The Arrow 11, May 2025: With Joseph Bongino

Welcome to “The Arrow 11” – our monthly feature where we highlight our best and brightest through 11 thought-provoking questions.

This month, we talked with Joseph Bongino, President, Strategic Growth Strategies about fatherhood, personal growth, and his journey from the FDNY and Secret Service to his leadership role at Arrow Security.

1. How did you come to work in security?

My journey into security is shaped by two defining influences. Growing up, I faced significant hardships, and during those difficult times, the steady presence of law enforcement provided a much-needed sense of stability and security. Later, as a member of the FDNY on 9/11, I witnessed firsthand both the endurance and heroic efforts displayed, which profoundly strengthened my commitment to serving my country. These experiences led me to pursue a career dedicated to ensuring security and peace for others ‒ first as a Secret Service Agent and a selected member of the elite Counter Assault Team, and now in my current role with Arrow Security.

2.   What are you most passionate about outside of work?

To have triumphed over many tragedies. Outside of my career, my greatest passion is being the best father, husband, and role model I can be. Every morning, I make it a priority to remind my children to approach each day with purpose, striving to make every day better than the last.

3.   How would you describe the perfect day off?

My perfect day off would consist of a morning rooting for my daughter at a cheerleading competition, followed by an afternoon of golfing with my son, and ending with an evening dining out with my wife. In horse racing, they call it a trifecta.

4.   What is your favorite quote, motto, or mantra?

Best quote, which will one day be a tattoo of mine is… “From every wound there is a scar, and every scar tells a story. A story that says, I survived.”

5.   What is your favorite food, and why?

My favorite food by a long shot is steak. As to why, why not!

6.   What is the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Throughout my life, my oldest brother consistently drilled the saying, “Don’t chase trains,” into my head. I took it literally until my teenage years, when he finally explained its true meaning: trains run on a strict schedule ‒ if you’re chasing one, it means you failed to plan accordingly and arrived late. He always preached that showing up ahead of time and being prepared requires minimal talent.

7.   What person do you believe has had the greatest influence on your life, and why?

My two older brothers stepped into parental roles early in life, sacrificing their own teenage years to raise me with discipline and unwavering dedication. Their commitment to instilling the belief that nothing is given, everything is earned has been the greatest influence on my life and an honor I carry with deep gratitude.

 8.   Is there a personal/professional challenge you’ve overcome, and what did you learn from it?

My greatest professional challenge came when I failed the Secret Service Counter Assault Program by a single point ‒ despite being carefully selected and having 15 years of rigorous training. I gave everything, successfully completing every course objective, until the final day of marksmanship, when my last shot landed precisely on the dividing pass/fail line.

With that, the instructor told me, “I’m on the fence ‒ I can either pass or fail you.’” Without hesitation, I responded, “Fail me.’” As he sat there, visibly puzzled, I explained, “Fail me. It will push me to return stronger than ever.”

Six months later, I was selected again ‒ and this time, I graduated #1 overall and as class president.

9.   What does success mean to you, both personally and professionally?

I will consider my career a success when the day comes that I can walk away with absolute certainty, knowing that the once-troubled kid achieved everything he set out to accomplish. More importantly, I will find personal fulfillment in knowing that I provided my wife and children with every opportunity ‒ without simply handing them anything. That’s my SUCCESS!

10. What was your favorite travel/vacation destination, or what place is top of your list to travel next?

During my Secret Service career, I visited Hawaii countless times but never had the opportunity to really enjoy a moment, I took my family to Hawaii last summer for my daughter’s 16th birthday and enjoyed every minute. As far as our next adventure, I shared insights from my favorite destinations among the 72 countries I’ve visited, and vacationing next summer in Italy, Greece, Germany, and France to celebrate my wife’s ‒ let’s call it ‒ half-century milestone.

11. If you had one superpower, what would it be?

If I could have any superpower, I’d choose the heightened senses gifted to Superman, Wolverine, and Daredevil. Considering my senses have significantly diminished since turning 45, having enhanced senses would only return me to normal senses, but I’ll take it!