40 under 40: Ben Purcell, director of operations, Silent Guard

YARMOUTH, Maine—Ben Purcell, 30, is the director of operations at Silent Guard, a security and investigations company that specializes in designing, installing, servicing, and monitoring residential security systems in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana, based out of Somerset, Ky. Find out what inspired him to pursue a career in the security industry, what being a "40 under 40" winner means to him, what appeals to him about the security industry, and more. 

SSN: Describe your roles, duties, and tenure at your current job. 

PURCELL: I began my career at Silent Guard in 2018 as a sales & system design specialist. Being totally green to the security industry at the time, I quickly realized the industry had me hooked. After three years of designing & selling systems, when the opportunity presented itself to be more involved on the operations side, I felt I was ready to take on the challenge. In my current role, I am working closely with our installation, service, and sales teams ensuring they have the tools they need to be successful and supporting them to the best of my ability. I also work closely with our product and technology partners, trying to ensure Silent Guard is always at the forefront of our ever-changing industry.

SSN: What inspired you to pursue a career in the security industry?

PURCELL: I actually approached the owners of Silent Guard, Dwight and Barbara Sears, asking them if they knew of anyone in the area that may be hiring, as I was looking to make a career change. I had no intentions of working at Silent Guard when I approached them. I have known the Sears family my entire life, so when Dwight called me to come to their office, I didn't think anything of it. Next thing I knew, they were offering me a spot on the Silent Guard team. Through prayer and careful consideration, I decided to take them up on the offer. Both parties took a leap of faith, and I can confidently say it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. The security industry has taken me in and molded me into the person I am today, and for that I'll forever be grateful, and I look forward to what's to come.

SSN: What does being named a winner of SSN's 40 under 40 mean to you?

PURCELL: Being considered and named a winner of the SSN's 40 under 40, from a business and professional standpoint, is the thing I'm most proud of to date. Silent Guard has now produced three 40 under 40 winners, which I believe speaks volumes to the Sears family and what they have been able to build and grow here in Kentucky. I'm just grateful to be a part of it and help with our continued success and growth.

SSN: As a young leader, what appeals to you about the security industry?

PURCELL: The constant, often mind-blowing advancements in technology is what appeals to me most about this business. The security industry is always changing, progressing, and finding more efficient ways to keep people, properties, and assets safe. It's sometimes difficult to implement change, but we have a duty to the people we serve to offer them the most up-to-date technology and services we can. To be a successful young leader in the security industry, we have to be constantly improving and learning, which makes coming to work every day exciting and fulfilling.

SSN: With the hiring, recruitment and retention challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, how can the security industry engage young talent?

PURCELL: Silent Guard has had great success working with our local technical school and offering internships to students that are interested in learning more about the security industry. This gives the students the opportunity to see if our industry is something they want to pursue a career in, while also helping Silent Guard manage our installation and service load.