ROSWELL, Ga., Sept. 25, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- U.S. Security Associates has appointed Doug Blake as Vice President of its newly formed Petrochemical Division. Blake is a 20-year security industry veteran who has managed security and safety operations for big oil companies in the Houston and Gulf Coast areas for most of his career. As the Petrochemical Division VP, Blake will lead the roll-out of a benchmark program that will position U.S. Security Associates as the premier safety and security partner for oil, gas and petrochemical clients.
The new program features hybrid security and safety professionals called National Security Safety Officers (NSSOs), who not only meet rigorous experience and background standards but also complete extensive training in safety, government regulations and petrochemical operational security protocols. The NSSO force is complemented by a team of petrochemical experts and safety professionals, who provide client-specific interpretation and case management and support development and execution of customized safety and training programs.
Doug Blake is eminently qualified to bring these resources and this expertise to new and existing petrochemical clients. Blake began his security career as a uniformed officer and has risen through the ranks from Training Manager to Operations Manager, Branch Manager, District Manager and Vice President of National Accounts. He has provided oversight of up to 40,000 hours per week of site operations. On average, petrochemical companies have represented about 2/3 of the business in his portfolio.
Alton Harvey, Senior Vice President of U.S. Security Associates' Global Accounts Division, identified Blake as the ideal candidate to implement the NSSO program. "He has exceptional experience not only in the contract security industry, but in the petrochemical industry at all levels of our customers' locations, from being a security officer to running sites. He has a true understanding of the government regulations now prevalent in the industry."
With his grasp of the complex issues and evolving regulations impacting petrochemical clients, Blake has been a trusted resource for many of the biggest names in oil and gas since long before this promotion. His new position is a natural extension of his role as a subject matter expert, on a broader scale. In addition to overseeing all petrochemical site operations, Blake will continue to actively follow industry issues and regulations through the Department of Homeland Security, the American Society for Industrial Security, and other entities, to ensure that the Petrochemical Division and the NSSO program keep pace with ongoing developments.
ABOUT U.S. SECURITY ASSOCIATES
Founded in 1955, U.S. Security Associates is a premier national provider of uniformed contract security services with the distinction of MARAD certification. Our more than 46,000 employees across 160 offices serve several thousand clients in a variety of industries across the country. With leading-edge technology and responsive management teams, U.S. Security Associates was the first security services company to be certified ISO 9001:2008 at all of its offices nationwide. The company has been recognized as one of the world's 39 best training and development companies by ASTD and has been selected one of Training magazine's Top 125 training companies for six consecutive years. For more information visit www.ussecurityassociates.com.
The U.S. Security Associates Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=11547
