GVI founder Thomas Wade leaves mark on the industry

PLANO, Texas--Thomas Wade, the founder of GVI Security, passed away on May 6 at the age of 42. Wade founded GVI Security, which does business as Samsung CCTV, in 2002 and at one time served as the company's president and chief executive officer, and a member of its board. The company is a distributor for products manufactured by Samsung Electronics, such as cameras and recorders. Wade assisted in growing the company, which generated $56 million in revenue in 2003. GVI went public when it was purchased by Thinking Tools in April 2004. Wade, who held a 14-percent shareholder interest in the business, left GVI in late 2004 as part of a mutual agreement with the company. He had most recently started a new company, Emerging Technologies, which specializes in web-based security solutions. Wade accounted for 20 years of experience in the security industry, including positions in senior sales management at National Guardian and was the director of sales at Ultrak. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Security Industry Association, where he held a role that was instrumental in shaping the association's agenda for homeland security. Lou Fiore, who worked with Wade at National Guardian, said he was an "extremely competent and intelligent" professional. Elizabeth Rigby, senior vice president of operations at GVI, said Wade made his mark in the security industry. "Thomas Wade's innovative ideas and high energy made a huge impact on the security industry," Rigby said. "His goal of making the world a safer place is one step closer thanks to his efforts." He is survived by his parents, his wife and his three children.