ACRE, the parent company of Vanderbilt, RS2 Technologies, Open Options, ComNet, and Razberi Technologies, announced Monday that its Founder and CEO, Joe Grillo, would be retiring effective May 20, 2022.
Grillo has spent four decades 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, the company has achieved significant growth with close to $300 million in revenue and over 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 carveout 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. He was also instrumental in launching the Global Technologies Division while a participating member of Assa Abloy’s Management Board.
In 2021, ACRE was acquired by Triton, a European-based private equity investment firm. Grillo has been invited to stay on as a nonexecutive member of ACRE’s Board of Directors.
