WILLIAM BANKS
Maritime Security Operations Coordinator
Colonel William J. "Chip" Banks received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Military Studies and Political Science from Norwich University in Vermont. He entered active duty with the U.S. Air Force upon graduation from university. Mr. Banks subsequently received a Master of Arts degree in human relations, Oklahoma University and is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College, and the Air War College.
Colonel Banks served as the Individual Mobilization Augmentee (IMA) to the Commander of the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI), 5th Field Investigations Region, Ramstein AFB, Germany. In this wing-level assignment, he was responsible for Air Force special investigative and counterintelligence support to United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), United States European Command (USEUCOM) and United States African Command (US AFRICOM). He oversaw operations and personnel at subordinate units throughout Europe and portions of Africa, which provide specialized criminal, fraud and counterintelligence support to Air Force commanders and other senior Department of Defense customers.
Colonel Banks entered the Air Force in 1987 as a graduate of the Reserve Officers Training Corps at Norwich University - Military College of Vermont. He spent his active duty career as an aircraft maintenance officer with the A-10 Thunderbolt and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations where he conducted or supervised felony criminal, fraud, and counterintelligence investigations and operations. He has been the Operations Officer at AFOSI Detachment 217, Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, the Investigative Unit Chief at Osan Air Base Korea and the Detachment Commander at Detachment 204, Offutt AFB, NE.
After leaving active duty, Colonel Banks joined the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) as a special agent. He remained active in the Air Force Reserves during his federal law enforcement career. Senior Special Agent Banks (SSA) retired from ATF in 2021 after more than 20 years of service.
As a Senior Special Agent (SSA) with the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), SSA Banks was tasked as the “acting” Resident Agent in Charge (RAC) of the Norfolk and Roanoke Divisions on three separate occasions. In this senior leadership role, he was responsible for managing the daily operations of the Field Office by leading, motivating, and evaluating Criminal Investigators, Task Force Officers, and support staff who are responsible for the prevention, detection, and investigation of criminal activities involving the violation of federal and state firearms, narcotics, explosives, and arson statutes. He was responsible for directing and coordinating investigative efforts, and the response to mission critical incidents by managing resources and compiling evidence for presentation to the United States Attorney’s Office and state prosecutors for criminal prosecution. RAC Banks maintained executive level relationships with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies within my area of responsibility, and coordinate activities with senior field division management including the Special Agent in Charge.
SSA Banks had a varied and extensive career as a federal special agent. He was responsible for investigating and enforcing federal laws and regulations relating to alcohol, tobacco, firearms, explosives and arson. SSA Banks was the lead case agent on several high profile, multi-defendant investigations to include a wiretap investigation, a murder for hire, and other complex undercover operations. SSA Banks served as an ATF firearms instructor, taser instructor and defensive tactics instructor. He was a Certified Crisis Negotiator and was a member of the ATF’s Special Response Team 2 where he executed over 100 high risk criminal warrants throughout the United States. Mr. Banks is a member of the World Hapkido Federation South Korea, he has earned a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Hapkido.
Mr. Banks possesses a unique background in the field of maritime operations. He is a graduate of the U.S Coast guard’s Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels training program. He is currently involved with the operation and delivery of exclusive yachts and high-end sport fishing vessels. Mr. Banks is an official International Gamefish Tournament Observer and is an active member of multiple competitive Sport Fishing Teams in tournaments located on the East Coast. Mr. Banks maintains an extensive network of contacts and associations in the maritime operational arena.
Overwatch Security and Assessments is honored to have Mr. Banks join the team as our Marine Security Operations Coordinator. His extensive military and federal law enforcement background, coupled with his unique and specific experience in the field of maritime operations will serve to ensure the clientele of Overwatch Security receive the level of bespoke safety and security they deserve when their travel plans involve maritime travel.