Red Hawk Fire & Security - Experts & Thought Leaders

Everon, also known as ADT Commercial, a pioneering security integrator and premier provider of commercial security, fire and life safety in the U.S., announced its executive leadership team since the recent completion of its acquisition by GTCR. Everon draws on an outstanding legacy of service excellence that is strengthened by over a decade of industry expertise, with many leaders having spent the majority of their careers in the industry. The organisation’s executive leadership team—led by Dan Bresingham, Chief Executive Officer—is no exception. GTCR’s acquisition Bresingham is a longtime veteran of the commercial security industry, with nearly 20 years Bresingham himself is a longtime veteran of the commercial security industry, with nearly 20 years of leadership experience that spans finance, sales strategy, go-to-market planning and operations. He most recently served as the President for ADT Commercial prior to GTCR’s acquisition in October 2023, and has also held high-level leadership positions with HSM Security, STANLEY Security, and Protection 1.  “I’ve always said that we have the most exceptional individuals in the industry pioneering and working for this organisation,” Bresingham said. “When I look at the leadership team we’ve assembled, I’m confident that their unparalleled talent, knowledge, and commitment to excellence will play a pivotal role in propelling Everon to new heights.” Everon’s executive leadership Led by Bresingham, Everon’s executive leadership team includes: Mike McWilliams, President & Chief Operating Officer McWilliams has spent over 30 years in the fire and life safety industry, most recently serving as Sr. Vice President, Field Operations for ADT Commercial. Previously, he was President and CEO of Red Hawk Fire & Security, prior to and through its acquisition by ADT in December 2018, and has held leadership positions with SimplexGrinnell and Tyco International. Mark Foley, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Foley brings more than 30 years of industry experience to his role with Everon, previously serving as the Chief Financial Officer for ADT Commercial. His experience includes high-level positions for Tyco International and Red Hawk Fire & Security. Ken Teifer, Executive Vice President, Sales Teifer has spent nearly 35 years in the commercial security industry, and most recently held the position of Sr. Vice President, Sales for ADT Commercial. He’s been a prominent sales leader across the industry, including experience with STANLEY Security and Sonitrol. Ryan Fritts, Chief Information Officer Fritts is a nearly 20-year veteran of the commercial security and cybersecurity space, with extensive experience in security, product, technology and software delivery. He most recently served as the Chief Information Security Officer for ADT, and has previously held technology leadership positions with STANLEY Security and Protection 1. Kasia Moore, Chief Legal Officer Moore brings nearly 20 years of corporate legal experience to her role with Everon, previously serving as Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, Commercial for ADT. Prior to leading ADT Commercial’s legal team and strategy, Moore held various legal leadership roles at Carrier, United Technologies and Lennox.  Julie Perkinson-Carpenter, Chief Human Resources Officer Perkinson-Carpenter has over 25 years of experience as a creative and collaborative HR professional. Her recent role was Vice President, Human Resources at ADT, and she has held various leadership positions within ADT over her career. Beth Tarnoff, Chief Marketing Officer Tarnoff has been an award-winning marketing leader in the commercial security space for nearly 20 years, and most recently held the position of Vice President, Marketing & Communications for ADT Commercial. Prior to ADT Commercial, she led marketing programs at STANLEY Security and HSM Security.  Jay Robertson, Sr. Vice President, Organisation Transition Robertson is a 20-plus year veteran of the security industry, spending most of his career at ADT and Protection 1. He most recently served as the Sr. Vice President, Product Management for ADT Commercial, and prior to that, held the position of Sr. Vice President, Product Marketing for ADT. Ed Bacco, Vice President, Emerging Technologies Bacco brings more than 30 years of security management, physical security and project management experience and expertise to his role with Everon. He previously held the same position with ADT Commercial, and throughout his career has served in leadership roles for Aronson Security Group, Amazon and the National Transportation Security Operation Centre. Author's quote “Over the years, I’ve witnessed firsthand the value that these leaders can bring — not only to our organization, but the industry as a whole,” Bresingham continued. “Their experience, expertise, and determination are unmatched, and I know they’ll be central to our success at Everon." Customer-driven service excellence Everon was built over the last decade by some of the most trusted names in commercial security. In that time, teams remained focused on providing comprehensive, scalable solutions to address the unique needs of mid-market, national and large-scale organisations, and established a new industry standard for customer-driven service excellence and delivery.  With GTCR’s acquisition of ADT Commercial in October 2023, Everon has emerged as an innovator and service excellence champion protecting commercial people, property, and assets across industries.

ADT continues expanding capabilities and geographic reach via Red Hawk Fire & Security, ADT Commercial with the asset purchase agreement of Security Corporation, a commercial security integrator headquartered in Detroit, Mich., with offices in Novi (Detroit), Mich., and Columbus, Ohio. Family owned and operated since 1974, Security Corporation has earned customer loyalty by providing responsive customer service and innovative security products to businesses, financial institutions, academic centres and government offices in the Midwest region. Growing commercial business “This strategic acquisition is the latest in a series of efforts to continue driving our commercial business to the next level giving us an opportunity to reach our customers with unmatched service in every fire, life safety and security discipline across the United States,” said Executive Vice President, ADT Commercial Dan Bresingham. “Security Corporation has built long-lasting client relationships because of their focus on putting the customer first. Bringing the team of well-trained professionals on board helps Red Hawk and ADT Commercial further strengthen our rapidly growing presence and technical capabilities in the Midwest region while also adding to our customer-centric culture,” said Senior Vice President Red Hawk Fire & Security, ADT Commercial Michael McWilliams. Technical and financial resources “Joining these industry leaders is a fitting next step in the evolution of a company that has taken pride in providing the very best of the best for our customers. Teaming up with Red Hawk and ADT Commercial will provide deeper technical and financial resources to further serve our clients here in the Midwest,” said Security Corporation President Robert Holloway II.

ADT Inc., a provider of monitored security and interactive home and business automation solutions in the United States and Canada, announced the acquisition of Advanced Cabling Systems, one of the leading technology integration companies in the mid-south. Advanced Cabling Systems will join forces with Red Hawk Fire & Security. Headquartered in North Little Rock, Arkansas, and founded in 1997, Advanced has regional offices in Lowell, Arkansas, Tulsa and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Ozark, Missouri specialising in the installation and service of integrated systems including structured cabling, fire alarm systems, audio/video, CCTV, access control, intrusion detection, intercom/paging systems, nurse call and infant protection systems. Delivering superior customer service Advanced Cabling Systems offers a full range of integrated systems and has earned exceptional customer loyalty as a fire and security integrator“The addition of Advanced is part of our focus on commercial growth and underscores both ADT’s and Red Hawk’s focus on leveraging technology to deliver superior customer service and support to commercial and enterprise-level organisations, particularly those with multiple U.S. locations,” said Dan Bresingham, ADT Commercial Executive Vice President. Starting as a structured cabling company and evolving with technology, Advanced Cabling Systems now offers a full range of integrated systems and has earned exceptional customer loyalty as a fire and security integrator. Increasing Red Hawk’s geographic footprint “The move is a positive proof that aligning with ADT elevates Red Hawk’s ability to showcase its products and services to a wider range of clients while increasing our overall geographic footprint and dedicated technician workforce, which is to be the premier single point of contact for all our customers’ fire, life safety and security needs,” said Michael McWilliams, Senior Vice President, Red Hawk Fire & Security, ADT Commercial. “At Advanced, our focus on technology and customer service is why we know that aligning with the most recognisable brands in the fire and security industry will allow us to better serve existing and new commercial customers,” said Michael Kennedy, President of Advanced Cabling Systems.

Two of the most familiar names in the physical security market – Pelco and Panasonic – underwent ownership changes during 2019. Consolidation continued on multiple other fronts. Security service companies, video companies and access control companies were all among the entities involved in merger and acquisition (M&A) activity during the last 12 months. In short, the industry landscape continues to transform in response to a changing market. Here's a look at the Top 10 M&A stories in 2019: 1. Pelco acquired by private equity firm Transom Capital Pelco Inc. was acquired in May by Transom Capital Group, a private equity firm, from Schneider Electric. Since the acquisition, Transom Capital has been working with Pelco’s management and employees to define and direct the next chapter of the iconic company. Pelco maintains its headquarters in Fresno, Calif., and has a presence in Fort Collins, Colo., near Denver, and a sales office in the New York area, not to mention many global employees who work remotely. 2. Panasonic spins of security business Electronics giant Panasonic sold off 80% of its video surveillance business to a private equity firm but is retaining 20%, and the new company will continue to use the well-known Panasonic brand. The move is aimed at reinvigorating a business challenged by competition from Chinese companies and lower video prices. Polaris Capital Group Co. acquired 80% of the outstanding shares of the new security systems business. 3. Qognify acquires OnSSI and SeeTec 2019 began with the acquisition of IP video management software (VMS) company On-Net Surveillance Systems (OnSSI), including SeeTec in Europe. Backed by the global investment firm Battery Ventures, Qognify completed the acquisition in the final days of 2018. With Qognify, OnSSI and SeeTec operating under one umbrella, the company provides VMS, video analytics, PSIM and critical incident management for mid-market and enterprise organizations. 4. Busy year for acquisitions at Allied Universal Security services company Allied Universal had an active year in acquisitions, beginning in April with the acquisition of integration company Securadyne Systems in Dallas. There was an additional acquisition announced in each of the next four months: Point 2 Point Global Security, Dallas, in May; security services company Cypress Private Security in June, services company Shetler Security Services in July , and Midstate Security in August. Allied Universal announced two more acquisitions in November – low-voltage integrator Advent Systems Inc. in Chicago and Vinson Guard Service in Louisiana. Also in November, Allied announced a transformational merger with SOS Security. In December, Allied Universal acquired APG Security, South Amboy, N.J. 5. Motorola continues video push with VaaS acquisition Following its acquisition of Avigilon in 2018, Motorola Solutions continued to build its presence in the security market in 2019 with the acquisition of VaaS International Holdings, Inc. (VaaS), a data and image analytics company. Motorola Solutions paid $445 million in a combination of cash and equity for the company, which includes fixed and mobile license plate reader cameras driven by machine learning and artificial intelligence. 6. ACRE acquires access control companies Open Options and RS2 Open Options is an open architecture access control company headquartered in Addison, Texas; and RS2 is an open systems access control provider in Munster, Ind. ACRE, global provider of security systems, wrapped up acquisition of both firms in 2019, after announcing the Open Options deal in the waning days of 2018 and following it up with the RS2 announcement in the spring. ACRE’s portfolio now consists of Vanderbilt, Open Options, RS2 and ComNet. 7. Assa Abloy expands capabilities with LifeSafety Power Lock and access control giant ASSA ABLOY acquired LifeSafety Power in September, providing a complement to the access control portfolio. The plan is to incorporate LifeSafety Power’s knowledge of power supply and consumption throughout the ASSA ABLOY access control line. LifeSafety Power was established in 2009 and has some 65 employees. The main office is located in Libertyville, Illinois. 8. Distributor Anixter going private and selling to CD&R Anixter International Inc., a distributor of network and security solutions, electrical and electronic solutions and utility power solutions, entered into a definitive agreement with an affiliate of Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) to be acquired in an all cash transaction valued at approximately $3.8 billion. The transaction will result in Anixter becoming a private company and is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2020. Under the terms of the merger agreement, CD&R-managed funds will acquire all the outstanding shares of Anixter common stock for $81.00 per share in cash. (It has been reported that a new bidder has also emerged, although Anixter is resisting – stay tuned.) 9. Alarm.com expands commercial offering with OpenEye acquisition Alarm.com has announced a majority-stake acquisition of OpenEye, a provider of cloud-managed video surveillance solutions for the commercial market. OpenEye is optimised for enterprise-level commercial customers requiring expansive video recording capabilities, in addition to remote viewing, administration and diagnostic reporting. Combined with the Alarm.com for Business offering, service providers partnered with Alarm.com now have solutions to accommodate commercial accounts of any size. 10. ADT makes multiple acquisitions, sells Canadian operation Another North American security giant, ADT Inc., also had a busy year in mergers and acquisitions. In February, ADT acquired LifeShield, a pioneer in advanced wireless home security systems. In June ADT continued expanding capabilities and geographic reach via Red Hawk Fire & Security, ADT Commercial with the asset purchase agreement of Security Corporation, a commercial security integrator headquartered in Detroit, Mich. In November, ADT Commercial purchased Critical Systems, which specialises in enterprise-class fire alarm, fire suppression, life safety and integrated building security solutions for high-rise properties, healthcare campuses and data, manufacturing and distribution facilities in Atlanta.  In October, ADT announced an agreement to sell its Canadian operations to TELUS Corp.

ADT Commercial have grown organically in double digits since 2016, in addition to growing through 15 acquisitions completed since the merger of ADT and Protection One. Acquisition of integrator companies such as Red Hawk Fire and Security and Aronson Security Group have expanded ADT Commercial’s presence geographically to more areas of the country. Most of the employees of the acquired companies have stayed with ADT and “helped to create a corporate culture and a good place for employees to work,” says Dan Bresingham, Executive Vice President of ADT Commercial. Happy employees ensure good customer service. Enterprise resource planning Bresingham will lead ADT Commercial as it becomes a separate business unit in 2020 “We adapt to where our clients want us to be,” adds Joe Sanchez, Senior Vice President of Customer Operations of ADT Commercial National Accounts. “We take a strategic approach as we determine how adaptive our customers are going to be to the new technology.” I caught up with ADT Commercial at the GSX trade show in Chicago. Bresingham tells me ADT Commercial has benefitted from the calibre and breadth of leadership talent that have come along with the various acquisitions, including Mike McWilliams of Red Hawk, Bob Dale of Protection One, and Phil Aronson of Aronson Security. The transitioning of internal systems such as enterprise resource planning (ERP), billing and customer repair software will further steamline the ADT Commercial operation in the next several months. Bresingham will lead ADT Commercial as it becomes a separate business unit in 2020. We caught up with ADT at the GSX trade show in Chicago Providing new opportunities for regional integrators Additional acquisitions are also likely; in fact, growth is likely to accelerate. ADT Commercial offers a national footprint that can provide new opportunities for regional integrators it brings into the fold. New acquisitions will continue to fill out ADT’s skillset requirements in specific geographic areas where more expertise is needed. Security directors have a small staff and we help them know what they should be looking at in terms of data" “The industry doesn’t change a lot,” says Bresingham. “The technology just gets better, faster, and cheaper. As a service provider we take the best technology and combine it to provide the best solutions. We’re product-agnostic. Most of our jobs are down-and-dirty, doing the same things, but we’re pushing ourselves to be the best every day at the basics.” An emphasis at ADT is to provide customers ‘actionable’ data compiled from their various security systems. “We have a range of customers,” says Sanchez. Managing networks and video remotely “From small businesses to large data centers, there is no electronic system we cannot do. We are adaptable, from providing basic intrusion all the way to more sophisticated elements. Security directors have a small staff and we help them know what they should be looking at in terms of data.” “Our customers are our ‘true north’,” says Sanchez. A strong relationship with clients forms the basis for ADT Commercial’s success. Helping customers track data utilises ADT Commercial’s eSuite account management system, homegrown software that compiles and analyses various customer data inputs. It also allows the ability to manage networks and video remotely. “We built it from scratch for customers. It’s a web-based system that helps them manage their business,” says Bresingham. “We hold ourselves accountable. We don’t hide from data, we encourage it.” Monitoring refrigeration units The solution is different in every case, just as every customer is uniqueIn addition to data from customer systems, eSuite can compile local weather information, crime statistics and other information that can help provide trending information to guide a customer’s business. The system’s flexibility enables ADT to provide the data each customer needs. ADT helps customers manage their business beyond the security department, too. “We do a lot of things in environmental control, monitoring refrigeration units and making sure humidity and temperature readings are correct,” says Sanchez. Leaving a door open could cause product loss at a pharmaceutical company, for example. In the food industry, a freezer malfunction could cause huge losses. In either case, an alarm can draw attention to the problem in a timely manner. Other customers face regulatory requirements that demand an audit trail of compliance, which ADT’s systems can provide. At the end of the day, ADT asks customers ‘What’s your security need?’ The company then adapts and assembles its solutions using internal resources and outside vendors, to meet that need. The solution is different in every case, just as every customer is unique.

Consolidation persisted in the physical security industry in 2018, and big companies such as Motorola, Canon and UTC continued to make moves. Also among the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) news in 2018 was a high-profile bankruptcy (that ended well), continuing consolidation in the integrator market, and the creation of a new entity called “LenelS2.” Here’s a look at the Top 10 M&A stories in 2018: 1. Motorola acquires Avigilon Motorola Solutions announced in February that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire video surveillance provider Avigilon in an all-cash transaction that enhances Motorola Solutions’ portfolio of mission-critical communications technologies. Avigilon products are used by a range of commercial and government customers including critical infrastructure, airports, government facilities, public venues, healthcare centers and retail. The company holds more than 750 U.S. and international patents. 2. UTC Climate, Control & Security buys S2 Security UTC Climate, Controls & Security agreed in September to acquire S2 Security, a developer of unified security and video management solutions. UTC subsequently combined S2 with its Lenel brand to create LenelS2, “a global leader in advanced access control systems and services” with “complementary strengths.” 3. Costar Technologies acquires Arecont Vision after bankruptcy Arecont Vision, the provider of IP-based megapixel camera and video surveillance solutions, announced in July that the acquisition by Costar Technologies, Inc. of its assets had been approved by the bankruptcy court. After the closing of the sale, the company began operating as Arecont Vision Costar, LLC and is part of Costar, a U.S. corporation that designs, develops, manufactures, and distributes a range of products for the video surveillance and machine vision markets. 4. Allegion acquires access control company ISONAS Allegion plc, a security products and solutions provider, agreed in June to acquire ISONAS through one of its subsidiaries. ISONAS’ edge-computing technology provides access control solutions for non-residential markets. ISONAS' devices – like its integrated reader-controllers – utilise power over ethernet, making them easy to install and cost effective as they utilise existing customer infrastructures. The company is based in Boulder, Colo. 5. HID buys Crossmatch for Biometrics HID Global announced that it had acquired Crossmatch, a provider of biometric identity management and secure authentication solutions, from Francisco Partners. Crossmatch’s portfolio of products includes biometric identity management hardware and software that complement HID’s broad portfolio of trusted identity products and services. 6. BriefCam announces acquisition by Canon BriefCam, a global provider of video synopsis and deep learning solutions, announced its acquisition in May by Canon Inc., a global digital imaging solutions company. The addition of BriefCam to Canon’s network video solutions products portfolio complements the Canon Group’s previous acquisitions of Axis Communications and Milestone Systems. 7. Allied Universal acquires U.S. Security Associates Allied Universal, a security and facility services company, finalised its acquisition of U.S. Security Associates (USSA) in October, further building on its position in the security services industry. This acquisition includes Andrews International (including its Government Services Division and Consulting and Investigations and International Division) and Staff Pro. 8. Johnson Controls acquires Smartvue Corp. Johnson Controls announced in April that it had acquired Smartvue, a global IoT and video provider that empowers cloud video surveillance and IoT video services. The addition of the Smartvue cloud-based video platform will enhance Johnson Controls’ offering of an end-to-end, smart cloud-based solution that can provide superior business data and intelligence to customers and added value to partners. 9. ADT acquires Red Hawk Fire & Security (and others) ADT Inc.’s acquisition of Red Hawk Fire & Security, Boca Raton, Fla., was the latest move in ADT Commercial’s strategy to buy up security integrator firms around the country and grow their footprint. In addition to the Red Hawk acquisition, announced in mid-October, ADT has acquired more than a half-dozen security system integration firms in the last year or so. 10. Convergint Technologies continues to acquire Convergint Technologies announced in August the acquisition of New Jersey-based Access Control Technologies (ACT), bringing further electronic security systems experience to Convergint's service capabilities. Convergint has strategically grown its service footprint across the United States, Canada, Europe and Asia Pacific through strong organic growth and the completion of 18 acquisitions since early 2016. And it continues: Convergint announced acquisition of SI Technologies, Albany, N.Y., in November and Firstline Security Integration (FSI), Anaheim, Calif., in December. (And Convergint itself was acquired in February by private equity group Ares Management.)