About Us
Our Story:
The Birth of The Vigilance Group
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“We may not control the actions of those intent on harm, but we can minimize their opportunities by being vigilant.”
The inception of The Vigilance Group traces back to a pivotal moment on the evening of March 4, 2008. Moose Moore was in Auburn, Alabama, when tragic news emerged: a freshman from Auburn University, Lauren Burke, had been abducted from campus and murdered. This event struck a deep chord with Moore. With his expertise in self-defense, he felt a profound sense of urgency—that perhaps he could have contributed to preventing such a tragedy, by empowering individuals like Lauren with the knowledge to protect themselves.
Motivated by this incident, Moore underwent a significant shift in his professional mission. His new goal transcended traditional self-defense training; he aimed to equip women with the foresight to recognize and sidestep dangers before they escalate. This vision led to the founding of The Vigilance Group. Headquartered in Brentwood, Tennessee, the company operates by this motto, “Vigilance Reduces Vulnerabilities.” Moore asserts that vigilance is not merely a concept but a teachable skill set, a belief that forms the cornerstone of the organization’s philosophy.
Moore, with his illustrious background as a U.S. Air Force tactical pilot and a specialist in counter-terrorism from both the Israeli Defense Forces in Tel Aviv and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, brings over two decades of unparalleled experience to the table. His nickname “Moose,” both a high school moniker and his Air Force call sign, reflects his formidable presence and expertise.
The Vigilance Group’s impact was palpable from the onset. One week after Lauren’s murder, Moore addressed a gathering of 2,000 Auburn sorority members, imparting vital lessons in self-awareness, defense, and survival strategies. His message was clear and empowering: to cultivate the strength of a lion, rather than the passivity of a lamb.
Moore’s commitment extends beyond the collegiate arena; he engages with a broad spectrum of audiences nationwide, including hospital staff on identifying terrorist threats, school officials on managing bullies and troubled students, and college communities on personal safety. His passion for personal security is driven by a simple yet profound principle: we may not control the actions of those intent on harm, but we can minimize their opportunities by being vigilant.
Since its inception, The Vigilance Group continues to experience remarkable growth, successfully training thousands of individuals across a diverse range of settings—from the boardrooms of Corporate America to the lecture halls of college campuses.
The mission has remained unwavering throughout this journey: to grant every person the permission and the tools necessary to navigate their world without becoming a victim. By fostering an environment of awareness and empowerment, TVG has equipped thousands with the knowledge and skills needed to proactively safeguard themselves and their communities.
As The Vigilance Group continues to expand its reach, our dedication to transforming the landscape of personal safety remains at the heart of everything we do.
Our mission is simple: Give everyone the permission and tools on how not to become a victim.
Meet the Team
Moose Moore
CEO, Founder
When Lt Colonel Moose Moore retired from active duty as a Fighter Pilot in 1992, he studied at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center and was a member of TSA’s Air Marshal Program for 10 years, while flying as an Airline Transport Pilot. His travels abroad include the country of Israel, where Moose completed specific training in Terrorist Threat Detection and Predictive Profiling. He is an instructor of Krav Maga (Israeli self-defense) and holds a 1st Degree Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do. Moose has drawn from his military background and other tactical experiences to teach Vigilance and Awareness skills throughout the country. However, his greatest accomplishment is being married 49 years to his wife Corinne, his 3 adult children and 11 beautiful grandchildren.
Grace Laster
Social Media/Instructor
While attending the United States Naval Academy, Grace suffered a near-fatal cardiac episode and was diagnosed with Long QT Syndrome. Her subsequent heart surgery, including an implanted defibrillator and pacemaker (at age 19!!) meant that she could not remain at the Academy and could no longer serve our great nation.
Through reliance on her faith, family, and mostly just pure grit, Grace found solace in her “never quit” attitude. Grace is now holds her Master’s in Exercise Physiology, and is a highly competitive shooter, multi-gun athlete, firearms instructor, and personal safety advocate. She works to inspire others to be tenacious, resilient, and gritty, and to know that they are worth fighting for and never out of the fight.
Tara Silvestri
Partner
As the Head of Marketing and Partnerships at The Vigilance Group, Tara manages the operations and business strategies that drive the organization forward. With a robust background as a marketing executive, Tara has held key roles in marketing, advertising, and publishing for Fortune 500 companies like ABC TV and Revlon. She is also the owner of True Blue Marketing, where she provides innovative digital marketing solutions and outsourced marketing management.
Dov Gelman
Senior Project Manager
Dov’s career as a global counter terrorism officer includes serving six years as an officer with the Jerusalem Border Police, and an executive protection team leader in Israel, Europe and the United States since 2009. Dov has spent two decades as an Executive Protection Agent while simultaneously running an international humanitarian organization he founded in 2004. He is certified in many advanced disciplines including Clinical Psychology, formal de-escalation training, Level II Krav Maga and Technical Surveillance Countermeasures.
Mandy Rodgers
Instructor
Mandy is passionate about maintaining physical, mental, and spiritual fitness while emphasizing the importance of empowering young women and raising situational awareness in everyday life. She has over 20 years’ experience as a certified personal trainer, group fitness coach, and yoga instructor. Mandy is currently employed with Lifetime Fitness and holds a bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science from Western Kentucky University.
Dan Salisbury
Instructor
Dan Salisbury is a retired Special Forces Lieutenant Colonel (Green Beret) with 20 years of service in the U.S. Army.