SIA New Member Profile: IMEG Corp.
New Security Industry Association (SIA) member IMEG Corp. is one of the largest design consulting firms in the United States, specializing in high-performing building systems, infrastructure, program management and construction-related services. IMEG’s Security Group specializes in developing advanced security measures for new and existing facilities. The company has more than 40 locations in the U.S. and internationally.
SIA spoke with Charles LeBlanc, PE, CPP, associate principal and project executive at IMEG, about the company, the security industry and working with SIA.
SIA: Tell us the story of your company.
Charles LeBlanc: IMEG Security Group was originally founded in 1982 as Schiff & Associates. At that time, there were few security consultants and most people did not know what a security consultant was or why they were necessary. The company grew steadily and was purchased by Kroll in 1998. Three senior managers founded BLW Security Group in 2014 to continue the security consulting practice and then merged with IMEG in 2018. Throughout its existence, the firm has provided physical security consulting services to client around the world from its headquarters location in Bastrop, Texas. We are growing the Security Group within IMEG. In addition to the Bastrop office, we have staff in Houston, Texas, and Denver, Colorado, and will continue to add staff in other regions.
What solutions/services does your business offer in the security industry? And what makes your offerings/company unique?
CL: IMEG’s Security Group is focused on physical security consulting and engineering services. Our consulting experts provide services including vulnerability assessments, threat assessments, policy and procedure development, security master planning and external security audits.
Our engineering staff provide services including security needs assessments, security system planning, system design and engineering, security system procurement and installation, security standards development and security design peer review. With over 35 years of experience, our security specialists are considered the premier planners and designers of complex, large-scale security systems and programs.
What’s something we might not know about your company – or something new you’re doing in security?
CL: Since its formation, IMEG Security Group has been a registered engineering firm, which is unique for security consultants. Although many engineering firms now offer consulting services, our firm understands the impact of security systems to life safety and applies these principles to incorporate and coordinate life safety requirements into security system designs. IMEG Security Group applies these principles throughout the design process to identify and discuss alternative architectural designs that improve facility security and operations and often reduce security system costs and complexity.
SIA: What is your company’s vision, and what are your goals for the security industry?
CL: Although the IMEG name is new, IMEG Security Group has been a physical security expert for many years. Our vision has always been to be an industry leader, and while we are a leader in the security industry, we must continue to gain recognition outside the security industry. Our goal is to be an advocate for the security industry through education, outreach and consistent demonstration of the value that security professionals offer for facilities and their owners.
SIA: What does SIA offer that is most important to you/your company? And what do you most hope to get out of your membership?
CL: SIA provides a structure for the security industry to collectively communicate, learn and advocate. This aligns very well with IMEG’s goals. It is a great opportunity for IMEG to take a more active role in the growth and positive impact of the security industry and security professionals to make our world safer.
SIA: What do you think are the biggest opportunities in the security industry right now?
CL: Education and advocation of the industry and its professionals are enormous opportunities. To many, the security industry is still recognized by fences, cameras, card readers and other products. As security professionals, we should make time to explain just how deeply we can positively impact the daily lives of our communities and our world.
The views and opinions expressed in guest posts and/or profiles are those of the authors or sources and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Security Industry Association (SIA).
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