It All Began In 1993…

It all began with Stuart, who had worked for his father’s general contracting company for over 15 years, where he was able to develop his knowledge and understanding of the business operations of a successful service-oriented contracting company.

As a graduate of the University of Maryland with a Bachelors’s Degree in Computer Science, he was always interested in technology and computers. Just out of college, Stuart had the opportunity to work in the IT departments of several fortune 500 companies such as The Discovery Channel, McCormick Spice Company, and Bausch & Lomb. Not too long after that, Stuart realized that he wanted to return to the construction industry but still do something with technology.

While Stuart was attending a training seminar on computerizing the marketing for his father’s business, he met Mark “Big Poppy” Recene. Big Poppy had been in the construction business for a company in New York but had recently switched to the security industry and given Stuart a basic understanding of the similarities between the two businesses.

When Stuart returned from the training, he decided to use what he had learned from Big Poppy, his training in the construction industry, and his formal education in computers and technology to create a new business.

Big Poppy remained in close contact with Stuart while also providing him with some key contacts to help get the company off the ground. Stuart knew he needed to find the right individual to share his passion for technology, along with the ability to deliver excellent customer service, someone that was dependable and very detail-oriented. Shortly after Stuart started the company, he met Mark Shane through a mutual friend. Mark agreed to manage the service and installation for the new business.

Previously, Mark Shane worked for Martin Marietta as a Quality Control Supervisor on such projects as The B-1 Bomber Program, The Patriot Missile Launcher (which was used in the Gulf War), and the Vertical Launching Missile System. His experience enabled the company to meet the challenges that lay ahead.

The company began assembling, testing, and installing sophisticated, yet simple to use, security systems that met the demands of our customers. The team determined that very few security companies were offering state-of-the-art equipment and professional installations. Stuart’s technical and computer background, coupled with Mark’s 10+ years of installation and quality control experience, was a natural fit.

HS Tech Group began designing systems for all types of applications, including customers who had difficulty seeing or hearing, customers who kept large valuables, such as car collections, rare works of art, and those concerned because they were secluded or off the main road. Each situation was taken into consideration and addressed individually.

Within a couple of years, Poppy decided to make the move from New York to Maryland to join up with Stuart and Mark. All the while, Poppy had remained in close contact with Stuart assisting him with business decisions, “It was just a matter of time before we would be working together under the same roof,” Stuart said.

In 1995, when AT&T moved away from the residential security market, HST began to look for another alliance. In 1996 we combined forces with ADT, the largest residential security provider in the World. In our first year with the ADT Authorized Dealer Program, HST installed over 3,000 security systems. This secured our position as one of the top two authorized ADT dealers in the U.S. When HST decided to leave the dealer program in 2003 due to an ADT/TYCO merger, we had successfully installed over 20,000 systems and offered service to 30,000 other ADT customers in the tri-state area.

HST received national recognition when Security Distributing Magazine wrote an article on the company in the August 1997 issue. HST was also featured in SDM’s annual security industry ranking issue in May of 1997.

In early 2003, HST was selected to represent General Electric Security, now owned by United Technologies Corporation, and accepted into their Security Pro Dealer Program. GE has very stringent guidelines and requirements for its dealers. According to a letter of acceptance from GE Security Pro, HST was chosen because of its commitment to excellence in customer service, alarm system design, and installation. “HST is driven to take care of customers,” said GE Security Pro Director Michael Benedict. “We demand a track record of excellence in system design and installation before a company can offer GE products and be part of the elite Security Pro program. HST exceeds those demands.”

After enjoying several outstanding years of business and numerous accolades from our peers, HS Tech Group felt it was time to position ourselves to fill a niche in the new construction and integration industry. With our experience and dedication, HST began offering a diverse line of products and services that would allow builders, contractors, and customers alike to contact one company to fulfill all of their low-voltage needs. Whether it was providing the wiring for telephone, TV, internet services, multi-room music systems, video surveillance, intercom systems, lighting and shade control, and more – HST was up for the challenge.

Through our relationships with various architects, interior designers, electrical, commercial, and government contractors, HST began incorporating a new line of products and custom services to residential and commercial clients. We continually update our portfolio in our state-of-the-art design center. The team developed the facility to offer clients a place to experience the latest must-have products in a private atmosphere with specialized attention.

In 2012, HST received the coveted Police Dispatch Quality Award. “HS Tech Group has taken on the false dispatch issue as a company-wide effort. From sales and administration to the technical side of the company, they have confronted the issues with a ‘we can fix it’ approach,” said Ron Walters, director of the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC). “It is obvious by HS Tech’s realistic advertising literature, fully-trained sales personnel, installation standards, and monitoring company requirements that everything is geared toward proactive false alarm reduction through working closely with customers and law enforcement,” adds Gerry Miller, a past president of the False Alarm Reduction Association (FARA).

Launched in 2005 by SIAC, FARA, and Security Sales & Integration, officially endorsed by the Installation Quality (IQ) program, the PDQ program raises industry-wide awareness and motivates alarm companies to be proactive and provides workable models. The PDQ Award annually recognizes the best company in the U.S. offering dispatched security services that best demonstrates an enthusiastic, cooperative, and successful effort in false alarm reduction strategies.

HST also received the Best of the Best award for its “Customer for Life” program. “Usually Jacks-of-all-trades are masters of none, but quite the opposite is true for Pikesville, Md.-based HS Tech Group. The firm has diversified across commercial, residential, new construction, electrical, and design divisions. Its impeccable balance of technical, business, and people skills allowed it to capture 2012 SSI Installer of the Year (small to midsize company, >150 employees)”, says Scott Goldfine, Editor of Security Sales and Integration Magazine.

Some of HST’s more notable accomplishments have been:

• The renovation and technology upgrades for the newly remodeled Chesapeake Shakespeare Theater in Baltimore City.
• Being selected to work on an episode of ABC’s Extreme Home Makeover shot in Baltimore City.
• The technology renovation of the American Brewery Building in Baltimore City, now the Humanim’s Baltimore-based headquarters.
• The security and upgrades for the Naval Academy’s Lacrosse Museum, which is now housed inside the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
• The automation and lighting control at Robinson’s Children’s Nature Center, located in Howard County.
• The security upgrades at both the Boys’ Latin School of Maryland and the Gilman School.

HST continues to be selected by residential, commercial, and educational clients that require a certain level of interaction along with a team of professionals that deliver what they promise.

From its humble beginnings, HST has continued to receive national ranking and recognition in many of the magazines. Stuart has also had several industry-related articles published in Home and Design Magazine, Mid-Atlantic Builder Magazine, Chesapeake Home Magazine, and more. He is often asked to speak to industry organizations on False Alarm Reduction and was honored with the Rex Bell award in 2011 for his service to FARA (False Alarm Reduction Association). He has served on the board of Directors for the Maryland Burglar and Fire Alarm Association and continues to remain active in the industry, keeping HST at the forefront of technology.