Outside the Secret Service Podcast

Retired Special Agent in Charge Nick Steen joins the podcast this week for a fascinating conversation about a career spanning decades in state and federal law enforcement. 

Steen shares stories from his early days with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, his transition to the Secret Service, assignments in the Polygraph Division, and his service on presidential protection details - including his time as Special Agent in Charge of the former President Jimmy Carter Detail.

Nick takes us behind the scenes with frontline memories from the White House in the wake of 9/11, protecting President Carter, navigating high-tension campaign rallies, and the unique challenges and realities of working on small protective details.

This episode offers a candid look at the human side of protection work, the lessons learned over decades in the field, and why the job stays with agents long after they turn in their badge.

Retired Deputy Special Agent in Charge, Paul Eckloff spent over 22 years in the US Secret Service. In this episode of OTSS, we get a glimpse into his multiple tenures of service on the President's Detail as well as his time in recruitment and public affairs. Buckle up for an unfiltered and often hilarious look at life on the job as Paul shares candid anecdotes from White House access control, international advances, training, and memorable pranks and celebrity encounters. We also tackle the challenges regarding recruitment and retention in the Secret Service. #OperationSwaggerBack

Paul currently serves as the Senior Director of Public Relations for LexisNexis Risk Solutions while occasionally sparring with news anchors and panel hosts on cable news.

Here's a recent session (referenced in our episode) with a CNN anchor where the word "naive" may or may not have been invoked by Paul at around the 4min mark: https://youtu.be/i0ZtZP_ylv8?si=GPj_ETxD_OJtK2GS 

Here's a link to his creative, hilarious, and informative YouTube Page, Fraud House Rock: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWKytWMs4bBrG_fJFCIFF5Q

Here's where you can find him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauleckloff/

On this episode of OTSS, we hear from Retired Assistant Director, Mike Centrella. Mike is kind enough to share insights from 25-year Secret Service career. Fresh from college, Mike was part of the Young Agent Program in the New York Field Office and was to the Islamic terror attacks on 9/11. His career presented leadership roles in protective intelligence, investigations, inspection, the Agent in Charge of the Philadelphia Field Office, then back to headquarters where he oversaw the agency's investigative mission.

Mike offers insights into making the most of a career (regardless of your assignment), his transition to cybersecurity in the private sector, and his continued connection to the Service through family and colleagues.

He has been described as "an agent's agent" and "a great boss". Both are high praise in the ranks of the Secret Service.

Retired Resident Agent in Charge Hazel Cerra recounts her 26-year Secret Service career—from training and fieldwork in Newark and Philadelphia to the Clinton detail and leading the Atlantic City office. She discusses recruiting innovations, evolving investigations from physical skimming to network intrusions, and her transition into the digital security space at Black Cloak.

The episode highlights adaptive leadership, resilience, and practical advice for new agents, showing how Secret Service methods apply to modern cyber threats and personal digital protection. You'll also hear, first hand, how the Secret Service brand and culture calls you to be accountable to those who came before you and responsible for those who come after.

Retired Assistant Special Agent in Charge Mike Nason walks us through his 27-year Secret Service career, from small‑town resident agent assignments and protective details to counter surveillance operations, inspections, and media relations. He takes us behind the scenes of the infamous shoe-throwing incident in Baghdad involving Former President Bush, campaign improvisation, and explains how technology, recruitment, and agency culture shaped his service.

Mike offers deep insights on the rewards and strains of the job, lessons learned about leadership, accountability, work‑life balance, and why the agency’s people and traditions still matter as he moves into retirement.

 

#GoArmyBeatNavy