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Signal of Northwest Tennessee: Leading with Legacy

For Jonas Palmer, owning a Signal franchise is more than a business venture—it’s a mission to build a legacy rooted in integrity, empathy, and long-term impact. As the owner of Signal of Northwest Tennessee, Jonas brings a calm, thoughtful presence to leadership. Since launching Signal of Northwest Tennessee in August of 2023, his strategic approach and values-driven leadership have quickly earned him the title of Franchise of the Month for January.

From launching multiple markets in less than 1 year to swiftly reaching performance targets, Jonas has proven that consistency, adaptability, and relationship-building are key to long-term success.

Background and Path to Signal

Before opening his Signal franchise, Jonas built a career grounded in service and leadership. His professional experience spans over 20 years at the Federal Bureau of Prisons to serving in the Marine Corps. Through it all, Jonas remained focused on building teams, solving problems, and creating meaningful impact.

That mindset made the transition to franchise ownership a natural fit.

“I’ve always been drawn to leadership roles where I could help others grow,” Jonas shared. “Signal gave me the structure and purpose I was looking for—along with the opportunity to build something lasting.”

Building a Business with Heart

Jonas is passionate about more than just growth—he’s focused on building a lasting, values-driven organization. While immediate profit is not his primary motivation, he’s committed to laying the groundwork for long-term wealth, a positive culture, and operational excellence. Notably, since his launch in August 2023, Jonas has met an impressive 10 out of 12 key performance indicators, underscoring his focus on sustainable success.

“I want to build something meaningful,” Jonas says. “I find real fulfillment in training others, seeing them grow, and knowing I’m making a difference.”

A Family Affair in the Making

Jonas’ dedication to legacy extends to his family. He’s currently preparing to bring his wife Leslie more fully into the business. Though she’s already a member of the LLC and offers behind-the-scenes support, the couple plans for her to join full-time once key financial milestones are met.

This next chapter will further solidify the business’s foundation—as a family-run operation dedicated to serving its community.

Culture First: Empathy, Accountability, and Growth

Jonas’s leadership style stands out for its empathy and steadiness—qualities that don’t always show up in fast-paced industries like security. Whether helping a colleague through a challenging transition or responding to operational issues with calm efficiency, he models the emotional intelligence that builds loyalty.

“You can’t assume people are where you are,” he shared. “But you can meet them with understanding and help them get there.”

Jonas sets high expectations by monitoring spending carefully, keeping a tight grip on fuel card usage, and ensuring that every team member is accountable for their role. He firmly believes that KPIs and culture go hand in hand in driving long-term success.

Looking Ahead: Growth Rooted in Relationships

Jonas sees client relationships as long-term investments. Even when a lead doesn’t result in an immediate contract, he stays engaged, confident that the value of those connections will unfold over time.

With growth already evident from his expertise in managing strategic partner contracts and his strong sense of purpose guiding his strategy, Jonas is poised for an impactful year ahead.

As he reflects on his journey, Jonas offers a simple but powerful mindset that fuels his leadership: “If you can grow from something and learn from it and be in a better place when you land, then that’s a good thing.”

Inspired by Jonas’ Story?

At Signal, franchise owners like Jonas are making a real impact in their communities while building profitable, scalable businesses. If you’re an entrepreneur looking for a mission-driven franchise opportunity, Signal could be the right fit for you.

Interested in learning more? Click here to explore franchise opportunities with Signal today.

Passion Award: Stephen Hayes
Signal of El Paso, TX & Signal of Greater Albuquerque, NM  


At Signal, we drive with passion in everything we do because passion connects people to purpose. 

Stephen Hayes exemplifies this every day. A positive and giving leader, Stephen is a role model to others in the network. He stays closely connected to the Home Office, ensuring he is personally executing operational details with excellence and accuracy. 

Beyond his own market, Stephen is always willing to lend advice and support anyone in the network who needs it, while maintaining strong results in his markets. His dedication, energy, and consistent positive attitude make him a powerful example of what it means to lead with passion. 

Honesty & Integrity Award: Jonas Palmer
Signal of Northwest Tennessee & Signal of Jackson, MS 

We live in honesty and integrity because without it, our company and our brand are hollow. 

Jonas Palmer has taken on some of our most challenging markets and turned them around in a remarkably short time. He leads from the front, never asking his team to do anything he isn’t willing to do himself. 

When feedback comes from the Home Office, whether operational or financial, Jonas responds with transparency and immediate follow-through. His professionalism, accountability, and respect in every interaction set a high standard for reliability and trust. 

Relationships Award: Mike Kosmet
Signal of Michigan 

We build relationships because healthy success can only be created with mutual respect for others. 

Mike Kosmet has demonstrated consistent success for more than a decade. He understands that collaboration fuels progress, as shown in his partnership with our Milwaukee office, which helped drive a significant market turnaround. 

Personable, responsive, and easy to work with, Mike prioritizes communication and follow-through. His ability to engage his team and work alongside peers has contributed to doubling the size of his business this year. He proves that strong relationships are a competitive advantage. 

Serving Award: Shane Wimer
Signal of Nebraska 

We serve our communities without hesitation because serving is the active ingredient in service. 

Shane Wimer led the development of Code Enforcement as a new service offering, generously sharing his entire process with the Home Office and fellow franchisees. His collaboration helped create sales and training materials that are driving growth across the network. 

He knows his officers by name and genuinely cares about their success, which is reflected in his team’s outstanding retention rates. Shane’s ability to balance strong financial performance with a people-first mindset makes his franchise a model for serving both community and team. 

Learning Award: Dan Liotta
Signal of Central and Northern Virginia  

We learn something every day by holding an open-minded approach to everything we do. 

Since joining Signal in 2023, Dan Liotta has made a significant impact. As a strategic and thoughtful leader, he delivers strong results and exceptional customer service by staying focused on sustainable growth. 

Dan is constantly seeking ways to improve his operations and bring more value to his market. His visionary mindset and commitment to continuous improvement remind us that growth begins with a willingness to learn.

Core Champion Award: Haris Johnson
Signal of Washington, D.C. 

While each award represents a specific value, the Core Champion brings them all together. 

Haris Johnson represents the full Signal mission in every aspect of his business. He makes a lasting impression in every interaction, from how he supports his officers to the passion he brings to serving clients. 

He is always exploring new ideas to improve his franchise and shows genuine appreciation for others across the network. His commitment to his team, his clients, and the future of Signal makes him a true Core Champion. 

Congratulations! 

These winners represent what makes Signal different. Our Core Values – Passion, Honesty & Integrity, Relationships, Serving, and Learning – are the foundation of how we operate and how we grow.  

To our 2025 Core Award winners: thank you for leading by example and for showing what it truly means to live the Signal mission.

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