Meet The BPS Team
We offer a highly qualified project team and maintain BPS quality standards that have existed from the inception of the firm. Many of BPS’ clients return for multiple related projects—a testament to our competence and customer satisfaction.
Security Risk and Regulatory
A security leader with almost 10 years of experience in the healthcare industry and emergency management, Joey Thode is focused on establishing strategic vision and implementing security programs to protect organizational assets. He has strong skills in emergency and contingency planning, developing drills to prepare emergency administrators to think quickly and efficiently.
As the Physical Security Advisor at Business Protection Specialists, Inc. (BPS), he’s primed to deploy security plans developed to mitigate risk and vulnerability for clients across the globe. An analytical strategist, Joey is adept at foreseeing and identifying security threats, implementing effective countermeasures, and maximizing operational efficiency. With a specialized degree in Criminal Justice and Homeland Security, Joey is a certified facility security officer trained under the marine regulation U.S. 33 CFR Part 105. He is conversant with conducting audits of facility security plans, vessel security plans and the execution of plan commitments at regulated sites and vessels. Joey has also authorized many facility security plans for industries both regulated and unregulated.
Joey is a detail-minded, resourceful leader capable of conflict resolution, problem solving and high-level decision making.
With more than 40 years in physical security, Doug Huyck is a recognized security expert and U.S. Navy veteran.
Doug has implemented and managed a vast range of security activities and programs, led policy development, licensing, inspections and oversight of regulated facilities and coordinated with internal and external stakeholders on security readiness and implementation, including briefing members of Congress on security.
Pulling from his 17 years with the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (USNRC) and 23 years at commercial nuclear power plants, Doug brings a wealth of technical knowledge and experience to BPS through successful development, implementation, and oversight of security programs and processes, problem identification and root cause resolution, human capital management, budget formulation and execution, personnel training and development, and mentorship. He proudly maintained his National Security Clearance from his time in the Navy and at the USNRC.
Doug is a certified facility security officer trained under the marine regulation U.S. 33 CFR Part 105. He is conversant with conducting audits of facility security plans, vessel security plans and the execution of plan commitments at regulated sites and vessels. Doug has also authorized many facility security plans for industries both regulated and unregulated.
Doug’s dedication to keeping clients safe applies to all private and public sector industries including manufacturing, food production, education, and healthcare.
Dedicated to protecting people for nearly 40 years, Ronald Heil, CSC, CPP, CHS, is a deeply experienced physical security expert and accomplished U.S. Air Force veteran.
As a Certified Protection Professional, a Certified Security Consultant, and Certified in Homeland Security, Ronald has produced, evaluated and managed security projects and policies involved in hundreds of security service engagements. He brings significant public and private sector expertise to his work at Business Protection Specialists, Inc. (BPS) as Senior Security Advisor to clients all over the world.
Ronald began his career serving in the U.S. Air Force, working his way up to multiple leadership roles in security, law enforcement and emergency management, as well as training in the U.S. Air Force Special Operations School on crisis response management and the dynamics of international terrorism. An expert in emergency and crisis preparedness, he developed the vulnerability index used in the Illinois DOT All Hazards Vulnerability Assessment project, which won a Special Achievement Award in the ACEC of Illinois 2018 Engineering Excellence Awards Competition.
Ronald’s service to clients extends to several industries, including manufacturing, chemical production, food production, refineries, education, healthcare and local governments. A five-term board member of the International Association of Professional Security Consultants, he has chaired the Blue-Ribbon Panel to establish the body of knowledge for security consultants and currently chairs the Certification Committee for the “Certified Security Consultant” credential.
Professional Certifications, Affiliations and Awards
- Member, American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS)
- Certified Protection Professional (CPP)
- Member Supply Chain and Transportation Security Council for ASIS International, chairs the council’s Publications Committee where he serves as the newsletter editor
- International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC) Certified Security Consultant (CSC), 2006 – Present; Five-term Board member, chair of the Certification Committee
- Certified in Homeland Security (CHS)
- Risk Analysis Subject Matter Expert and developer of the Vulnerability Index used in the Illinois Department of Transportation All Hazards Vulnerability Assessment project which won a Special Achievement Award in the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois 2018 Engineering Excellence Awards Competition
As a well-respected physical security expert for more than 30 years, Frank Pisciotta, CSC, has partnered with hundreds of organizations around the world as President and CEO of Business Protection Specialists, Inc. (BPS).
Since founding BPS in 1990, Frank has guided nearly 5,000 threat assessment, risk analysis, security design, and related projects alongside his team of world-class security professionals with 150+ years of combined experience. A sought-after subject matter expert who’s spoken to thousands, Frank is both a speaker and featured contributor to notable industry publications. Having spent his entire career in crime prevention, he’s a multi-certified physical security professional with a master’s degree in Public Administration and a bachelor’s in Criminal Justice. Committed to being a peace of mind partner in all that he does, Frank’s passionate about serving clients seamlessly, improving outcomes for all stakeholders, and teaching security consultants how to establish successful practices.
Professional Certifications, Affiliations and Awards
- Member, American Society for Industrial Security (ASIS)
- Member, Past President, International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC) four term Board of Directors member, Certified Security Consultant (CSC)
- Leader of IAPSC Technical Standards committee since 2011, and instructs security consultants how to set up and establish successful security consulting practices
- Meritorious Life Award Recipient, IAPSC
- ASIS International Standards Technical Committee on Risk Assessment
- ASIS International Food Defense and Agriculture Security Council since 2008
- Northeast Colleges and Universities Security Association (NECUSA)
- International Association for Healthcare Security & Safety (IAHSS)
- Association of College and University Housing Officers – International (ACUHO-I)
- FSPCA Food Defense certified
- FPDI Trained/Certified in Food Defense
- AIB Certified Food Defense Coordinator
- CVI Certified for the Chemical Facilities Anti-Terrorism Standard Regulation
Security Design
An expert AutoCAD drafter, Ms. Wiedrich’s career includes more than three decades of experience coordinating and collaborating with cross-functional teams.
Her security design concept and construction drawings comply with AIA standards to ensure streamlined integration into client project drawing sets.
In support of security design and implementation projects, Ms. Wiedrich’s strong organizational, interpersonal and communication skills have enhanced the development and implementation of incident reporting systems as well as security research programs, business development initiatives, and key technical deliverables.
Certifications and Awards
- Holder: US Patent #5415149: Contributor: US Patent #5534213
- CVI Authorized User – DHS
With more than 35 years in the field, Steven DeArruda is an award-winning electronic security expert with extensive knowledge of security and lighting systems, applications, and integrations for a wide variety of commercial, industrial, and residential settings.
As the Senior Security Systems Designer at Business Protection Specialists, Inc. (BPS) since 2012, he’s passionate about designing systems that solve clients’ problems. He works closely with clients and stakeholders to determine security project requirements, coordinating with architects and other trade discipline consultants to ensure security management system objectives are met. Steven’s hands-on experience, vast training, and multiple certifications in physical security enable him to provide project management, cost estimating, implementation guidance, project oversight, and construction administration through project commissioning and closeout supervision.
Capable of developing and refining security standards, Steven serves as an outstanding technical resource for resolving security system problems, providing optimized risk mitigation strategies, assessing crucial vulnerabilities, as well as helping to ensure electrical, building and egress code compliance.
Training and Certifications
- AutoCAD certified by authorized Autodesk training facility; Level I, Level II, Level III, 2007 Update
- Westinghouse Security Electronics SE6000/NSCC Factory Trained
- NexWatch ProWatch Factory Trained
- Software House Factory Trained
- NexWatch StarGaze Factory Trained
- Pelco CM9700 Matrix Factory Training
- Millennium (Ilco) Factory Training
- Revit Architecture certified by authorized Autodesk training facility
- American Dynamics (Sensormatic) 1024 Matrix & Dome Factory Training
- Bentley College/MAC Systems Inc. sponsored Leadership Management Training
- S2 Security Corporation Factory Training
Administration and Marketing
Hope Annunciacion
Accounting Supervisor
Ms. Annunciacion brings a 20-year career demonstrating leadership and outstanding performance in accounting and financial management to the BPS team.
Her proficiency is process driven with extensive experience in managing P&Ls, operational budgets, writing and implementing SOPs, recruiting and leading teams, and financial analysis and reporting. Ms. Annunciacion ensures the integrity of BPS’s financial data throughout the lifecycle. Her vast knowledge of accounting principles and GAAP keeps management informed of the financial health of the organization.
A specialist in communications, Ms. Clark crafts highly effective multi-media marketing materials and job proposals to generate new business for the firm.
Her 20 years of experience as an Air Force Public Affairs Officer shows in her attention to detail and outstanding organizational skills. She serves as an editor for articles written by the security consultants and an advocate for their publication. Ms. Clark also manages the company LinkedIn site and consults for the company website liaison on content and placement.
A meticulous bookkeeping professional with more than a decade of experience in accounting and business administration, Ms. Hogan is invaluable to her team.
Her expertise in QuickBooks ensures financial records are accurate, updated and well documented. She prepares regular financial reports, manages expense accounts and maintains all ledgers. Ms. Hogan supports the team operationally by reviewing contractual requirements, filing official documents, managing data and maintaining the company website. Her impeccable organization and communication skills keep management informed in every aspect.
Prior to BPS, Ms. Hogan spent eight years as an Office Administrator at a company she co-owned coordinating official communications, record keeping, processing payroll, submitting tax requirements and managing vendor relations.
Ms. Hensley brings more than 20 years of experience in accounting and business administration to the BPS team.
In addition to making initial contact with the client, she creates work orders and estimates, determines pay schedules, sends timely invoices, and maintains records of all financial transactions received. Ms. Hensley is responsible for sales reports, late-payment resolution and monthly account summaries. An expert communicator, she also designs and distributes the quarterly company newsletter.
Ms. Hensley has vast experience in cost determination, budget management, contract monitoring, group coordination and training as well as in community outreach and service. She is passionate about her work with Hearts and Hands for Haiti where she does marketing and design, writes grants and prepares and leads mission teams.