Training and Consulting
Our Training
We provide specialized training in critical thinking, bias awareness, mindset development, and structured analytic techniques. Every audience is different, and we tailor our training and courses to fit the needs of the audience, which often includes investigative professionals.
Trainings that we offer include:
“Intelligence and Critical Thinking Fundamentals”
“Intelligence Tradecraft: Methods and Best Practices”
“Cognitive Biases and How to Overcome Them”
“Data Visualization: Turning Information into Insight”
“Understanding the Threats from Foreign Adversaries”
Our training is designed to enhance the analytical skills of private investigators, corporate security teams, insurance fraud specialists, defense attorneys, and local law enforcement officers. By focusing on critical thinking skills integral to intelligence analysis, we equip participants with the tools to identify assumptions, analyze arguments, and draw relevant conclusions in their investigative work, allowing trainees to apply newly acquired skills to real-world scenarios. We also offer a detailed and engaging “Introduction to OSINT Concepts” course.
Our elite team of trainers, composed exclusively of former FBI analysts, brings decades of experience and depth to every session.
About the Team
FOUNDER, CONSULTANT, COACH
Melody Bruns
Melody has over 20 years of experience as an analyst, eighteen of those were with the FBI as an Intelligence Analyst. Between her time in Washington, DC and in Texas, she worked on various national security and criminal violations which included counterterrorism, counterintelligence, financial crimes, corruption, fraud, and source validation. On behalf of the FBI, Melody interviewed detainees at GTMO, briefed MI-5 in London, identified networks of corruption, and navigated her team through the ever-changing COVID fraud environment. She also assisted in the preparation of countless subject and source interviews, participating in many. She received 20 performance awards during her 18 years with the FBI.
Melody enjoys being able to utilize her background and experience in the private sector. Her expertise and value-added insight can be the pivotal difference you are seeking.
Focused Private Intelligence™ Newsletter, CONTRIBUTOR
Lois Montana
Lois Montana has 25 years of experience as an FBI Intelligence Analyst. She is an expert in health care fraud and is experienced in criminal violations, financial crimes, and national security matters. She is currently a Texas Life Insurance agent and pursuing her Texas Licenses in Securities.
Lois rounded out her studies with an undergraduate degree in Communications from Queens College in Queens, New York and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.
TRAINING INSTRUCTOR
Adam Ramos
Adam was an Intelligence Analyst at FBI Headquarters and focused on terrorism issues in the Homeland and the Middle East. Prior to joining the FBI, he worked for a US contractor in Massachusetts, analyzing open-source intelligence for DHS, DOD, and other USG clients.
After his FBI role, Adam was a Program Mission Manager in the Directorate of Global Partnerships and the National Counterterrorism Center’s (NCTC) Senior Regional Representative for New England. During his tenure at NCTC, Adam conducted a tour in Iraq and served as a briefer to cabinet-level and other senior White House and National Security Council customers.
Adam is currently at PwC as one of the firm’s leading managers of its Relationship Intelligence team. He is also an Adjunct Professor teaching Intelligence Analysis for Professionals, a graduate level course at Nichols College in Massachusetts.
Adam is a Massachusetts native and received a Masters of Arts degree in International Affairs and World Politics from The Catholic University of America, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Saint Anselm College in NH.
Reach out to PivotPoint Consulting for your training needs, today.
Additional Consulting Services
One-on-One Consulting Support
Serve as a value-added “outsider,” bringing professional experience and an alternate perspective to your team, case or business
Function as a trusted sounding board for independent investigators
Propose suggestions and conduct strategic research on applicable topics as needed
Identify investigative gaps and provide recommendations if applicable
Team Strategy Sessions
Facilitate strategic team strategy sessions by utilizing formal structured analytical techniques
Stimulate new thinking and generate fresh ideas
Serve as a value-added “outsider,” bringing professional experience and an alternate perspective to your team/case
Customized Strategy Plans
Customize a strategic strategy plan for your investigation
Written plan will include proposed investigative goals, recommendations for team lead, notes relevant to the topic/threat, and case management recommendations among other relevant information related to your case
Validate Written Reports
Review and provide feedback on written products produced by your agency, prior to you providing them to clients or attorneys
Ensure facts are clearly distinguished from assumptions or analysis
Verify pertinent information is accurately articulated and well-sourced
Coordination with Law Enforcement
Serve as a conduit between you and law enforcement agencies upon request
Craft and communicate your findings in a manner familiar to government officials, increasing the odds your matter will get law enforcement attention
Be your advocate, allowing you to spend time on other matters