Incorporated on August 14, 1975, Ranger American began patrol operations in January of 1976 as Neighborhood Ranger, Inc.

Mr. Ed Woodlee, sole founder and owner, had previous experience in the security industry as president of a multiple- location operation headquartered in Dallas, Texas. By the end of its first year, Neighborhood Ranger, Inc. had experienced dramatic growth and was serving over 3,000 customers. Neighborhood Ranger established its alarm installation division in 1977.

Like the security division, the alarm division underwent rapid growth and within one year the company was installing more systems monthly than most of the 27 other competitors in the local market. The company separated the alarm division from the patrol division in 1979, with the alarm segment being incorporated as Ranger American Security Systems, Inc.

In 1982 the two corporations again merged to form Ranger American of Texas, Inc. It was also during this period of time that the parent company, Ranger American, Inc., (later to become W-B Holdings, Inc.) was established to serve as the holding company for the various corporations of the Ranger American system.

In 1987 Ranger American acquired Burglar Stop, Inc., a nine-year old burglar and fire alarm contractor in San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Ron Bowden, president and owner of Burglar Stop, was
named vice president and became a minority stockholder of Ranger American, Inc.  This merger increased the Company’s customer base by over 3,000 alarm installations.

In March of 1988 Ranger American began an aggressive expansion program, beginning in Florida, with Tampa being the first of our expansion cities. Our primary marketing thrust was to introduce residential alarm systems in new home construction.

Seven months later, in October of 1988, an office in the metro- plex of Dallas/Fort Worth was established to serve the new home construction market in the DFW area. In April of 1990, our Austin office was officially opened.

At the beginning of 1991, Mr. Ron Bowden became president of Ranger American, Inc., and Mr. Ed Woodlee accepted the position of Chairman of the Board.

In 1993 our fourth office officially opened in Orlando, Florida. Also, in March of that year, our Physical Security division, which included the uniformed guards and patrol departments, split from Ranger American of Texas, Inc., and formed a new corporation, Ranger American Security, Inc.

In 1994, Ranger American opened operations in the cities of Indianapolis, Indiana, and Atlanta, Georgia. In 1996 and 1997, we opened Sarasota, Florida; Melbourne, Florida; and Charlotte, North Carolina locations.  Ranger American was, by then, installing and monitoring tens of thousands of alarms and providing guard and patrol services for its customers, making Ranger American one of the Largest full-service, independently owned security companies in the nation.

Ranger American has always prided itself on its ability to adapt to changing conditions. Such was the case in 1997, when it became apparent that the deregulation of the utility and telecommunications industries would bring about dynamic changes in the security industry.  In meeting that challenge, Ranger American teamed up with Entergy Security, and subsequently ADT, and had the partner corporation take over our monitoring, alarm service and billing functions so that we were free to focus on what we do best – electronic alarm installations.

On October 22, 1998, Mr. Woodlee, the Company’s founder, was unexpectedly taken from us.  His close friend and business partner, Mr. Bowden, succeeded him as chairman and continued in his role as Company president. Under his leadership, we continue to do business as Ranger American and are in strong position to face the enormous challenges and opportunities that lay ahead. 

Ranger American has always been, and continues to be, built by the integrity and efforts of its people.