Premier Security Corporation was founded by the ownership and senior management of Levy Security Corporation in 2004. Premier Security was established to service commercial real estate in downtown Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. Premier employs more than 300 security professionals. Following is the history of Levy Security Corporation:
Like many family businesses, Levy Security started with little more than the shared dreams of our founders Barry W. Levy, CPP, CFE (1950-1994) and Debby G. Levy.
After attending Southern Illinois University together, Barry began his career in law enforcement with the Cook County Sheriff's Department. Debby began her career as a dental assistant. Under Sheriff Richard Elrod, Barry rose through the ranks over his career with the Sheriff, ultimately taking on the role of Director of Training as part of Sheriff's Elrod's command staff.
While working with the Sheriff's department, Barry gained a great deal of experience, education, and awareness. His vision of what a "security officer" should be was very different from what he experienced. While providing consulting services at area hospitals, shopping centers, and entertainment establishments, Barry recognized the total lack of professionalism in the private security industry. Barry was often overheard saying that in those days: "[companies] don't check the backgrounds of the people they hire; don't train them; put them in ill-fitting uniforms, wearing shoes that look like they were shined by a Hershey's bar."
Barry and Debby saw an opportunity. They could establish a different kind of security company. A company that only hired the best qualified individuals seeking a career, not just a job. A company that provided rigorous training by experienced professionals. A company that treated its employees well, by paying salaries on time and offering attractive benefit plans. A company that established long-term relationships with its valued customers.
Our first client was a shopping center in downtown Chicago located at Clark and Diversey. We are proud to say that they remain our client today. The company grew to incorporate hospitals and major retail department stores. Our client base expanded to include luxury high rises, corporate headquarters, college campuses, hospitals, residential communities, and shooping centers throughout the metropolitan Chicago area. The company continued to grow as a result of our reputation of providing quality service at a competitive price.
The company lost one of its founders with the untimely death of Barry W. Levy in February 1994. Debby G. Levy immediately took on the role of Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of the newly-renamed Levy Security Corporation. Under her continued leadership the company has more than tripled in size since 1994. Her achievements were recognized in 2006 with the awarding of Woman Business Owner of the Year by the National Association of Women Business Owners. Debby Levy continues to lead the company today as we continue our mission of thrilling our customers.