With over two decades of hands-on experience spanning logistics, law enforcement collaboration, and large-scale venue protection, Benjamin Williams currently serves as the Director of Security at Houston First Corporation. Overseeing twelve city-owned properties, including the George R. Brown Convention Center, Ben has led some of Houston’s most high-profile security operations for major events like the NCAA Final Four Fanfest and Gastech.

At the intersection of public safety and smart technology, Ben has pioneered the integration of advanced analytics, Lean Six Sigma principles, and strategic security planning to create a scalable model for modern urban security.

In this exclusive interview, we explore how his leadership is shaping the future of secure, tech-enabled event spaces, and what it means for organizations ready to embrace AI-powered threat detection.

1. You’ve had a diverse career, from logistics to professional sports security and now leading security for Houston First. What key moments or lessons have most shaped your journey? One of the most defining lessons came early in my logistics career: the importance of planning and precision. Moving into professional sports security, I learned how to adapt quickly under pressure, manage large crowds, and stay calm in unpredictable situations. Now at Houston First, the scale and diversity of our venues reinforce the value of collaboration, proactive risk assessment, and clear communication across stakeholders.

2. What initially drew you into the security field, and how have your early roles influenced your leadership style and approach to your work today? I’ve always had a passion for public safety and operations, and I was drawn to the challenge of creating environments where people can feel secure without feeling policed. My early roles taught me that leading by example, staying hands-on, and building strong relationships with teams and partners are key to earning trust and ensuring a culture of accountability.

3. With experience across both private and public sectors, how do you approach balancing safety, operational efficiency, and guest experience? It comes down to integrating safety into the guest experience seamlessly. Whether it’s a city-run convention center or a privately owned sports venue, people should feel safe without being overwhelmed by security presence. Training staff to be approachable, using intelligent technologies discreetly, and ensuring fast, clear communication helps maintain both efficiency and peace of mind.

4. Houston First oversees a wide variety of venues and events. What are the unique security challenges you face when protecting such diverse properties and audiences? Each venue, from the George R. Brown Convention Center to Miller Outdoor Theatre, comes with unique layouts, audiences, and risk profiles. One challenge is customizing security plans without creating silos. We’ve tackled this through standardized protocols that are flexible enough to adapt to each site, while investing in tech like AI that supports situational awareness across environments.

5. Can you walk us through what a successful security operation looks like for events of such magnitude as the NRA Convention, NCAA Men’s Final Four Fan Fest, Chevron Marathon, and similar? Success starts months in advance with coordination across local law enforcement, federal partners, venue management, and emergency responders. We build layered security plans including perimeter control, credentialing, surveillance integration, and rapid response teams. During the event, success is measured by a seamless experience for guests - minimal disruptions, visible but non-intrusive presence, and real-time adaptability to any incident.

6. What are your top priorities right now as Director of Security at Houston First, and how do you measure success across those priorities? My top priorities include enhancing technology integration, improving emergency preparedness, and staff development. Success is measured by reduced incident response times, positive feedback from stakeholders, and how confidently staff perform during drills or real-world situations. A strong safety culture is as important as metrics.

7. With threats evolving constantly, how do you ensure your security protocols remain proactive rather than reactive? Staying proactive means constant training, red-teaming scenarios, and leveraging intelligence feeds. We conduct regular assessments, upgrade systems regularly, and work closely with local law enforcement and Homeland Security. Technology plays a big role but so does encouraging a culture where every staff member feels empowered to raise concerns early.

8. What role do you see AI and intelligent analytics playing in the future of venue and urban security? AI will become indispensable for preemptive threat detection, behavioral analysis, and real-time alerts. It enables us to monitor massive spaces without overwhelming human operators and helps prioritize responses more intelligently. Used ethically and with transparency, AI can enhance public trust and security efficiency simultaneously.

9. How has the integration of EAGL gunshot detection and Scylla AI impacted your team’s situational awareness and response capabilities at Houston First? Both tools have been game-changers. EAGL’s gunshot detection dramatically reduces our response time in the event of an active shooter incident, while Scylla provides real-time analytics, from identifying weapons to unusual crowd behavior. Together, they allow us to act faster, with better information, and more confidence in our decisions.

10. What specific factors led you to choose Scylla AI and EAGL over other providers? We chose them based on accuracy, integration capabilities, and their commitment to working collaboratively during deployment. EAGL offers robust analytics and fast, verifiable alerts, while Scylla’s modular AI tools are tailored to our specific venue types. Their responsiveness and customer support were key deciding factors as well.

11. For other security leaders looking to modernize their operations, what advice would you give when it comes to implementing new technologies? Start with your specific needs - don’t just adopt tech for the sake of innovation. Engage your frontline teams early in the process to ensure buy-in, and pilot small before scaling. Look for vendors who offer strong support for post-installation and ensure interoperability with your existing systems. Most importantly, never let technology replace sound fundamentals in training and planning.