How Elpidio “Pete” Jeter got here…
As a kid, I wanted to be the captain of a starship protecting the universe. As an adult, I entered the Air Force. When I left the Air Force my passion to protect led me to become a reserve police officer part-time while in my full-time career I worked my way up to Chief Security Officer for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). At BPA, I was responsible for protecting the largest electrical power grid in the Pacific Northwest in partnership with local, state and other federal agencies. But, even during my leisure time I played a sheriff as an extra on a locally filmed made-for-tv movie, so I was always helping to keep people safe!
Today, you’ll find me using my unique skills, training and experience consulting with schools, churches, and businesses on how to protect people and property from physical security hazards. My personal motto is: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that” (Martin Luther King Jr.) Being a courageous protector in real life means you have a plan to keep the darkness away. And that was why I founded Elpidius.
My name, Elpidio, is pretty distinctive. It isn’t one of the names you will find on a top ten baby name list. Elpidio comes from the Greek word ἐλπίς, or elpis which means “expectation or “hope”. Obstacles in life happen. Problems arise. Hope means you have the will, path, confidence and strategies to overcome obstacles and achieve your goals. Elpidius is the Latinized form of my name; this became the perfect name for my business.
I am on the side of hope.
Every step in my career has been approached with hope -- the will to protect and the vision and strategies to make it happen. It is my core belief that safety, security, and emergency preparedness are essential for a healthy and productive environment. Let me put my experience to work for you and your organization so that you can be confident and ready.
Experience and Qualifications
Elpidio A. (“Pete”) Jeter
As Chief Security Officer for the U.S. Department of Energy’s Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) in Portland, Oregon I ensured that BPA’s power grid, admin headquarters and facilities was secured protected and prepared.
That meant that I made sure that over 3500 employees, contractors and visitors were safe everyday. I oversaw the physical security assessments and enhancements for all of BPA’s property covering over 300,000 square miles.
It also meant that I worked collaboratively with many local, state, and federal agencies as well as the Canadian government to make sure that one of the United States most critical energy infrastructure was secure, protected, and prepared.
I have also been a reserve police officer for Gresham and Vancouver Police Departments. Previously, I volunteered as Director of Safety and Security at houses of worship as a way of giving back.
Today, I provide consulting services to public school districts, businesses, and non-profits to improve and enhance safety, security, and emergency preparedness. Additionally, my years of experience in building relationships with various emergency responders helps me effectively build similar partnerships with police, fire, and other departments on behalf of my clients.
Certifications
Advanced risk assessment methodology - Sandia National Laboratories, U.S. Department of Energy (U.S. DOE); numerous other training courses completed with Homeland Security, DOE’s Central Training Academy, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); anti-terrorism training with federal, state and local law enforcement and many additional agencies and organizations; School Shield Security Assessor certification; Basic certification in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) from the National Institute of Crime Prevention (NICP); former U.S. DOE Federal Officer