At ACT, we are in the business of helping people––whether that’s ensuring your business is safe and protected by designing a security system or making your job easier through hassle-free security repairs and maintenance.
The reason we are able to provide such great security service to our customers is because we have a fantastic team led by talented, caring people.
ACT’s leadership team is the best in our business, and we’d like you to meet them. This is the hardest working, most insightful team, and we are proud to call them colleagues and friends.
In the security industry since 1977, Joel Hill is passionate about establishing trust with clients and helping them find the best solutions.
For Joel, one of the hallmarks of ACT is the company’s dedication to being more than an installation service.
“ACT is locally owned and dedicated to providing security and life safety design, installation and the most reliable service,” he says. “We are service focused. Most companies only care about the install. ACT is a service company and we’re committed to our clients for the long haul.”
Together with his business partner, Randy Mann, he’s built ACT into a firm where trust and empowerment are basic values.
“We want our team to do what is right, when no one will know or see what you did,” Joel says. “To own it and be restless in looking for ways to solve problems for our customers and teammates.”
While he isn’t ready to fully retire, Joel is taking less of a day-to-day involvement in ACT. He knows the company is in good hands with Chuck Robinson and Adam Robbins moving into leadership positions. And, while he is enjoying spending more time with his wife Terrie Hill (also ACT’s CFO) he’s not out of the game entirely.
“I am still committed to our staff and customers,” he says. “Like with Batman, just turn the search light on, and I will be there.”
A CPA for nearly 40 years, Terrie Hill puts her expertise to work for ACT on a daily basis. For her, though, ACT is much more than just her workplace. She works with her husband, Joel Hill, and counts the employee team as friends and family––way more than just co-workers.
“Our employees are committed to excellence, bright, hardworking and fun,” Terrie says. “Whether you encounter our sales staff, our service or installer group, our collections person, or any other member of ACT, you will be treated well, and may gain a ‘work friend’ in the process.”
While 2020 presented many challenges for a small business, Terrie says that ACT used the challenges to better itself and its processes. She is particularly proud of the way ACT’s employees, who were considered “essential” workers, continued doing their jobs and adapted as safety precautions changed and were updated.
“Yes, 2020 was a tough one, but we survived,” she says. “We cleaned up some processes, even cleaned out some excess inventory to better utilize some of our warehouse space.
“Our employees have shown remarkable flexibility during the pandemic. Many of our employees transitioned to remote work to help us minimize staff in the office, and/or to manage childcare needs at home. We had employees take pay cuts, or cuts in hours in the first weeks of the pandemic as we adapted to client demands. Through all of the uncertainty of the pandemic, our employees have stood with us, and with our clients, to continue our commitment to excellence.”
When not working, Terrie loves spending time at the beach, usually at the place she and Joel own, near the water.
In an era of great instability in the business world, Randy Mann says that ACT’s customers can sleep at night knowing that ACT is here for the long haul. The company’s local ownership and family feel, along with its deep bench of security knowledge and expertise, makes Randy proud of ACT.
“With regard to project complexity and size, there is really nothing of which we are not capable and at which we could not excel,” he says.
But it’s not just the talent of the team that impresses Randy. He’s also proud of the way the ACT team has come together during the pandemic and adjusted to changes. He’s excited about the team’s “willingness to accept and try new approaches regarding team make-up and inner-office location moves.”
Randy also values the culture and camaraderie of the team at ACT. He wants employees to know that they are “respected, their efforts are appreciated, their well-being and that of their families is important to leadership,” he says.
When he’s not working, Randy enjoys spending time with his family, woodworking and playing his mandolin.
Adam brings a passion for efficiency and self-improvement to his role as director of operations. This last year hasn’t been easy, but Adam’s been proud of ACT’s team and the work it has continued doing.
“While it has been challenging, our employees have adapted to allow for us to still take care of our customers’ needs while doing so as safely as possible,” he says. “Our field personnel especially have made an amazing effort and dedication to take care of our customers, while navigating the additional precautions and necessities that the pandemic has brought.”
Like the rest of the ACT team, Adam is highly qualified, not just for his job title, but in all aspects of the business. He holds a Tennessee Qualifying Agents License, NICET Level IV in fire alarm systems and NICET Level II in special hazards systems.
“ACT is a very unique company situation in which we are not so small that we don’t have single persons taking on all the responsibilities in each department; but we also aren’t so big that our employees or customers are just a number,” he says.
In his spare time, Adam enjoys fishing and spending time with his wife, Maureen, and their blue heeler, Sidney.
With a master’s degree in homeland security and emergency management, Chuck Robinson is perfectly positioned to lead the team at ACT as its general manager. His background in managing large operations, such as Gaylord Opryland Resort and the YMCA of Middle Tennessee was certainly helpful as the company navigated the last year. Chuck is proud of how the company’s team banded together and has come through the COVID-19 storm.
“When we made hard decisions, our people took the approach of doing not only what was best for the company, but for each other,” he says. “Many of our leaders requested reductions before we ever cut hours or pay for our frontline employees.”
In addition to having a caring and compassionate team, Chuck is proud of the breadth of services that ACT can provide the Nashville business community.
“We are much more than security and fire and life safety systems. We have a portfolio of services we offer and our industry is constantly changing and we try to be on top of new trends in the industry.”
When he isn’t working, Chuck spends a lot of time outdoors, kayaking, fishing and chasing after his toddler son.
Our leadership team is proud of all of our employees and their dedication to each other and our customers.
If you have a security question or need, please let us know – we are here to serve as your security partner.
Looking to take your security or technology to the next level? Request your free site assessment today. We’ll review your goals and walk through your building or home to help you determine the best solution.
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