ARDENT Protection is on a mission to professionalize the security industry. For us, this means more than delivering services, it’s about redefining how security is approached. By prioritizing trust, transparency, and genuine care, we’ve created a company where people matter. Whether you’re a client or a team member, we take the time to understand your unique needs and deliver real solutions. Our leadership team is passionate about fostering growth, supporting innovation, and ensuring accountability across every aspect of our work. We’re not just protecting, we’re building trust, safety, and a better future for the industry.
Founding Story: From Vision to Reality
ARDENT Protection wasn’t born from a traditional business plan; it emerged from a deeply personal mission to reshape an entire industry. Founder Darryl M. Johnson’s experiences in law enforcement and executive protection highlighted a critical need for greater professionalism and respect within the security industry. He envisioned a company that could set a new standard, where Security Officers would be valued, respected, and empowered. With that goal in mind, ARDENT Protection was set in motion.
The Spark of an Idea
The early days of ARDENT were humble, to say the least. Darryl began laying the groundwork from his mother’s one-bedroom apartment, turning her living room into a makeshift office and brainstorming space. His mother Katrina provided more than just a couch, she lent constant encouragement, reminding him that his mission was more than just a business. Determined to make it a reality, Darryl put in long hours studying, networking, and planning.
As Darryl refined his vision, he realized that he needed partners who shared his passion and could help bring his ideas to life. This is when two critical figures entered the story: Richard Castello, a strategist with an eye for growth and an instinct for making things happen, and Katrina Roper, whose steady hand in finance and administration would prove essential. Katrina’s role was immediate and profound, she helped Darryl file for incorporation, opened the first company bank accounts, and even watched client cameras all night on her home tv to ensure operations ran smoothly in those critical first days. More than a partner, she was the anchor that helped keep ARDENT’s early ambitions grounded.
From Idea to Reality
With Richard’s strategic direction, Katrina’s finance and admin rigor, and Darryl’s unshakable commitment to their shared mission, ARDENT Protection launched. Each partner brought their expertise to the table: Darryl crafted ARDENT’s foundational values and operational blueprint, Richard mapped out a pathway for growth, and Katrina made it all official, legal, and financially sound. These early decisions weren’t just about structure, they were about creating a strong, values-driven company that could scale with integrity.
The Early Days of ARDENT
ARDENT’s early days were defined by a tenacious drive to deliver security services that went above and beyond the norm. Starting with just a few contracts, the team approached each client as an opportunity to redefine security, building relationships based on transparency, respect, and accountability. ARDENT quickly developed a reputation for high standards and a client-centered ethos that set it apart from competitors.
Every new client brought growth and new challenges, and as ARDENT expanded, so did its approach to training, accountability, and Officer support. ARDENT’s “Officer-first” philosophy became the backbone of the company, ensuring every Security Officer felt valued, equipped, and empowered to deliver exceptional service. It was this commitment that allowed ARDENT to attract like-minded team members who saw themselves not just as security Officers but as professionals contributing to a larger mission.
Growth and Expansion
With each new contract, ARDENT continued to expand its capabilities and services. The company’s growth was strategic and deliberate, driven by a commitment to quality over quantity. Richard’s focus on data-driven growth allowed ARDENT to enter new markets while maintaining its core values, and Katrina’s years of professional experience ensured that the company’s standards of excellence were upheld at every level. ARDENT’s growth was built on a foundation of innovation, respect, and client trust.
Future Vision: The Path to 2030
Looking to the future, ARDENT’s mission has only grown more ambitious. By 2030, ARDENT aims to be the driving force behind the professionalization of the security industry, with a team of 800 passionate professionals, operations in 15 key states, and partnerships with over 45 quality security providers around the country. This vision isn’t just about expansion; it’s about impact. The founding team envisions an industry where Security Officers have meaningful career pathways, fair compensation, and the respect they deserve. In ARDENT’s future, security clients will have trusted, quality-driven options that meet their needs on every scale, local, regional, and national.
ARDENT’s commitment to elevating the entire industry also extends to supporting other security companies. With resources designed to help companies scale and plan meaningful exits, ARDENT aims to create a landscape where security company owners can retire from the businesses they’ve built with pride. This isn’t just about ARDENT’s success; it’s about creating lasting change for the entire industry.
Looking Ahead: A Legacy in the Making
ARDENT’s story is one of passion, purpose, and resilience. By 2030, ARDENT intends to be a leader in an industry transformed—where every Security Officer is empowered for success, every client has access to quality service, and every agency owner has access to the support they need. The future may be big, but so is ARDENT’s heart, and as Darryl likes to say “We haven’t even started yet”.
A Life of Purpose and Protection
For Darryl M. Johnson, the path to founding ARDENT Protection wasn’t linear—it was a journey through roles and experiences that shaped his understanding of service, professionalism, and the drive to make a difference. His story is one of discovery and purpose, where each chapter added another layer to the mission he would ultimately bring to life through ARDENT Protection.
Early Beginnings: Security, Service, and Science
Darryl’s journey began at the young age of 18, when he took on his first role in security. Balancing this job with his enlistment in the Army National Guard, Darryl began to develop a passion for protective work—a passion that would remain a steady thread throughout his career. At the same time, he enrolled in college with a major in biology, a discipline that taught him the fundamentals of research and analytical thinking. It was during this period that Darryl learned to thrive in complex environments, embracing the challenges that come with balancing work, service, and studies.
A Winding Road: From Surgical Tech to Law Enforcement
While his career began in security, Darryl’s journey took him through other fields, each contributing to his perspective on discipline, teamwork, and resilience. He trained as a Certified Surgical Technician, a role that demanded precision, composure, and an ability to work effectively under pressure. Not long after, Darryl was accepted into the police academy, where he became a sworn law enforcement officer. Here, he deepened his understanding of public safety, situational awareness, and the critical importance of trust and reliability.
Life eventually brought Darryl back to South Florida, where he returned to healthcare as a surgical tech to help care for a terminally ill family member. But his academic interests endured, and he re-enrolled in college, this time with a double major in chemistry and neuroscience. Even as he pursued his studies, Darryl never let go of his first passion—security. He continued to work as a contract security professional, blending his scientific mindset with his commitment to public safety.
A Constant Calling: Observing the Security Industry’s Shortcomings
Throughout these transitions, Darryl saw the security industry’s challenges up close. He experienced, firsthand, the limited opportunities for growth, the inconsistencies in training and support, and the lack of respect that Security Officers often faced. Over time, it became clear to him that these weren’t isolated issues—they were deep-rooted industry gaps that hindered both Security Officers and the clients they served. If things were going to change, Darryl knew he’d need to take the lead in creating that change.
The Seed of ARDENT: From a Modest Idea to a Larger Vision
Darryl’s initial vision was small but meaningful: a five-person team of skilled protection agents who could deliver high-quality security services, handle exciting assignments, and receive compensation well above market rates. He imagined a team that was tight-knit, respected, and passionate about the work they did together. However, as excited as he was to begin, Darryl quickly realized that he had no formal business experience. This is where his love for research came into play—a love that had been sharpened through years of study in biology and neuroscience.
He threw himself into learning everything he could about business. Each book recommended two more, and each podcast opened up new questions and ideas. Darryl absorbed it all: books, articles, videos, free online courses, and podcasts on everything from finance to management to leadership. What began as simple research became a passion; Darryl discovered he was “in love” with entrepreneurship. His original vision of a small team felt increasingly limiting, and he began to see the potential for something much greater. What if, instead of a single team, he could build an entire company dedicated to professionalizing security and creating new opportunities within the industry?
Founding ARDENT Protection
In 2020, at 28 years old Darryl officially launched ARDENT Protection with the help of two key partners: Richard Castello, a growth strategist with a clear eye for expansion, and Katrina Roper, who brought her expertise in admin and finance. Together, the team shared a commitment to professionalism, transparency, and respect, which became the backbone of ARDENT. What started as an idea quickly became a company, and ARDENT’s reputation for high standards and client-centered service drew attention. That same year, ARDENT Protection achieved seven-figure revenue, a testament to the team’s hard work, dedication, and vision.
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CEO & Founder
People 1st means we lead with empathy, respect, and compassion. We know that putting human needs first, whether it’s for our clients, team members, or communities, creates trust, collaboration, and shared success.
Humble Excellence reflects our commitment to delivering outstanding service while staying grounded and open to growth. We’re not excellent recognition, we’re just excellent and people notice. We get the job done right, not because it's good for business, but because quality is in our identity.
Genuine Integrity is about honesty and authenticity. Doing the right thing isn’t a choice, it's who we are. Officers & Clients trust us because we hold ourselves accountable to the highest ethical standards.
