What exactly is the "Fleenor Story"?
The Fleenor Story is about a dream to create a business to meet a very real need, with service and professionalism that people desire but seldom expect.

How did you get started in the security business?
My older brother, Norman Fleenor, began working in this industry in Johnson City, TN in the early 1970's, while I was still in college at UT in Knoxville. He tried to get me into the business right out of school, but I had other plans. I landed a job with Motorola in their Government Electronics Group, where I stayed in touch with the security industry by selling to police and emergency services departments throughout East Tennessee. I began installing security systems as a side job. FPS, Inc. d/b/a Fleenor Security Systems was founded in 1986. I retired from Motorola and came to work full-time for the family business. In 1990 we leased our first office with three employees and 1,900 sq. feet, and things just took off from there. Today we have twenty-three employees, 6,000 sq. feet of office space, and a fleet of vehicles to meet the needs of our thousands of customers throughout East Tennessee. I think Fleenor Security Systems has been blessed to realize the phenomenal growth and tremendous customer base that we protect.

How has the industry changed over the years?
When I first started in the security business, back in the late '70's, it was mostly small local companies providing services to people they knew. Large national companies and investment groups soon recognized the security industry as one of the last untapped frontiers. That's when the industry changed. Small local companies were gobbled up, and per sonalized service began to disappear. Between 1994 and 1998 there was a feeding frenzy of acquisitions. It was not uncommon to hear stories of customers who had three or four layers of different company stickers on their doors. Along with the buy-outs came the "high volume sales" schemes. What most companies didn't take into account was the service support after the sale. Many went out of business, and the rest got saddled with reputations for poor service. Meanwhile, Fleenor Security Systems was known as a "traditional dealer," because we weren't interested in acquisitions and sales schemes. When it became obvious that "high volume" was not the marketing wonder it was thought to be, "traditional dealer" was a pretty good thing after all.

What are you most proud of, in relation to your work?
Fleenor Security Systems has become the most respected name in East Tennessee and is well known throughout our industry nationally, recognized as the 67th largest company in the country by SDM Magazine on their list of Top System Integrators. I often hear our competitors saying, "Fleenor is the best, but we can do it cheaper!" When we get that kind of complement from our peers, they are acknowledging that we deliver service they can't match.

Is trust important in your business?
YES. However, as essential as it is, trust seems to be in short supply today.

What type of people work with you at Fleenor?
The best! The Fleenor "Family" is a team of professionals you would be pleased to have as friends. Most of our senior managers have been with the company over five years, and our department heads are the best trained in their respective fields. We concentrate very heavily on customer relations training, because people don't care how much you know, until they know how much you care.

What do your customers say about your products and service?
I often hear comments from people building new homes saying our technicians are the most professional of any trade. I recall a commercial sale where the manager selected Fleenor over three other security companies who submitted proposals. He said, "I don't see how you guys ever lose a bid; your professionalism and knowledge are head and shoulders above your competition!" But actions speak louder than words, where our customers are concerned. We still service most of our accounts that we started with fifteen years ago. Many that have used Fleenor Security Systems for their homes have used us for their businesses as well (and vice versa).

Why is it relevant for you to be involved in the community?
We are a local company that depends on local people to support us. I was raised on a farm in Bristol, TN and have always felt a strong sense of community. My wife and I are raising our children here in Knoxville, so I want to do my part to make sure our community remains strong and grows into an even better place to live. I serve on the Board of Knox Area Rescue Ministries, the East Tennessee Better Business Bureau, and am Chapter Chairman of the American Society of Industrial Security(ASIS); I'm an active member of the Farragut Rotary Club, and was a volunteer with BSA Troop 45. There are really only two types of people - givers and takers. I want to be thought of as a giver.

What is your vision for your company's future?
Fleenor Security Systems has grown faster and broader than I could ever imagine. We started out doing strictly residential security and now find ourselves as the leader in larger commercial security in East Tennessee. My vision for our company is to continue to grow in specialized markets, while nurturing our residential roots. Most of all, I want Fleenor to be known as a company of people who know and care about their customers.