The Pulse Employee Newsletter
August 2026: Issue 61
Our newsletter contains stories about our clients, vendors and employees. If you have a story to share, email marketing@protossecurity.com.
This month, we’re excited to announce our 30th group of Unite in Action Award recipients. Read on to find out who the winners are!
SecurityThatNeverSettles.com Transitioning to Okta SSO
An important update is coming to SecurityThatNeverSettles.com (STNS). As part of our continued efforts to improve security and simplify access to company resources, STNS will soon transition to Okta Single Sign-On (SSO) for employee logins.
To prepare for this transition, the intranet will be unavailable for scheduled maintenance on September 3-4. During this time, the site will be updated to support the new Okta login process. We appreciate your patience while these important changes are made.
When STNS comes back online, signing in will look a little different. Instead of entering just your email address as you did before, you'll be automatically directed to the Okta sign-in window. From there, simply log in using your Okta/Microsoft 365 username and password and complete the required authentication. Once authenticated, you'll be taken directly into the intranet.
This new Single Sign-On process will make accessing SecurityThatNeverSettles.com easier while adding an additional layer of security. Be sure to have your Okta/Microsoft 365 login credentials and authentication method ready when the updated site goes live after maintenance.
Our Culture Cup Winners!
The 2026 Culture Cup has officially come to a close, and the results are in! Congratulations to our winning teams! Taking 1st place is Tacticat from the Securitime team, followed by Payment Pack from Accounts Payable in 2nd place. We also had a tie for 3rd place, with Vendor Avengers from the Vendor team and Goal Diggers from the Enterprise Accounts group!
Thank you to everyone who participated throughout the Culture Cup! Whether you joined for one week or all four, your creativity, teamwork and team spirit made this year’s competition a fun and memorable experience. We loved seeing everyone get involved and bring each challenge to life.
Be sure to check out the Culture Cup Videos & Results tab under HR Resources in STNS to see all the great videos created by each team and the Honorable Mentions listed. Congratulations again to our winners!
Unite in Action Award Nomination Form
Help Us Choose Our Next Unite in Action Award Recipients: (Who do you want to nominate…?)
Any employee within the organization (yes, that includes you!) can nominate someone for the Unite in Action Award. In fact, we need your help to make this award happen. Please nominate your colleagues and peers as you recognize them aligning with one or more of our values. An explanation of each value is below:
- Stay Curious: We keep learning and discovering how to improve, which sometimes means changing the way we do things.
- Build Relationships: We value the trust between our colleagues, clients, vendors and security personnel to strengthen camaraderie.
- Take Ownership: We champion self-accountability and push boundaries to achieve shared success.
- Be Principled: We show integrity in every decision and always do the right thing.
If you feel that a team member has gone above and beyond and displayed one or more of these values, make sure to let us know! The Unite in Action Awards will be announced monthly, but we always accept nominations through the Unite in Action Award Form.
Unite in Action Award Winners
The Unite in Action Awards will be presented to up to four employees each month. These individuals will be nominated by their peers or managers as someone who embodies our values.
Recipients receive the Unite in Action Award trophy and a branded gift!
Congratulations to our winners... drumroll please...
Sean Cook, Director of Field Operations
Protos
Nominated by: Lisa Johnson
Reason:
Sean consistently exemplifies all four core values in his daily work. He demonstrates unwavering integrity in his decision-making, always choosing to do the right thing—even when it may not be the most popular choice. He excels at building strong, trusting relationships, creating an environment where collaboration and confidence come naturally. Sean also takes full ownership of his responsibilities, holding himself accountable while continuously seeking opportunities for discovery, growth and improvement. Sean is an exceptional leader, and I am proud to be a part of his team.
Chris Dell, Senior Service Agent
Protos
Nominated by: Ben Ballagh
Reason:
Chris Dell consistently demonstrates strong alignment with the organization's core values through proactive communication, collaboration, accountability and support of operational excellence. Chris regularly displays a commitment to Stay Curious by actively analyzing operational challenges and seeking opportunities for improvement. Examples include his assessment that of dark-hour issues, his monitoring of performance trends over the "last 2 months," and his collaboration with coworkers to resolve the JPMC issue. These interactions show a willingness to investigate root causes, learn from operational data and work with others to improve outcomes rather than simply reporting problems.
Important Observances in August
National Wellness Month, observed throughout August, encourages people to prioritize self-care, healthy routines and overall well-being. It’s a great reminder to find small ways to reduce stress, recharge and create habits that support a healthier work-life balance.
Purple Heart Day, observed on August 7, honors the brave members of the U.S. Armed Forces who were wounded or lost their lives while serving our country. The day is an opportunity to recognize their courage, sacrifice and dedication, while expressing gratitude to Purple Heart recipients and their families.
FEATURED BLOG ARTICLE
Why Retail Disaster Recovery Is the Most Overlooked Phase of Disaster Planning
Aspart of our Disaster Planning and Recovery Series, this blog explores why disaster planning shouldn’t end once the immediate threat has passed. It highlights the importance of planning for a safe and efficient recovery, including empowering local store managers to make timely security decisions, supporting employees as they return to work and carefully tracking emergency resources and spending. The blog also examines how AI can help identify risks, uncover coverage gaps and pressure-test plans before disaster strikes. Visit the Knowledge Hub to explore all articles in the series and learn more about building a stronger, more resilient security strategy.
Employee Spotlight
Josh Wilson
Creative Director
How long have you worked for the company?
I first started as a freelancer helping Protos’ founders with trade shows and presentations in January 2013, when the whole company was about 10 people. I kept doing more and more over the next few years before becoming a full-time employee. Next month is officially my 10-year work anniversary, but unofficially, I’m getting close to 14 years.
How has your role evolved since your first spotlight?
I’ve worn a lot of hats here, and the biggest change is the number of talented people who have joined the marketing department to take over specific tasks that I used to handle. A lot more of my time is now spent on websites.
What’s the biggest change you’ve seen in the company over the past five years?
While we were already a successful and growing company five years ago, our reputation and professionalism have grown dramatically as we’ve gained experience and resources. Five years ago, we were still running the trade show program out of a rented garage bay at the apartment complex next to the Daleville office. Now, we’ve grown our presence as a true national leader.
What accomplishment or milestone are you most proud of during your time here?
I’ll have to give two answers here. First is the relaunch of the Protos website with our new branding in 2025. We were able to incorporate a bold design with features that made it visually interesting while still telling our story. The second is a project that is just being completed this week. In Roanoke, we’ve installed a history wall featuring our company’s 20-year timeline. Having lived through most of it, it’s very meaningful to see that history come to life on the walls of our offices in downtown Roanoke.
What’s been your favorite work memory from the past five years?
I’ve had the privilege of leading a few photo and video shoots over the past few years to help build out our media content. It started out of necessity during COVID, but it turned out to be something we’ve continued to do in-house occasionally.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
When I have downtime, you’ll likely find me on a bicycle, often riding the Blue Ridge Parkway as it winds through the mountains near Roanoke. Or you’ll find me tinkering in my garage workshop. Whether I’m working on my cars or something for the house, I’m always fixing, constructing, or improving something.
Any interesting facts about you?
Not many people know that I went to college for biology and worked in laboratories, mostly connected to veterinary medicine, for several years before making a dramatic pivot to digital media, which opened a path into marketing.
We want to hear from you!
Interested in being the next employee featured?
Our employee recognition program is in full swing. The Roanoke, VA office launched their “Protos Props” program which awards employees for their contributions and hard work.
The Protos Props recipient this month is:
- Heather Early, Service Agent, Protos
Congratulations to our August Green Out Wednesday raffle winner!
August winner: Daniel Pirollo, Senior Financial Analyst
About Green Out Wednesdays
Every Wednesday, wear our team color, GREEN, with pride! While green represents the Protos logo, it also symbolizes growth, harmony and balance. By wearing green together, we celebrate our company spirit and our commitment to supporting one another and Protos’ success.
How It Works
Participation is optional. Each Wednesday you wear green and submit a photo you will receive a raffle entry for that week. All entries go toward both a monthly prize drawing and a special year-end prize! The monthly prize is any item from the Protos company store with a $25 limit.
How to Enter: Email your photo to Cathy Padula - cpadula@protossecurity.com.
Let’s have fun, show off our Protos pride and continue building strong connections as a team! Stay tuned for future winner announcements!
Recent and Upcoming Events
2026 Tradeshow Season
Recent:
August 18-21
RIOT – National Law Enforcement and Corporate Crimes Convention
This event brought together law enforcement agencies, corporate security leaders and investigative professionals in Fort Worth, TX. The event featured educational sessions, networking opportunities, and discussions on the latest strategies, technologies and partnerships to combat crime and enhance public and private sector security.
Upcoming:
Septemeber 14-16
Global Security Exchange (GSX)
The upcoming event will bring together security professionals, industry leaders and innovators from around the world in Atlanta, GA. The event will feature educational sessions, networking opportunities and an expansive exhibit hall showcasing the latest technologies, strategies and solutions shaping the future of the security industry.
Want to see our full events schedule? Stay up to date with our 2026 events page: https://protossecurity.com/our-events/
Company Anniversaries
The following people celebrated a company anniversary during the first half of the year. Congratulations on this achievement!
5 Years
- Sheila Dupont
- Teddy Tumulty
- James Pye
- Kimberly Bernales
- Alyssa McCullough
- Richard Jones
- Kristen Carriera
- Synquise Winston
- Dan Arnold
10 Years
- Langdon Oliver
- Mathew Sanchez
- Megan Lippert
- Amanda Jenkins
- Julian Austin
- Jaron John
Meeting and Event Updates
A Special Addition to the National Field Operations Family
The National Field Operations team has welcomed its newest addition, at least in spirit! Congratulations to Joe and Emily Coughlan on the birth of their beautiful and healthy baby girl. Everyone is doing well, and we’re thrilled for the Coughlan family as they begin this exciting new chapter. Wishing Joe, Emily and their growing family many years of health, happiness and wonderful memories together. Congratulations from the entire National Field Operations family!
Norwalk Team at the Ballpark
Our Norwalk-based employees love a good Yankees game, and recently the team had the opportunity to enjoy one together! The outing was a great chance to step away from the office, connect with colleagues across departments and enjoy some time together at Yankee Stadium.
While the Yankees may not have pulled out a win, the day still delivered a memorable highlight—a few members of our team even got to meet renowned Cardinals fan and actor Jon Hamm!
Back to School Drive
Our Roanoke-based employees helped local students start the school year off right by supporting the community’s “Load the Bus” campaign. Together, the team collected and donated more than 1,000 school supply items to help ensure children in need have the tools they need for a successful school year. A big thank you to everyone who contributed and helped make a difference in our local community!
Blue Star Meets Chicago Sports Stars
Our Blue Star team was on hand for the Grand Re-Opening of Dick’s Sporting Goods in Schaumburg, IL, where a few of our officers had the opportunity to meet some familiar faces! The team snapped photos with former Chicago Cubs managers Joe Maddon and David Ross, as well as Chicago Bears wide receiver Rome Odunze. It was a memorable event and a fun experience for our Blue Star team!
Warm Welcome for Our New Hires
Our Roanoke team recently hosted a New Hire Breakfast to celebrate and welcome all of the employees who joined us during the first half of the year. It was a great opportunity to come together, recognize our newest team members and celebrate the continued growth of our team.
Blue Star Team Celebration
Our Chicago-based Blue Star team celebrated this month’s birthdays in the office with some delicious cake! It was a sweet way to recognize our team members and take some time to celebrate together. Happy birthday to everyone celebrating this month!
Blue Star Summer Picnic
Our California-based Blue Star team recently hosted its annual summer event at Irving Park, bringing employees and their families together for a day of fun! The event featured plenty of food and activities, including face painting, caricatures and more. It was a great opportunity for everyone to spend time together outside of work, connect with colleagues and their families, and enjoy some summer fun!
Promotion Celebration
Our Roanoke-based employees recently came together to recognize and celebrate team members who were promoted during the first half of the year. It was a great opportunity to acknowledge their hard work, growth and continued contributions to the team. Congratulations to everyone who reached this exciting career milestone!
Flashback for 5 Years
In honor of the Pulse starting in 2021, this section shows a blast from the past!
The Protos Remote Services team took a look back at what each team member was up to just five years ago, from working at other companies to being in completely different stages of their careers. A lot can change in five years, and we’re certainly glad to have them all on the PRS team today!
Tradeshows looked a lot different in 2021 too! In the aftermath of COVID, masks were still part of the routine. It’s amazing to look back and see just how much has changed in five years!
Five years ago, our Norwalk team was getting back into the office in style with Hawaiian Shirt Fridays! Nothing like a little tropical flair to make the return to the office more fun.
Five years ago, our Roanoke team was still based in the old Daleville office! Since then, the team has grown in both people and business, making it exciting to look back at just how far we’ve come. Here’s to the next five years of The Pulse and all the growth, memories and fun along the way!
Our Marketing team has grown quite a bit over the past five years! Back in 2021, photoshoots looked a little different. It’s fun to look back at where we started and see how much our teams and the times have changed!
VENDOR MANAGEMENT
Every month, a vendor is awarded the Protos Security Vendor Partnership Award. Nominees are selected based on a critical look at vendor KPIs and their overall dedication to a mutually beneficial relationship with Protos. The winning vendor will receive a gift card to TopLine Uniforms.
This month’s winner is:
Equitab Protective Services nominated by Jon Rozas
IT AND INFRASTRUCTURE UPDATES
Reminder to remain vigilant as you receive emails from who you may believe is a known source.
In the graphic below, an email was sent to an employee from “Mark Hjelle.” A closer look at the email address and you can see it’s not from our CEO. Please review emails, the actions requested very carefully, and whether it's internal or external. Don’t hesitate to call the known contact on the phone and verify the authenticity of the email. In the case of our C-Suite members, Mark Hjelle, Anthony Escamilla, Peter Platten and Mike Jacobs, reach out to Executive Assistant Nancy Torok to confirm authenticity of such requests.
Open Jobs
HOW ARE WE DOING?
What do you think about The Pulse? Is there anything we can do to improve?