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From Growth to Greatness: How Signal of Montgomery, AL is Building Trust Through Teamwork

Signal’s strength lies in the dedication of its local franchise owners and the teams who serve their communities with integrity, consistency, and care. This month, we’re proud to highlight Jeff Mattox and the Signal of Montgomery, AL team, whose leadership, adaptability, and commitment to relationships have driven remarkable growth in recent months. 

For Jeff, success isn’t just about contracts and revenue – it’s about people. Whether it’s his officers, his clients, or his community, his focus on building trust and fostering communication has shaped a franchise that continues to rise to new challenges with confidence. 

A Team That Thrives on Communication 

When Jeff reflects on what makes him proudest, his answer is simple: his people. “I am proud of my team for working as a cohesive team and communicating with our clients during our recent client increase,” he says. 

That word – cohesive – carries a lot of weight. Growth on the scale Jeff’s franchise has experienced requires more than just manpower; it requires alignment. Officers must share information, adapt quickly to new environments, and maintain client trust in the process. For Signal of Montgomery, AL, this has become second nature, thanks to a culture that prioritizes open communication and teamwork. 

Meeting the Challenge of Rapid Growth 

The Montgomery, AL franchise recently faced one of its biggest challenges yet: scaling up to support five new strategic partner sites. This expansion, which more than doubled revenue, wasn’t just about filling shifts, it meant staffing multiple environments with several different kinds of services. 

“Our team accepted the challenge and quickly got our sites in the upper 90 percent (many at 100%) in short order,” Jeff explains. “Most importantly, they built a great relationship with clients and teams through communication, feedback, and quick follow-up on any issues identified.” 

That ability to perform under pressure and build strong client relationships at the same time is what Jeff considers the hallmark of his team. “My team members are real heroes and make me proud of their commitment to overcome any challenge we may face,” he says. 

A Culture of Learning and Collaboration 

Behind the scenes, the Montgomery team has cultivated habits that help them consistently show up at their best. 

“Having team members who foster a culture of continuous learning and effective communication” is key, Jeff says. Regular, open team meetings create space to share ideas, provide feedback, and address concerns. These touchpoints don’t just strengthen collaboration – they also encourage individual growth and ensure everyone stays aligned on client expectations. 

This intentional focus on learning and communication has created a culture where officers know their voices matter and where ideas turn into actions. It’s a foundation that not only supports day-to-day operations but also positions the franchise for sustainable long-term growth. 

A Mindset for Meaningful Work 

When asked about the mindset that shapes his approach to work, Jeff doesn’t hesitate:
“Challenges are what make life interesting, and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” 

This guiding principle is more than a motivational phrase – it’s a reflection of how Jeff leads his business. Each obstacle is an opportunity to learn, grow, and prove his team’s resilience. From scaling up for major clients to maintaining consistent quality across multiple locations, this mindset has helped the Montgomery, AL franchise navigate change with purpose and determination. 

Consistency That Builds Trust 

Consistency across client locations has become a hallmark of the Montgomery franchise. 

“Our team works tirelessly to maintain a consistent brand presence across all client locations. By responding to feedback, they build trust and improve the business’s reputation, which is crucial for customer acquisition and retention,” he explains. 

This consistency is no small feat when serving multiple locations and clients. It requires constant feedback loops, a commitment to high standards, and a willingness to act quickly when issues arise. But for Jeff, the payoff is worth it: client trust and long-term partnerships. 

The Reward of Growth and Peace of Mind 

For Jeff, true success is measured in the growth of his team and the trust in his clients.  

“Watching my team members grow, and seeing how they, in turn, help us get better every day and provide peace of mind for our customers – is my favorite part of being a franchise owner,” he says. 

This reflects the heart of Signal’s mission. It’s what clients rely on and what Jeff’s team works tirelessly to deliver. Seeing his officers grow into stronger leaders, build client relationships, and deliver on that promise is the most rewarding part of his journey so far. 

Looking Ahead 

As Signal of Montgomery continues to grow, Jeff remains committed to the same principles that carried his team through rapid expansion: open communication, continuous learning, and a dedication to building trust with clients. 

His story is a reminder that growth isn’t just measured in revenue, but in relationships, resilience, and the Peace of Mind delivered to every client, every day. 

 

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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