In 2017, Arnie Tyler founded MerLion Advisory Group as a security consulting company with expertise in Maritime Domain Awareness and Response. This expertise is rooted in decades of U.S. Navy and energy industry “command and control” and patrol boat operations covering the sea-land “seam” of operations such as found in ports, waterways, and coastal / near shore pipeline construction projects. This complex environment is where risk is multi-dimensional and real solutions are comprehensive. As a result, MerLion continues to adapt with solutions that fuse human capabilities with developing autonomous technologies.

Arnie’s operational experience began as a nuclear engineer and Surface Warfare Officer onboard the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN-68) ad culminated in five Commanding Office tours in coastal security operations in port of the United States, Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Success in world-wide maritime and shore-based anti-terrorism and force protection operations led to selection as a classified programs Facility Security Officer and Vice President, Security and Defense Programs in the vessel recycling industry. These roles, combined with regional security responsibilities in the energy industry, have al fed into his current vision for MerLion, which is to be a leader in human-technology applications to ensure maritime safety, security, and environmental sustainability for his clients.

Tyler’s education includes a Master’s degree in Security Management for Executives, “Navy equivalent” advanced training in Nuclear Engineering, and under-graduate degrees in Physics and Mathematics. He is a Texas licensed “Qualified Security Manager.” And operates a Texas “Security Training School,” primarily supporting critical infrastructure objectives. He holds numerous U.S. Navy Commanding Officer and Security certifications while receiving related awards from the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, and U.S. Coast Guard, alongside personal and unit commendations from the U.S. Embassy and both British and Australian military leaders.