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Signal of Eastern Pennsylvania: From Local Success to Franchising Sensation

Every summer, the lush green hills of Eastern Pennsylvania come alive with a colorful array of fairs, bringing visitors from across the region to the towns that dot the landscape. Brightly colored tents and booths line the fairgrounds and towering carnival rides loom in the distance. Amid the glow of their neon lights, Signal of Eastern Pennsylvania is a reassuring presence, giving thrill seekers a sense of peace of mind. 

The team’s story began in 2012 with the merger of two security companies, creating what would become Signal of Eastern Pennsylvania. The foundation to this partnership had been laid years earlier. Owner Bill Kotowski and Executive Director Paul Kennedy had collaborated on large-scale events going back decades, including the Great Allentown Fair, one of the largest and oldest fairs in Pennsylvania. The merger in 2012 transitioned the team from competitors to partners, Kennedy says, and they began to share a vision and see the potential that lay ahead. 

After gaining sole ownership in 2019, Kotowski began looking for next steps for the business. As a regional mom-and-pop security provider, they had been having challenges competing against larger big box companies and the team saw the business beginning to stagnate. That was when Kotowski began researching his options and found Signal.   

For Kennedy and Director of Human Resources, Rebecca Gonzalez, the prospect of being part of a franchise was something they had never considered. They say that they were a part of every conversation from that point on and, by the end of it, had no hesitation that becoming a Signal franchise was the right direction.  

In March of 2020 Kotowski and Kennedy flew to Omaha to learn more about the company. Kotowski says that, starting with airport pickup, every aspect of the visit to Signal’s Home Office showed the company’s culture, and any initial apprehensions disappeared quickly. 

“We landed in Omaha and called our contact,” he said. “They told us, ‘Okay, we’ll send Reed to pick you up.’ I thought that there must be multiple Reeds that work there, but we’re standing outside and up pulls this car and out jumps Reed Nyffeler. We’re like, what is going on, this is the CEO of the company? But that was what the culture was.” 

The team jumped head-first into the culture, technology and processes that come with running a franchise. Joining Signal in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, they had concerns about retaining both customers and employees. However, just the opposite happened. The team estimates that they saw an increase of 30% in their first year due to pandemic-era initiatives like mask enforcement. The franchise also had 100% employee and customer retention after the transition, an impressive feat for what can be a turbulent time. 

The heart of this success, Kennedy says, is communication and the team’s unwavering commitment to building relationships. The team leverages their local ownership with the power of a global brand to provide their clients with peace of mind every day. 

“We’re here and vetted in the community,” he said. “Even though we’re an international brand. That’s the key, we bring the power of the brand to the local market with our involvement. There are intricacies about each individual market that you know, someone sitting in Omaha is just not going to know. And some of our clients, we’ve been servicing them for 30 years. Their teams come and go, people come and go from their facilities, but we’re the constant.” 

Signal of Eastern Pennsylvania understands the intricacies of the local market, and their diverse portfolio of clients shows that. Their clients list differs from many other Signal Franchises, where patrols make up the core of the business. Here, Kennedy says, they are operating about 90% of their sites as dedicated contracts. They have a vast array of different client types, including food processing plants, warehouses, distribution facilities and, unique to their franchise, mining companies. Many of these clients have been working with Signal of Eastern Pennsylvania since before their transition, and the relationships have only grown stronger in the years since. 

“Our team members at night are digging or loading coal into furnaces and cleaning ashes out and maintaining boiler pressure,” he said. “Its definitely unique, but again, it’s built on relationships. I’m a fourth-generation coal miner and a federal mine safety instructor. There are guys that we’re working with now that were taught by my grandfather. It’s really great that we get to have those kind of relationships.” 

Another part of their incredibly diverse list of clients comes out every summer when the team operates as the security provider at dozens of fairs across their territory. These fairs, which sometimes run over multiple weeks, are a core part of Signal of Eastern Pennsylvania, and is something Kotowski, Kennedy and Gonzalez are passionate about. Kotowski is a stakeholder in the Great Allentown Fair and Kennedy is president of the Schuylkill County Fair.  

When you’re involved in large-scale events like fairs, it’s not just a job, it’s a lifetime of learning, relationships and career experience. The team operates in conjunction with different partners, including the State Police, City Police, Emergency Management Teams and even federal agencies. Running these fairs takes an incredible amount of time and effort, but the entire team loves it and gets involved, volunteering their time to help set up the spaces and give the best possible experience to everyone that walks through the gates. 

As committed as they are to their community, Kotowski, Kennedy and Gonzalez are even more committed to their team. Training is a cornerstone of their business and from day one, they emphasize the importance of continuous learning and relationship building. 

“It really starts with onboarding,” Gonzalez said. “We show people a pretty extensive onboarding presentation and talk about our history and the integral role they’re about to play in our current story. We want them to know that they’re going to help benefit the team and everyone works towards our goals. And you can see it on their face, they light up. Those are the people we look for; we want to build our team around people like that.” 

To those just joining Team Signal, Kotowski, Kennedy and Gonzalez have valuable advice. They emphasize the importance of fully immersing oneself in everything Signal has to offer, as their success is due in part to the tried-and-tested formula they aligned their business with back in 2020. As they move forward, the team at Signal of Eastern Pennsylvania is excited for what the next year has in store. With eyes set firmly on the future, this franchise is poised to achieve even more. 

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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