THE REASON FOR THE SEARCH

Better Protection initiated this search as integration complexity and rapid acquisition growth began stretching senior leadership capacity. With six acquisitions completed and a strong M&A pipeline in place, the remaining 30% of integration, systems, scheduling, process standardization, and technician adoption, required focused executive ownership.

ServiceTrade rollout lagged due to technician buy-in challenges, scheduling and dispatch sophistication varied by opco, and Chicago required stabilization following labor disruption and talent loss.

The CEO and board recognized that the next phase required a seasoned operating leader who had already faced these challenges at scale, someone capable of implementing best-in-class systems without destabilizing the field, and freeing the CEO to focus on continued M&A and strategic growth.

This role required a platform builder, not a caretaker.

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THE PORTFOLIO COMPANY

Better Protection operates exclusively in commercial Fire & Life Safety services.

The business delivers:

• 80% recurring and reoccurring maintenance services

• 20% installation and service work

The investment thesis is clear:

• Complete integration

• Standardize systems and KPIs

• Increase EBITDA into the mid-teens

• Continue disciplined M&A 

• Prepare for exit within 3 - 4 years

The opportunity was not turnaround, it was operational professionalization and scale enablement.

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THE SEARCH REQUIREMENTS

The ideal candidate needed to demonstrate:

Deep Fire & Life Safety background (commercial HVAC considered)

Strong technician credibility, ideally someone who “grew up in the trade”

Hands-on experience leading ServiceTrade rollouts

Multi-site P&L ownership

Ability to redesign scheduling and dispatch for productivity gains

Operational M&A experience including diligence and post-close integration

Capability to standardize KPIs and enforce accountability

Comfort debating constructively within a strong C-suite

Experience operating in a PE-backed environment

This role required a disciplined executor with pattern recognition from larger platforms, someone who knew what “good” looks like and could implement it efficiently.

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THOUGHTS ON THE CANDIDATE

Ronnie is an elite operator and an outstanding match for Better Protection. His background aligns precisely with what the platform needs at this stage: deep Fire & Life Safety operating experience, proven ServiceTrade implementation expertise, strong multi-site leadership, and a consistent record of finishing integration in PE-backed environments.

Why He’s a Great Fit

Deep industry expertise in commercial Fire & Life Safety with strong field credibility

Extensive ServiceTrade rollout and technician adoption leadership

Proven multi-site P&L ownership and KPI standardization

Demonstrated ability to close the final phase of integration after rapid M&A

Strong change management capability without cultural disruption

Experience stabilizing operations following labor and talent disruption

Board-level fluency combined with shop-floor credibility

Natural alignment with the direct, accountable, growth-oriented leadership style of the CEO

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WHAT WE LIKED ABOUT HIM

Ronnie stood out as a highly credible Fire & Life Safety operator with the rare combination of deep field experience and board-level maturity. He brings over 20 years in the trade, giving him immediate credibility with technicians, while also having led multi-site, PE-backed platforms through integration and scale.

What impressed us most was his pattern recognition. He has repeatedly stepped into situations where integration was incomplete, systems adoption was lagging, and leadership bandwidth was stretched and successfully finished the job. His hands-on experience leading ServiceTrade rollouts, upgrading scheduling and dispatch models, and implementing standardized KPIs directly aligned with the remaining value creation work at Better Protection.

Ronnie operates with calm authority. He is comfortable debating constructively with C-suite peers, yet pragmatic in how he drives change on the shop floor. He understands how to professionalize operations without destabilizing culture, a critical capability in a multi-brand, founder-led portfolio.

He is not learning what “good” looks like, he has already built it.

Mohammed Vali, Principal, Raw Selection