Published: August 12, 2008 11:42 pm            

Local firm to play role in presidential inauguration

Whether it’s John McCain or Barack Obama enjoying his inauguration in January, the new president’s security that day will be provided in part by a Johnstown-area company.

Intelligent Security Technologies of Adams Township announced Tuesday that it has been selected to provide certain elements of security being put in place for the inauguration.

“It’s a positive milestone in our government business development,” said Mike Hruska, managing partner of the 3-year-old company. “It’s a stepping stone for us moving forward to work on larger-scale security solutions for cities and metropolitan areas.”

Specific terms of the contract, issued by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Federal Protective Service, could not be released. In general, IST will provide surveillance, intrusion detection and access-control services both inside and outside buildings in the inauguration area.

Essentially, the company will be installing video-surveillance equipment, swipe-card security technology and motion-detection sensors. It will begin working on the project in a few weeks; preparations for the event are well under way.

“It’s a quick time line,” said Jonathan Poltrack, chief information officer. “There are going to be other efforts before the inauguration, and they want to start getting the work done as quickly as possible.”

Poltrack said the contract is a big moment for the company.

It’s a career highlight to be helping to provide for the security of the nation’s next leader, but the contract also marks a change for the company of more than 10 employees. Until now, IST hasn’t worked with a government customer, and it has worked primarily in western Pennsylvania.

“We’ve been to all of these seminars on government contracting and they say don’t expect to get a contract from the government within the first five years of business,” Poltrack said.

“So this places us a little bit ahead of the curve.”

        

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