Texas Bullion Depository Hires Former SWAT Team Leader To Protect the State’s Gold

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar chose LSTA to be the depository operator after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill for the depository into law in 2015. LSTA has been in the business of buying and selling precious metals since 2008.

AUSTIN — Lone Star Tangible Assets (LSTA) announces Sgt. Bryan Whoolery, a 28-year Travis County Sheriff’s Office veteran and SWAT team leader, will be director of security for the Texas Bullion Depository.

Whoolery will create and enforce safety and security policies and procedures for the Texas Bullion Depository, the first state-administered facility of its kind. He also will implement programs and processes for the highest security measures possible, including access control, asset protection, accident prevention, fire safety and emergency management.

“Lone Star Tangible Assets is pleased Sgt. Bryan Whoolery will spearhead state-of-the-art security measures and programs to safeguard the depository,” said LSTA Chairman Matthew Ferris. “Whoolery has the requisite experience to ensure that all of our precious metals stay safe in Texas.”

Texas Comptroller Glenn Hegar chose LSTA to be the depository operator after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed a bill for the depository into law in 2015. LSTA has been in the business of buying and selling precious metals since 2008.

“I applaud LSTA for choosing Sgt. Whoolery to fill this critical role,” Hegar said. “His long and distinguished career in law enforcement, including his extensive tactical experience and training background, will let Texas Bullion Depository account holders sleep soundly knowing their gold and precious metals are safe and secure right here in the Lone Star State.”

During Whoolery’s 28-year tenure, he was the sergeant/team leader for the Travis County Sheriff’s Office SWAT unit for 15 years and participated in more than 700 tactical operations. He served as an adjunct instructor with his agency’s training academy, the Texas Tactical Police Officer’s Association and the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training Program.

He holds a Master’s Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) license, TCOLE Instructor Certification, TCOLE Firearms Instructor Certification and several instructor-level certifications related to operational tactics and physical fitness. Whoolery also was a member of the Justice Academy’s research team assigned to develop the Hostage Survival Probability Model. He has written several published articles and served as editor for Command magazine.

In addition, Whoolery will lead multiple training programs such as safety, loss prevention, risk mitigation and emergency preparedness for the depository’s armed security teams. For non-security personnel, Whoolery will train in topics such as active shooter scenarios, workplace violence, first aid and CPR. He also will coordinate with security team members to reduce fraud and provide dignitary protection.

LSTA currently owns and operates a Class 3 vault — the highest rated available — that will serve as the initial location for the depository. The company is expected to break ground later this year on a new, 60,000-square-foot depository that will be housed on a 10-acre site.

Precious-metal owners and investors will be able to deposit their precious metal holdings into the depository for safe, segregated and fully insured storage.

The Comptroller’s office will provide oversight of the project, with Tom Smelker, the agency’s director of Treasury Operations, serving as the depository administrator.