Mike Blangiforti Joins Arrow Security as New Vice President of Strategic Planning
Arrow Security, delivering successful security solutions to our clients for over 25 years, is one of the top security companies in the tri-state area, as well as nationwide. Headquartered in Smithtown, New York, Arrow Security has been making several changes within the company to improve their services, and continue to build and grow the company. One of these changes includes taking on Michael Blangiforti as the new Vice President of Strategic Planning. Blangiforti has held several prestigious positions including a decorated 20-year veteran of the New York City Police Department, an investigative career with the Narcotics Division, investigator in the Special Investigations Unit of the Internal Affairs Bureau, Detective Squad Commander, Director of Campus Safety for Dowling College, and actively participated in the 9/11 recovery efforts. Now he has joined forces with Arrow Security and looks forward to being a part of the team.
What made you want to become a part of the Arrow Security team?
I wanted to become part of the Arrow Security Team, firstly, to have the opportunity to work for a visionary and successful entrepreneur, AJ Caro. I am grateful for the trust he has placed in me to serve as a Vice President in Arrow Security. I was also very excited to be part of a committed Executive Team. I am looking forward to working with Commissioner Dormer, Pete Curcio, as well as the Security Guards and entire staff. I am looking forward to working diligently in supporting Arrow Security in our certain expansion nationwide.
What are some things you hope to achieve as VP of Strategic Planning at Arrow Security?
What I hope to achieve as Vice President of Strategic Planning is to be able to work with the entire team in a collaborative manner in order to streamline our operations, enhance client relations, and support the company’s growth efforts. I also believe in the importance of adopting what I like to call a “Guard-Centric” and “Client-Centric” philosophy. Our Guard Staff is the face of our company and our most important asset. It is important that they are provided with all of the training and support we can pass on to them so that they become the ambassadors of our brand. I want to ensure that our clients are treated like true partners and friends as opposed to having the typical “vendor-client” relationship. My Strategic Planning efforts will be focused on positioning Arrow Security to become the gold standard in the industry, and growing the business.
It's obvious that your numerous years of experience with the NYPD will be beneficial to your position with Arrow Security. What insight, specifically, will you apply to your efforts?
I plan to focus on utilizing my law enforcement knowledge to enhance our training curriculum so that Arrow Security has the best trained and qualified guard force anywhere. I want to also utilize my expertise from being a Detective and Detective Squad Commander to provide additional credibility and support to our Investigative Division.
You actively participated in the 9/11 recovery efforts in the days and months following the terrorist attack. How did being involved in that historic event affect you personally, and in your work?
Being involved in the recovery efforts in the aftermath of 9/11 was certainly a life changing event, for me, and one we will all never forget. From a work standpoint, I realized at that tragic moment that everything in our world changed, we were at war. Today and for generations to come we must always be prepared for a terrorist attack, we must utilize all of our local state and federal resources to share information to prevent future attacks.
What would you say has been one of your biggest accomplishments or defining moments in your career?
I would have to say that my most significant accomplishment was being promoted to Detective Squad Commander in 2002. I felt I reached the pinnacle of my career and was placed in a position of tremendous responsibility, especially when being in charge of the investigations into homicides and other major cases. At Dowling College, I would have to say that forming an Advisory Committee on Criminal Justice and serving as Vice Chairman, organizing Dowling College’s first ever Homeland Security Summit, with Peter King as the keynote speaker, was a great achievement. Finally, being able to see the Criminal Justice program through to NYS accreditation was a significant accomplishment that I was excited to be part of.
A.J. Caro, CEO of Arrow Security on Mike Blangiforti joining the company:
We are very excited at Arrow to have someone of Michael’s immense experience in law enforcement, investigations and security on the client side as well as a provider. Arrow will provide a unique opportunity for Michael to thrive and utilize the skills and experience he has amassed.
