Hile named CEO of IFSS

FORT MYERS, Fla.— Robert Hile, an industry veteran who most recently led the security division of Siemens Building Technology group, has been named CEO of Integrated Fire and Security Solutions, an independent integrator based here.

Hile told Security Systems News his goal is for IFSS “to be dominant in the Southeast. We want to quadruple the size of the company within three to five years and we're looking at all opportunities to get there.”

IFSS has a “nice program for organic growth,” but the company will also explore private equity investment to fund expansion opportunities, he said.

IFSS has 30 employees. In addition to its office here, it has offices in Miami, Jacksonville and Key West. The company has signed a lease on office space in Tampa, and has plans to eventually move its headquarters to the Tampa Bay area.

IFSS is owned by John Peterson. Justin Peterson, an engineer, is president of the company and in charge of operations.

In addition to his leadership role with Siemens, Hile has held executive positions with G4S, Convergint Technologies, GVI Security Solutions and TAC.

He met John Peterson during his GVI days, and has been familiar with IFSS's work. Hile said he likes the fact that IFSS has a variety of technical expertise and a focus on IP solutions.

The company is “very customer centric … [with] strong IT capabilities coupled with fire and security integration. We can offer a nice bundled package from the IT infrastructure up,” Hile said. “IFSS is unique in that aspect.”

The company specializes in verticals such as healthcare, airports, seaports, educational, municipal and also federal government entities.

IFSS has recently completed [IT, fire and security] projects for Key West Airport, Collier County School District and Monroe County schools.

Hile's first order of business at IFSS is to “focus on the sales and marketing strategy.” While the company has a healthy RMR stream, Hile is looking to add hosted and managed services offerings.

“That fact that we're IT-centric gives us a unique ability to add [those services] on quickly,” he said.

Also on Hile's to-do list is marketing the company's ability to do command-and-control/PSIM systems for critical infrastructure customers.

IFSS is already doing this kind of work. Hile is looking to hire more experts “who know how to market and sell these systems.”

“We have a really nice mix of technical experts, IT experts, sales and marketing, programmers and project managers. No one does just one thing. IFSS is a small, entrepreneurial well-run company and everyone gets the job done,” he said.

While he's enjoyed working for manufacturers and managing a large P&L like Siemens, Hile said he believes now is great time to be an independent integrator, especially one with the capabilities of IFSS.

He said he's looking forward to being able to “directly impact and take care of customers ... To sell, maintain relationships … pick up the phone, call the owner, have a quick meeting and make a decision.”