Ryan Millbern

About Ryan Millbern

Driving elite K9 operations and gaming security to new standards of professionalism.Ryan Millbern is the Director of K9 Operations, Private Investigations, and Gaming Security for Pinnacle Protection Group (PPG) in Las Vegas, where he leads Nevada’s largest private security K9 program. As the Nevada PILB-licensed Qualifying Agent for K9, Private Patrol, and Private Investigations, Ryan ensures every PPG operation exceeds client expectations while maintaining strict compliance with Nevada PILB and Gaming Commission standards.He oversees 30 operational K9 teams, including explosives detection (static and person-borne), narcotics detection, and handler protection dogs, deployed across casinos, airports, convention centers, festivals, and trade shows throughout Nevada. In addition to directing K9 operations, Ryan manages PPG’s Private Investigation Division, which provides surveillance, fraud, theft, and due diligence investigations, and he serves as a PILB-Certified Firearms Instructor, delivering armed guard qualifications, tactical courses, and specialized firearms programs for K9 handlers and casino security personnel.With 20+ years of experience in K9 handling, training, and program development, Ryan has built, assessed, and enhanced detection dog programs across the U.S. and internationally, from high-threat overseas contracting to luxury casino environments. He has designed K9 handler schools, created handler and dog testing protocols, and consulted for security agencies and resorts around the globe seeking to develop or improve their K9 capabilities.Ryan is also a seasoned speaker and instructor, presenting at leading industry events including the Police K9 Magazine Conference (Las Vegas), K9 Cop Magazine Conference (Nashville), Australian Working Patrol Dog Conference (Canberra), IACSP Casino Protection Conference (Las Vegas), Cambodian Mine Action Center K9 Symposium, SAR Working K9 Conference (Malaysia), and multiple other casino and gaming security conferences worldwide.In addition, Ryan serves as President of the International Casino & Resort Working Dog Association supporting hospitality-focused K9 programs through professional training, scholarships, and expert consulting. His career is built on operational excellence, liability reduction, and delivering trusted, professional security solutions for clients, guests, and employees in every environment he serves.

Experience

1. Director of K9 Operations, Private Investigations, & Gaming Security

   Pinnacle Protection Group

   Dec 2024 — Present · Las Vegas, NV, US

   As PPG’s Director of K9 Operations, Private Investigations, and Gaming Security, I oversee Nevada’s largest private security K9 program, ensuring our services meet and exceed legal, regulatory, and client expectations. I am the Nevada PILB-licensed Qualifying Agent for K9 Services, Private Investigations, and Private Patrol, responsible for full compliance with Nevada Revised Statutes, PILB regulations, and Nevada Gaming Commission standards.I lead 30 operational K9 units (4 full-time, 26 part-time) specializing in explosives detection (static and person-borne), narcotics detection, and handler protection. These highly trained detection teams are deployed at casinos, festivals, airports, convention centers, trade shows, and large-scale events across Nevada, delivering unmatched security and threat mitigation.In addition to directing K9 operations, I manage PPG’s Private Investigations Division, overseeing corporate and civil investigations, surveillance, fraud and theft inquiries, background checks, and due diligence investigations. I also serve as PPG’s Nevada PILB-Certified Firearms Instructor, providing mandatory armed guard qualifications, advanced tactical training, and specialized firearms programs for K9 handlers and gaming security professionals.Through proactive leadership and strict adherence to regulatory requirements, I ensure all PPG security personnel—guards, investigators, and K9 handlers—operate at the highest professional standards while protecting clients, assets, and the public.

Education

• California State University, Fullerton

  Bachelor of Arts - BA, Speech Communications

  1998 — 2002

• Colorado Mountain College

  Certificate , Colorado Law Enforcement Training Academy

• Santa Ana College

  A.A., Speech Communications

  1993 — 1998

• Orange High School

  High School Diploma, General Education

  1989 — 1993

Skills

• Enforcement
• Security Training
• Crime Prevention
• Corporate Security
• First Responder
• Weapons
• Security Management
• Private Investigations
• Detective
• Criminal Investigations
• Explosives Detection
• Sergeant
• Bomb Detection
• Security Operations
• Active Dos Security Clearance
• Interrogation
• Public Safety
• Force Protection
• Security
• Field Training Officer
• Field Training
• First Aid
• Homeland Security
• Personal Security
• Patrol
• Firearms
• Investigation
• Surveillance
• Explosives
• Police
• Physical Security
• Criminal Justice
• Personal Protection
• Active Secret Clearance
• Executive Protection
• Close Protection
• Evidence
• Law Enforcement Operations
• Security Clearance
• Workplace Violence