Inspiring Conversations with Richard Podkowski of Stillwater52

Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Podkowski.

Hi Richard, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’m a retired U.S. Secret Service special agent. The unique dual missions of the agency—criminal investigations and the physical protection of U.S. political leaders, their families, and visiting foreign officials—provided myriad of snapshots for my mind‘s eye, quite different from those experienced by most other law enforcement personnel. My duty stations included my hometown, Chicago; Los Angeles; and Washington DC, where I served in the Presidential Protective Division under two presidents and traveled around the world, witnessing significant world events and history in the making.

My transition to the private sector began in security management with the former Philip Morris USA, where my team was responsible for brand protection, including securing the supply chain. We investigated domestic and international contraband cigarette trafficking and cargo theft, working closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.

Next, I founded Stillwater Consultants, a private investigations and risk management firm. Capitalizing on the expertise I developed with the Secret Service and Philip Morris, I specialized in risk mitigation assessments for high-net-worth individuals and corporations, including an international liquor brand, global insurance firm, the public transit system of a major city, and the estate of an international rock star, to name a few. Close protection services were provided to well-known public and private individuals.

While studying criminal justice as an undergrad at Loyola University Chicago, I had an inspirational literature and creative writing professor. I can still see Dr. Masi’s anecdotal comments next to the “A” he assigned “The Cubicle,” a short story of mine about a convicted felon sentenced to life imprisonment. He penned, “Did you really write this?”

Yes, I did. But after his class, I didn’t pick up a pen or hunt-and-peck on a keyboard for anything except school or work until 2007. Now, I can’t stop. Nor do I want to.

A few years ago, I moved to Los Angeles from Chicago for two reasons, three if you count the weather. First, both of my children remained here after graduating from USC. Secondly, the eruption of my innate creativity, which had been suppressed while working and raising kids. For my next chapter in life, I would not say I am reinventing myself, but I am definitely reordering myself—choosing fiction over fact—by focusing on creative endeavors here in the entertainment capital of the world.

Last year, I was thrilled to finally publish my award-winning debut novel, “The Walk-On,” and am proud to have a growing list of honors:

-PenCraft Winter 2024 – Winner – Best Fiction/Drama

-Book Excellence Award – Winner – Sports

-American Writing Awards (AWA) two category Finalist – Sports and Fiction Religious

-Indies Today – Finalist

-Wishing Shelf Book Awards – Finalist – fingers crossed for 4/1 winner announcement

-Readers’ Favorite 5-Star Award

I’m very excited to announce that Bogner Entertainment is pitching “The Walk-On.” Some of my subsequent writing includes a holiday romantic comedy manuscript, which was the basis for collaborating with a team of writers to complete a screenplay. Next up is a story involving domestic and international organized crime, based on my task force experiences as a special agent working the streets with local police partners in Chicago and LA.

Although it was a long and sometimes painful process to publication—and hopefully the screen—I’ve gained invaluable knowledge that I’m eager to share with other creators. By choosing fiction over fact, I pivoted Stillwater Consultants, my former security firm, into Stillwater52 to offer creative services. I am bringing my unique and extensive law enforcement and risk management expertise to the entertainment industry.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The road I’ve taken in life hasn’t had too many straightaways or even surfaces, but rather lots of curves, bumps, potholes, and unexpected detours. Steep climbs and deep valleys. Like thousands of others, I was the son of immigrant parents who sought a better life after WWII. I grew up a blue-collar kid on the South Side of Chicago in the tumultuous 60s and 70s. My family struggled to make ends meet. We lived in the shadows of now-shuttered factories and the infamous Stockyards.

I started working when I was thirteen in mostly menial and physical jobs throughout college and beyond while I was waiting to be called by the Chicago Police Department from the police officer candidate eligibility list. Meanwhile, a college professor encouraged me to apply to the U.S. Secret Service. I did, never expecting the career I ultimately had, traveling worldwide and witnessing historic events. The flip side of that meant missing family and friends because it is not a typical 9-5 workweek. Holidays, nights, weekends, important family events take a backseat to “the needs of the Service.”

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
When I made the strategic decision to pivot my security consulting firm to a creative entity, I couldn’t let go of Stillwater altogether due to name recognition and sentimental value. I love to boat—on calm and still waters. Stillwater Consultants helped clients navigate the stormy seas of risk. Creatively, my protagonist in “The Walk-On,” Mike “the Steelman” Stalowski, wears jersey #52. Stillwater52 seamlessly blends the old with the new.

Stillwater52 offers the following services to the entertainment industry and creators:

-on-set technical advice for film and TV projects, documentaries, and reenactments;

-content development support services, particularly for writers of crime fiction.

Stillwater52 is armed with law enforcement technical expertise, including weapons handling, arrest and interview techniques, search warrants, covert surveillance, defensive and tactical measures, and overall criminal case development and management. Along with my domestic and international contacts, I have walked the walk and talked the talk. Whether your content needs a small-town sheriff’s deputy from 1972 or a present-day major city police officer, contact Stillwater52 for one-stop actionable law enforcement advice.

I’m proud to have production specialists Bogner Entertainment as my strategic partner to guide you in bringing your story to the screen. Eager to help others bring their stories to life, I’m teeming with ideas based on my unique work experiences, including:

-Moscow during the Reagan and Gorbachev summit meetings

-Warsaw and Krakow during the final days of communism

-Beijing and the Forbidden City only days before the Tiananmen Square protests

-Cairo on the eve of Operation Desert Storm

-Cartagena for the multi-lateral Columbian Drug Summit

-Dismantling an international organized financial crime group in Chicago.

While I’ve reordered my interests and plan to focus on providing technical advisement, crime fiction developmental content editing, and writer’s room assistance, Stillwater52 will continue to accept strategic security and risk mitigation projects for select clients and engagements.

What matters most to you? Why?
I try to stay close to my personal beliefs and practice them daily. I have a sense of spirituality and duty, and I strive to be open-minded, considerate, and respectful. Daily, I try to have a positive effect on at least one person I encounter through a random act of kindness or other support.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://stillwater52.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richard_podkowski/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richard.podkowski
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-podkowski-aa64083a/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/RPodkowski
• Other: https://richardpodkowski.com/