Blogs

From Adapting to Excelling: How Signal of Austin is Thriving in a Competitive Market

At Signal, we’re proud to celebrate the owners and teams who embody our values: showing passion in their purpose, living with honesty and integrity, building strong relationships, serving their communities, and learning every day. This month, we’re shining the spotlight on Signal of Austin, led by owners Malerie Weber and Derek Towne. Their story reflects not only resilience in a highly competitive market, but also the deep commitment they and their team bring to clients, communities, and each other. 

A Team That Treats Every Site as Their Own 

For Malerie and Derek, pride in their business starts with pride in their people. The Signal of Austin team approaches every client site with the mindset of ownership—treating each property as if it were their own. That kind of care doesn’t come from training alone; it comes from hiring individuals with integrity, accountability, and a strong work ethic. 

“Whether it’s a new site or a long-term client, our officers show up with dedication and pride in what they do,” Malerie shares. 

That approach has fostered deep trust with clients across Austin while also strengthening the team’s sense of responsibility and professionalism. 

Growing Through Change 

Growth rarely comes without challenges, and for Signal of Austin, one of the biggest has been adapting to change. As their client base expanded, officers had to learn new sites, cover new routes, and adjust quickly to evolving needs—and the team rose to the occasion.  

“Our team has stepped up in a big way,” Derek explains. “They’ve embraced new responsibilities, supported one another, and learned to collaborate more closely. That shift has not only helped us overcome challenges, but also made our team stronger.” 

This willingness to adapt shows a culture of learning in action. By approaching new situations with open minds, the team has grown its skills and built the resilience needed to thrive in a fast-changing industry. 

Striving for Excellence in a Competitive Market 

Austin is home to more than 50 private security companies, creating a highly competitive environment. For Malerie and Derek, standing out requires more than reliability—it means setting a higher standard for every interaction. 

“Our team understands that being average isn’t enough,” Malerie says. “That mindset drives us to provide top-tier service, every single day.” 

That relentless pursuit of quality has become a hallmark of Signal of Austin and a key reason why they’ve grown in such a challenging environment. It’s not just about filling a role; it’s about building a reputation for consistency that clients can count on in any situation. 

A Guiding Principle: Doing What’s Right 

A quote that inspires both Malerie and Derek is from Henry Ford: 
“Quality means doing it right when no one is looking.” 

This principle defines how they run their business. For the Signal of Austin team, it’s not just about showing up—it’s about the quality of how they show up. From professionalism in high-pressure moments to the small details of everyday site management, they are committed to delivering service that reflects integrity and pride, whether or not it’s being noticed. 

On the Front Lines of Safety 

Private security is often one of the first calls clients make when something goes wrong—sometimes even before law enforcement. In Austin, where the police force is stretched thin, the Signal team frequently steps in during urgent and high-pressure situations. 

“Our officers regularly encounter individuals dealing with drug use, mental health struggles, or aggressive behavior,” Derek explains. “It takes strength, training, and courage to respond to those situations professionally—and it’s something our team does every single day.” 

These moments reveal the true depth of their work. It’s not always obvious from the outside, but the role they play in keeping clients and communities safe is both essential and impactful. 

The Reward of Relationships and a Team to Celebrate 

For Malerie and Derek, ownership is about more than contracts and client growth—it’s about people. 

“Building strong, trusting relationships with our clients is incredibly rewarding. Knowing they can rely on us gives real purpose to what we do,” they said. 

Equally meaningful has been watching their officers grow through the OBX ladder. From entry-level hires to leadership positions, seeing their team members succeed is one of the most fulfilling parts of franchise ownership. 

That’s why being recognized is not just an honor for the owners—it’s a celebration of the entire Signal of Austin team.  

“We’re truly honored to be recognized,” Malerie shared. “Our team works hard, often in tough conditions, and this acknowledgment is something we’re proud to share with every one of them. It’s a moment of celebration for all of us.” 

This recognition underscores the relationships they’ve built—with clients, within their team, and across the community. It also reflects the dedication they see every day, from officers stepping up in difficult moments to those advancing and building careers with Signal. Their success story is proof of what’s possible when strong leadership meets a dedicated team and a shared commitment to doing the right thing. 

Looking Ahead 

As Signal of Austin continues to grow, Malerie and Derek remain focused on the same principles that have carried them this far: integrity, excellence, and care for both their clients and their team. Their story is a reminder that the heart of Signal lies in the local communities we serve and the owners who lead with purpose. 

We celebrate their recognition not only as a Franchise of the Month but also as an example of what makes Signal strong: people who care deeply, work tirelessly, and lead with integrity. 

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.

 

More Articles