Who We Are

Marian Pierre, CEO and Founder

Marian Pierre is CEO and founder of CGI Protects. During her 17 years as CEO of CGI Protects, Ms. Pierre has helped transform the company from a local guard services company to a security technology and services company. She has expanded her clientele expertise to the government, public, critical infrastructure, and commercial sector. Through her guidance, CGI Protects has rebounded after Hurricane Katrina to 150 employees.

Prior to establishing CGI, Ms. Pierre had a long career in New Orleans City government, quickly mastering the ability to lead by learning and developing strategies and policies that encouraged entrepreneurialism and efficient operations to achieve key goals. Throughout her professional career, Ms. Pierre has been devoted empowering women through politics, education, social involvement, and economics through an organization she founded, Women Organized Mobilized for Empowerment Now (W.O.M.E.N.) Inc.

Long recognized for her leadership and community efforts, New Orleans City Business named Ms. Pierre "Woman of The Year" in 2007. In 2008 she was awarded the Parrin J. Mitchell "Entrepreneur of the Year" award. Under her leadership, CGI was also honored as New Orleans "Small Business of the Year" in 2000.

Ray Cavanagh, Vice President of Sales

Ray Cavanagh has over 25 years experience in high technology Sales and Marketing companies responsible for both direct and channel sales models. Prior to CGI Protects, he has served as Vice President of Worldwide Sales of Axcess International, Inc. Before that he was Vice President, Worldwide Sales Operations for OpenService, Inc. He has extensive experience managing direct sales and resellers across all International territories and ran independent Sales offices in U.K., France, Germany and Japan. He holds a Masters Degree in International Business from Northeastern University in Boston.

---

Business Certifications

º Women Owned Small Business
º Minority-Owned business
º Self-Certified Small Disadvantaged Business
º For-Profit Organization
º SBA Certified 8(a) Program Participant
º DoT Certified Disadvantaged Business Enterprise
º Limited Liability Company
º Aviation Board Certified
º Department of Waterworks Certified

Affiliations

CGI prides itself on affiliations with organizations that further the field of security and technology. These memberships allow us to stay on top of our industry by learning from and sharing with our colleagues.

º Louisiana Minority Business Council ( LAMBC )
º National Minority Supplier Development Council Inc ( NMSDC )
º American Society for Industrial Security ( ASIS International )
º New Orleans Chamber of Commerce ( New Orleans Chamber )
º Jefferson Parish Chamber of Commerce ( Jefferson Chamber )
º Minority and Women Business Enterprise ( MWBE )
º Women Impacting Public Policy ( WIPP )
º National Association for Female Executives ( NAFE )
º Women's Business Enterprise National Council ( WBENC )
º New Orleans Metropolitan Convention & Visitors Bureau, Inc. ( New Orleans CVB )

Achievements and Awards

º 2011 Member of WIPP (Women in Public Policy) to help finalize the Small Business Administration's (SBA) newly created Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Federal Contract Program.
( Press Release )
º 2011 Participated on AMEX OPEN Forum to help women in government contracting
( Press Release )
º 2010 CGI Protects was registered as a member of SBA and obtained 8A certification and served government contracts.
º 2005 CGI Protects aided security during Hurricane Katrina and reestablished the destroyed business.
º 2008 Marian Pierre Wins Parren J. Mitchell Entrepreneur of the Year Award
º 2007 Marian Pierre Voted Women of the Year in New Orleans City Business
º 2000 New Orleans Small Business of the Year
º 2000 Nominated for Small Business of the Year in Washington, D.C. by Army Corp Engineers and Coast Guard
º 1999 Marian Pierre Founded Women Organized Mobilized for Empowerment Now (W.O.M.E.N.) Inc.
º 1993 Marian Pierre Founded Crescent Guardian Inc, the first women owned security company in Louisiana.

Community Involvement

"My entire life has been about service: service to my God, my family, my community and my city."
 Marian Pierre, CEO and Founder of CGI Protects.

º Member of WIPP Women Impacting Public Polity
º Adopt a School Program: Provides summer trips to kids that meet attendance goals
º Distributed Education Program: Hires interns from local schools
º Adopt a Family for Christmas: Employees donate instead of giving gifts to each other
º School Supplies: CGI Protects sponsors school supplies for employees
º 1999 Founded Women Organized Mobilized for Empowerment Now (W.O.M.E.N.) Inc.
º Breast Cancer Walk - Employees participate in the annual event to raise money
º Urban League of Greater New Orleans
º United Negro College Fund