About Us
Our History
Founder Bill Mullis was a provider of guard dogs for more than twenty years. In 1991, despite having his protective fleet on site, he was still experiencing break-ins.
He then decided to build, test, and continuously improve an electric security fence designed to offer the best protection for his place of business. In time, this electric security fence, due to its unmatched deterrence value, replaced the dogs and we soon became the Electric Guard Dog.
Our company quickly grew into a multi-faceted security business over the next two decades as companies in the auto auction, metal recycling, freight, and rental industries began seeing the results and cost savings that the Electric Guard Dog brought them. We’ve grown to become a security partner for market leaders in all of these core segments and recognized as the #1 Theft Deterrent System in the US.
In 2007, a majority interest in Electric Guard Dog was acquired by a group of private investors lead by Ulysses Management. Seeing the ever-increasing demand for our products and services, and the opportunity to broaden the reach of the product to new industries, the new ownership group began to put in place the infrastructure for growth. A key first step in the process was the hiring of CEO Jack DeMao and a new management team.
Electric Guard Dog has seen its reach and demand grow 63% since 2007, and the business community has taken notice. In 2010, we were named one of South Carolina’s 25 Fastest Growing Companies. In 2011, we joined the national rankings, listed #29 on SDM’s Top 100 Security Companies in the U.S. We’ve also been named to the 2011 Inc 500|5000 List of America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies.
Our Mission
It is our mission to stop crime before it happens. We are our customer’s security partner, and we take our responsibility seriously by employing the largest field technician and customer service team dedicated to electric security fences in the U.S. We are now integrating new technologies into our world-class system to create new, innovative and cost-saving solutions for our customers’ problems.
Our Management Team
Jack DeMao, CEO
Jack is an accomplished executive with experience in a variety of industries and regions of the world. Jack previously served as President of Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company’s Automotive Division after joining the company as a Vice President of Sales and Marketing. He later joined Desoutter LTD, a 500 employee subsidiary of Swedish multinational Atlas Copco AB that was based in the United Kingdom.
In 2001, he became President and CEO at C.C. Dickson Company, a Charlotte, NC based wholesaler of HVAC parts and equipment with 110 stores throughout the Southeast. In 2006, he was named the “Man of the Year” by a trade publication in the HVAC industry, in recognition of the success in turning around C.C. Dickson Company.
Jack joined Electric Guard Dog as CEO in 2007, and has since lead the effort to build a platform for growth and the drive to provide a higher level of satisfaction within our customer base.
Jack has a permanent home in Charlotte, NC with his wife. He is an avid participant in endurance sports and is an instructor for the Harvard Business School Club of Charlotte’s Management Development Program.
Nathan Leaphart, CPA/Vice President, Finance
Nathan joined Electric Guard Dog in July 2007 as Vice President, Finance. In his role with the company, Nathan has been responsible for modernizing reporting and controls systems, aiding the company's transition from a family-owned business to an investor-lead business.
A Certified Public Accountant with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration/Accounting from the University of South Carolina, Nathan previously held roles in public accounting at McGregor and Company and Elliott Davis, LLC. He subsequently served as Chief Financial Officer of Glassmaster Company, a publicly held manufacturer based in South Carolina.
Nathan lives in Lexington, SC with his wife and two daughters. In 2007, he was named by The State newspaper to the “20 Under 40” list of “Rising Stars in the Midlands”. He currently serves as a member of the town of Lexington’s Board of Zoning Appeals and as Treasurer for the Lexington Race Against Hunger.
Robin Williamson, Vice President, Installation
Robin is the daughter of Electric Guard Dog founder Bill Mullis. She began working in the security industry in 1982 as part of the Sentry Dogs family business that preceded Electric Guard Dog. In 1991, she had a key role in the founding of Electric Guard Dog.
She has been responsible for nearly all aspects of the business during her time at the company, and currently oversees the installation and warehousing/inventory control departments.
Robin lives in Great Falls, SC with her husband.
Randy Mullis, Director, Field Services
Randy is the son of Electric Guard Dog founder Bill Mullis. He began working in the security industry in 1982 as part of the Sentry Dogs family business that preceded Electric Guard Dog.
He joined the US Air Force in 1986 and served until 1990. During his time in the Air Force, he worked with specialized missiles, including nuclear cruise missiles. He returned to help found Electric Guard Dog in 1991.
He has held various roles over his time with the company, serving as part of the early installation and service teams, and eventually reaching his current role of managing the nationwide service network.
Randy lives in Chapin, SC with his wife and two sons.
Joseph "J" Bury, Director, Special Projects
Joseph joined Electric Guard Dog in March of 2008 and is currently responsible for Inside Sales, Customer Service and Scheduling.
After receiving a degree in Political Science from Syracuse University, J worked in a variety of high tech positions, including ADP’s Brokerage Industry Services Group, based in Mount Laurel, NJ, where he rolled out new CRM / trading software for top U.S. brokerage firms. After that, J worked for Prophet 21, implementing a start-up, state of the art Windows and SQL based application for the distribution industry. In 2001, J. joined CC Dickson Co. as Director, IT, where he transformed the company's handwritten invoice, no inventory tracking system to a leading, technology-based HVAC/R distribution organization. Having successfully modernized their technology, J became the new Director, Purchasing.
Joseph currently resides in Rock Hill, SC.
Michael Pate, Director of Business Development, Compliance
Michael joined Electric Guard Dog in October 2008 and is responsible for all code compliance west of the Mississippi.
Michael has a rich and varied sales, marketing, and entrepreneurial background. In 2006, Michael formed “The Preserve at 5 and 20”, an environmentally sensitive residential development and acted as Developing Partner.
Prior to that Michael served for four years as Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Supply Chain Solutions, a provider of contracted third party labor services. He has held several other positions in sales, management, and marketing in the entertainment, communication and medical fields.
Cindy Gsell, Director of Business Development, Compliance
Cindy is a lifetime resident of the Raleigh, NC and a graduate of the University of North Carolina in 1981 with a Bachelors in Business Administration.
She had a 25 year career with GTE/Verizon Communications where she held with various positions in Computer Operations, Wholesale Ordering/Billing Operations and IT Requirements before retiring in 2007. Cindy joined Electric Guard Dog in October 2008, and is responsible for code compliance east of the Mississippi.
Cindy lives in Cary, NC with her husband.
Jeff Solomon, National Accounts Director
Jeff joined Electric Guard Dog in July 2011, and serves all current National Accounts, focusing his efforts on expanding the Company's business within those accounts. A graduate of the University of Alabama in 1998, Jeff brings extensive sales experience to Electric Guard Dog.
Prior to joining Electric Guard Dog, Jeff rose through the ranks at Boxercraft, an apparel manufacturer, over a period of thirteen years. In addition to starting several new sales divisions, his most enviable accomplishment was growing sales revenue at a whopping annual increase of 25%, each and every year of his tenure.
Jeff grew up in Savannah, Georgia, and presently resides in the Atlanta area with his family.
Wes Ward, Director of Business Development
Wes joined Electric Guard Dog in June, 2011 and continues to expand the Company's reach by working with medium and large prospects within target industries. An MBA from Mercer University, he possesses ten years' experience in sales and marketing and has a history of relationship-building.
Prior to joining Electric Guard Dog, Wes served as Business Development Manager for Garick Corporation, a leading manufacturer and marketer of renewable and sustainable organic products. Charged with expanding business with national big box retailers, Wes delivered via price negotiations and new market exploitation. Wes subsequently served as Vice President of Business Development for Wel-Vets, LLC, a service-disabled, veteran-owned company based in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was responsible for all aspects of RFP processes, new business generation, and liaising with local and regional government officials, as well as the Department of Defense.
Wes resides in Atlanta and is an avid golfer, hunter and outdoor enthusiast.
