Why He’s On the List:
- Unrivaled ability to secure investors and banking
- Strong track record of turning security businesses around from losses to profitability
- Raised expectations and perceptions of the value of well-run alarm companies to investor community
- Proven as an uncommonly successful independent operator and consolidator through many years and transactions, within and outside the U.S.
Something People Might Not Know: Was a successful rhythm guitarist and songwriter for Chess Records in Chicago during the 1960s
Most Memorable Moment: “More than 20 years ago, while I was working for API [Alarm Systems], a woman came into and thanked everyone for responding to a fire alarm that led to the rescue of her unconscious 8-year-old daughter. It saved her little girl’s life. It was a great reminder of how important what we do really is.”
How Things Have Changed: “The switch from mechanical equipment to digital. This has allowed much greater service and reductions in equipment pricing.”
What the Future Holds: “I have always been amazed that for an industry where people need our products so much, there are so few financially successful large operators. I believe consolidation will continue, and eventually large consolidators will get it right and will become extremely profitable.”
Reaction to Being Inducted: “I would like to be remembered as a very successful operator, as opposed to a consolidator – I am not just a guy who buys and sells companies. I’ve completed more than 160 acquisitions in my career and never had a lawsuit. I think that says a lot. As for being inducted, I am sincerely honored and humbled to be included with names I believe were much more instrumental in the industry than me.”
Career Highlights:
- In 1968, served as criminal investigator during Vietnam War
- From 1970-78, was a member of the Secret Service White House detail under presidents Nixon, Ford and Carter
- In 1979, provided security consulting for the Los Angeles Dodgers
- As operations manager from 1980-86, led California’s API Alarm Systems through more than 20 acquisitions
- Founded SecurityLink Midwest Corp. in 1987
- Sold SecurityLink to Ameritech Corp. in 1994, staying on as president through 1996
- Founded Signature Security Group in 1996 with operations throughout Australasia
- Bought back SecurityLink from SBC Communications in 2000 for $475 million
- In 2001, sold Cambridge Protection Industries, including SecurityLink, to Tyco Int’l for $1 billion
- Became chairman/CEO of Honeywell Security Monitoring after its 2004 purchase by GTCR Golder Rauner
