Leadership and Support

Antonio “Tony” Leal is the President of PPI Security.

Prior to entering the private sector, Tony served the State of Texas with the Texas Department of Public Safety, where he started as a Trooper in 1984, and was promoted through the ranks to Texas Ranger, Lieutenant, Company Commander, Chief of the Texas Rangers and leaving as an Assistant Director of the Department of Public Safety – overseeing the Texas Rangers, DPS Special Operations, Major Crimes and Border Security.

His experience is in personal protection, security, sensitive and major investigations, high-level management, implementation of new programs, program management and strategic planning. Tony is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Police Staff and Command and the University of Texas, LBJ School of Public Affairs – Governor’s Executive Development Program.

Gene entered law enforcement in 1977 with his acceptance to the Texas Department of Public Safety and retired with the rank of Captain in the Narcotics Service.

Among his many duties, Gene carried federal task force credentials for most of his investigative career, coordinating investigations with law enforcement counterparts nationwide.

In an off-duty capacity, he has 30+ years of proactive experience coordinating professional security services for clients ranging from individuals to corporate entities.

Adolphus Pressley served as a trooper, Special Agent and Texas Ranger, before he honorably retired in 2013 as a Lieutenant for the Texas Department of Public Safety Office of Inspector General. Pressley has over 20 years of experience in Dignitary Protection of high-profile officials. Pressley also served his country as a member of the U.S. Air Force. Pressley has over 30 years of experience working in security and law enforcement positions and holds various training certifications in Crisis, Homicide, Profiling, Interrogation, Crime Scene, and financial investigations.

Prior to joining PPI Security, Mike served the City of Bellaire, where he started as a Patrolman in 1988 and held positions in Criminal Investigations and Police Administration. In 1997, Mike was promoted to the Rank of Detective Sergeant and assisted in the development of the agencies Special Response Team in which he held positions as a Tactical Operator and Team Leader. He would later become the Administrative Officer over the unit.

In 2001 Mike was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant over the Criminal Investigations Division and Support Services. Mike assisted and coordinated high-level investigations in which many gained national attention and media coverage.

Mike developed, implemented, and oversaw the hiring and background procedures currently in use by the Bellaire Police Department and was also the training coordinator for the agency.

In 2012, Mike was promoted to the rank of Assistant Chief of Police.

Mike is a Master Peace Officer through the Texas Commission of Law Enforcement (TCOLE) and is a graduate of the Texas Leadership Command College based out of Sam Houston State University.

James “Jim” Miller is the Lead Investigator for PPI Security.

Prior to joining PPI Security, Jim served the State of Texas with the Department of Public Safety where he started in the Driver’s License Service in 1975. Later that year, he transferred to Cleveland, Texas, as a Highway Patrol trooper.

In 1987, Jim applied for and was accepted as a Sergeant with the Texas Rangers in Georgetown, Texas.

In 1997, Jim was promoted to Lieutenant of Company “A” in Houston, Texas, and was promoted through the ranks to Captain of Company “C” in Lubbock, Texas, and finally retiring as Assistant Chief of the Texas Rangers in 2008.

Jim is a 1974 graduate of Sam Houston State.

Brandon Bess joined the Texas Department of Public Safety in 1995 and served 10 years as a highway patrol trooper, 8 years as a Special Crimes and Criminal Intelligence Sergeant before promoting into the Texas Rangers in 2013. Bess’ experience in the rangers included murder, sexual assault, escaped inmate, public corruption and numerous other types of high profile investigations. During his tenure in the Texas Rangers, he received numerous awards and commendations including the United State Attorney Generals and the ATF awards for distinguished service. Bess was appointed to the Unsolved Crimes Investigation Team in 2020 and became a subject matter expert among his peers in conducting cold case homicide investigation using the latest DNA and forensic genetic genealogy to solve those homicides and sexual assaults. Bess joined PPI in 2024 after his 30-year career in law enforcement.

Tonie McMahon is our “go-to” person in matters relating to Human Resources and Customer Service.

Prior to joining PPI Security in 2016, Tonie assisted all levels of Executive Management in the daily operation of businesses serving as Executive Assistant, Human Resources Manager, Sales Manager and Office Manager.

Throughout the course of her career, Tonie has mastered and become the unofficial expert in all matters concerning Office Management.

Presently, Tonie is a licensed Private Investigator for the State of Texas and holds a Level IV license. At PPI, she performs background checks, from minor to extensive, using various search databases.

Tonie is a graduate of Ashford University where she received her BA in Human Resources Management, her MA in Organizational Management and a MBA in Business Administration.