Security chief has eye on the bigger picture.

When Frank Califano Sr. hired his first security guard for an assignment back in 1988, he paid the guard twelve dollars an hour. The client was only paying ten. While most would view such an arrangement as questionable business management, Califano, with his eye on the bigger picture, saw hiring the higher-quality guard at a loss as a necessary sacrifice.

Seventeen years later, FJC Security Services Inc. is a growing $74 million company, still privately-owned and operated by the Califano family. And Frank Califano Sr. is still doing whatever it takes to ensure that FJC provides the superior-quality personnel and service New York's commercial and residential properties require.

His determination from day one that FJC would provide better-qualified guards than those commonly found throughout the industry did not make the road to success an easy one. "For years, most building owners and managers would choose a security firm based strictly on the cheapest possible cost per guard," explained Califano from his office at the company's Floral Park, New York headquarters. "Since 9/11, though, most commercial and residential clients have become acutely interested in how well their guards are screened and trained. It's made it a bit easier to sell the higher-quality product we've always worked to provide."

Before founding FJC, Califano learned the importance of having private security guards that are reliable and well-trained during his 15 years in the NYPD. "As a cop, I went through too many incidents where building security personnel did not understand how to interact with the police, and situations would just go from bad to worse," he said.

Those experiences are one reason why Califano has always placed such a strong emphasis on thoroughly training his personnel, which currently includes more than 3,000 unarmed and armed guards. In addition to an initial 40-hour training regimen, every FJC guard receives 16 hours of pre-assignment site-specific training at the client's location, as well as additional training in professional conduct, customer service, resident relations and law enforcement interaction. FJC recently opened a new state-of-the-art 10,000 square foot NYC regional office and training facility in Long Island City.

"The bottom line is that security guards are posted to observe and report, acting as additional eyes and ears for law enforcement," Califano explained. "A security company absolutely must have a good working relationship with the police department to be of most benefit to the client."

Califano's was instrumental in working with the NYPD and the District Attorney's Office to develop the Safe Hails Affidavit, in which private security companies receive additional coordinated support from local police precincts in the protection of residential facilities.

He has consulted with New York's Office of General Services (OGS) on the government agency's security practices in the wake of 9/11 (out of the eleven security companies licensed to do business with the OGS pre-9/ll, FJC was one of only two companies that were employed by the OGS after undergoing the intensely-heightened scrutiny that came as a result of the attacks).

His success and prominence in the industry have not changed the hands-on approach Califano has always taken to running his business. I When FJC was recently bidding for a significant contract with the Port Authority of NY/NJ, Califano's personal involvement in appearing before PA's review board made an effective impression.

FJC also recently became a security services provider to Mercedes Benz for much the same reason. His accessibility has enabled Califano to build long-term relationships and loyalty among FJC's clientele, which for years has included notable New York real estate names such as Phipps Houses, R.Y. Management Company, Inc., and Aimco Properties.

In an industry in which the average client/security provider relationship lasts less than 4 years, FJC continues to serve many of the clients it started out with over 15 years ago. In fact, FJC still has its first client, Hermany Farms in the Bronx.

Califano sees continued growing success in store for FJC, and plans to be a part of it for the foreseeable future. "I'm not interested in taking up golf as a way to spend my time" he explained with a laugh.