Our Leadership Team
Mike McLeod
CEO & Founder
Mike is CEO of RapidFire Safety & Security and is a career operating executive in the fire life safety and security industry. With expertise in mergers and acquisitions, Mike has acquired and successfully integrated over 65 businesses in his career. Before founding RapidFire Safety & Security, Mike served as the Chief Executive Officer for Republic Fire Protection, a growth business focused on consolidating the Southeast’s fire safety sector.
Mike spent 18 years as President & COO of Interface Security Systems, where he led operations and growth to become the 7th largest company in the Security sector by building a team focused on creating an excellent customer experience, creating a culture that fostered innovation and success, and expanding service offerings to grow recurring monthly revenue.
Earlier in his career, Mike held many different positions ranging from installation supervisor to managing monitoring centers, to leading entire life safety and security operations at companies, such as Security Technologies Group and API Security. He established foundational leadership skills in the US Marine Corps. He is an innovative, strategic, and values-driven leader who prioritizes employees, customers, and business partners. He values hard work, creates an entrepreneurial environment that embraces risk-taking, and holds his team accountable to deliver top performance. When not working Mike enjoys road biking, mountain biking, golf and traveling.
Colin Harrold
Co-Founder & Board Advisor
Colin’s extensive International & domestic US executive management experience has spanned over two decades, holding roll your sleeves up field positions and executive leadership roles with fortune 100 Johnson Control (JCI) TYCO International. Chubb Fire & Security and private company Interface Security Systems (ISS) industry recognized for being a catalyst for growth through the optimization of process, systems and people collaboration.
His broad range of skills and culturally diverse understanding, stems from his life experiences, originally from Ireland educated in England, humbled in Africa and blossomed in America. When not working, his competitive spirit carries over to the soccer field.
Brian Modglin
Chief Operating Officer
Brian is NICET level IV certified in Fire Alarm and has over 30 years of Operating Experience. He is a RapidFire investor and our COO. Brian led National Field Operations teams responsible installation and maintenance of integrated managed services including managed networks, VoIP, interactive video, access control, Fire Alarm and electronic security systems ranging from 1 to 11,000 locations per customer. He successfully built and managed a national deployment PMO. Knowledgeable and experienced in multiple facets of business including P&L responsibility, Sales Management, Field Operations, Customer and Technical support, and Design Engineering.
Ken Obermeyer
Chief Financial Officer
Prior to joining RapidFire, Ken served as Chief Financial Officer of Interface Security Systems for 27 years, where he provided strategic financial leadership for one of the industry’s leading security and life safety companies. Ken also served as VP of Finance at Centennial Security Systems and as Controller of the Ohio-based security business that became the platform for Centennial Security Systems.
Ken brings more than 32 years of CFO experience in the security and life safety industry.
Chris Nielsen
Chief People Officer
Chris is a seasoned professional with extensive experience spanning Retail, Loss Prevention, and Human Resources. Chris has played a key role in the success of several renowned companies, including Family Dollar, Jumbo Sports, and Venture Stores. Over the past decade, his focus has shifted to advancing Human Resources strategies, with a strong emphasis on Servant Leadership, Team Development, and fostering a positive company culture. Chris is a strategic leader who places great value on people and is committed to advancing the culture at RapidFire.
Chris spent the majority of his career at Family Dollar Stores Inc., where he held several influential roles. As Vice President of Human Resources for 10 years, Chris was instrumental in shaping the company’s HR strategy and organizational development. Before transitioning to Human Resources, he spent 13 years in the Loss Prevention Department, where he rose to the role of Vice President. A significant career milestone was his key role in the merger of Family Dollar and Dollar Tree, during which he was selected for the Executive Development Program at Dollar Tree and earned a certification from the Raymond A. Mason School of Business at William & Mary University.
Chris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Truman State University.
Mark Grudzien
Vice President of Business Development
Mark brings over a decade of M&A advisory and strategic growth planning experience within the fire, life safety, and security sector. Mark specializes advising business owners on structuring financial solutions to support mergers and acquisitions, organic growth, shareholder buyouts, and recapitalizations. Throughout his career, Mark has supported more than 25 acquisitions, representing over $250 million in deployed capital. In 2019, he was honored by Security Systems News as one of the “40 Under 40” professionals shaping the future of the security industry.
Mark holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the Farmer School of Business at Miami University (Ohio) and an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. Outside of work, Mark enjoys spending time with his wife and their two young children. He’s an avid runner, golfer, and sci-fi reader, and never misses a chance to cheer on his favorite Chicago teams and the Wisconsin Badgers.
Jeremy Giauque
Vice President of Fire Services