About Us
Executive Management
Walden Security
Executive Management
Amy S. Walden
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
As co-founder of Walden Security, Amy Walden began her career in law enforcement while attending the University of Tennessee. After serving three years as dispatcher with the Chattanooga police department; Amy, with her husband Michael, started Metropolitan Security, known today as Walden Security.
As Chairman and CEO for Walden Security, Amy oversees all financial aspects of the company, and her responsibilities include reviewing and reporting company financial information, key performance metrics, cash flows, staff utilization and financial statements. She prepares annual budgets, financial plans, interim forecasts, and ensures timely reconciliation and analysis of costs, billing rates, overhead, G & A rates, time charging, and expense reports.
Professionally, Amy is a member of the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce and National Association of Security Companies – NASCO. She is also a sustaining member of the Junior League of Chattanooga and is an active volunteer at her daughter’s school. Amy is active in the community and supports various local charities and organizations, such as the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the Mary Ellen Locker Center, and the American Heart Association.
Michael S. Walden, CPP
President
As co-founder and President of Walden Security, Michael Walden has focused on building a solid company infrastructure by investing in innovative programs for the most important asset of Walden Security, its employees. His philosophy, “people do business with people, not companies,” is at the core of his sincere approach that emphasizes providing quality protective service above all else.
Originally from Chattanooga, TN, Michael began his career in the military, where he served seven years in the US Navy as Master Training Specialist, Search and Rescue Swimmer, Recruit Company Commander and Aviation Warfare Specialist. He then joined the Chattanooga police department as a law enforcement officer, serving the narcotics and patrol divisions for six years, where he recognized the community’s need for reliable security service. Working as a police officer during the day and as a security officer at night, Michael was soon overwhelmed with the local demand for contract security and it was then that he and his wife, Amy, decided to commit their efforts to start Metropolitan Security, now known as Walden Security.
Michael is active in the local community and is recipient of numerous professional awards, such as Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Member of the Year, Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year, Sam Walton Business Leadership Award and Mass Mutual – Blue Chip Enterprise Initiative Award. He currently serves as chairman for the Greater Chattanooga Crime Stoppers, is a member of the Hamilton County Emergency Communication 911 Board of Directors and is commissioner for the Hamilton County Election Commission.
A Certified Protection Professional (CPP), Michael is active in various professional organizations, such as American Society of Industrial Security – ASIS (member, past chairman), Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce, (member, past chairman), Building Owners and Managers Association – BOMA (member), and National Association of Security Companies – NASCO (member).
Curtis Casey, CPA
Senior Vice President Finance and Controller
With Walden Security since 1999, Curtis Casey directs all financial activity and forecasts for future business growth and general economic outlook.
Curtis oversees the financial activity for each local branch, and meets regularly with branch general managers to keep informed of local financial performance and to offer direction. He is also responsible for pricing client proposals and oversees the payroll, accounts receivable and accounts payable functions.
On the corporate level, Curtis studies long-range economic trends and opportunities and projects company prospects for future growth in overall sales and market share, and opportunities for acquisitions or expansion into new product areas. As the primary analyst for the company, Curtis advises investment of funds and works with banks to raise additional capital as required for expansion.
Curtis Casey holds a B.A. in Accounting and is a licensed CPA with twelve years of accounting and finance experience. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Tennessee Society of Certified Public Accountants.
Kim Hunt
Vice President Risk Management
With more than sixteen years of experience as independent property and casualty insurance broker, Kim Hunt joined Walden Security in 2002 as Vice President of Risk Management and is responsible for all aspects of property and casualty insurance and risks.
A certified insurance counselor through Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters, Kim graduated from Aetna’s PRIME agent program and is trained in property, casualty, life, and health insurance.
Margie Usry
Vice President Government Contracts
With more than twenty-four years in the contract industry, Margie Usry has extensive experience in bid solicitations, procurement processes and procedures, and acquisition and contract administration.
After serving as Branch Chief and Division Chief for the Contract Administration of the Directorate of Contracting, Margie worked at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as Contract Specialist. At the CDC, her scope of responsibility encompassed all contract functions for appropriated fund contracts including developing acquisition planning documents, reviewing requests for contracts for accuracy and adequacy, and preparing solicitation documents.
As Vice President Government Contracts, Margie is responsible for pre- and post-award government activities, including proposals, bids, contract review and account management. She played an integral role in listing Walden Security as a GSA Scheduled Contractor and in Walden Security’s successful acquisition bid for TSA Approved Vendor status.
J. Denise Goff
Director of Learning and Development
As Director of Learning and Development for Walden Security, Denise Goff is responsible for curriculum research, design, and strategic development of the comprehensive training program for the company and oversees the execution of local and site-specific training programs. She serves as the subject matter expert for the company on training requirements necessary for optimal service, contractual and corporate compliance.
Additionally, Denise performs train-the-trainer sessions for those responsible for delivering company-wide training programs, handles the research, development, and management of the web-based Learning Management System, oversees the Walden Security Four-Star program, and works with local teams to develop site-specific training and on-the-job training programs.
In the security industry since 1996, Denise is a member of the American Society of Training & Development, a certified instructor for American Red Cross, and a Certified Advance Safety Professional by the National Safety Council.
Lauren S. Hardin
Director of Marketing and Communications
As Director of Marketing and Communications for Walden Security, Lauren Hardin develops corporate sales and marketing strategy, executes plans for market expansion, oversees internal and external communications, directs the usage and evolution of the corporate brand, and administers the company’s web-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) application. She also serves on the Walden Security Quality Management steering committee.
Before joining Walden Security in 2004, Lauren worked for an Atlanta-based creative services agency, where she led the development of Walden Security’s corporate brand, oversaw design and production of the company’s sales and marketing collateral and directed the design of the Walden Security website, www.waldensecurity.com. For nine years prior to that, Lauren held business development and account management positions in advertising and marketing where she specialized in the planning and execution of strategic growth plans of small and mid-sized businesses.
Lauren holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in small business management and entrepreneurship from Kennesaw State University.
Thomas E. Shipley
Senior Quality Assurance Manager
With Walden Security since 1994, Tom Shipley oversees the company-wide quality assurance program. To ensure compliance with the ISO 2001:2000 QMS certification, Tom works with General Managers, Operations Managers and Account Managers to conduct annual or bi-annual audits of the four levels of quality management, which include quality manual, procedures, post orders, and checks and balances.
Working in tandem with each local branch, Tom conducts random post inspections to ensure compliance with written post orders, and conducts quarterly written examinations of security officer’s knowledge of their general post duties.
Prior to Walden Security, Tom was Vice President of Operations for CJ Enterprises, Inc., where he managed government contracts. He was enlisted in the United States Navy, where he served aboard Polaris submarines and Destroyer Tenders (repair ships). His shore assignments included Limited Duty officer in Nuclear Weapon Safety and Security, Fleet Torpedo Officer, Mine Readiness Officer, Officer in Charge, Executive Officer and Chief Staff Officer of numerous Naval weapons engineering commands. In September 1994, Tom retired from the Navy, after thirty-two years, with the rank of Commander. Tom Shipley is a member of the American Society for Quality.