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.

Featured

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

  • AI Used as Part of Sophisticated Espionage Campaign

    A cybersecurity inflection point has been reached in which AI models has become genuinely useful in cybersecurity operation. But to no surprise, they can used for both good works and ill will. Systemic evaluations show cyber capabilities double in six months, and they have been tracking real-world cyberattacks showing how malicious actors were using AI capabilities. These capabilities were predicted and are expected to evolve, but what stood out for researchers was how quickly they have done so, at scale. Read Now

  • Why the Future of Video Security Is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reasons. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.