Elton Owens
About Elton Owens
Elton Owens is the Senior Director of Team & Arena Security at the NBA, with a background as a Special Agent in the U.S. Secret Service.
Title and Current Position
Elton Owens serves as the Senior Director of Team & Arena Security for the National Basketball Association (NBA). In this role since 2016, Owens operates out of New York City, where he is responsible for managing security operations for both domestic and international NBA events. His duties involve ensuring compliance with NBA security standards, designing and implementing comprehensive global security plans, and coordinating crisis response teams.
Career at the U.S. Secret Service
Before joining the NBA, Elton Owens had an extensive career as a Special Agent with the U.S. Secret Service, spanning 25 years from 1991 to 2016. During his tenure, he developed and managed security plans on a global scale for high-profile individuals, including President Obama and the First Family. Owens also supervised emergency response teams and uniformed police operations within the White House Complex, ensuring the highest standards of security were maintained.
Education and Qualifications
Elton Owens holds a Doctor of Law (J.D.) degree from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, and a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement Administration from Bowie State University. His educational background has provided him with a strong foundation in law and criminal justice, which has been instrumental in his career in security and law enforcement.
Roles and Responsibilities at the NBA
In his role at the NBA, Elton Owens is tasked with overseeing security initiatives managed by NBA Arena Security Directors and Team Security Professionals. He builds relationships with local law enforcement and government counterparts around the globe to enhance security measures for NBA events. Additionally, Owens conducts investigations and interviews with NBA staff, players, and team personnel to ensure compliance with security protocols and address potential threats. He also briefs league and team personnel on local security conditions and provides risk mitigation strategies.
Global Security and Crisis Management
Elton Owens has designed and implemented global security plans for NBA teams, arenas, and events. This includes coordinating crisis response efforts and managing security assets on-site. His experience in crisis management and his proactive approach in building relationships with local and international law enforcement help to safeguard NBA events from potential security threats.