Wade Lyons has built a career defined by leadership, service, and growth. Raised in Houston, Texas, he first imagined becoming a doctor. But a ride-along with a police officer during his last semester at Texas A&M University changed everything. He traded medical school plans for a career in public safety, starting with the Austin Police Department in 2006.
Over the next 18 years, Wade rose through the ranks, working in Patrol, Investigations, Narcotics, Risk Management, and Strategic Intelligence. His leadership style evolved when he became Training Division Commander, responsible for training and hiring more than 2,300 sworn and civilian employees. Wade believed leaders should share the same experiences as their teams, often training side-by-side with recruits.
Education has been a steady anchor in his journey. He holds a B.S. in Community Health from Texas A&M, an M.S. in Criminal Justice from Lamar University, and is completing his MBA at Lamar University. He is also a graduate of Harvard’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program and the FBI-LEEDA Command Leadership Institute.
In 2024, Wade launched Black Onyx Investigations, LLC, a private security and investigations firm now expanding into executive protection. His mission is to blend public safety experience with modern solutions that meet today’s challenges.
Outside of work, Wade finds focus in natural bodybuilding, jiu-jitsu, and scuba diving. He remains active in professional associations like IACP, NOBLE, and ICMA, and is committed to servant leadership and mentorship at every stage of his career.
Q&A:
From Houston, Texas to the streets of Austin, and now to the private sector, Wade Lyons has built a career that blends public safety, leadership, and business. Starting in 2006 with the Austin Police Department, he served in roles from patrol officer to Training Division Commander before founding Black Onyx Investigations, LLC in 2024. Along the way, he earned advanced degrees, trained at Harvard and the FBI-LEEDA Command Leadership Institute, and committed himself to mentorship and servant leadership. In this interview, Lyons shares his perspective on success—what it means, how to achieve it, and what he’s learned from both victories and setbacks.
Q: What does a typical day look like for you, and how do you make it productive?
A: My day starts around 5:00 a.m. with training—natural bodybuilding or jiu-jitsu. That’s non-negotiable. Fitness sets the tone for the rest of the day. After that, I review my top three priorities. I learned at the Austin Police Department that if everything is a priority, nothing is. Whether it was managing 2,300 employees as Training Commander or now running Black Onyx Investigations, productivity is about focus. Finish the most important tasks first, then tackle the rest.
Q: How do you bring ideas to life?
A: I stress-test them. Back in APD’s Training Division, we piloted new programs with small groups before rolling them out department-wide. For example, when revising defensive tactics training, I went through the training myself to feel what the recruits felt. Now, in the private sector, I use the same approach. An idea looks good in a meeting room, but until you test it under pressure, you don’t know if it works.
Q: What’s one trend that excites you?
A: The rise of technology in security and investigations. Drones, AI-driven analytics, and digital background tools are reshaping the industry. I’m excited about how these can improve executive protection. Imagine a team using drones for perimeter sweeps or AI to identify threats before they materialize. That combination of human judgment and technology is powerful.
Q: What habit has helped you stay productive?
A: Writing things down. I carry a notebook everywhere. It sounds old-school, but when I was working narcotics and intelligence, details mattered. I’d jot down observations others overlooked. That practice carried into leadership. Writing clarifies thought and keeps me accountable.
Q: What advice would you give your younger self?
A: Don’t be afraid to pivot. I planned to go to medical school. Then a single police ride-along changed my life. At the time, I worried it meant failure. Now I see it as opportunity. Success often comes from paths you didn’t plan.
Q: Tell us something you believe that most people don’t agree with.
A: Leaders should train with their people. Some in command thought it unnecessary for me to join recruits in physical training. I disagreed. You can’t earn full trust from people if you won’t sweat with them.
Q: When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
A: I take a moment to reassess my priorities and engage in a brief mindfulness exercise or a short walk to clear my mind. This helps me regain perspective and refocus my energy. I break down my tasks into manageable steps, allowing me to tackle challenges effectively.
Q: What is one failure in your career, and what did you learn from it?
A: When I first transitioned into private security, I underestimated how long it takes to build trust with corporate clients. I pushed too hard for fast growth and lost a few contracts. The lesson was patience. In law enforcement, timelines are often immediate. In business, relationships move at their own pace.
Q: What’s one strategy that has helped you grow?
A: Listening. As Training Commander, I learned more from recruits than I expected. They’d tell me what worked and what didn’t. I applied that to program changes and morale improved. Now, I apply the same principle with clients—ask more, talk less.
Q: What book, podcast, or film has influenced your view of success?
A: Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink. The message that leaders own everything under their watch resonates with me. As for film, Band of Brothers is my go-to. It’s about resilience, sacrifice, and leadership under fire—lessons that cross into every field.
Key Learnings
- Success often comes from pivots, not rigid plans—unexpected opportunities can shape lasting careers.
- Physical discipline sets the foundation for productivity and resilience in leadership.
- Listening to feedback, whether from recruits or clients, strengthens trust and improves outcomes.
- Testing ideas under real-world conditions ensures they work beyond theory.
- Patience and relationship-building are as vital to success in business as urgency is in public safety.