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Where Honesty, Integrity, and Relationships Drive Results: Inside Signal of South Louisiana

As a franchise owner, Joey Billiot doesn’t measure success by titles or territories alone. For him, it comes down to doing the right thing, building trust, and putting people first. That steady commitment is exactly why Signal of South Louisiana is being recognized as Franchise of the Month.

Overseeing teams in both South Louisiana and Little Rock, Arkansas, Joey leads with clarity, accountability, and a deep respect for the relationships that make the business work. His approach reflects the Signal Core Values in action, specifically Honesty & Integrity and Relationships, two areas where his leadership consistently stands out.

A Culture Built on Accountability

Ask Joey what he’s most proud of, and his answer is simple and telling.

“My team always works hard to do the right thing,” he says. “No one is perfect, but we own our actions.”

That philosophy of leading with honesty and integrity runs through every level of the organization. At Signal of South Louisiana, accountability isn’t about blame – it’s about responsibility. When something doesn’t go as planned, the team addresses it head-on, learns from it, and moves forward stronger, creating trust among clients and officers alike.

Joey also believes transparency is essential to growth. Open and honest communication is encouraged across the team, even when conversations are uncomfortable.

“We all know we’re direct with one another for the betterment of the team,” he explains. “If someone points out a flaw, it may sting in the moment, but correcting it makes us better.”

Turning Challenges into Momentum

Running multiple markets is complex, and Joey has seen firsthand how challenges can test even strong systems. When a gap was identified in the onboarding process, it highlighted the strength of collaboration between the teams in Louisiana and Arkansas.

“When we discovered the gap, both teams worked side by side to make things right as fast as possible,” Joey says.

That response reflects a broader pattern: challenges are treated as shared responsibilities, not setbacks. By leaning into collaboration and accountability, Joey and his teams ensure issues are resolved quickly.

Growth Fueled by Relationships and Process

If there’s one area where Joey’s leadership consistently shines, it’s relationships. His belief that strong relationships are the foundation of a successful business isn’t just talk – it’s been recognized across the network.

Joey is a two-time recipient of the Relationships Core Value Award, earning the honor at Convention in both 2024 and 2025.

That people-first mindset is evident in every part of the operation, from internal team dynamics to long-term client partnerships. It’s also a key reason Signal of South Louisiana continues to grow.

One standout example is the team’s success in securing a major contract exceeding $50,000 per month, the result of a rigorous two-month approval process grounded in preparation, professionalism, and relationship-building. Joey and his team invested time in understanding the client’s needs and building trust through consistent communication. Their disciplined approach paid off, reinforcing their reputation as a dependable, high-performing partner.

Underpinning that success is the team’s consistent use of Signal’s sales process, AFFIRM, ensuring customer expectations are not just met, but exceeded.

Extreme Ownership as a Leadership Principle

Joey has built a highly aligned operations, sales, and administrative team where everyone plays a role in shared outcomes. If there’s one phrase that defines Joey’s leadership style, it’s this: “We take extreme ownership in everything we do.”

That principle shows up in how his team maintains brand standards, delivers polished and professional service, and approaches every client interaction with care. It also shows up in Joey’s willingness to adapt, innovate, and pursue new growth opportunities when it benefits both clients and communities.

The Most Rewarding Part: Watching People Grow

For Joey, the most rewarding part of being an owner isn’t expansion or accolades – it’s defined by people.

“Watching people grow into new leadership roles and become who they’re meant to be,” he says, “that’s the most rewarding part of being an owner.”

That commitment to development is visible across his organization. Team members are encouraged to step up and learn new skills. As they grow, so does the business – creating a cycle of trust, opportunity, and shared success.

Joey’s belief that strong relationships are the foundation of any successful operation continues to guide his leadership. It’s a lesson shaped by experience and reinforced over time: when people feel valued and supported, they take ownership of their role and show up ready to deliver excellence.

Looking Ahead

As Signal of South Louisiana continues to grow, Joey remains grounded in the core values that have carried him this far. His leadership is a reminder that meaningful growth doesn’t come from cutting corners – it comes from doing the work, owning the outcome, and creating lasting relationships.

Congratulations to Joey Billiot and the entire Signal of South Louisiana team on being named Franchise of the Month. Your commitment to leading with purpose makes you a powerful example of what’s possible across the Signal network.

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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