About APSPA

The state’s oldest contract security association

Filling the Void

APSPA was founded in 2003 by Kimberly Anderson-Matich, the owner of Anderson Security Agency, Ltd., to fill the void of private security representation and to provide a singular voice to rally security practitioners by addressing the internal and external issues that impact all private companies that provide armed and unarmed security services.

These issues include insufficient training, incomplete background checks, security guard safety, professionalism, unethical business practices, unfair competition, retaining local security companies and legislative representation.

APSPA seeks solutions to these issues not only by conducting internal research, but APSPA also establishes strategic partnerships with other state private security associations and participates in a nationwide information sharing group that meets annually and discusses common issues and how those issues might be solved.

300+

Private Security Companies

5,900+

Armed Guards

28,630+

Unarmed Guards

According to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, there are more than 300 private security companies in the state; more than 5,900 armed guards and more than 28,630 unarmed guards. APSPA will continue contributing to public safety in Arizona by working to galvanize these agencies and individuals into a unified force for positive change.

Committee Chairs

  • ACCOMMODATIONS/EVENTS
    Jeanne Croft

  • LEGISLATIVE
    Mark Coxen

  • MARKETING
    Bill Schultz

  • STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP CHAIR
    Dan Swindall

Committee Chairs

Jeanne Croft

Accommodations/Events Chair

Jeanne Croft’s colleagues at Blackstone Security Services, Inc. describe her as a Type A personalitLy who is a problem-solver, conscientious, tenacious and very organized. For years, Jeanne has been the catalyst that keeps company representatives on task, on time and on the mark when it comes to fulfilling contract requirements in accordance with Blackstone’s quality standards.

As COO, Jeanne continues building on her strength of customer satisfaction by working closely with the CEO to define Blackstone’s vision going forward, set policy and oversee the company’s overall performance.

Jeanne’s success in building new business and retaining satisfied clients is the result of 20 years’ experience working in industries that needed on-site security services, arming the South Dakota native with inside knowledge concerning client security needs before contacting them. She brought with her an awareness of the security needs and issues of clients, such as commercial property management companies, when she joined Blackstone in 2004.

Mark Coxen

Legislative Chair

Mark served with distinction as a helicopter navigator in the US Army until his honorable discharge in 1991.  After the military, he began his career working in the public housing developments in San Francisco, Oakland and Richmond, CA where he specialized in gang and narcotic enforcement.

In addition to patrolling low income communities, Mark was also a team leader on a Maritime Counter-Terrorist Security Team under contract with the Department of Defense Military Sealift Command where he excelled as a Designated Marksmen, Diver and Small Boat Assaulter.  When the team wasn’t working on DoD ships, they were often called upon to perform dignitary protection.

Mark has protected such notables as Sarah Palin, Whoopi Goldberg, Michael Eisner and Larry Ellison.  In 2004, Mark moved to Arizona where he oversaw all uniformed operations for a major security company with over 300 employees and 3 offices in 2 states.  In 2011, Mark joined Blue Steel Security as an Owner and the Chief Operations Officer as well as the primary firearms instructor.  In addition to overseeing the day to day operations of Blue Steel, Mark also teaches courses in personal safety and active shooter response to a variety of local public and private entities.

When he’s not working Mark enjoys spending time with his wife Michelle and riding his horse in competitive ranch sorting. 

Bill Schultz

Marketing Chair

Bill is a longtime Valley resident who’s passionate about helping champion Arizona’s security guard community. Also a USAF veteran, Bill started in Business Development in  2008 and now as a Advisory with his own consulting group, he has stayed close to the realities of running operations, serving clients, and supporting  the advancement of officers in the field. 

In addition, Bill operates and owns his Arizona Private Investigations Agency (ISC).

Bill’s focus is simple: raise the bar for the security guard and investigations industry through stronger relationships, strategic public partnerships, higher standards, and integration of technology connecting with physical security—without losing the valued human side  He’s known for being approachable, collaborative, and always willing to connect, to assist  any security leaders to move forward.

Dan Swindall

Strategic Partnership Chair

Dan Swindall is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of an award-winning company that recently began its third decade of providing quality security service to its clients. An Arizona native, Dan has more than three decades of security experience that began with an extended overseas tour as a security policeman in the U.S. Air Force.

After his Honorable Discharge, Dan parlayed $500 and two employees into a multimillion-dollar, multi-state operation that has been recognized by local and national bodies for its ethics, entrepreneurship and job creation.

Blackstone became the only private security company to win the Arizona Better Business Bureau’s Torch Award for Business Ethics in 2012. Since then, Dan represented the BBB as a featured speaker at a national Integrity Summit, a member on its ethics selection committee and as a panelist during the BBB Best Practices discussions. In 2014 Dan was named CEO of the Year by an executive-level magazine. Dan authored a monthly magazine column on corporate security and served an unprecedented three consecutive terms as the Chair of the Arizona Private Security Professionals’ Association (APSPA).

Dan currently writes an online column for the Phoenix Business Journals Leadership Trust, an invitation-only group of business owners in the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. Blackstone was recently accepted by a unanimous vote to the National Association of Security Companies (NASCO).

Dan is also active in the Phoenix Chapter of the American Society for Industrial Security International (ASIS), the International Association of Security, Investigators and Regulators (IASIR), the Alliance of State Private Security Associations (ASPSA) the Associated Security Services and Investigators of the State of Texas (ASSIST), the California Association of Licensed Security Agencies (CALSAGA) and the New Mexico Private Security Association (NMPSA).

Tim Furness

Tucson Liasson

Tim brings over 25 years of leadership in business management and ownership, culminating in his recent venture, Avalanche Security Solutions. His long-standing commitment to the security industry is evident through his 15+ years of active involvement, fostering many relationships throughout the industry and law enforcement agencies. 

As an expert in security and safety, Tim regularly speaks at monthly coalition meetings on topics such as crime statistics, personal safety, and crime trends. He also develops and delivers critical active shooter training for businesses and other agencies.