Practitioner Advisory Board Spotlight: Bill Christiansen
Bill Christiansen brings decades of experience in law enforcement, aviation security, and critical infrastructure protection to SENTRY’s Practitioner Advisory Board (PAB). Bill has worked across some of the most complex security environments, giving him a unique perspective on the evolving challenges of soft target security.
As Vice President of Team Ops, Bill now applies his experience to security at Gillette Stadium, where he focuses on keeping staff and guests safe while maintaining the welcoming atmosphere that makes the venue successful. Previously, he served as Director of Aviation Security at Massport, where he managed security at Logan International Airport, Hanscom Field, Worcester Regional Airport, and Boston Seaport, and retired from the Massachusetts State Police as a Major.
His experience working closely with agencies like the TSA, FBI, and other federal agencies made him a passionate advocate for connecting researchers who create new security technologies with practitioners who use them in the field. He expressed excitement about working alongside SENTRY researchers for the opportunity to be among the first to see new technologies and to help think about how they can be tested and put into use in real-life security situations.
Bill regards soft-target security as a challenge that goes well beyond any one type of venue; public parks, stadiums, concert halls, transportation facilities, and other places where people gather face the same kinds of problems, since developing technologies create new opportunities for bad actors. “As technology advances, we want to constantly consider how it can be leveraged to help us improve,” he said.
He is especially interested in how advances in artificial intelligence and other tools can help security teams spot and respond to threats faster. Looking ahead, he hopes to see systems that give responders helpful information in seconds, reducing response times and improving threat mitigation.
Ultimately, his goal is straightforward and perfectly aligned with the SENTRY mission: to help make public spaces safer without compromising the guest experience of the people who use them. “I want to have a positive impact on the people and the guests that come here,” he said. “My goal is continuing to make Gillette the leader in safety and security and to make advancement against any threat of violence as technology advances.”
Bill received the Professional of the Year award at the 2025 National Sports Safety and Security Conference for outstanding leadership in addressing safety and security issues. He credits the Kraft family for this honor; their support empowered him to capitalize on new opportunities to enhance Gillette Stadium’s safety practices.
