Justin Peterson was raised in south Florida, briefly leaving for technical college in Pennsylvania and immediately returning to the Sunshine State.

He started his career in the industry in 2000 as an installer with Simplex Time Recorder, and he later combined his technical education and fascination with electronics, starting IFSS in 2006 in a garage with his father John Peterson. Over the course of nearly 20 years, this family-owned business, grown by Justin, John, Jesus Carias, and John Sartori, has been a trusted partner providing fire alarm and integrated security systems in end-markets where security matters most.

On July 7, IFSS joined forces with Fortis, as the largest independent industry platform in Florida.

They mainly work with K-12 and higher education, municipality, sea and airport, law enforcement, and commercial construction, providing access control, video surveillance, fire alarms, intrusion detection, intercom and mass notification, vape sensing, and gunshot detection. They’re a complete Division 28 systems integrator for Florida-based businesses and facilities, adding a lot of expertise to the Fortis family of brands.

When asked what differentiates IFSS from other security providers, Peterson highlighted the availability and responsiveness of his team. “The ability to get to a decision maker and get something accomplished is what sets us apart,” he said.

Valued Teammates

As an employer, IFSS values its employees, and Peterson recognized that it’s those on the ground who are the face of the business. “They are the service providers, and we are a service organization,” he said.

He gained his leadership knowledge from his father and colleague John, managing the business together since the start, even sustaining year-over-year growth — regardless of the economy.

“Over the years, I have had the opportunity to work alongside some of the smartest people in the industry and the takeaway was that there is always room to learn, and it was never a bad idea to surround yourself with smart hardworking people,” he said. With the Fortis acquisition of IFSS, there’s an opportunity to learn from one another and introduce new customers. “The value we will build together will ensure that Fortis and IFSS remain a market leader, a valued partner for our customers, and a place our employees can feel proud to represent,” Peterson said.

John Sartori has been a licensed electrician for nearly 50 years, specializing in security for about half of that time. In his early career, he worked alongside the Secret Service at former President Richard Nixon’s home and owned a contracting business with Joe Benigno of Real Housewives of New Jersey fame.

Among one of its first hires in 1994, Sartori has been with Diversified Systems Inc. (DSI) from almost the beginning. He left briefly to run a family business, returning in 2001 and never looking back.Today, he’s branch manager of DSI. 

On July 9, IFSS and DSI joined forces with Fortis.Their expertise in integrated security technologies and status as a Notifier-licensed alarm system provider pairs perfectly with LifeSafety Management (LSM) and Piper Fire Protection, establishing us as the industry’s leading powerhouse in the state of Florida. 

The services DSI provides include Intrusion Detection Services (IDS), CCTV systems, access control, high-security locks, gate motors, emergency phone systems, and a focus on integrating older technology with new for the ease of end-users. It’s a full-service security integrator that prides itself on customer service.

Over the past couple of decades, the business has grown, and even secured a five-year contract with First Citizens Bank (FCB) with an option for a five-year extension.

“Watching the FCB account grow over the past few decades has been challenging but rewarding,” said Sartori. “Through lessons learned, discipline, and hard work, our team has created an industry standard of excellence. I am proud to lead such an adaptable, efficient, and knowledgeable team.”

Leading with Principle

Sartori credits two mentors with forming his leadership philosophy today.

The first, Tony, ingrained the importance of “work ethic, workday efficiency, and following through on every commitment no matter how small – a topic which we discussed every day. Tony taught me that no detail was too small to discuss in great length or go unnoticed by customers,” said Sartori. Through Tony’s mentorship he also gained an appreciation for maximizing efficiencies and learned how to pass down knowledge to new generations; things he carries with him today and that are ingrained in the DSI culture.

Sartori’s other mentor and great friend was Joe, who taught him camaraderie and the benefits that come from being able to have fun at work. “Our work ethic aligned, and from the beginning we were a well-disciplined machine but not a day went by where we didn’t spend most of our time laughing while we worked,” said Sartori. In the end, work ethic is vital for the craft and a good business, but enjoying that work is rare and a benefit not everyone on a job site gets to enjoy.

Sartori’s leadership philosophy is simple: Leadership is about people.

“If you find the right people and treat them well, success is inevitable,” he said.

DSI prides itself on finding those right people, many of whom frequently opt to stay long-term. The average tenure at DSI is 15 years for both employees and customers. DSI has been a family-operated business since the beginning, with 34 years of keeping true to family-owned values of treating employees with respect while prioritizing the customer.

Holding on to customers in the long term is all about having unmatched customer service. “We believe that our customers are truly partners and we treat them that way,” he said.

The Next Chapter

It’s putting people first that drew DSI to Fortis.

“On initial contact, I was happy to read that Fortis’ leadership philosophy aligns so closely with our own,” he said. After just a few meetings, he saw that Fortis employees and their every interaction embodied that philosophy. The acquisition of DSI and IFSS into Fortis Fire & Safety brings the opportunity for even more growth, while remaining true to excellent customer service and a People-First philosophy.

“Our customers should feel good about our new partnership with Fortis because their service will be uninterrupted and enhanced by the support, expertise and resources Fortis brings to the table,” he said.