About Us
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
Letting your volunteer and paid electoral workforce know you are providing the resources necessary to protect them and their families from threats of violence is essential. Demonstrating that their safety is your organization’s highest priority only increases electoral productivity — whether it is GOTV work, campaign work, or volunteer election administration. Our Election Protector trainings create psychological safety by teaching mindful methods that employ calming techniques, intuition, and the structuring of resources to offer assurance, backup, and psychological safety when the stakes are high. This psychological safety translates into higher productivity that gets you to your win number with fewer resources.
Our services are scalable, starting with a Free Electoral Threatscape Study and expanding to full protective details with surveillance detection, armed drivers, and only the best Election Protectors. Request a free copy of our Electoral Threatscape Study for information on violent attacks against GOTV nonprofits, campaigns, candidates, election officials, polls and poll workers, and to find the common threads your organization needs to look out for.
We are fully licensed and insured — period.
Meet the Team
JR Jones | President of U.S. Operations
JR is a retired Marine who spent time protecting Marine bases before undergoing Protective Services Training with the Department of Energy. He maintains our licensure, standards, and quality control efforts.
The seed for Queens Guard Protective Services was planted during a conversation between first cousins JR Jones and Tom Downs. JR looked to employ the protective methodologies he had learned from his time as a Marine protecting military installations and as an armed guard protecting nuclear secrets for the Department of Energy, while performing ethical and meaningful work that would allow him to be closer to his family. Unfortunately, he hadn’t been able to find the meaning he wanted during his time as a yard manager in the corrections industry and was lamenting returning to commercial driving, where he would be kept on the road and away from his family. Wanting to help his family and put his unique talents to good use, JR began a process of business development with Tom and his team at Calm Downs. After several years of planning discussions, networking, and trainings, Queens Guard Protective Services was launched in October of 2023 in Washington DC.
JR lives in Richmond, Virginia with his wife and three children, and is the President of US Operations for Queens Guard Protective Services.
Malik Rahim | Vice President of Disaster Response & Mutual Aid
Malik is a Vietnam Veteran, activist, former candidate for office, social movement organizer, and local NOLA legend. After surviving the Desire Street Shootout while a member of the Black Panthers, Malik went on to help found Common Ground Collective, a decentralized mutual aid disaster relief project that served the residents of the Lower 9th Ward after Hurricane Katrina. Malik grounds Queens Guard’s Leadership Team — making sure we are rooted in our communities and ancestors — while directing Queens Guard’s charitable giving, mutual aid, and disaster preparedness programs.
Malik lives in Algiers Point, Louisiana and is Vice President of Disaster Response and Mutual Aid for Queens Guard Protective Services.
Anubis Heru | Concealed Carry Instructor & Armed Detail Lead
Anubis Heru is a survivor, overcoming brain cancer to become a weapons expert, trainer, and accurate shot. Prior to becoming a partner in Queens Guard Protective Services, Anubis operated 1770 Solutions, training targeted communities in firearms, and was a U.S. Concealed Carry Association Partner, helping people obtain their concealed carry permits.
Anubis lives in Denver with his wife and four children and is the Armed Detail Lead and Firearms Trainer for Queens Guard Protective Services.
Andy Vo | People & Culture Officer
Andy left a successful career managing compensation for a large international bank in March of 2019 to spend time rock climbing. A multidisciplinary HR professional, Andy had lived in both London and New York, and was looking for something different. After becoming intrigued by a job listing for Calm Downs and looking to incorporate his mindfulness and meditation practices into his work, he contemplated returning to the work force earlier than expected. In January of 2020, Andy and Tom became close friends, business partners, and colleagues, creating together the BOSS Working Methodology — a mindfulness-based ritualized working methodology in tune with the emerging preferences of the changing professional workforce.
Andy lives in Longmont, Colorado and is Queens Guard’s People and Culture Officer.
Tom Downs | President of Client Affairs
Tom is a social entrepreneur, artist, philanthropist, political activist, and JR’s first cousin. In college, Tom worked security at bars and concerts for acts like Dave Matthews Band and Run-D.M.C. His second job after college was with Securitas as a security guard. In 2008, Tom was attacked by police during the Occupy movement, which made him consider how to offer protection and security in ways that reduce harm and provide psychological safety without relying on policing methodologies. This led to his interest in the security industry and the partnership with JR to create Queens Guard Protective Services. Tom also operates Calm Downs, a business and nonprofit development company, as well as several other projects and developments.
Tom lives with his wife and dogs in Boulder, Colorado and is the Vice President of Client Affairs at Queens Guard Protective Services.