Founder & President, Sir Brandzalot Inc. Fka - myBRANDANGO.com Brandango Inc.
Miami/Fort Lauderdale Area
- Current
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- Founder & President at Sir Brandzalot Inc. fka Brandango Inc.
- Past
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- CEO at Benison International Group
- Quantum Portfolio Manager, Financial Advisor at Prudential Securities
- Police Officer - SWAT at City of Phenix Police Department
- Military Police Sergeant, 988th MP, Rapid Deployment Force Unit at United States Army - Military Police
- U.S. Army Ranger - Sergeant at A 3/75 Ranger Rgt.
- Education
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- Florida International University
- ACJTC - Alabama SWAT Officer School
- ACJTC - Alabama State Trooper POST Certification School
- Regional Counter Drug Training Academy
- Central Texas College
- United States Army Infantry School
- Recommended
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12 people have recommended Michael - Connections
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59
connections
- Industry
- Marketing and Advertising
- Websites
Michael Lara’s Summary
A native of Newark, New Jersey, Michael Lara, is a people-centric leader in Specialty Advertising, with a unique, military-leadership background. After graduating from Bloomfield High School, Michael joined the United States Army. While there, he earned highly-respected medals and was awarded the rank of Staff Sergeant. Later assigned to the “War on Drugs Campaign” He served as the leader for a drug-suppression team, he worked on covert missions for the 3rd Region Criminal Investigation Detachment Command in Germany and received several U.S. and foreign awards for his law enforcement and leadership excellence.
While leading troops through combat zones in the Gulf, Somalia, and Haiti, Michael and his squad were awarded the Army Expeditionary Medal which at the time had not been awarded to soldiers since the Vietnam era. Subsequently, he was chosen to lead a special protective combat team ensuring the security of the U.S. Army Liaison assigned by Washington, D.C. and the Pentagon during Operation Uphold Democracy. After receiving the “Silver Star Medal for Bravery” from the American Police Hall of Fame,Michael was assigned as an instructor of Close Quarters Battle (CQB) Tactics. Here, he trained S.W.A.T teams from all over the country in preparation for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. Michael then worked in civilian law enforcement as a Deputy Sheriff and Police Officer. And after graduating from Alabama State Troopers “Night Hawks” S.W.A.T. School, he was awarded the coveted, “Night Hawks” designation and became the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Training Officer for his department.
As the President of Brandango Incorporated, Michael currently uses his discipline and strategy experience to help business customers implement an effective promotional marketing strategy using promotional products,and strategic solutions they need quickly and cost-effectively. He continues to enjoy his philanthropic approach with his company, and remains humble at heart.
Michael Lara’s Specialties:
Specialty Advertising, Branding, Corporate Incentive Programs, Continuity Programs, Special Event Planning, Fulfillment, Casino Give-away Programs, Custom Manufacturing of Promotional Products, Hotel Incentive Programs, Marketing
Michael Lara’s Experience
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Founder & President
Sir Brandzalot Inc. fka Brandango Inc.
(Marketing and Advertising industry)
January 2007 — Present (2 years 7 months)
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CEO
Benison International Group
(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Management Consulting industry)
March 2006 — July 2007 (1 year 5 months)
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Quantum Portfolio Manager, Financial Advisor
Prudential Securities
(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; WB; Financial Services industry)
January 1997 — January 2001 (4 years 1 month)
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Police Officer - SWAT
City of Phenix Police Department
(Government Agency; 51-200 employees; Law Enforcement industry)
January 1994 — January 1997 (3 years 1 month)
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Military Police Sergeant, 988th MP, Rapid Deployment Force Unit
United States Army - Military Police
(Government Agency; 10,001 or more employees; Military industry)
January 1984 — January 1995 (11 years 1 month)
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U.S. Army Ranger - Sergeant
A 3/75 Ranger Rgt.
(Government Agency; 10,001 or more employees; Military industry)
January 1990 — January 1994 (4 years 1 month)
Michael Lara’s Education
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Florida International University
BS , Executive Management , 1996 — 2000
MBA - 2002 Accelerated Wheel Program - Professor Gene Landrum, Founder of Chucky Cheese Incorporated
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ACJTC - Alabama SWAT Officer School
Special Weapons and Tactics 1996 — 1996
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ACJTC - Alabama State Trooper POST Certification School
Law Enforcement 1995 — 1995
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Regional Counter Drug Training Academy
Drug Enforcement 1994 — 1995
NSA - Counter Drug Agent
Anti-Gang Education
Counter Terrorist Training - CTC -
Central Texas College
AA , Criminal Justice , 1989 — 1991
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United States Army Infantry School
Military Traning Doctrine
U.S. Infantry School - Ft. Benning, GA
Non-Commissioned Officer School - Ft. Mc Clellan, AL
Platoon Leadership Directive Course - Ft. Bragg, NC
Airborne - Paratrooper School - Ft. Benning, GA
Air Assault School - Ft. Campbell, KY
Physical Surveillance School - NAS Meridian, MS
Drug Suppression Team School - Wiesbaden, Germany
U.S. Army Ranger School - Ft. Benning,GA
Sniper School - Ft. Benning, GA
MiIitary Police School - Ft. Mc Clellan, AL
Military Police Investigations - Ft Mc Clellan, AL
Additional Information
Michael Lara’s Websites:
Michael Lara’s Interests:
Weight training, marketing, new technology, children charities, giving, helping
Michael Lara’s Groups:
Advertising Specialties Institute - ASI
Promotional Products Association International - PPAI
American Marketing Association - AMA
Rotary International
Who's Who 2007
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Blue: The DallasBlue Business Network (25,000+ members) -
Executive Suite -
Grameen Foundation -
MiamiLink.org -
BusinessWeek Group -
Fortune Global Group -
London IN -
ARDA - American Resort Development Association -
Linked SEMPO -
Organization of Promotional Products Salespeople -
Brandango-nation -
Florida Direct Marketing Association
Michael Lara’s Honors:
Bess Cohn Humanitarian Award Nominee - 2007
Metropolitan Who's Who (Listed) - 2007
U.S. Army Ranger Memorial Stone - 2003
Rotary International Community Director Excellence Award -2001
Paul Harris Fellow - 1999
Silver Star for Bravery - 1993
Michael Lara’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- new ventures
- job inquiries
- expertise requests
- business deals
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
