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July Franchise of the Month – Ben Teaford Takes Ownership of His Destiny with Signal

In 2020, if you had told Ben Teaford, owner of Signal of Orlando (among others) and winner of July’s Franchise of the Month, that within four years of launching his Signal franchise, it would span five states and generate over $30 million a year, he’d probably chuckle and tell you he agrees with you. Then he’d raise you another $2 million. Because while Ben is no stranger to hard work, he also has three crucial things going for him: a genuine desire to bring peace to the communities he serves, the confidence to actually do it, and the unshakeable belief that he’s in control of his own destiny. This combination has skyrocketed Teaford and his team to success, and they aren’t slowing down anytime soon.

This is Ben’s second time in under 12 months being awarded Franchise of the Month, and his team is on track to surpass $34 million in revenue this year across all his territories. Their upward trajectory happened rapidly, and Ben’s journey often looks like he’s running a marathon at a sprinter’s pace. Running the business alongside his wife and business partner, Renee, the couple has a “boots on the ground” mindset. They’ve spent three out of the last four years in a Signal patrol car for the holidays, ensuring the safety of the properties they serve. Even now, after building strong leadership teams in each of their Signal locations, they don’t keep a 9-to-5 schedule. For the couple, this is more than a business—it’s a way of life and a way for Ben to invest not only in his future but in the future of his communities.

Being known for making a positive contribution to others has been a lifelong conviction for Ben. Growing up, his family wasn’t wealthy, and he knew that in order to make his mark, he’d need to take control of his life by ensuring his own financial security. In the years leading up to owning his first Signal territory, he did just that. Ben worked as a security guard, owned a successful tax franchise, and opened an independent arms retail store. During that time, he was also part of a Search and Rescue team. He’d spent his entire adult life up to that point helping others in some capacity.

When Ben started exploring different security companies, he had specific criteria in mind. He wanted to be part of an established organization that was effective but also valued his years of experience; he wanted to influence the company’s trajectory from every angle. He was seeking a company with the integrity and business model to thrive, even as the world around it continued to change. Ben could see the areas in his community where, between the population boom and budget cuts to the police force, effectively keeping the peace required bridging the gap between law enforcement and the general public. This meant Ben was also looking for a brand that understood the value of a symbiotic relationship between private security and law enforcement and had the capability to do so effectively.

As Ben researched different brands, Signal kept popping up on his newsfeeds with ads about becoming a franchise owner. He booked a call and said that after learning what Signal stood for, as well as the resources available to franchise owners, joining Team Signal was an easy decision. The resources and support offered by the Home Office were unlike anything he’d ever experienced. They handled employee payroll, recruiting, and strategic partnerships, all with a low royalty percentage. After speaking with Reed Nyffeler, CEO of Signal, he was ready to sign. Ben knew where he wanted to be and what he wanted to do, and Reed’s vision for the future matched that.

 

“Signing on with Signal was a no-brainer.”
– Ben Teaford

 

A large part of his success since then is owed to Ben’s leadership skills, the way he holds his teams accountable, and ensuring the Signal culture and core values are infused into every facet of his business. The mindset for every employee there is that the quicker and faster they get to someone, the better the opportunity they have to leave them satisfied. Every interaction with someone is a part of their overall experience, and the team at Signal of Orlando is invested in ensuring that every experience with Signal is an excellent one, whether you’re a client or an employee.

That strategy has worked well for the location. The team is ranked number 24 for Key Performance Indicators across the brand. Ben’s consistent collaboration with the Signal home office and the high standards he sets for his staff are reflected across the location’s operations. At an almost 100 percent Patrol and Dedicated completion rate, Signal of Orlando continues to grow while also retaining over 90 percent of their clients. Ben finds it deeply gratifying that his flagship location is so operationally sound; it’s evidence that the service they provide is so crucial.

 

“I think there’s just something where people identify you as the safeguard. It’s understanding that you’re able to make more of an impact on other peoples’ lives, rather than just your own.”
– Ben Teaford

 

While Ben has always been internally led to make a significant contribution to society, he says much of what they’ve accomplished couldn’t have been done without the backing of the Signal brand. Signal has brokered strategic partnerships that have had a heavy impact on Ben’s success, and the support and responsiveness of the Home Office are leaps and bounds beyond what other franchisors can offer. Additionally, the technology offered by Signal is far ahead of what other security brands have at their disposal. Everything the Home Office puts at their fingertips reinforces Ben’s vision for the future.


“We’re always evolving into something new and better,
all the time.”
– Ben Teaford

Since opening his first Signal location four years ago, Ben and Renee have exceeded their initial expectations for success. Now, they not only own multiple territories, but they’ve also built strong leadership teams in each office and have brought peace of mind to communities in five different states. As for what comes next for Ben and his team, he knows where he wants to be: he’s determined to be the first Signal owner to hit $100 million in revenue. Based on what he’s achieved so far, it’s a safe bet that he’ll get there. Regardless, one thing is certain—with Signal, Ben Teaford has his destiny firmly in his grasp.

If your vision for the future includes making a significant mark on the people around you, backed by the support of an international brand known for making communities safer, take control of your own destiny, and contact us today.  

For Barb Alekna and Greg Pencosky, building Signal of West Virginia has always been about more than growing a security business. It’s about creating an organization where people can build meaningful careers, develop into leaders, and make a lasting impact in the communities they serve.

Since launching Signal of West Virginia in September 2024, that vision has guided the team’s approach to growth. From earning their first client to developing their first leaders, Barb and Greg have focused on building the business one relationship, one employee, and one client at a time.

That commitment to people, consistency, and continuous improvement is helping Signal of West Virginia establish a reputation for professionalism and dependable service across the state.

Building a Culture People Can Grow In

When Barb and Greg reflect on what makes them most proud, their answer comes back to their team. From the beginning, they wanted to create more than a successful security company. They wanted to build a career culture where employees could grow, take pride in their work, and become leaders.

“We strive to create an environment where each security officer and team member understands they’re not simply filling a security post,” they explain. “They’re protecting people, building relationships, solving problems, and representing the Signal brand with professionalism and integrity.”

That philosophy shapes how the team approaches every client and every assignment. Whether supporting apartment communities, healthcare facilities, major retailers, or special events, officers are expected to bring more than security expertise to the job.

Professionalism, reliability, communication, and dedication are all part of the standard.

For Barb and Greg, some of the most rewarding moments come from watching that culture take shape: seeing a new hire gain confidence, an officer advance into a leadership role, or a client recognize a team member for going above and beyond.

Earning Growth One Relationship at a Time

Launching a new franchise comes with challenges, but building Signal of West Virginia meant starting almost entirely from scratch.

Before the first contract, the organization had no established presence in the state, no existing clients, no employees, and no revenue. Barb and Greg had experience leading successful Signal operations, but they understood that success in another market wouldn’t automatically translate to West Virginia.

Instead, they relied on proven Signal processes while taking the time to understand the local market and build credibility from the ground up.

“Everything we’ve built since then has been earned one relationship, one employee, and one client at a time.”

That approach required humility, adaptability, and a willingness to learn. Not every proposal became a contract, and not every challenge had an immediate solution, but each experience became an opportunity to improve.

From securing their first client and hiring their first employee to celebrating their first promotion and major contract, each milestone represented another step toward building a reputation in West Virginia.

Continuous Improvement Drives the Team

For the Signal of West Virginia team, showing up at their best starts with a mindset of continuous improvement.

“We never want to become complacent or assume we know everything,” they explain. “Every conversation with a client, every interaction with an employee, every success, failure, and every challenge give us an opportunity to learn, improve, and become better than we were yesterday.”

That mindset extends beyond individual performance. Barb and Greg see clear communication as one of their most important responsibilities as leaders.

By staying connected with clients, supporting their team, and being proactive instead of reactive, they work to build trust and strengthen relationships.

For them, long-term growth isn’t something to chase. It’s something to earn through consistent effort, strong relationships, and exceptional service.

Redefining Professional Security

As Signal of West Virginia continues to grow, Barb and Greg want the community to see private security as more than simply placing officers at a post.

Their goal is to build long-term partnerships, invest in the communities they serve, and create a career culture where employees are empowered to make a positive difference.

“We’re here for the long-term, and we genuinely care about making West Virginia a safer place to live, work, and do business.”

That commitment is supported by the combination of Signal’s global resources and local, owner-led leadership.

The team benefits from Signal’s technology, innovation, experienced leadership, and proven operating model while maintaining a local presence built around responsiveness, accountability, and lasting relationships.

For Signal of West Virginia, that means officers aren’t simply providing security. They’re becoming an extension of their clients’ teams—protecting people, safeguarding property, assisting employees and visitors, and representing both the client and Signal with professionalism.

The goal is to become a trusted partner that helps reduce risk, strengthen operations, and provide lasting peace of mind.

Developing People and Leaders

For Barb and Greg, one of the most rewarding parts of ownership is watching people grow.

Whether it’s mentoring an officer into a leadership role, helping an employee build a long-term career, or developing a client relationship into a trusted partnership, those moments represent the impact they hope to create.

They also recognize that growth doesn’t happen in isolation.

The Signal network has provided opportunities to learn from experienced security leaders, including Paul Alekna and the team at Signal of Canton-Youngstown. Their mentorship and willingness to share experiences have played an important role in the growth of Signal of West Virginia.

That collaboration reflects another strength of the Signal network: franchises supporting one another and sharing knowledge to help each other succeed.

Building What Comes Next

For Barb and Greg, the most exciting part of the journey is knowing they’re still building.

“Every new team member we develop, every client relationship we earn, and every opportunity to strengthen our team is another chance to make a lasting impact.”

Their focus remains straightforward: invest in their people, serve clients with excellence, and build an organization that employees, clients, and the community can be proud of.

Being named Franchise of the Month for May 2026 is an important milestone, but the recognition is viewed as motivation rather than a finish line.

Barb and Greg credit their entire team for the franchise’s success and remain focused on creating a career culture where great people can grow, delivering exceptional service, and making a lasting impact throughout West Virginia.

Congratulations to Barb Alekna, Greg Pencosky, and the entire Signal of West Virginia team on being named May Franchise of the Month in 2026. Their commitment to developing people, serving their communities, and growing with purpose is a powerful example of what’s possible across the Signal network.

 

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