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From Humble Beginnings to Community Pillars: How a Commitment to Service Built a Legacy

At Signal, we recognize owners who lead with vision, uphold our core values, and create meaningful impact in their communities. These leaders don’t just run strong businesses—they build cultures of service, trust, and excellence. We’re proud to celebrate Joe and Holly Marshall, owners of Signal of Ohio, whose journey is rooted in compassion, resilience, and an unwavering belief that everyone deserves to feel safe. 

A Mission That Started with Heart 

Joe and Holly launched their franchise in 2014 with a clear mission: deliver security services as a fundamental human right. From day one, they prioritized people over profit, focusing on communities that needed protection the most—often those who could afford it the least. 

“Our first clients were in working-class apartment communities,” Joe says. “Single moms working multiple jobs. Retirees on fixed incomes. Women rebuilding their lives after unsafe relationships. These were our people, and it was our responsibility to help them feel secure in their homes.” 

That sense of mission still defines their approach today. From training officers to engage with empathy to building a culture of visibility and trust, the Marshalls have always treated security as more than a job—it’s a form of advocacy and allyship. 

Staying True in the Face of Growth   

Over the years, Signal of Ohio has expanded to serve a broad mix of clients—from commercial accounts to large-scale events. But growth hasn’t come without its challenges. 

“The hardest part is staying true to your original vision,” Joe shares. “The day-to-day can be a grind. When you’re running a 24/7/365 business, it’s easy to get consumed by the fires in front of you and lose sight of the bigger picture.” 

In the early days, there was no such thing as balance. Joe and Holly put everything into the business, often at the cost of their personal time. But they made a pivotal decision early on: grow to create sustainability. They invested in leadership, trusted their team, and slowly began building infrastructure that could support their mission at scale. 

That choice helped them not just survive—but thrive. 

Building a Culture of Excellence  

Signal of Ohio has earned a reputation as both a reliable security provider and a sought-after employer. Their team operates with a mindset of excellence—one that comes from the top down. 

“We’ve always wanted to be the best provider in our market,” Joe says. “But just as important, we want to be known as the best employer for security officers in our region.” 

That commitment shows in the retention of their core leadership team and the loyalty of their officers. By fostering a workplace where team members feel supported and respected, Joe and Holly have built something rare—stability in an industry often defined by high turnover. 

Leading with Quiet Service   

Joe credits much of his perspective on leadership and business to his upbringing. Raised by his grandparents, he recalls the sayings and philosophies passed down from his grandfather, a Methodist minister. 

“Two things he always said stuck with me: don’t take money advice from broke people, and spend less than you make,” Joe laughs. “Simple stuff, but it’ll keep your business—and your life—on track.” 

That humility extends into how they serve. Joe and Holly have quietly contributed to charitable efforts for years—without ever seeking attention. From Hurricane Helene relief to ongoing local support, they’ve stepped in time and again because it’s the right thing to do. 

That’s why Joe was so surprised to receive the Serving Core Award at Signal’s Convention. “I didn’t even know the Home Office was aware of the things we were doing,” he says. “We weren’t doing it for recognition. We were doing it for the people.” 

Giving Back Through Passion 

This August, Joe will combine his love for aviation with his passion for service by providing security at the Props & Pistons Festival in Akron. With over 500 planes and more than 25,000 attendees expected, the festival raises funds to support aviation scholarships for underprivileged youth. 

“We’re offering our services at cost because we believe in the mission,” Joe says. “It’s something I care about deeply, and I’m proud our team gets to be a part of it.” 

Stronger Together  

For Joe, one of the most meaningful parts of being a Signal franchise owner is the community that comes with it. 

“Franchise ownership is a unique kind of stress. No one else really gets it unless they’ve lived it,” he explains. “But within this network, I’ve built real friendships—people I can call and talk through problems with. We’re all in the foxhole together.” 

That camaraderie—paired with the backing of a global brand—gives Joe and Holly the confidence to keep growing while staying true to their values. 

A Legacy Built on Service 

Joe and Holly Marshall’s journey proves that business success doesn’t require cutting corners or chasing only high-dollar clients. It requires heart, consistency, and the courage to lead with purpose. 

As we recognize Signal of Ohio, we celebrate not just what they’ve built—but how they’ve built it: with compassion, with integrity, and with a deep belief that security is something everyone deserves. 

Congratulations, Joe and Holly. Your leadership and example continue to make the Signal network stronger. We’re proud to have you as part of the Signal network. 

Looking to Build Something That Matters? 

If you’re inspired by Joe and Holly’s story and ready to take control of your future, Signal might be the opportunity you’ve been looking for. 

Whether you come from a background in security, military, law enforcement—or just have a passion for protecting and serving others—we’ll help you turn that drive into a thriving business. 

Learn more about franchise ownership with Signal and how you can bring peace of mind to your community.

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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