Franchisee Spotlight: Andrew Dusenberry of Signal 88 Security

Andrew Dusenberry recently opened a Signal 88 Security in the West Cleveland area after 21 combined years of military, law enforcement, and U.S. government security contracting experience. Dusenberry is a military veteran, who enlisted in the U.S. Army immediately following high school. After his active duty military commitment, he attended a local police academy and went on to serve as a reserve deputy until signing on with a private security firm, Blackwater USA. There, he was deployed overseas to protect members of the State Department and other various government and private organizations.

Dusenberry noticed that several of his former contracting colleagues were joining the Signal 88 Security brand and decided it was time to move back stateside and get in on the action for himself. He opened his location in West Cleveland near his hometown of Hudson.

Can you tell me a little more about your background?

I joined the U.S. Army right out of high school and served on active duty from 1996 to 2000. I was stationed at Ft. Wainwright, Alaska with 2/1 Infantry as part of the 172nd Infantry Brigade. After being honorably discharged from active duty, I attended a Cleveland Heights police academy and served as a reserve deputy with Summit County Sheriff’s Department while simultaneously being a member of the Ohio Army National Guard from 2000 to 2006.

In 2005, I was contracted by Blackwater USA to provide protection and security for high ranking officials with the State Department in Iraq. From 2006-2017, I was assigned to help protect U.S. government employees and facilities with the Central Intelligence Agency in the Middle East.

How did you hear about the brand and why did you choose to get involved?

During my career as a government security contractor, I noticed that several of my former contracting colleagues were coming back to the United States to open their own Signal 88 Security locations. I was impressed that men with my background that didn’t have experience owning a business were able to succeed with their model. I was looking to come back to the states and began investigating the brand.

I was very impressed with the level of support that Signal 88 offers their franchisees. They have helped me every step of the way and they have a proven business model that is easy to follow with manageable startup costs.

If you were to speak with someone who’s considering signing on with Signal 88, what advice would you give them?

I sell this idea to my former contracting colleagues all the time. When I talk about the brand, I can’t stress enough about the support that they offer their franchisees. They want you to succeed and the ownership network across the company is very supportive. The company and owners network honestly feels like a family. They give you a model to follow while still allowing you to have independence and freedom as a business owner.

How has your previous career experience lent itself to your new role?

The military and security contracting taught me how to be adaptable and take on new challenges no matter how intimidating. While I was working in the Middle East, I learned how to make tough decisions in high pressure situations and I feel like these skills will translate well to my new role with Signal 88. I am a warrior and the majority of my skills have only been used on the battlefield. However, I am confident that I can apply some of those skills to ensure that my Signal 88 Security franchise is a success. 

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