My name is Wilson Gilliam. I started Gilliam Technical Services (GTS) after discovering that bullet resistant products were out of financial reach for most of the public. I want to make protection affordable for everyone - especially in an increasingly violent society.
In 1996, I joined the Norfolk Police Department in Virginia. I was awarded the Kit Hurst Award, Honor Graduate, several commendations and Lifesaving Medal. I also earned a Master Marksmanship award. My main duty was patrol work, but I also worked the warrant car and vice-narcotics details.
I eventually left the force to start my own aviation business (Chesapeake Bay Helicopters). For twenty years, I flew airplanes and helicopters under contract with large utility companies. During those years I earned various certifications, served as an FAA Designated Airman Examiner and Chief Pilot for 133 and 141 programs. I am an Airline Transport Pilot, Flight Instructor in airplanes and helicopters, an Advanced Ground Instructor, Instrument and have thousands of flight hours in helicopters and airplanes. Most of my time is in Hughes and MD 500D/E, Bell JetRanger 206, Schweizer 300 series and Cessna 207s. I am also a Remote Pilot for small Unmanned Aircraft Systems. I have worked on energized power lines (230kV and 500kV).
Our company was the first in the world to operate helicopter based platforms equipped with LiDAR, infra-red, day TV, nadir, oblique imaging and Corona (arcing) technology simultaneously. I was one of the first members of the airborne remote sensing world as it began in the early 2000's following an electrical blackout in New England.
I attended Embry Riddle University and earned a Master's Degree in Aviation Safety. I published a research paper on aviation safety that is a popular download for research papers. The paper was published in the International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics and Aerospace and can be found: Mindspace and Development of Organizational Culture in Aviation Safety Management.
During this journey, we have continued to grow and develop Gilliam Technical Services (GTS). As I developed an eye disease called glaucoma, I chose to leave the flying behind and focus on building GTS. My family has been instrumental in our endeavor and they deserve a lot of the credit.
My interest in body armor is more than superficial. Simultaneous with my aviation years, I have been testing armor for over twenty-five years and actively building custom ceramic armor plates for over ten years. I started by having our designs built overseas with quality materials and noticed that there were still some improvements that I could make to increase performance. I have engaged in custom work for all sorts of projects throughout the years: pistol resistant belly bands for concealed handgun carry, high performance enhancements for helmets and neck protection and many other projects. We were one of the first companies to offer a "bulletproof t-shirt" back in 2014. Some of our custom work is detailed in the images below.
Over the years, we have increased our focus on ceramic armor. I began to ascertain a real need for adhesives that performed well under multiple hit scenarios. I wanted the adhesives to have USA sourced ingredients and 100% manufactured in the USA. The adhesive design that we came up with allows tile pieces to act independently - whether they are pieces of broken monolithic or mosaic tile arrays.
As armor builders and suppliers - we are not all considered equal. On top of our top-notch raw ingredients, our adhesives are one of a kind. We use very low VOC compounds that are California Prop 65 compliant. If you don't have our adhesives, you don't have our armor.
I have fine-tuned our mission to reflect our true purpose: to find the highest performing materials in the world at the best price and build strong armor with an outstanding, purposefully developed adhesive. That's what we did. Here's our complete mission statement:
Performance saves lives.
Our mission is to bring affordable body armor to the public that is dependable and predictable. We accomplish this by pursuing partnerships, sources, raw materials and components that offer the best ballistic performance for every dollar spent.
Our mission is to create the most well-informed community in the body armor industry.
We match or beat the performance of the other armor brands, hands down at our price point. That's why we post every single one of our ballistic test reports.
We are now manufacturing hard armor plates in North Carolina, USA - from the best, long-standing, high quality, global sources. The bottom line is this: performance speaks for itself.
We add things others don't: crack arresting plates, adhesive between mosaic tiles to enhance multi-shot performance, wear face trauma reduction plates and other special performance enhancements. These components mean that we work with thermoplastic carbons and aramids, even some graphene. We are constantly stepping up our game and improving our product lines.
At our price points, we offer the strongest and best-performing plates on the market - without a doubt. We are also the most transparent in the industry today. We post all of our testing data related to on market armor products. You don't see this very often. Click NIJ Testing Data for our testing data from NIJ-approved labs. A better way to view the test reports is to click on the links within the product descriptions themselves so that you can view the actual .pdf files.
For more information on our supply chain, please click GTS Supply Chain.
We want to thank our customers, suppliers and employees for making this venture possible. We value each and every one of you!
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Overall great experience. Arrived well packaged and quick. Very well made set of armor. It is just as described. Can't really say much more than that. Will recommend to anyone interested in getting some personal protection. Probably the most honest and straightforward company in this business.
The quality of the vest is on point. It provides several ways to set up your gear without causing discomfort. Someone who is 5'11'' and 220lbs the vest provides adjustments to fit my frame. Also, I like the level of secureness that is provided for the plates. Which takes away from the fear of them falling out while doing extreme movements.
I am beyond pleased and satisfied with my plate, and the best customer service I've experienced. From taking the time out of a Sunday afternoon to walk me through my selection and receiving it within a week was above and beyond great service. Such an awesome product, thanks Team GTS!
