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 20 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

Chief Operating Officer

Denis is responsible for oversight of companywide operations, sales and marketing, and human resources for Sunstates, which provides uniformed security services to a diverse client base throughout the Mid-Atlantic, Southeast and Southwest regions of the United States.

Serving clients well is a perspective Denis has gleaned from his 24 plus years in the security industry working in just about every capacity, starting as front-line officer and rising to corporate executive 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.

Robert Rogalski

Vice President 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 Vice President 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 Director of Operations, 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.

Roberta Scoblick

Business Development & Marketing Director

Roberta has more than 30 years of experience in the contract security industry. She started her career as a file clerk and worked her way through college where she earned her degree in marketing from William Paterson University in New Jersey. During her tenure, she has worked for international security service providers as well as family owned regional providers. She values the privately-owned company’s values to think outside the box and cater to the client. Her portfolio of clients are represented by almost every industry imaginable. Roberta’s expertise involves providing customized security solutions tailored for each individual customer’s needs. She enjoys the opportunity to be your resource for all security related needs and values the opportunity to network customers together for their benefit and developing best practices. As the Business Development and Marketing Director for Sunstates Security, she prides herself on delivering developing a quality, proactive program that exceeds customer expectations.

Roberta participates with networking and resource organizations such as the ASIS International, the International Facility Management Association (IFMA), and the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA), Community Association Institute (CAI), North Carolina Association of Campus Law Enforcement Administrators (NCACLEA), and Institute for Supply Management (ISM).

Robert Thurman

Vice President of Finance

Robert is responsible for the financial stewardship of the Company, including capital and operating budgets, financial affairs and reporting, debt/treasury management, and overall risk management.

Robert has over fourteen years of corporate business experience with the world’s second largest uniformed security guarding and integrated technology services company. His experience includes Financial Administrator, Financial Analyst and Region Controller. An effective, dynamic and resourceful team player with exceptionally strong business acumen, work ethic and values; Robert joined Sunstates to help the company successfully continue its strong organic growth while properly servicing its customers.

Robert earned his Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance and Accounting from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX.

Matt Smolecki, MSM, CPP, MBA

Director of Learning, Development & Safety

As Director of Learning, Development & Safety, Matt is responsible for developing all training and safety initiatives companywide in partnership with the operations team and state trainers. A Certified Protection Professional (CPP), Matt brings extensive industry experience to Sunstates, including Branch Manager, National Account Branch Manager and Global Account Manager for national contract security companies. His experience and formal education have prepared him well for the Director of Learning, Development & Safety position, which will ensure Sunstates’ ability to continue providing outstanding training and safety programs.

Additionally, Matt brings 20 years of experience with the U.S. Army, serving as a commissioned officer for 10 years. He retired as Executive Officer, 10th MP (CID) Battalion (Airborne) at Fort Bragg. Before attending Officer Candidate School, he served as a U.S. Army Drill Sergeant Instructor at Fort McClellan in Alabama.

Matt holds an Associates of Arts Degree in Management from the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland; a Bachelor’s of Science in Government & Politics from the University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland; a Master of Arts in Security Management from Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri; and a Post Masters Certificate in College Teaching from Capella University, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Lisa Butler

 Director of Legal & Compliance

Lisa has over 25 years of compliance and regulatory experience with a background in corporate law, contract review, HIPPA, corporate compliance and employment law. Lisa will oversee all company and employee licensing, background investigations, and compliance audits while providing legal support for the company. Prior to joining Sunstates, she served as an executive officer for a major real estate development company as well as a paralegal for a corporate litigation firm in Savannah, GA. Her experience in licensing, policy drafting and corporate compliance makes her an excellent addition to Sunstates’ management team and will provide an invaluable service to our clients. Lisa previously held a Georgia Real Estate license and has numerous certifications in both Contract Law and Human Resource Management.