Since 1993, HS Technology Group (HST) has grown from a modest security company to one of the region’s largest and most respected full-service technology integrators.

Since 1993, HS Technology Group (HST) has grown from a modest security company to one of the region’s largest and most respected full-service technology integrators. Through a group of specialized companies, HST serves a range of residential, commercial and government clients.

How it all began…Stuart had worked for his father’s general contracting company for over 15 years on and off, in which he was able to develop his knowledge and understanding of the business operations of a successful service oriented contracting company.  As a graduate of the University of Maryland with a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science, he was always interested in technology and computers.  Just out of college, Stuart had the opportunity to work in the IT departments for several fortune 500 companies such as The Discovery Channel, McCormick Spice Company and Bausch & Lomb. Not too long thereafter, Stuart realized that he wanted to return to the construction industry but still do something with technology.

 While Stuart was attending a training seminar on computerizing the marketing for his father’s business he met Mark “Big Poppy” Recene.  “Big Poppy” (Poppy), had been in the construction business for a company in New York but had recently switched to the security industry and given Stuart a basic understanding on the similarities between the two businesses.

 When Stuart returned from the training he decided to use what he had learned from the Poppy, his training in the construction industry and apply his formal education in computers and technology to create a new business.

 Poppy remained in close contact with Stuart while also providing him with some key contacts to help get the company off the ground.  Stuart knew he needed to find the right individual to share his passion for technology along with the ability to deliver excellent customer service. Someone that was dependable and very detail oriented. Shortly after Stuart started the company he met Mark Shane through a mutual friend. Mark agreed to manage the service and installation for the new business.

The company began assembling; testing and installing sophisticated (yet simple to use) security systems that met the demands of their customers. The team determined that very few security companies were offering state of the art equipment and professional installations. With Stuart's technical and computer background coupled with Mark's 10 plus years of installation and quality control experience…it was a natural fit.

For the record, Mark worked for Martin Marietta as a Quality Control Supervisor on such projects as The B-1 Bomber Program, The Patriot Missile Launcher (which was used in the Gulf War) and the Vertical Launching Missile System. His experience enabled the company to meet the challenges that lay ahead.

Systems were designed for all types of applications including customers who had difficulty seeing or hearing, customers who kept large valuables, such as car collections, rare works of art and those concerned because they were secluded or off the main road. Each situation was taken into consideration and addressed individually.

Within a couple of years, Poppy decided to make the move from New York to Maryland to join up with Stuart and Mark all the while Poppy had remained in close contact with Stuart assisting him with business decisions, “It was just a matter of time before we would be working together under the same roof”, Stuart said.

In 1995, when AT&T moved away from the residential security market, HST began to look for another alliance. In 1996 they combined forces with ADT, the largest residential security provider in the World. In their first year with the ADT authorized Dealer Program, HST installed over 3,000 security systems. This secured their position as one of the top two authorized ADT dealers in U.S. When HST decided to leave the dealer program in 2003 due to an ADT/TYCO merger, they had successfully installed over 20,000 systems and offered service to 30,000 other ADT customers in the tri-state area.

HST received national recognition when Security Distributing Magazine (Visit SDM at www.sdmmag.com) wrote an article on the company in the August 1997 issue. HST was also featured in SDM’s annual security industry ranking issue in May of 1997.

In early 2003, HST was selected to represent GE/UTC's fine line of products and services as a GE-Security Pro dealer. GE has very stringent guidelines and requirements for their dealers and according to a letter of acceptance from GE Security Pro, HST was chosen because of its commitment to excellence in customer service, alarm system design and installation. “HST is driven to take care of customers,” said GE Security Pro Director Michael Benedict. “We demand a track record of excellence in system design and installation before a company can offer GE products and be part of the elite Security Pro program. HST exceeds those demands.”

After enjoying several outstanding years of business and numerous accolades from their peers, HST felt it was time to position itself to fill a niche in the new construction and integration industry. With their experience and dedication, HST began offering multiple products and services that would allow builders, contractors and customers alike to contact one company to fulfill all of their low-voltage needs. Whether it was providing the wiring for telephone, TV, internet services, multi-room music systems, central vacuum, intercom systems and more – HST was up for the challenge. After more than a decade of providing these services, the decision to move into the custom side of integration was a natural fit. HST had finally added automation, theaters, lighting control, and energy management to its list of custom residential services.

Through their relationships with a variety of architects, interior designers, electrical, commercial and government contractors; HST began incorporating a new line of products and custom services to both residential and commercial clients. This portfolio is continually updated in their state of the art design center. The facility was conceived by the team to offer the latest “must have” products that client’s could experience in a private atmosphere with specialized attention.

From its humble beginnings, HST has continued to receive national ranking and recognition in many of the magazines. Stuart has also had several industry related articles published in Home and Design Magazine, Mid-Atlantic Builder Magazine, Chesapeake Home Magazine and more.  He is often asked to speak to industry organizations on False Alarm Reduction and was honored with the Rex Bell award in 2011 for his service to FARA (False Alarm Reduction Association). He is on the board of Directors for the Maryland Burglar and Fire Alarm Association and continues to remain active in the industry, keeping HST on the forefront of technology.  HST encompasses, Homesafe Security Systems, Command Performance, Questron and Kurlander Electric.