Category: News & Events

Bill Boyd’s Tracy’s Karate Studios and Wade Blackwell, owner of Blackwell Support Services, recently tested and promoted five high ranking martial artists in the art of Kenpo Karate. Blackwell, a fifth degree black belt, has dedicated the last twenty-eight (28) years to training and conditioning himself, students, and Blackwell employees.

Blackwell offers a co-op martial arts program (practical knowledge of close protection) for any employee wanting and willing to commit to the training. This “close protection” style of Kenpo not only centers on fight technique, but more importantly, on alertness, communication, confidence, and awareness utilized for providing corporate or residential services.

Working as a close protection agent is one of the most demanding jobs and therefore requires the best training available. Bill Boyd’s Tracy’s Karate Studio provides training solutions for private security. We train individuals and employees in the private sectors including security officers, lobby attendants, VIP services, and military.

Congratulations to Drew and Brendan Boyd, George Morris, Pat Walsh, Pepe Perales and Jay Milan. Job well done!

Blackwell Professional Support Services’ Concierge and Doormen, in alliance with Group Fox, opened for business on Monday, August 24, 2015. The list of our 24 – hour Concierge duties are as diverse as the questions that are presented to them, which requires them to be knowledgeable in many different fields. The duty of our team is to be well informed and readily available to answer the questions or concerns of the property’s residents. Some of the more common tasks performed by the Concierge staff include providing general information, restaurant recommendations, sending and receiving packages, and making references for local lunch spots, music venues, night clubs, spas, salons, daycare, shopping, etc.

Located in the heart of Streeterville, a neighborhood with a history as rich as its shopping areas, The Lofts at River East offers a one-of-a-kind experience. Overlooking the Chicago River, The Lofts at River East offers some of the largest apartments in the city. Equipped with custom kitchens, in-unit laundry rooms, exposed brick and over 100 unique layouts, the building has something for everyone. Residents will also enjoy laying out on the 10,000 square foot rooftop SkyDeck, working out in our state-of-the-art athletic room, playing pool in the gaming room, watching a movie in the private screening room and having cocktails with friends while looking out onto the Riverwalk from the waterfront lounge.

The Lofts at River East- a one-of-a-kind building for a one-of-a-kind city.

Visit us at theloftsatrivereast.com.

Roy Wilson (Chicago Regional Director) and Wade Blackwell (Owner) visiting new residential property, Gateway West Loop.

Wade Blackwell, CEO and Owner of Blackwell Professional Support Services has been awarded the level of Godan – Master Instructor at Tracy’s Kenpo Karate.

Blackwell has been studying under the tutelage of Bill Boyd, Owner of Tracy’s for the past 28 years. As a serious professional, Mr. Blackwell offers all Blackwell employees a 50% credit for training at the Kenpo Karate Studios. In addition to the most aggressive and offensive training in the arts, the training also teaches, among other attributions, alertness, confidence, and awareness. Helpful to all Blackwell employees relative to their presentation at assigned accounts

Dear Mr. Blackwell:

Recently, I was reviewing the airport’s accomplishments and highlights in preparation for a “State of the Airport” address. One of the most significant events was a recent return of a Wounded Warrior hero–a U.S. Marine Corp officer who was wounded in Afghanistan and suffered a grueling year in rehabilitation.

His return prompted a turnout of over 1,000 greeters including local, state, and federal officials and politicians. It also attracted the attention of dissenters and antagonist including the Westboro Baptist Church from Topeka, Kansas.

With this high visibility event, I needed the best kind of security I could find. That is when you and your crew stepped in. Your crew demonstrated the highest level of professionalism and an uncanny ability to defuse even the most delicate of situations.

However, the real compliment came from my own board of commissioners: They complimented me for having the good sense to call on you. You may have been discrete to the crowd, but your results were profound. You have redefined security and elevated your profession to the highest level.

Thanks, again, for a job well done.

Sincerely,

David C. Miller
Airport Manager
St. Louis Regional Airport

“Tower Grove Christian school cheerleaders competed in Joplin, MO on February 18th, 2012. The cheerleaders cheered their basketball teams on during the games and prepared for their own competion in between. They competed in the musical category, performing in unison a crowd-pleasing dance as well as technically difficult stunts and tumbling. As the youngest squad there, the 9 girls were undaunted. Moving up 1 spot from the 2011 competition, the tiger cheerleaders were proud to come home with a 4th place finish this year. Crystal Duffy, captain and only senior, took home the honors of district cheerleader. With so many young girls returning next year, the cheerleaders have high expectations of taking the 1st place trophy home. Thank you Blackwell Inc. for being apart of keeping young people active!”
-Valerie Barbero
Tower Grove Christian School Cheerleader Coach

Blackwell Professional Security Services

by tony di martino

IN A SOCIAL LANDSCAPE LITTERED WITH HIGH CRIME, low standards and even lower expectations, Blackwell Professional Security Services strives to be a fortress of integrity and expertise. “It’s our goal to redefine security services in the eyes of our industry, and more important, in the eyes of our clients,” says founder and CEO Wade Blackwell. “We use a collaborative approach to address the needs of each business, always staying true to our cornerstones of respect and excellence.”

Blackwell Inc. provides security and professional support services for dozens of clients throughout the St. Louis metropolitan area, Chicago and Indianapolis, including top businesses, banks, country clubs, healthy facilities and nursing homes. Wade Blackwell, a black belt in kenpo karate, says his background in martial arts propelled him toward the security industry. He worked at two firms before starting his own business in 1999. “The other firms were national outfits, but I knew a locally owned and operated agency would better understand the needs of our community and have a sense of stewardship toward its safety and protection,” he explains. He now has more than 150 full- and part-time employees. Offerings include corporate, industrial, event and warehouse security, as well as investigation services. The firm also provides doormen, lobby attendants, concierges and outsourced receptionists.

Besides ensuring a safe environment, Blackwell says top-notch security services make a positive impact on clients’ revenue growth, sustainability and shareholder value. “We’re a profit center for your business, not just a cost,” he says. “We help clients achieve increased occupancy, tenant retention and guest satisfaction. We deliver similar results for industrial and warehouse properties.” Blackwell officers are typically the first and last individuals encountered when people enter and exit a property. “Their outstanding services makes a positive impression, enhancing your image and improving your bottom line.”

Blackwell realizes the security business has a dodgy reputation. “That’s why we employ only well-trained, highly experienced protection professionals, holding them to strict standards of skill, integrity, physical fitness, performance and a razor-sharp appearance,” he says. The ‘Blackwell look’ includes impeccable uniforms or tailored suits, shirt and tie, and polished patent leather shoes. “Blackwell pros are the elite,” he says. “We systematically train each officer to be alert, aware and responsive, emphasizing a thorough knowledge of security protocol. They are respectful, courteous and helpful toward others. They serve as the eyes and ears of your business or building, handling security situations with skill, restraint, discretion and a firm resolve. At a time when there is little regard for safety, civility or property, our clients are confident we’ve got their back.”

View the Original Article Here

What’s Your Routine? Wade Blackwell, Founder and Owner, Blackwell Inc., Wade Blackwell says his involvement in Kenpo Karate led him to start Blackwell Professional Security Services, which offers corporate and concierge security services.

Blackwell had boxed and participated in Tae Kwon Do as a youth. “Back in 1988, I was looking for something with a little more depth of intensity than what I’d done before,” he said.

Kenpo Karate is a self-defense, martial arts system first popularized in the U.S. in the 1950s. “It’s extreme street fighting,” Blackwell said.

Blackwell began studying with Bill Boyd, a Hall of Fame, Master in Kenpo, at Bill Boyd’s, Tracy’s Kenpo Karate Studio, located at 11970 Dorsett Road in Maryland Heights. Blackwell went on to become a certified black belt instructor in Kenpo and has taught at Boyd’s studio for the past 11 years.

“We’re here to teach certainly street self-defense, but it’s more,” Blackwell said. “We’re getting these ladies and gentlemen in top physical condition. We work with balance, coordination, confidence and awareness.” Blackwell, 51, said his involvement in martial arts pointed him toward the security industry. He’d previously worked at two other St. Louis-area security firms before starting his own firm in 1999, which now has 157 full- and part-time employees.

Blackwell works out at Boyd’s studio five mornings a week, taking off Tuesdays and Sundays. Each session lasts at least three and a half hours, including one-on-one Kenpo workouts with Boyd, a mixture of strength and cardio training, and constant speed and accuracy development. There are over 600 techniques to be practiced and perfected in Kenpo between the orange and black belt levels.

Blackwell’s sessions include work on a Powertec workbench gym, a Multi-Station weight and resistance apparatus with a suggested retail price range of about $3,000 to $5,000, plus accessories. On Mondays, Blackwell does three sets of chest, back and bicep exercises on the gym. “On Wednesdays, it’s all leg work, mostly extreme squats all the way up to 600 to 650 pounds,” Blackwell said. “The next day, we do shoulders and biceps.”

For daily cardio work, “we work on the power bags, we work on target strikes, and we work on the kicks. All this is done with full force and full speed,” Blackwell said.

Mixed in throughout the week are Kenpo Katas (a Japanese word describing detailed choreographed patterns of movements practiced either solo or in pairs.), or extreme combinations of movements chosen for form, power and speed. “If you do a 22-man attack Kata in less than a minute and a half, you’re absolutely dripping wet,” Blackwell said.

If he can’t get to the karate Studio, Blackwell has a full gym at home, which cost about $7,000.

“Just before a hard day at work, to me, there’s nothing better than coming to the studio, emptying the mind and just full-bore training,” Blackwell said.

A “BIG THANK YOU” to those that contributed to the Christmas Card and Gift Campaign for Cpl. Steven Cheney and his Platoon in Afghanistan. The generosity and enormous response in just a ten (10) day period was overwhelming. Our staff shipped nine (9) medium size boxes (316 pounds) full of goodies to the Marines. WOW!!!!!!



I know that Steve and his Marine buddies are going to be ecstatic when they open the boxes. We put a few surprises in there as well. I have sent an email to Steve to warn him of the deluge of cardboard and tape coming his way and to have a camera ready. I am hoping to get back some photos that I can display on our website showing Steve’s Marine Unit opening the boxes and handing out gifts to one another.

Be proud of yourselves for extending your thoughts and prayers and contributions during the holidays, for the men and women serving our country. You guys are the greatest!!! Please thank all of your friends, employees, family members, and colleagues for their participation.

Wade Blackwell – President

Here’s What They Had to Say

Sir, THANK YOU. THANK EVERYONE.

The boxes have arrived and pictures have been taken. I tried to get creative with some pictures, but haven’t seen them yet. Everyone really enjoys the Cigars. There are a few boxes that I put in the armory for safe keeping just for that plane ride home. Since there were so many of them, I started walking around asking Marines about a cigar night. I just walked up to this full bird Colonel and bent his ear for about 10 min. He says that he might come down some time and smoke a cigar with us, if his Officers let him. I took a few pictures of the guys smoking their cigars. Funny, one of the Marines just got the news that his 8lb-10oz little boy was born the day before. Weird. Everyone is still excited to be here, but would rather be somewhere else.

Let everyone know that we thank them for everything and their support for us. As soon as I find something out about coming home, I will let you know. I know it’s too soon, but who knows… right. Well its 12:00 am (midnight) here. Going out again in a few days.

Thank EVERYONE from,

GSMT Co. CLC-252 Headquarters, First Platoon, and Second Platoon

Bill Boyd’s -Tracy’s Karate Studios, teams up with Blackwell, Inc., to sponsor DASA’s young athletes in the skills of martial arts.

DASA (Disabled Athlete Sports Association) young athletes squared off weekly with Black Belt Instructor, Wade Blackwell, at the Ranken Jorden facility in Maryland Heights to learn the skills of Kenpo Karate.

The eight (8) week program educated the athletes in martial arts, stretching, coordination, concentration, awareness, confidence, and building strength.

On completion of the program, each athlete received a Tracy’s Karate Studio “Kenpo Karate – Introduction Completion” certificate and a Tracy’s Karate Kenpo T-Shirt.

On behalf of Bill Boyd’s -Tracy’s Karate Studios and Blackwell, Inc., we want to thank the athletes, parents and members of DASA for allowing us the time to work with, and get to know, on a one on one basis, these fine young athletes.

A Little About DASA – Discover the Ability Within

DASA encourages cognitively age appropriate children who are physically disabled, visually impaired, deaf or hard of hearing to discover their abilities through therapeutic sports and fitness activities, camps, and competition. Discover your abilities…www.dasasports.org