SIA New Member Profile: American Direct

American Direct, Lenexa, Kansas, has been providing architectural doors, frames, and hardware for commercial new construction, renovation, and remodel for more than 25 years. Recently, American Direct acquired AccessNsite access control solutions, combining its door expertise with integrated safety and security solutions. The Security Industry Association (SIA) is proud to welcome American Direct as a new member, and SIA caught up with President and CEO Byron Whetstone to learn more about the company.

Visit American Direct’s website at https://www.americandirectco.com​.

1. How did your company get its start? How did it get involved in the security industry?

We were a spare-bedroom start-up in 1991, and in early 1992 we got into business with the support of the Small Business Administration. The industry we started in was the “physical” security of doors and mechanical locking hardware. We joined the electronic security business by adding a commercial integration group in 2012. Then in 2016, we acquired the OEM software offering from AccessNsite.

2. Who are the prominent executives at your company? If someone wanted to meet a key person at an industry networking event, who would that be?

Any of these folks would be a good intro into our business:

Byron Whetstone, President and CEO; Jerry Glynn, CIO and Software Development Leader; Tony Saverino, CFO; Adam Kincaid, Vice President of Senior Operations; and Brian Ashley, Vice President of Enterprise Systems.

3. What’s your company’s biggest challenge right now?

The migration to a “totally integrated safety and security” channel, as we call it, is a fast-emerging solution for the current obstacles in the space. We need to be better with our messaging about one company providing a total-services offering.

4. What trends does your company foresee for the security industry in the next year?

Cyber will continue as the buzzword, but the real trends seem to be moving away from old technology and advancing through driver integration.

5. What does your organization receive from membership in SIA? How do you plan to be active in the association in the near future?

We benefit from industry education and awareness. We attended Securing New Ground in New York City again this year.

6. Will your company participate in an upcoming event with SIA such as ISC West, New Product Showcase or Government Summit? If so, what aspect of the event appeals most to your company?

We will exhibit again this year at ISC West. This event allows for the premier security companies to showcase their innovations.

The views and opinions expressed in guest posts and/or profiles are those of the authors or sources and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Security Industry Association (SIA).