About APS

Built to raise the standard.

Advanced Protective Services, LLC has delivered founder-led security, investigative, consulting, and training services from Georgia since 1995.

The APS story

Experience became a company—and a company became a mission.

Founder Timothy Farrow brought a background in the military, law enforcement, field training, self-defense, and technology to early security assignments. As other businesses and large events began requesting his help, he formalized Advanced Protective Services in 1995.

What began as a small operation grew into a full-time company based in Georgia and offering services worldwide. Each assignment remains subject to applicable law, licensing, scope, staffing, and operational requirements. The objective has remained the same: bring stronger discipline, preparation, appearance, and oversight to protective services.

“I take a hands-on approach, and when an active client calls at three o'clock in the morning, I answer.”

— Timothy Farrow, Founder & President

Advanced Protective Services booth at a community eventAPS patrol truck at a public safety eventAPS protective-services professional during an international field assignment
Why the knight

A symbol of versatility and protection.

The knight can move where other chess pieces cannot. For APS, the knight represents a protector who thinks ahead, adapts to changing conditions, and acts with purpose. It reflects clarity and purity of intent; black and gold communicate strength and excellence.

Leadership

Accountability starts at the top.

Each profile begins with a concise leadership summary. On smaller screens, open the biography when you want the full background and operating philosophy.

Timothy J. Farrow, founder and president of Advanced Protective Services
Founder profile

Timothy J. Farrow

Founder & President

Timothy founded APS in 1995. As the company’s primary instructor and a hands-on operational leader, he brings more than 30 years of security and protective-services experience.

Read Timothy’s full biography

Timothy began his military career as an enlisted soldier in the United States Army before completing officer training and becoming an Infantry Officer. His professional background also includes service as a police officer and Field Training Officer, along with extensive experience in security operations, private investigations, executive protection, firearms instruction, and professional training.

He is approved by the Georgia Board of Private Detectives and Security Agencies as a classroom and firearms instructor. He is also an NRA-certified instructor in pistol, rifle, shotgun, Home Defense, and Personal Safety; an NRA Range Safety Officer; and an Axon/TASER Energy Weapons Instructor. Throughout his career, he has trained security professionals, law-enforcement personnel, and civilian students in the United States and internationally.

Under Timothy’s leadership, APS has built its reputation around professionalism, integrity, and dependable service. His training philosophy combines real-world experience with practical instruction and emphasizes sound judgment, personal responsibility, officer safety, and the disciplined application of professional standards.

Real-world experience, practical instruction, sound judgment, and disciplined standards guide how APS prepares its people.

Victoria McGuyer, Executive Director of Advanced Protective Services
Executive leadership profile

Victoria McGuyer

Executive Director

Victoria McGuyer provides strategic and operational leadership across APS security, investigative, consulting, and training divisions.

Read Victoria’s full biography

With more than 15 years of leadership experience, she works closely with APS’s owner and founder to shape corporate strategy, strengthen operational capabilities, and develop solutions to complex security challenges across diverse industries.

Since joining the executive leadership team more than five years ago, Victoria has overseen guard operations, investigative services, client relations, workforce development, and organizational compliance. She has also assisted in coordinating specialized security training for foreign nationals.

Victoria studied Criminal Justice at Kennesaw State University and holds professional certifications spanning accounting and federal and state labor compliance. She also holds Department of Homeland Security certifications in counterterrorism awareness, biological-incident preparedness, and observational site protection.

A people-focused executive, Victoria is committed to developing capable leaders, building high-performing teams, and maintaining a culture defined by integrity, accountability, and exceptional service.

Develop capable leaders. Build high-performing teams. Maintain integrity, accountability, and exceptional service.

Thomas ‘Andy’ Crutchfield, Lead Investigator with Advanced Protective Services
Investigator profile

Thomas “Andy” Crutchfield

Lead Investigator

Andy brings more than 30 years of investigative, military, and security experience to complex criminal and civil investigations.

Read Andy’s full biography

His investigative career has included criminal defense investigations, civil litigation support, surveillance, witness location and interviews, fugitive recovery, fraud investigations, and evidence development. He previously owned and operated private investigative and fugitive recovery companies in Georgia and has worked cases ranging from routine civil matters to serious felony and capital cases.

Andy is also a retired U.S. military veteran with approximately 28 years of service in the Army and Air National Guard. His military career included intelligence-related assignments and nearly two decades in the fire service, where he served in leadership and instructional roles.

Today, Andy combines traditional investigative techniques, decades of field experience, and modern investigative technology to locate witnesses, develop evidence, conduct interviews, and uncover the facts attorneys and their clients need.

“Follow the evidence, verify the facts, and never assume the obvious answer is the correct one.”

Brandon S. Duke, Office Manager of Advanced Protective Services
Operational leadership profile

Brandon S. Duke

Office Manager

Brandon leads APS administration, human resources, internal operations, training development, and continued organizational development.

Read Brandon’s full biography

Since joining APS, Brandon has become involved in nearly every aspect of the company’s internal operation, including recruiting and hiring, employee records, onboarding, training development, policy and procedure development, inventory and equipment management, documentation, and internal communications.

Beyond keeping the office running, Brandon has helped build much of the structure that allows APS to operate more effectively. He has developed administrative systems, strengthened onboarding and training programs, created policies and procedures, and helped turn recurring problems into organized, sustainable solutions.

With more than 18 years of military service—including experience in Security Forces/Military Police, leadership, program management, instruction, and Inspector General functions—as well as experience with the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office, Brandon brings a practical, mission-focused approach to his work. His background has given him extensive experience in accountability, process improvement, organizational standards, training, and problem-solving.

Brandon also applies Lean and Six Sigma principles to identify inefficiencies, reduce unnecessary work, and develop systems that make organizations more effective. His focus is ultimately on building systems, developing people, and raising organizational standards while helping position APS for continued growth.

“USAF Veteran—Discipline is the difference.”

Qualifications and safeguards

Experience backed by professional standards.

Active Georgia licenseAdvanced Protective Services, LLC — company license PDSC001563.
Insured above Georgia requirementsAPS is insured above Georgia requirements.
INTELLENET memberConnected to a worldwide network of investigative and security professionals.
40 hours every yearAPS continuing education standard for every officer and supervisor.
Multi-discipline instructorGeorgia Board, NRA, and Axon/TASER instructor credentials.
Direct owner involvementTimothy visits and works sites, advises clients, and remains accessible to the operating team.

Licensing and insurance documents are supplied as appropriate during the engagement process. Individual investigator details are included in the client intake package.

Review APS credentials and documented training →

01

Discipline

Clear appearance, conduct, reporting, and operational expectations for the people representing APS and its clients.

02

Preparation

Progressive training, scenario-based learning, and site-specific planning that improve readiness over time.

03

Oversight

Layered supervision, direct leadership access, daily reports, and a hands-on understanding of each environment.