Executive Team
Kathryn J. Burrell
Chief Executive Officer
Kathryn J. Burrell is Chief Executive Officer at Sunstates Security.
As CEO, Burrell oversees many of the company's day-to-day business operations, including corporate finances, a role critical in meeting client expectations of responsiveness and efficiency.
She also manages responsibilities that help advance Sunstates' strategic vision, including community relations, human resources management, industry and trade alliances.
Before launching the privately owned Sunstates Security, Kathryn managed a successful, multi-million-dollar, family-owned home improvement business in the United Kingdom. Prior to that, she worked in the human resources department of NatWest, a large bank subsidiary of the Royal Bank of Scotland Group.
What are challenges to some within the ever-evolving security services industry are motivations for Kathryn, who enjoys industry changes and the accountability that comes with them.
Glenn P. Burrell, CPP
President
Glenn's riveting history in law enforcement took him from being a 22-year-old 'rookie' police officer in London's Metropolitan Police, better known as Scotland Yard, to assisting in pioneering a SWAT (intervention) team for the Norfolk Constabulary in Eastern England. Later being seconded to the Queen's private estate and Royal family (including Princes William and Harry) with the elite Royalty Protection Unit over the next 18 years. All of this experience and expertise ultimately led to Glenn's founding his own firm, a choice that would ideally leverage his extensive discipline and credentials.
In 1998, Glenn formed Sunstates Security LLC. In his career Glenn has been exposed to anti-terrorism activities including, oil rig and shipping interventions teams, unarmed combat, crime scene investigations and SWAT team response. Knowing what exemplary protection truly means, he surrounded himself only with professionals who share his standards.
From 30 employees in 1998, Sunstates has grown to a team world-class security professionals. Today the firm has presence throughout the United States.
Glenn's history in protection actually goes as far back as he remembers. As a child Glenn grew up on stories about his grandfather's survival of London's Blitz as a police officer during WWII. Those accounts of supporting the population's desire for order amidst German bombs were formative and awe inspiring.
At Scotland Yard (Metropolitan Police Service) Glenn first worked as a patrol officer, then as a detective investigating homicides and other felony crimes. His first move with his young family was to Norfolk, England where he was assigned to a tactical firearms ‘Intervention’ team including hostage and siege advisement. He helped institute a SWAT team and an armed vehicle response unit there.
At the Queen's private estate (Sandringham House), he was a member of an elite Royalty Protection team that provided personal protection to the Royal family at their 18,000 acre residence. The estate boasted one of the most sophisticated intruder-detection systems in existence: eight tiers of defensive and offensive response mechanisms.
"I have tremendous respect for many members of the Royal family, for the work they do and the sacrifices they make in some ways due to the ever present security team. It was this experience that led me to the conclusion that "Excellent security should be unobtrusive for those who require it and unapparent to those who threaten it." Says Glenn.
Glenn is founding Vice President and Board member of the North Carolina Association of Security Professionals, is a member of the American College of Forensic Examiners, ASIS International and holds the coveted Certified Protection Professional (CPP) designation.
Denis J. Kelly
Vice President
Responsible for fostering existing client relationships and building new ones, Denis oversees customer service, marketing, sales and business development at Sunstates.
Serving clients well is a perspective Denis has gleaned from his 20 years in the security industry working in just about every capacity, starting as front-line officer and rising to corporate vice president. Industry consolidation – with its continual focus on cheaper but not always better client service – motivated Denis to leave a larger security company to join the independently owned and operated Sunstates, which shares his passion for performance excellence and quality assurance.
Denis earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology and criminal law from Eastern Connecticut State University. He is a member of the American Society of Industrial Security, the International Facility Management Association and the Building Owners and Managers Association.
Rusty Mizelle, CPA
Vice President-Controller
Rusty leads our financial operations. Obviously this includes process development and analysis to ensure our financial growth. But his role also makes Sunstates the accountable and fiscally thriving company that we are. A firm who has the secure financial health our clients rely upon.
An important part of that equation allows us to attract and maintain the brightest and most sophisticated talent on every level.
As a financial officer with a diverse background, Rusty has great perspective and the ability to make decisions and solve problems from ISM to Project Management and Profit and Loss Analysis. He was formerly Controller of Springmoor Life Care Retirement Community, Management Accountant at McLaurin Parking Company and Acting Accounting Supervisor at UNC Physicians and Associates. Rusty holds a BA in Accounting and Business Management and as a CPA, enrolls in Continuing Education.
Today Rusty observes, "Sunstates is changing people's perceptions about security companies by providing a level of customer service and attention to detail not often found in the industry."
Robert Rogalski
Director of Operations
Robert Rogalski has more than a decade of experience in the security industry. Robert’s expertise involves providing superior customer support and team management. As the Director of Operations for Sunstates Security, he prides himself on delivering quality service and exceeding customer expectations. Success in the contract security field can only be achieved by providing Security Officers a quality place to work and offering them the necessary tools to perform at a high level. Robert’s goals for Sunstates are to take care of our customers, provide a great place to work, and develop security programs to the best in the industry.
Robert has served in a variety of roles within the contract security industry to include Operations Account Manager, Area Operations Manager, District Manager, and Branch Manager. Related career security experience includes the market segment types of corporate complex, financial, pharmaceutical, healthcare, commercial properties, malls, government, educational, and industrial.
Robert studied Criminal Justice and Business Management in college and graduated from the University of Maine, Augusta. Robert participates with networking organizations such as the American Society of Industrial Security, the International Facility Management Association, and the Building Owners and Managers Association.
Jeff Cathcart
Director of Training & Quality Assurance
Jeff's primary duty is to oversee Sunstates’ quality processes to uphold his—and our—exacting level of security protection. Jeff advises clients, supervises training and evaluates performance at every level.
His experience is nothing short of impeccable. Jeff possesses a law enforcement background and has 10 years as a U.S Navy Master Training specialist in the use of classified equipment. Later, as Chief of Security for the Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN), he led the protection detail responsible for the safety and security of a former Presidential candidate, Reverend Pat Robertson, his family, staff and dignitaries both here and abroad. Soon after 09.11.01 Jeff took a 1-year hiatus from CBN as the Academy Director for a U.S. Military Police Academy. There he trained U.S. Navy Specialists in Law Enforcement for service in the Middle East. He created a program for DOD personnel in all phases of security: from counter-terrorism to force protection.
Most recently Jeff directed and oversaw all North Carolina operations of another contract security firm. There, he monitored vulnerability of property to make client recommendations in security matters. Jeff is a founding member of the North Carolina Association of Security Professionals and holds an M.S. (Criminal Justice) through Regent University in Virginia.
Rachel Kiaski, PHR
Human Resource & Compliance Manager
Rachel is Sunstates’ Human Resource and Compliance Manager; she works closely with Jeff Cathcart, Director of Training and Quality Assurance, providing human resource support and expertise. She has eagerly adopted the company’s motto of “Service First” and believes it carries over to superior service for employees.
Rachel brings 12 years of HR expertise serving in nearly every HR capacity. Some of the roles she has held include Recruiter, HR Generalist, HR Manager and Director of HR. She has earned certification as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR), signifying that she not only possesses advanced theoretical knowledge, but also extensive practical experience in human resource management; demonstrating mastery of the field. Rachel holds a BA in Public Administration and is actively involved with the Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM), the world’s largest organization dedicated exclusively to the human resource profession.
Tamara Hompesch
Payroll Administrator/Office Manager
Of her more than ten year association with Sunstates, Tammy relates: "We are very dedicated in making sure our clients are taken care of and get what they pay us to do." She furthers this mission with a mind for detail: informed by nearly 30 years of administration experience.
For us, Tammy administers payroll for all Sunstates employees, works closely with accounting and maintains documentation to the State Agency registering Security Officers. Nothing must be missed.
A testament to her acumen is an 11-year career at Duke University, culminating in a position at the Dean's Office in its Trinity College. She provided budgetary supervision to the staff there. A long term and obviously studied contributor, Tammy also gave administrative guidance to the USDA-Forest Service in Washington, D.C. for a full 8 years.