Pye-Barker names Kelly Rooney president

ATLANTA—Pye-Barker Fire & Safety has appointed Kelly Rooney as president, a newly created role in which she will oversee operations, support growth initiatives and help guide company culture alongside CEO Bart Proctor.

Rooney joins Pye-Barker from UniFirst, where she served as chief operating officer. Before that, she spent much of her career in the environmental services sector, including leadership positions at WM (formerly Waste Management). Her background includes overseeing large-scale field operations and growth initiatives across multiple markets, as well as workforce development efforts during her tenure as WM's chief human resources officer.

"Kelly has worked on all sides of the B2B services industry, from the frontline to operations to growth, and we certainly value that expertise," Proctor said. "But it's her passion for building strong, resilient teams that makes her such a great fit for this role."

Rooney's appointment comes as Pye-Barker continues a period of rapid expansion. The company said it has acquired more than 100 fire protection and security businesses over the past two years while also launching employee-focused initiatives, including its ALL In (Achieving Lasting Legacy Incentive) Ownership Program and the What Matters Community Impact Program. This year marks Pye-Barker's 80th anniversary.

"My career has taken me from leading teams in the field to the leadership suite, and I have never lost sight of where the real work happens," Rooney said. "I have profound respect for frontline teams and the role they play every day in taking care of customers and building great businesses."

Rooney holds a master's degree in organizational leadership from Gonzaga University and a bachelor's degree in psychology from Roanoke College. She also serves on the board of TD Industries.

Related: Pye-Barker expands in Pacific Northwest