Management Team

Richard “Ricco” Ches, CHS-V, PPS
President

Mr. Ches has over 18 years of corporate security management in addition to military and law enforcement experience. With SMGI, Mr. Ches has served in numerous executive positions in both operations and business development. As Executive Vice President, Mr. Ches led SMGI to achieve double-digit annual growth from 2005 to 2008 with his business development and customer service expertise.

Prior to SMGI and after distinguished careers in both the US Air Force and the Richmond Police Department, Mr. Ches continued to advance his career with increased responsibilities in an assortment of positions providing crisis management and risk solutions in the corporate environment. Serving in positions such as Vice President of Operations for IPSA International to Director of Corporate Risk for Kroll Associates, Mr. Ches has excelled in business development and major case management, directing both international and domestic risk consulting, investigations, and threat management at the strategic and tactical level.

Mr. Ches currently holds executive volunteer leadership positions in the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP) and Chief Special Agents Association (CSAA) and a member of the American Society of Industrial Security (ASIS) along with numerous other industry-related associations.

Rosario Ruiz-Velasco
Chief Financial Officer

Ms. Ruiz-Velasco has over 25 years of corporate accounting and finance management,  including 14 years administering government contracts. For SMGI, she manages all aspects of finance to include payroll, accounts receivable, accounts payable, financial reporting, cash treasury and purchasing and holds the key relationships with external auditors, corporate bankers, client finance officers, and the Defense Contract Audit Agency.