Securadyne’s Austin branch came together to celebrate being the company’s overall largest contributor to Operation Gratitude. PHOTO COURTESY OF SECURADYNE.

In the two and a half years I’ve spent covering the security industry, I discovered a long-established culture of solidarity and charitable giving. This commitment is strong in the top companies of the SDM 100 and Top Systems Integrators and local dealers and integrators alike. This seems to be true of companies operating since the early days of security as well as the industry’s newest enterprises.

Securadyne Systems is be a new integrator company; it was founded in February 2012. But its founders, security industry veterans Carey Boethel and Ken Francis, brought this legacy of community outreach with them. The company just completed a month long company-wide charitable campaign for Operation Gratitude.

Operation Gratitude annually sends more than 100,000 care packages addressed to individually-named U.S. Service members deployed in harm's way, to their children left behind, as well as military veterans, wounded warriors and first responders.  Operation Gratitude’s mission is to lift morale, bring a smile to a service member's face and express to our Military as well as their families the appreciation and support of the American people.

“When we first heard about Operation Gratitude, we soon realized this cause hit very close to home with our employees, partners, and members of our community.  I can’t say how proud we are to have been able to contribute to such a fine organization and I cannot think of a more worthy cause than supporting our Military,” said Ken Francis, COO of Securadyne Systems. “I encourage any business, organization, or individual to support Operation Gratitude and their commitment to helping our Armed Services and their families.”

Each Securadyne Systems branch—five total across Texas and Oklahoma—vied to be the top contributor in the company-wide effort.  Securadyne’s Austin Branch, under the leadership of Robert Drozd and with significant contribution from Roy Stewart, emerged as the overall winner.  In the end, more than 2,200 items were donated.