Joseph Grillo Announces Retirement from ACRE

  • May 02, 2022

ACRE founder and CEO Joseph Grillo has announced his retirement, May 20. A proven and respected leader who has driven ACRE's business transformation and growth strategy, Grillo's deep knowledge of the security and access control businesses resulted in strong operating results, a track record of 11 successful acquisitions, innovative solutions and a relentless commitment to ACRE's customers, partners and employees.

Grillo has had a noted career, having spent 40 years with leading high-tech brands in the security industry across the globe. He established ACRE in 2012 as principal and CEO, focused on developing the company's position as a leader in the access control industry with an eye on rapid organic and acquisitive growth. Under his leadership, ACRE leveraged opportunities within the highly fragmented market and has grown to a company with close to $300M in revenue and more than 500 employees worldwide.

"It has been an honor to lead ACRE over the past decade, and I am proud of all we accomplished in our mission to help our customers protect their most valuable assets,” Grillo said. "It’s been incredible to see the changes in the company over the last 10 years, and I couldn’t be more thrilled that ACRE is now recognized as one of the major global security leaders in the industry. I've made lasting friendships, and I am fortunate to have worked with the absolute best people in the industry.

“With our new investor Triton Equity Partners, which acquired ACRE in 2021, and an experienced and successful new CEO, Don Joos, coming on board, the future is brighter than ever for ACRE. After 40 years of working in the security industry, it’s time for me to explore new non-work related experiences.”

Grillo is probably best known as being one of the founders and long-time president of HID. He led the carve out of the business from Hughes Aircraft in 1995 and the effort to sell the company, which was acquired by Assa Abloy in January of 2001.

Prior to his role at ACRE, Grillo led Assa Abloy's Global Technologies Division as its President and CEO from 2003 to 2008, successfully transitioning its HID Global, Besam and Hospitality business units through acquisitive growth and improved financial success. He was instrumental in launching the Global Technologies Division while a participating member of Assa Abloy’s Management Board since 2001.

In 2021, ACRE was acquired by Triton, a leading European private equity investment firm. Since then both teams have worked diligently on strengthening ACRE’s position as a global provider of intelligent security solutions by working to build up the company’s product portfolio and gain brand awareness. Grillo has been invited to stay on as a nonexecutive member of ACRE’s Board of Directors.

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