ADS tour, an ESX highlight

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--A tour of ADS Security’s facility as part of the ESX show here on June 26 was slated to accommodate 60 guests, but at the end of the day, ADS opened its doors to 84 eager visitors who took the short bus ride from downtown Nashville to ADS’s facility. Guests were given a welcome introduction by ADS’s new president, John Cerasuolo who was later joined by current chief executive officer and former president, Mel Mahler. “Mel is the one consistent thread throughout the history of ADS,” said Cerasuolo while explaining ADS’s history of growth. “The level of stability and low turnover rates, with employees having 10- to 15- year careers here is amazing. It’s a credit to the organization and culture for rewarding and recognizing its employees.” A significant number of ADS’s 260 employees work in this facility, which opened its doors in October of 2006. “This facility was built for us,” explained Cerasuolo. The facility houses ADS’s monitoring operations, corporate services division, and its middle Tennessee branch. Visitors were given a guided tour of the central station by Lela Mullins, senior vice president of monitoring operations. The central station has 16 total operator seats, which are divided into sections of four allowing operators easy communication. “Operators work in tag teams, so we wanted to design the central station so they could communicate with each other without interrupting others,” said Kenneth Bargers, director of marketing. Mullins’ office is strategically located so she can oversee both the central station and the data entry division. The central station also has a live weather feed to help operators pinpoint trouble areas. Following the tour, guests mingled over appetizers and Lynchburg Lemonade, a Tennessee favorite, before piling back on the bus to enjoy the final days of ESX.