About AYC Security

Seth Stern is a serial entrepreneur with a strong background in real estate and commodities. As a patriotic American, Seth grew up in the Tri-state area and from a young age developed an interest in personal and community security. That interest eventually became a calling, leading him to found AYC Security. His business acumen and genuine care for the safety of others serves as a guiding light for the AYC leadership team.

Daniel Sommers launched and managed a successful legal services business for over ten years and has litigated as both a criminal prosecutor and defense lawyer up to the Supreme Court of Canada. He has served in COO roles, chaired the ethics working group of the International Society of Military Science, and served in both combat and legal roles in the Canadian army reserve. Daniel provides the legal framework behind AYC's most complex security operations.

Bio coming soon. To learn more about our team, we invite you to get in touch directly.

Jim Waddell spent twenty-eight years as a Special Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration, conducting investigations at the national and international level. He is a certified federal law enforcement instructor with a Top Secret security clearance. Jim has prepared and presented cases to federal prosecutors and testified in numerous civil and criminal proceedings. At AYC, he leads threat assessment and risk mitigation for office buildings, events, and organizations operating in complex environments.

Bio coming soon. To learn more about our team, we invite you to get in touch directly.

Damien O'Connell is a military historian and one of the leading practitioners of decision games in use today. He has taught at the US Naval Academy, the FBI National Academy, and the Baltic Defence College, and led Marine Corps University's effort to institutionalize the case method at The Basic School. He later served as a Non-Resident Fellow at Marine Corps University's Brute Krulak Center for Innovation and Future Warfare. At AYC, Damien builds the decision-making frameworks that keep security personnel clear-headed under pressure.

Bio coming soon. To learn more about our team, we invite you to get in touch directly.

Dr. Kashif Pirzada has worked as an emergency physician for over fifteen years at two of Canada's largest Level 1 trauma centers. He has served as a Coroner for the province of Ontario, investigating mysterious and suspicious deaths to prevent future similar incidents. He is a faculty member at the University of Toronto and a founder of the Critical Drugs Coalition. At AYC, Dr. Pirzada oversees on-site medical training and emergency preparedness for events, campuses, and 24/7 operations.

Laval Martin holds a master's degree in social work from the University of Toronto and has worked in crisis intervention and conflict resolution since 2006. He has delivered psychotherapy for over five years to clients navigating serious mental health challenges. Laval brings the ability to read a situation before it escalates, a skill as valuable in HOA communities and house of worship security as it is in any high-pressure environment. At AYC, he leads resiliency programming and de-escalation training.

Bio coming soon. To learn more about our team, we invite you to get in touch directly.

Dr. Frank Sommers is the founder of Disaster Psychiatry Canada and a member of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Toronto. A military veteran, he deployed as a civilian psychiatrist to the NATO contingent in Afghanistan. He is a Distinguished Fellow of both the Canadian and American Psychiatric Associations and a recipient of the Ontario Medical Association Presidential Award. At AYC, Dr. Sommers leads disaster psychiatry and critical incident response.

After completing a master's degree in history and years of active involvement in Jewish campus life, Rabbi Jaffit lived in Jerusalem from 2009 to 2014, pursuing advanced rabbinical studies and teaching in Jewish educational institutions. Since returning to Canada, he has served as a military chaplain with the Toronto Scottish Regiment, holding the rank of captain. At AYC, Rabbi Jaffit leads disaster chaplaincy for houses of worship, schools, and community organizations requiring security with pastoral support.

Bio coming soon. To learn more about our team, we invite you to get in touch directly.

Eugene Coles served twenty-two years in the Marine Corps, from squad leader to platoon commander over mortar, anti-armor, and heavy machinegun units. He conducted counter-IED and foreign internal defense operations across the Middle East, South America, and the Asia Pacific Rim. A distinguished graduate of the Infantry Platoon Sergeant's Course and jungle and mountain warfare schools, Eugene holds degrees in Political Science and International Relations. At AYC, he leads force protection planning and threat assessment for high-risk environments.

Byron Childs spent over thirteen years in law enforcement, including service on a regional SWAT team running high-risk warrants and protection details for political figures. He is a commissioned peace officer, Certified Firearms Instructor, and certified armorer who trains personnel in close-quarters tactics and vehicle dynamics. Byron coordinates event security, secure transport, and 24/7 coverage for AYC's Ohio regional operations, bringing a client-first approach and the same exacting standards to the field that he holds in training.