Victor Guembes was born in Lima, Peru. While in Peru, he joined the Commissioned Police Officer Academy in Lima-Peru in 1982 and after three years of education he served as a 2nd Lieutenant for an elite counterterrorism team.
In 1989, Victor immigrated to the United States. Upon his arrival to the United States, he joined the US Army and did his basic training in Fort Benning, Georgia graduating from the Infantry School. He was stationed at Fort Drum, New York. In 1993, he reenlisted and graduated as a Military Police officer from Fort McClellan, Alabama. In 1995, he ended his tour with the military, and for the next eight years he worked as a loss prevention and security manager for Sheraton and Manhattan East Suites in New York City, and JW Marriott and The Ritz-Carlton in South Florida.
In 2001, he worked as security director for a large property management company overseeing properties in Key Biscayne and South Beach. In 2004, he joined a major Greek-American corporation as corporate security supervisor and traveled the East coast conducting security audits and maritime security operations for the organization. Currently, he is the Miami branch manager for Weiser Security Services; he has held that position since 2008.
Before we discuss your academic accomplishments, would you mind giving us a little background on your years in the military?
I proudly served in the United States Army for six years and reached the rank of Sergeant. My first four years as an infantryman and my last two years in the Military Police. I received training in Nuclear-Biological-Chemical Ops (Fort Drum, NY), Military Operations in Urban Terrain (Fort Brag, NC), Desert Training (Fort Irwin, CA), Leadership School (Fort Drum, NY), and Jungle Operations (Fort Sherman, Panama). I received the National Defense Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Humanitarian Medal, and the Kuwait Liberation Medal. I also qualified Expert in M-16 Rifle, M-60 Sub-Machine Gun, and 9mm Pistol. Because of my counterterrorism background and experience in Peru, I was invited to brief the intelligence community in Fort Drum, NY to an audience of several commissioned officers about the modus operandi, strategies, and counterintelligence operations of the MRTA and Shining Path terrorist organizations. I’m a veteran of the Panama Invasion and Persian Gulf War.
What do you do for a living? What is your position?
I am a security professional working for Weiser Security Services, Inc. as a branch manager. I manage the security operations of several clients to include government, commercial, industrial, lodging, and residential throughout Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
Where did you get your Bachelors degree? What was your major?
I earned my BS in Criminal Justice Administration from the University of Phoenix, Miami campus.
You received your MBA from FNU, why did you choose FNU? How long did it take you to earn it?
Without a doubt, I made the right choice about enrolling in the MBA Program at FNU. It took me one full year of intense studies, researches, presentations, and group dynamics to earn my degree.
What did you like best about FNU’s MBA program?
As a working professional and managing a branch with over 300 employees and over $5million budget, it was necessary for me to receive additional education and training in all basic functions of management. I liked the response I received from my professors along with their method of teaching, which enhanced my managerial skills, and provided me with direction on how to be more efficient and effective in my daily decision-making process. The quality of teaching complimented by the study of numerous Harvard cases embraces a rich atmosphere of knowledge and resources anybody will benefit from. I am very proud and satisfied with Florida National University.
Which course did you enjoy the most?
Service Marketing and Finance were the top two courses I enjoyed the most. My work consists of meeting and exceeding the expectations of my clients in regard to security services. Learning how to operate efficiently and effectively along with generating growth allows me to expose my organization in the market with solid foundations and generate profitability.
During Florida National University’s Spring 2014 Graduation you were the valedictorian. How did that feel?
It was one of my goals. I wanted to earn my MBA with a good, reputable and respected university; and I wanted to be the best in class. I graduated from FNU with honors, Suma Cum Laude with a 3.92 GPA and had the honor to be the Valedictorian. It’s a great feeling of accomplishment, honor, and satisfaction.
Any words of advice you can give to future students everywhere?
Perseverance takes you to successful accomplishments regardless of how many times you thought about quitting, stopped moving forward or doubted your goals. If you want something, it is in you to be successful. Never stop learning!
Anything else you would like to add?
Thank you to the entire FNU family for this opportunity and let’s help our university grow each day to continue providing educational opportunities to our community by getting involved in as many activities as possible.
