The security industry has lost two unique and influential leaders in 2024. This past Thanksgiving weekend, I was informed that a mentor and dear friend, Joe Costa, had passed at home with his wife, Dawn, by his side following a prolonged illness.
Joe's unique blend of advocacy for best practices, pioneering spirit in applying technology to security, and belief in the power of collaboration made him a guiding force in our field for more than 30 years. His wisdom, particularly his mentorship, shaped countless careers, including mine, and his absence is a profound loss not only for those of us fortunate enough to have known Joe personally but for the entire industry.
Before co-founding ISR Solutions with Tony Padilla, CSEIP, Joe had built a track record of successful ventures. Among them were an access control company in Los Angeles and Rampart Partners, which he established with his longtime business partner and friend, Bob Rutkowski. Later in his career, Joe led the security division at AllCom Global Services in collaboration with Bob Weatherwax.
“What Joe and Tony accomplished with ISR Solutions was nothing short of remarkable. By 2004, it had become the largest independent and privately held security integrator in the U.S. and the world’s largest Lenel value-added reseller, a testament to their vision and dedication,” says Ryan Kaltenbaugh, the SVP of the Americas Region at LenelS2/Honeywell Building Automation, who owed his start in the security industry to Joe.
Memories of Joseph P. Costa
There may be no other friend and colleague who was as close to Joe as Tony Padilla, my friend and partner in crime for over 30 years. In the early 80s, Tony was in Salt Lake City working for an alarm/integrator company when he got the call from Joe to come to Chatsworth, CA. to take a job at SCSI working on the design of the new LINX product.
“As a technical solutions manager, I was invited to all the trade shows to set up, run, and demonstrate the products. I was included in the Ross Perot EDS national account in the LINX sale. Joe asked me to help project manage the Lansing Michigan General Motors Plants LINX installation. I would travel to the site on a three-week rotating schedule with two other PMs,” remembers Tony.
While working at LINX in Chatsworth, Joe and Dawn immediately accepted Tony and his wife as family, creating an unbreakable bond over the decades. The joke was that when Joe had Tony “walk down the hall” at the office with him to discuss business, the Padilla family ultimately moved on to a new opportunity.
“Joe sold LINX to Mosler. We ‘walked down the hall’, and I was invited to move to Hamilton, OH, as the Marketing Director of Electronic Security. While there, I had daily calls with Joe about markets, sales, new products and opportunities. He guided my efforts to grow the electronic security offerings for the nationwide sales force at Mosler. Joe and I had the opportunity to work side by side at Mosler, developing a robust sales training course, which we presented to the over 120 sales associates and their regional VPs. Joe loves to see the sales folks excited about learning about new products, opportunities and associations,” Tony adds. “He was a true professional in selling and training others. He was excited about new opportunities and deeply understood the electronic security industry.”
At an ISC East show in New York not long after, Joe and Tony took another walk that eventually landed the two with partner Barry Banks in launching one of the most successful integration firms in the country, Integrated Security Solutions (ISR).
“Within a year, all those taking our calls were holding on line one. Joe taught me that communication is the key to a successful operation by providing simple responses to requests. We grew ISR nationwide and had growth funding from the Carlise Group. With this growth we became the largest private security company in the nation,” Tony says. “After selling ISR to form Stanley Security, I became CTO of the Stanley Security Group. This role allowed me to collaborate with a talented sales team, many of whom remain active in the industry. Joe's trust in me enhanced my skills and deepened my understanding of corporate leadership.”
The transition from Stanley Security marked a pivotal moment in the industry journey of Tony who launched Security Integrator Corp. (SIC). Within its first year, the company achieved SBA 8A certification and secured contracts to provide security services for the U.S. Federal Government. Joining forces with Joe, SIC quickly expanded its reach. Leveraging Joe's extensive network and sales acumen, the company generated over $5 million in revenue within two years. Following the expiration of the SBA 8A certification, the collaboration continued at ALLCOM, where this partnership fostered business growth and provided critical insights into managing complex, large-scale security initiatives.
Once Joe retired from ALLCOM to enjoy the salt life on the shores of Solomons Island, MD, sailing and boating with Dawn, he was satisfied to mentor remotely. The two eventually moved to Colorado to be closer to family
“I had the opportunity to go see Joe several months ago. He was fighting his illness and taught me another great lesson: never give up the fight. Joe was my boss, mentor, friend and teacher. I consider him part of my extended family. He truly is a wonderful industry icon and will be missed. I will miss my conversations with my mentor and friend. I especially will miss my ‘walks down the hall,” concludes Tony.
Joe is survived by his wife of more than 31 years, Dawn; his sons Joe (Nikki) and Tony; grandchildren, Rachel, Anthony and Audrey.
Another Mentor and Icon Gone
The security industry lost another towering figure in April 2024, when Jim Henry died at 70. He left an indelible mark over his 50-year career. From November 2001 to December 2010, he served as Chairman and CEO of Henry Bros. (HBE), a role that cemented his reputation for integrity and dedication.
I met Jim over 30 years ago and was immediately struck by his commanding presence, resonant baritone voice, and infectious laugh. He had a unique ability to connect with anyone, whether speaking to a small group or a large audience. Many, including myself, sought his guidance and mentorship over the years, and his personal impact on us was profound.
His pragmatic approach to business matched Jim’s legacy as a fierce advocate for the security industry. He understood the importance of aligning technology with operational goals rather than letting it be the sole driver. His insights and leadership were instrumental in shaping how the industry evolved. Jim’s passing leaves a profound void as with Joe Costa, but the contributions of both will continue influencing and inspiring professionals for years.
Forging New Security Leadership
The passing of Joe Costa and Jim Henry is a stark reminder of the value of institutional knowledge. Each possessed a deep well of experience—hard-earned lessons from decades of navigating security’s evolving challenges. From adapting to the early days of digital transformation to addressing the growing complexities of the physical systems world and how the evolving landscape reshapes how systems integrators impact business, their perspectives often illuminated paths forward where others saw only obstacles. Losing someone with such insights leaves a void that can’t easily be filled.
“Joe taught me invaluable lessons that continue to guide me today—professionalism, respect for others, giving back, building relationships, leadership, and maintaining a customer-centric approach. He exemplified winning with integrity and left a legacy of excellence that inspires all who knew him,” Kaltenbaugh adds.
But Joe and Jim's legacies also call us to action. As the industry says goodbye to one generation of leaders, it opens the door for the next. This transition is both a challenge and an opportunity. The younger professionals stepping into leadership roles have fresh perspectives, technological fluency, and an eagerness to push boundaries. Yet, to truly honor the legacy of mentors like my friends, they must pair these qualities with a commitment to learning from the past and forging collaborative relationships across the industry.
The loss of institutional knowledge is significant but need not be final. We must commit ourselves to documenting the lessons learned, fostering mentorships, and creating spaces for meaningful knowledge transfer. Those of us who benefitted from the wisdom of our predecessors now have a responsibility to share what they gave us with those coming up the ranks.
The passing of mentors like Joe and Jim is deeply personal, but their impact—and the challenge each left us—resonates broadly. It’s up to us to ensure their contributions endure, not just in memory but in how we shape the future of security.
