ADS Security L.P., Nashville, Tenn., announced shortly before SDM’s press time, that John Cerasuolo was to join the company as president and chief operating officer on January 1, 2008.

ADS Security ranks as No. 23 on the SDM 100. The announcement was made by Mel Mahler, founder and a co-owner of the company. Mahler, previously president and CEO will continue to serve as CEO and will become chairman of the board.

Cerasuolo was formerly vice president of AFL Network Services in Franklin, Tenn., a division of AFL Telecommunications (a Fujikura Company), international provider of telecommunications products and services.

“It has been my intention to one day shift the focus of my activities to concentrate on strategic planning and acquisitions,” Mahler said. “I have been looking for the right person to assume responsibility for the daily operation and management of ADS Security. John Cerasuolo is that person.”

Mahler added, “This transition places ADS Security in a very strong position for future growth in its existing markets as well as new markets.”

In October 2007, ADS Security established an office in Florida for the first time with an acquisition in Melbourne. ADS Security also has operations in Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia and Tennessee.

“I am very excited to join ADS Security, a company that I have respected for some time,” Cerasuolo said. “ADS Security is a leader in the electronic security industry because it provides the best possible technology and delivers outstanding customer service. I look forward to working with Mel and the ADS Security team.”

Cerasuolo is a 1983 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy with a B.S. degree in Political Science and Economics. From 1983 to 1988, he was an officer in the U.S. Navy Nuclear Engineering Program. He received his MBA degree from Clemson University in 1995.

ADS Security, established in 1989, serves approximately 65,000 commercial, residential and institutional customers in the southeast region.