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CASE STUDY

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Exxon Kidnapping and Attack

Do you recall what happened to Exxon President Sidney Reso? He was kidnapped and summarily killed. What astonished most people was that there were no death threats or indicators of an imminent attack. He felt safe, became complacent and his routine became predictable. His death in 1992 could have been averted had he had an effective security plan in place. We believe his death could have been prevented.

The cost of damage control is significantly higher than that of protection services. An $18.5 million ransom for the CEO of Exxon which began with kidnapping and ended with death, could have been avoided by a $2.5 million round the clock covert security detail. You cannot assume it will not happen to you.

Below are basic executive protection costs outlined for a fully manned security detail based on the country average and the cost from the 1992 kidnapping and death of Exxon President Sidney J. Reso.

 (Estimated Costs, all costs are not included)

Quick Analysis: Real-Life Example of Corporate Executive Protection Costs

In April 1992, Exxon President, Sidney Reso was kidnapped outside of his New Jersey Estate by an environmentalist group called “Warriors of the Rainbow.” His routine for many years was to drive to the end of his driveway and get the newspaper from his mailbox at same time every day.

How Exxon Executive Became a Target

The President of Exxon was targeted because of his daily routine, the companies transparency regarding executive personal information and the $15 million paid ransom in South America earlier, indicating that Exxon would pay again as SOP.

After close research and surveillance by the kidnappers, Mr. Reso was a targeted for the kidnapping because he was an easy target to capture. When he was kidnapped, there was no executive security in place.

Paying the ransom doesn’t always work. After the $18.5 million ransom was paid, Reso was abandoned and left for dead in the woods. Am around-the-clock security detail at his residence could have prevented this attack.

When your position rises within a company to the point of scrutiny, a security team can provide more than just protection. They can also provide an executive service that helps you be more efficient with your time and resources, while ensuring you can continue with your business goals.