Employee Spotlight

• From Retail to Security: Answering the Call to Serve

  After 13 years in retail, Brandon Havens-Wright had built a successful career, progressing from Stock Person to Shift Lead and eventually Assistant Store Manager.
  
  When the COVID-19 pandemic hit and changed the world, Brandon focused on helping keep employees safe by ordering protective equipment and ensuring associates and pharmacy staff had the resources they needed. As he witnessed the challenges people faced during that time, he began to feel called to serve others in a different capacity.
  
  "People needed help and protection during that crisis, and I felt I could help people in a stronger way."
  
  That desire to serve others ultimately led him to Allied Universal.
  
  The company's motto, "There For You," resonated with him and reinforced his decision to pursue a new path during a time of uncertainty.

• Finding Purpose in a New Career

  Leaving a company after 13 years wasn't an easy decision, but it was one he made with confidence and encouragement from those around him.
  
  Still, starting over in a completely different industry during a global pandemic came with challenges.
  
  "It was very scary," he recalls. "Not only was there a pandemic happening, but I was also learning an entirely new profession."
  
  What helped make the transition easier was the support he found from the people around him. The tenants at his first location in Schenectady, New York, the site's staff, his supervisors, and his Account Manager helped him feel welcomed and supported from the beginning.
  
  "The people around me were caring and helpful," he says. "It made me proud to come to work every day and perform my duties as a security professional."

  • For him, those moments are reminders that the relationships built through everyday interactions can leave a lasting impression.

  • Learning that Security is About People

    Early in his Allied Universal career, Brandon was assigned to a location where delivering excellent customer service was a priority. Wanting to learn as much as possible, he sought guidance from experienced leaders, including Supervisor Gregory H. and longtime employee Mario P. Their advice would help shape his approach to security for years to come.
    
    One lesson stood out above all others:
    
    "The customer always comes first."
    
    Their mentorship helped him realize that while safety is always the priority, security is ultimately about people. As one of the first faces customers, residents, employees, and visitors encounter, security professionals have a unique opportunity to build trust, solve problems, and make a positive impact every day.
    
    That customer-first mindset became the foundation of his career.

• Making an Impact Across Many Locations

  Over the past six years, Brandon has worked in a variety of environments, including clinics, corporate locations, and concierge assignments. Along the way, he has built a reputation for being someone others can count on.
  
  "I really love working for Allied Universal because I love assisting customers, clients, and coworkers with anything they need. It's a nice feeling to help those in need and work for leaders who support your growth."
  
  Some of his proudest moments have come after moving on from an assignment.
  
  "There have been times when I've transferred to another location and learned that tenants were still asking about me," he says. "Knowing that I made that kind of impact on people after I was gone always makes me smile."
  
  For him, those moments are reminders that the relationships built through everyday interactions can leave a lasting impression.

• Looking Ahead

  The experiences and relationships Brandon has built over the past six years have reinforced his desire to continue growing within Allied Universal.
  
  Now, his long-term goal is to move into a leadership role where he can support sites, develop security professionals, and provide guidance to others just as mentors did when he was getting started.
  
  "I'd love to become an Account Manager or a Field Supervisor," he says. "I want to help other security professionals succeed, support sites when they need assistance, and continue providing great customer service while maintaining strong relationships with customers."
  
  Looking back, Brandon sees his move from retail to security as more than a career change. It was an opportunity to build meaningful relationships, make a lasting impact on the people he serves, and discover a new sense of purpose.
  
  Today, that same commitment continues to guide him as he supports customers, assists fellow employees, and works toward becoming the kind of leader who can make a difference across multiple sites and teams.