice President of Interpol and directed the International Police Force in Haiti, where he was awarded the exceptionally meritorious service commendation from the President of the United States. Mr. Kelly received 14 citations of merit for outstanding police work during his tenure at NYPD and was awarded France’s highest decoration, the Legion d’Honneur. Mr. Kelly is the author of the best-selling book “Vigilance: My Life Serving America and Protecting Its Empire City” Hachette Books Group USA.
Mr. Kelly received his J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law, his LLM from New York University Graduate School of Law, his MPA from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and his BBA from Manhattan College. He is an attorney and a member of the New York State Bar. He has also been awarded honorary degrees from the Catholic University of America, Manhattan College, St. John’s University, the State University of New York, the College of St. Rose, Iona College, Marist College, New York University, Pace University, Quinnipiac University, and St. Thomas Aquinas College.
Along with Mr. Kelly, Michael J. Farrell and David C. Kelly will also be joining K2 Intelligence.
Michael J. Farrell joins K2 Intelligence as Managing Director from Cushman & Wakefield, where he was a Managing Director in the firm’s Risk Management Services group. Prior to Cushman & Wakefield, Mr. Farrell served the NYPD as the Deputy Commissioner, Strategic Initiatives. He was responsible for research, policy analysis, and program development and evaluation activities. Mr. Farrell also oversaw the department’s quality assurance and auditing programs as well as managed the crime analysis and resource deployment functions, which were instrumental in crime reduction programs. In addition, he earlier served as Deputy Commissioner for Policy and Planning for the NYPD and Director of Special Projects.
David C. Kelly joins K2 Intelligence as Associate Managing Director from Cushman & Wakefield where he was a Director in the firm’s Risk Management Services group. Prior to Cushman & Wakefield he served as Director of Security for Sullivan & Cromwell, LLP, working in the law firm’s New York headquarters. Mr. Kelly was responsible for the identification, development, implementation and management of all security strategies and programs for the firm. His duties included crisis management and contingency planning, information security, investigations, incident management, physical security and security awareness training.Prior to Sullivan & Cromwell, Mr. Kelly served with the NYPD as Assistant Commissioner, Counterterrorism. Mr. Kelly led the department’s initiatives on risk assessment and mitigation for sensitive and significant properties throughout New York City. He also developed security plans and security design criteria for major real estate development projects in coordination with public and private sector partners.