Dominick Ripillino
Vice President of Operations

Dominick joined Harvard Protection Services in 1998 after a 25 year career with the NYPD, rising to Squad Commander, Supervisor of Detective Squad, Homicide.  Later, he was assigned to the Special Investigations Division, where he supervised the investigations of many white-collar crimes, including fraud, extortion and theft.  He also assisted in the development of the NYPD’s kidnapping task force, training hundreds of detectives, FBI agents and police officers throughout the tri-state area.  Before retiring, he served as Treasurer for the Sergeants’ Benevolent Association.

As vice president of operations for Harvard Protection Services, LLC, he is the Senior Executive in charge of the company’s day-to-day operations, responsible for all supervisory and management personnel, audit and compliance.  In addition, he is responsible for the oversight of evaluating and enhancing security procedures at all service locations, transition of new customer sites and overall performance of our employees in the field. 

Joe joined the Harvard Team in 2006 as a Vice President of Harvard Protection Services, LLC.  He is the primary Executive responsible for marketing, business development, strategic partnerships, national accounts and contract negotiations.  With a diverse background and wealth of security industry experience, Joe works closely with Senior Management in development of new initiatives in the areas of training, quality control, employee screening and value added client services.

After graduating from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in 1995, Joe began his career in the security industry.  He worked for one of the nation’s largest security firms for over a decade holding key positions in Northern California, Washington D.C., Virginia, Philadelphia and New Jersey.  Throughout his career, Joe has functioned in almost every capacity from customer service, operations management, national accounts and business development.

Robert S. Conforti
Vice President

Robert is a 30 year veteran of the FBI, serving as Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Division, where he supervised over 500 employees and directed all Division activities.  He also served as Special Agent in Charge of the Bureau’s Springfield, Illinois office as well as assignments in New York City, Boston, New Rochelle and the Bureau’s headquarters in Washington, DC.  In these assignments, he managed numerous bureau divisions, including white collar crime, violent crime and public corruption investigations. 

After retiring in 2002, Robert worked for one of the nation’s largest security firms with direct management responsibility for Pennsylvania, Delaware and New Jersey for over three years.  Joining Harvard in 2006, he directs the company’s New Jersey and Pennsylvania security operations.  With his extensive criminal justice background, he is well-versed in day-to-day security activities, risk assessments, investigations and other areas of the contract security business. Bob is an active member of the Delaware Valley Citizens Crime Commission and the Federal Law Enforcement Officers’ Association.

Gabriel Duarte
Assistant Vice President

Gabriel has been in the private security industry since 1989 where he began his career as a security officer.  Holding positions at virtually every servicing level, he has vast experience and appreciation for what it takes to deliver and get the job done.  He joined Harvard in 1996 as Operations Manager and was subsequently promoted to Assistant Vice President.  Gabriel has responsibility for Harvard’s training programs, development and coordination of on-site officer training workshops, background screening of new employees and post order development and compliance.    

Prior to coming to the United States and joining the private sector, Gabriel served as an officer in the Army for his native country of Columbia.  In addition, Gabriel holds a Fire Safety Director Certificate and is a certified instructor under the Security Guard Act of 1992.   

Salvatore Mazzaro
Operations Manager

Sal had a 22 year career with the NYPD, retiring in 1993 with the rank of Detective. In that rank, he served in the NYPD’s Manhattan Robbery Squad and later, the Safe, Loft and Truck Squad.  Upon retirement he went to work for NYC’s Fashion Center Business Improvement District as field operations supervisor.  He is a certified Fire Safety Director and was on duty at a downtown hotel on September 11, 2001, and assisted in directing the safe evacuation of more than 800 hotel guests and employees.   
Sal joined Harvard in 1999 on a part-time basis as a member of our Field Supervisory Team where he was responsible for conducting officer inspections, responding to client emergency needs and serving as central dispatch for all locations.  In 2002 he joined Harvard on a full-time basis and was promoted to Operations Manager.  A former US Marine, Sal brings more than 30 years of combined military, law enforcement and security experience to the Harvard management team.  With his background and experience, he has been instrumental in the oversight of highly sensitive client details ton include escort of high value property, sensitive document transport and reproduction, investigations and armed officer needs. 

Thomas Antenen
Operations Manager

 Thomas Antenen joined Harvard Protection Services in 2007 after retiring from New York City government, where he served twenty years.   The majority of his career was spent with the City’s Correction Department, beginning as a manager for the agency’s media relations department and rising to the position of deputy commissioner for public information and community affairs.  In August of 2000, he was appointed as deputy commissioner for public information at the NYPD, serving until the end of 2001 before returning to the Correction Department.

As a new member to Harvard’s Team, Tom has played an integral in new client transitions, pre-screening of officer candidates and conducting hands on training seminars for our employees in the field.  He is responsible for oversight on of Harvard’s largest customers whose stand alone facility encompasses over 3.5 million square. 

Joanne C. Plemenos
Chief Financial Officer

Ms. Plemenos joined the Company in 1995 to function in the newly-created position of Controller, she is now the CFO. She works closely with the company's President on all financial related issues for each of the company's affiliates. These include forecasting, budgeting, financial statement preparation, monitoring of cash flow and bank credit requirements. She also works with counsel on compliance matters and due diligence relating to customers and business associates. Prior to joining the company, Ms. Plemenos worked at Arthur Andersen from 1990 to 1995 where, as a Senior Supervisor, she specialized in initial public offerings, auditing and tax preparation for retail and service companies and evaluating internal financial control structures. She obtained a B.S. degree in Accounting, Summa Cum Laude, from LaSalle University and is presently working toward her C.P.A. accreditation.