Unified Sports & Entertainment Security Consulting LLC
James A. DeMeo, M.S. is a sport and event security professional based in the Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill area of North Carolina. James DeMeo is the founder of Unified Sports & Entertainment Security Consulting LLC, where he helps venues, event organizers, teams and organizations plan for safer events, stronger operations and better prepared staff.
James brings a rare mix of hands on operations work and academic depth. He serves as Operations Manager with Block by Block for the Downtown Raleigh Alliance Ambassador Team, overseeing safety, hospitality and cleanliness operations across roughly 110 blocks of downtown Raleigh.
He also supports game day operations for the North Carolina Courage at First Horizon Stadium and WakeMed Soccer Park.
He teaches online as adjunct faculty at Johnson & Wales University, Farmingdale State College and Gannon University, and he received the Distinguished Faculty Teaching Award from the Tulane University School of Professional Advancement.
He holds an M.S. in Sport Management from Adelphi University and a B.A. in History from Long Island University, completed DHS/FEMA AWR-167 Sport and Special Event Risk Management and Planning (TEEX), and was named one of Security Magazine’s Most Influential People in Security in 2017. He is a Higher Education Faculty Member of the National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) and an ASIS member.
A physical security assessment looks at a site the way a determined offender would. James DeMeo examines perimeter and access control, lighting, sightlines, surveillance coverage, staffing, policies and how people actually move through the space. The result is a written set of findings ranked by risk, with practical recommendations that leadership can budget for and act on. You can also browse other physical security assessments consultants in the directory.
Good emergency plans are short, practical and practiced. James DeMeo helps organizations build emergency action plans, run tabletop exercises and drills, and coordinate with first responders so that staff know what to do in the first critical minutes of a fire, severe weather event, medical emergency or active threat.
James DeMeo advises public agencies and organizations on public safety operations, including policy, training, supervision and the technology that officers and dispatchers rely on. That perspective helps agencies strengthen their programs and helps attorneys evaluate police and public safety practices in litigation.
James DeMeo develops and delivers training for security officers, supervisors, employees and leadership teams. Sessions are built around real scenarios and the organization’s own policies, so that the skills carry over to daily work and to the rare moments when they matter most.
Credentials matter because they are earned, not bought. Board certifications from ASIS International and designations from the International Association of Professional Security Consultants require documented experience, a rigorous exam or peer review, and ongoing professional education. When you compare consultants, ask which credentials each holds, who issued them and whether they are current.
Every engagement begins with understanding the specific site, organization or case. James DeMeo reviews the available documents, incident history and current practices before forming any opinion, so that recommendations fit the real situation rather than a generic checklist.
Findings are grounded in recognized industry guidelines, professional standards and lessons learned from comparable sites and incidents. That makes recommendations easier to defend in front of a board, an insurer, a regulator or a court.
Clients receive clear findings ranked by risk, with practical steps that range from quick policy and training changes to longer term investments in design and technology. The aim is real improvement that the organization can afford and sustain.
Executives, attorneys and front line staff all need to understand the findings. James DeMeo explains technical issues in plain language and is available to walk leadership or counsel through the results.
James DeMeo works with stadium, arena and venue operators, event organizers, festivals and sports teams, colleges and universities, downtown districts and public space managers.
Every organization is different, so the first step is always to understand your goals, your constraints and what has already been tried. Whether you need a one time review, ongoing advice or support for a specific project or case, James DeMeo can explain what a realistic scope looks like and what results you can expect.
If any of these apply, an independent review by a consultant such as James DeMeo can show where the real gaps are and which fixes matter most.
Independent consultants are paid for their judgment, not for selling products or staffing hours. That independence lets James DeMeo give candid advice about what is working, what is not and what is worth the investment. For attorneys, independence and recognized credentials are what make an expert opinion credible. For organizations, it means recommendations that are sized to the actual risk rather than to a sales target.
Professional bodies such as ASIS International and the International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC) set credentials and ethical standards for this work, and clients increasingly look for those markers when choosing an expert.
A good consultant will welcome these questions. James DeMeo can walk you through credentials, experience and approach in a short first conversation.
The best time is before an incident: during planning for a new building or renovation, after a change in leadership or operations, when an audit or insurer raises concerns, or when staff report growing worries about safety. A consultant can also help after an incident, reviewing what happened and what should change.
An independent consultant does not sell guards, cameras or alarm equipment, so recommendations are based only on the client’s risk and needs. That independence is also why attorneys and courts give weight to the opinions of independent experts.
Most engagements include an initial conversation, a review of documents and history, a site visit or case review where appropriate, and a written report or opinion. The scope, timeline and fee are agreed at the start so there are no surprises.
Yes. James DeMeo is based in the Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill area and works with venues and events beyond North Carolina. Reach out with the venue, event and dates to discuss availability.
Fees depend on the size and complexity of the property or case, the amount of material to review, travel and whether testimony is needed. Most consultants work on an hourly basis or a fixed project fee agreed in advance. Ask James DeMeo for an estimate once the scope is clear, and see our cost guide for typical ranges.
A focused site assessment or case review can often be completed in a few weeks, while larger programs, multiple sites or complex litigation take longer. Court deadlines and board meetings can usually be accommodated when they are shared at the start, so mention any dates in your first message.
Use the contact form on this page to send a message directly, or visit Unified Sports & Entertainment Security Consulting LLC. Include a short description of your property, organization or case, the type of help you need and your timeline.
Most engagements start with a short conversation about the situation, the questions that need answers and any deadlines. From there, James DeMeo recommends a clear scope, whether that is an assessment, a program review, training or expert witness support.
A little preparation makes the first conversation more useful. Have a short description of the property, organization or case ready, note any recent incidents, claims or deadlines, and gather existing documents such as security plans, policies, prior assessments or pleadings. With that information, James DeMeo can quickly suggest the right next step.
Every inquiry sent through Find a Security Consultant goes straight to the consultant. There is no fee to contact James DeMeo, no middleman and no obligation, and your message stays private between you and the consultant. If the fit is not right, you can reach out to other consultants in the directory or post a project to receive several proposals at once.
If you are comparing several consultants, you can also request proposals from vetted security consultants, or read our physical security assessment cost guide before you decide.
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