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Since 1990, Mr. Soppelsa has been providing executive protection for high profile clients from the entertainment, corporate and political sectors of the United States, Europe, Central & South America, Africa, Middle East and Asia. His international experience and expertise during the last 20 years has often been used to instruct local security teams in foreign countries and has given him vast insight into the variations and difficulties encountered while providing security services in dynamic and unpredictable environments.
Educated in private schools in Switzerland, Michael Soppelsa finished high school as an exchange student in Venezuela and went on to serve in the French Foreign Legion, 2nd Parachute Regiment (2. REP)with a tour in Djibouti/East Africa before serving in the Swiss Special Forces as a member of the elite Grenadier Regiment, specializing in unconventional warfare and guerrilla/small unit tactics.
Under President Clinton’s administration Soppelsa was a member of the protection detail for President Aristide upon his return to Haiti. After the invasion of Iraq Mr. Soppelsa was selected by Blackwater to become a member of the high risk protection detail for Ambassador Bremer with extensive travels throughout Baghdad and Iraq. Soppelsa then served as special (in country) advisor and trainer to the new Afghan Secret Service, tasked with the security for President Karzai, traveling within Afghanistan and the city of Kabul. Soppelsa also protected witnesses and attorneys during a five year criminal trial in Lagos, Nigeria.
Mr. Soppelsa has been providing protection services for the entertainment industry on foreign trips over the past two decades. Among his clients: Author Salman Rushdie; Directors Steven Spielberg, Tony Scott and Ron Howard; Artists Matthew McConaughey and his family; Tom Cruise and his family; Eddie Murphy and his family; Salma Hayek; Julia Roberts; Natalie Portman; Denzel Washington; Russell Crowe; John Travolta; Brad Pitt; Nicole Kidman; Will Smith; Mike Meyers; Meg Ryan; Arnold Schwarzenegger; Jodie Foster; Howard Stern; Lance Armstrong; the Versace Family.
Mr. Soppelsa has also served as supervisor for protective teams on motion picture sets exposed to higher threat levels on international locations, such as Steven Spielberg’s “Munich” and Tony Scott’s ‘Man on Fire”, as well as other films made on location in Latin America. He has also served as security consultant during scouting trips with clients and crews to many foreign countries.
Specialized training is a way of life for Mr. Soppelsa; he regularly trains with the following institutions:
Gunsite Academy; Blackwater USA; Randy Cain/Cumberland Tactics; Steve Tarani; Kyle Lamb/Viking Tactics; Bill Jeans/Morrigan Consulting; Louis Awerbuck/Yavapai Firearms Academy; Greg Hamilton/InSights Training Center; Frank Garcia/Universal Shooting Academy; Doug echtel/Countermeasures Tactical Institute; Heckler&Koch International Training Division; DOD; US State Department/Diplomatic Security; BSR Driving Academy; Tony Scott Driving School; Ivor Bigham/European Rally and Performance Driving School; Kobetz/Executive Protection Institute; Helicopter Partners Miami.
Mr. Soppelsa holds a pilot’s license with an Instrument Rating and a Seaplane Rating as well as a Helicopter Pilot Rating with high altitude training and a type rating through Eurocopter USA on the EC-130. He is currently working on commercial ratings for both helicopter and fixed wing.
Mr. Soppelsa speaks and writes English, German, French and Spanish fluently. Direct dial +1-305-490-9030.
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