40 under 40: Omar Taveras, CEO, Brodserv

YARMOUTH, Maine—Omar Taveras, 40, is the CEO of Brodserv, a nationwide installation and services provider that connects companies with installers and streamlines searching, scheduling, payments, and more, based out of Lehi, Utah. 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. 

TAVERAS: I started Brodserv in 2018 and it was designed to be where the industry can go to help fill the gaps in their needs. In leveraging technology, we were able to create a place where businesses can hire qualified installers on the spot without the back and forth that the process typically requires. This way end users can always get taken care of regardless of the company’s subscriber base size in a market, sudden spikes in sales, or staffing issues like turnover or layoffs. It's a way to enable win-win scenarios for both companies and installers. Over the past five years we have been able to grow the platform into over thirty markets and support companies and integrators across the country.

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

TAVERAS: I have always enjoyed being a team player, believing that we can accomplish more together than we can on our own. I learned this during my time in the Army where teamwork was key to success. It was essential in the decade I spent at what would eventually become the powerhouse known as Vivint, when during the early crazy growth years, we had to work together to adapt, innovate and eventually thrive. At Fluent Home, with the deck stacked against us, doing business across two countries, and seen as the underdog, we rallied together to build something great. After over two decades in the security industry, I have learned that working together is not only possible, but vital to helping weather the ups and downs in our space.

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

TAVERAS: It is a huge honor to be named one of Security Systems News 40 under 40. I have followed the past winners over the years and to join that caliber of talent is an amazing privilege. The winners of this recognition have been leaders in our industry and helped propel the industry forward. I am extremely grateful to be a part of that.

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

TAVERAS: I think what appeals to me the most about this industry is the opportunity. We get to play in many areas across different sectors and take a role in making people and businesses safer, more efficient, and also more fun. For example, in smart home where we get to “geek out” integrating all sorts of cool and new consumer products into people’s homes. Video is huge and seeing your clients (residential and commercial) get excited to view their newly installed cameras and all the features associated with it is like seeing a kid on Christmas. Also new sectors like Solar have started to become a major part of the space, representing an opportunity for security, video, and automation to get into more homes while also helping play a key role in their sales cycle. It's a win-win for everyone.

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

TAVERAS: Engaging, hiring, and the retention of new talent, especially young talent, has always been one of the biggest challenges we have as an industry. I feel that the restrictions and challenges we faced during COVID simply exacerbated the issue even more. The current workforce mindset and work ethic is forcing us to re-evaluate how we operate. We cannot sacrifice the high employment standards we require to be in this space, but the security industry also needs to recognize the current reality, which is that the traditional employee is going to be very hard to come by.

Instead, we need to get ahead of the problem and take advantage of the new reality. Today’s workforce wants flexibility and freedom above all else, something that the “gig” economy has been able to give them. I believe that by adapting to this, and providing jobs that work around their schedules, we can overcome the challenge. Some of what we do does not need to happen in the traditional 9-5, Monday through Friday schedule. And if it does, we can figure out ways to still fill those needs. The more talent we can attract into our space the better off the industry will be overall.