Management Team

David Harel
Managing Director and Vice President, Israel

David Harel recently retired from the Israeli Security Agency (ISA) after 23 years of service in a number of counter-terrorism and protective security posts. Mr. Harel advises ASERO clients on strategic solutions for security preparedness and provides internationally recognized training on all aspects of security from emergency preparedness to crisis response plans.

Prior to joining ASERO, Mr. Harel was head of international relations for the protection and security division of the ISA. His responsibilities included the developing and overseeing strategic international relations with security agencies worldwide.

Mr. Harel served in senior field positions in all ISA duty areas: dignitary protection, aviation security and installation security. He also has several years of experience in both intelligence assessment and risk management. Mr. Harel’s service includes a three year period at the ISA’s security and combat academy where he commanded the course for security managers. He has provided security assistance to several federal law enforcement agencies in the United States as well as many other countries around the world.

In addition to his role at the ISA, Mr. Harel has held many high-level security positions throughout his career including: commander of training programs for security managers at the ISA academy (1998-2001); regional security manager for El Al security operations in Scandinavia (1995-1998); intelligence branch agent, ISA (1991-1995); Philippine Embassy security manager (1988-1991); dignitary protection unit member (1983-1987); sky marshal, El Al Airlines (1981-1983); and military service in the elite paratroop brigade, Israel Defense Force (1978-1981).

Mr. Harel is a member of the executive committee of the Association of Personal Protection Services and is a regular guest speaker at various international law enforcement conferences on counter-terrorism, dignitary protection, aviation security and suicide terrorism. He hosted the first international forum on aircraft security and served on the Tactical Advisory Security Committee, which was formed to give professional assistance to the Greek authorities for the protection of the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004.

Mr. Harel received his Bachelor of Arts in Political and Security Studies from Bar Ilan University in Israel, where he graduated with honors. In 2003 he received an ISA award for excellence for his contribution to the agency. He is a lecturer on homeland security studies at the International Policy Institute for Counter-Terrorism (ICT). He is fluent in English, Hebrew, and French.