"Because of terrorist threats and an increasing emphasis on the need for more everyday protection of assets in Chicago and this entire area," Thompson says, "we're seeing increased demand for our services and are making additional investments here." He says the Chicago staff has grown from 15 to 22 to expand business development and customer service activities.

Chase was previously with locally based Ibbotson Associates, which was acquired by Morningstar. "We were especially interested in Walter's understanding of, and experience in delivering top-notch customer service," Thompson says.

Kastle's Midwest territory covers 13 states, including the Dakotas, Missouri and Ohio. The outsourcer of security system operation and management was founded 34 years ago. It provides security for more than 1,700 properties aggregating about 289 million sf of commercial office space. Annual sales grew by 11% in 2005.