Exploring Life & Business with Derek Oldham of IPSA Security Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to Derek Oldham.

Hi Derek, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself. 
Who, as a little kid, dreams of owning a contract security company? After working for a large rental car company out of college, I found myself acting just like a small business owner. It was at that point I knew I would end up owning some sort of small business. It was finding the correct time to make the move. In 1999, I joined a large family-owned security company who was mainly on the West Coast. I cut my teeth on the security industry, learning the ways of this family-run business by treating employees and clients the right way. 

After a global company purchased this family-run organization, I saw how “corporate” companies treat the dollar first and the employee/client second. I was not happy with this type of organization, so my wife and I left and moved to Phoenix in 2003. In 2005, I joined a small California company that had opened their first office outside California, and I was chosen to run it. In the beginning, they had the same values as my first security company, where it was critical to put profits first and take care of the people around the branch organization. Unfortunately, after a few years, this security company starting to purchasing numerous companies around the country. Although I do not blame them for wanting to expand their company, I felt as they grew, employees and clients were not receiving the service they deserved. As they grew, the operational support did not grow at an equal pace. I couldn’t service my employees and clients they way they needed to be serviced. I came to the conclusion the new direction of the company didn’t fall in line with my own beliefs and goals, so I decided to go out on my own. 

IPSA’s culture has and will always put the employee and client first. After 13-plus years, our mission has always been to provide excellent service delivered to every customer and employee every day. If we do this, we will be a successful company. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The biggest challenge has been recruiting. Pre covid, we did not have issues with finding, retaining, and training the right people for our organization. Post-covid, we continue to struggle to find the correct employees to the point where we purposely did not grow our organization because of fears we could not service them properly. 

As you know, we’re big fans of IPSA Security Services. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
IPSA Security Services operates from a central downtown location in Phoenix, Arizona. The company was established in 2010 and, since inception, has grown organically into one of the more respected security services companies in the southwest. Founders Derek Oldham and Dan Wachtler, seeking to build a security company unique to the industry norm, placed the utmost importance to establish and operate upon the principle to deliver quality service to every customer, every employee, every day. 

With an earned reputation of treating our security officers with respect while providing them with industry-leading support, we have operated with an impeccable focus on customer service and a consistent client and officer interaction at the management level, allowing our company to excel and compete with the larger, national security guard firms to successfully establish a solid base of clientele. 

Through implementation of a strategic plan for steady growth and expansion, IPSA has been selective in developing our client partners. Seeking out clientele who share the desire for quality, performance, and partnership, Mr. Oldham has established IPSA as a uniquely positioned firm to offer local, personalized service with the flexibility and creativity of a small company while providing the efficiencies, expertise, and infrastructure found at larger, national companies. This operating model has allowed an efficient and steady managed growth over the past thirteen years. 

With emphasis on the professional growth, training, flexibility, well-being, and support of our officers, IPSA has developed a strong presence in the local market as a desired employer for security officers. Our history with officer retention is very high, which validates the dedicated focus on our security personnel. Concentrating on our customers and our officers, rather than simply focusing upon profits, our experience and success to date tells us our approach works. Our emphasis on our officers and their well-being, we have created a positive work environment that works for them. In doing so, our belief is that they will go above and beyond in performance to the satisfaction of our customers. 

Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Entrepreneur Organization (EO) has been an excellent organization for me. It has allowed me to work with other business owners to assist not only my business but helped me grow as a person and leader. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ipsasecurityservices.com
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ipsaguardservices/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derek-oldham-6734501b/

Image Credits
Derek Oldham
Terry Donnelly
Nathan McCutchen
Daniel Oldham
Meisha Dancy
Genna Goldberg
Danielle Smith