Since joining Secom six years ago, Vice President of Sales Colby Forrest has discovered one simple truth after serving customers in 43 U.S. states and five different countries: success stems from making things right, no matter what.
Whether collaborating with some of the biggest defense contractors in the nation or installing a single access control unit and a handful of door cameras for a shopping center, Secom – now celebrating 20 years – offers service that is second to none. And Colby, a seasoned security veteran with close to two decades of on-the-job experience, has helped to ensure that commitment with each partnership.
“I truly think the difference between Secom and the competition is that we care,” he says. “There are so many security companies out there that will just push projects out, and then place blame on other vendors or organizations when something goes wrong. I feel a lot of other professionals don’t really care, in the end, if things are right. They care about whether or not they’re making money.”
Passing the buck just to make one? That’s not what Secom’s about, Colby says.
“We’re not perfect. But when we do an installation – we’re going to do whatever it takes to make it right.”
Stepping Into a Larger Security Footprint
Before joining Secom, Colby cut his teeth in the security industry selling home security systems throughout Maryland, D.C., Virginia, and Pennsylvania for outfits such as Brinks, Guardian Protection Services, and Security Associates. When the latter was purchased by a larger entity, he was referred to Secom – and quickly found his place with the company.
For the first few years of his tenure, Colby dove headfirst into commercial sales, a role that came naturally to him.
About four and a half years ago, Secom started to attract enough customers outside of the D.C. metro area that a new division was needed.
“Many of our National Accounts customers have a footprint here inside the DMV,” Colby says. “And because they liked our service and liked what we have to offer, as they’ve grown and expanded throughout the country – they’ve brought Secom along.”
Others, he says, already had hundreds of locations dotting the map, and Secom was brought on board to provide multi-location solutions.
Today, the National Accounts division manages, services, and maintains accounts throughout the country and overseas, with international projects in India, Canada, Mexico, UAE, and England. Colby and National Accounts Manager Ryan Kovack oversee the commercial branch (“Ryan does the lion’s share of the work,” Colby says), while Mike Kidwell handles federal clients.
The bottom line? Convenience, says Colby. And accountability.
“The biggest thing about our National Accounts division is that if your business has multiple locations, you don’t need to call or pay multiple vendors. Our main focus is giving our customers one company to deal with. One invoice. One point of contact. One platform,” Colby says. “It changes the way companies protect their assets.”
National Account projects can range from anywhere from $5,000 camera installations to $1 million comprehensive security overhauls. No matter what, clients know they have a reliable partner who won’t leave them in the lurch.
“We’ve run into so many customers that have 40 sites and 40 different camera systems, and 40 different access control setups, and no one knows how to manage them,” he continues. “No one is able to condense everything into one platform so that they can log into all locations from one site on one Internet-connected device. When we’re able to do that for them – provide them with that kind of relief – it’s very rewarding.”
The 20-Year Plan
Colby says he’s excited to see how far Secom has come in the six years he’s personally been with the company, and believes the sky is the limit for the security company.
“I attribute Secom’s success to our leadership,” he says. “From the get-go, Secom has placed employees and customers first. And I believe – and I know Secom believes – if you take care of your employees, they’re going to take care of your customers. And if you take care of your customers, you’re going to continue to grow – and you’re going to be around for 20 years.”
Secom, he adds, is built to grow, to expand, and to keep making things right – no matter what. He doesn’t see them stopping anytime soon.
“It’s a great place to work,” he says. “I’m excited for tomorrow.”