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Franchise of the Month: Inspiring Entrepreneurs – Making an Impact in Seattle’s Business Community

Nestled amidst captivating cityscapes and verdant landscapes, Seattle beckons with its unique blend of urban energy and natural beauty. With its picturesque mountains, tranquil waters and bustling ferry system, the area calls for leaders to respond to the essence of their local community. 

By immersing himself in the local flair, Brad Masterson has gained a deep understanding of the community’s distinct needs and challenges. This intimate knowledge allows him to develop tailor-made security solutions that resonate with his franchise’s clients, fostering a sense of trust and loyalty.

Brad Masterson’s transition from being a pilot and aviation business owner to becoming a Signal franchise owner has been nothing short of transformative. Since his journey began, Brad has witnessed astounding growth far surpassing initial projections. “We grew a thousand percent in the first year. My projected revenue was $150,000 for the first 12 months, and we did $150,000 in the first two or three months,” said Masterson, reflecting on the early months.

“I had to spend a lot of time, maybe, where I wasn’t getting as much sleep as I would like. You know, sleeping with one ear open, ready to deal with things,” said Masterson, highlighting his dedication to providing unparalleled service and client satisfaction. 

Direct communication with his clients is at the core of Brad’s approach, prioritizing their needs and concerns above all else. “Understanding that things aren’t always gonna go as we plan on them going, but communicating with the client, working with them as issues come up,” says Masterson, emphasizing the importance of maintaining strong client relationships. 

“I assured people that I could provide them a better product than what they were receiving from other security companies.”

This commitment to excellence has earned Brad’s franchise a reputation for reliability and trustworthiness, with clients, both large and small, placing their confidence in his expertise and relying on him to deliver exceptional security services.

Brad Masterson’s unrelenting dedication has paved the way for fruitful partnerships with prominent clients. Securing significant contracts, such as the one with Nucor Steel has elevated his franchise a reputation as a trusted security solution provider. Additionally, Brad’s strong relationships with retail giant Walmart have opened doors to new opportunities, solidifying his position as a go-to resource for their security needs.

Thriving in a geographically large and challenging market with a substantial population of 3.6 million has required Brad Masterson to adapt and evolve rapidly. 

“Probably our biggest challenge right now is we have the Puget Sound which is a giant body of water that runs right through the middle of my territory, and we have one of the largest ferry systems in the world… so we have clients that are 2 and half hours from our office.” 

Recognizing the need for efficiency and streamlined operations, he strategically expanded by establishing satellite offices for his franchise. He has also focused on growing his team by hiring administrative staff and staying on top of hiring needs.

When it comes to growth Brad is confident, advising, “staying ahead of that hiring curve; the no-no words my employees can’t tell me is that we’re overstaffed.” 

This agile approach to embracing change and adjusting plans has been instrumental in his ongoing success, enabling him to navigate the dynamic landscape of the security industry.

Brad Masterson’s journey from launch in October 2021 to a top performer and Signal’s Franchise of the Month is a testament to the power of passion, relationships and adaptability. By embracing the essence of his local community, prioritizing client satisfaction and navigating rapid growth, Brad has shattered all preconceived limitations. His story serves as an inspiration to aspiring franchisees and entrepreneurs, demonstrating that success is attainable when combining unwavering commitment with a genuine desire to make a positive impact.

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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