Our History

Owner/ Co-Founder Andrew McKellips owned and operated an autobody repair shop in Auburn, Washington. During 2018/19, the shop had numerous break-in attempts, including weapon yielding intruders, vehicle break ins and damage, and the building was regularly tagged by individuals in the neighborhood and damaged. Multiple times a month, the break ins would cause the security alarm to sound, and police would respond. Usually, individuals would be gone before police arrived, and McKellips would receive a bill from the city for the response. McKellips moved his personal travel trailer to the lot and had someone stay onsite overnight. With all the trouble crime in the area, it was taking away from what he initially was in the business to do, help his customers. McKellips knew that the other business owners in the area were dealing with the same problems. One night at 2 am, while at the shop, he decided to create a security company. Many of his autobody employees with military and security experience were his first security guards. With lots of research, licensing, and training, he was ready to open for business.

As in the automotive industry, they strived for perfection. Word quickly spreads of the local security company and the first clients were under contract. Many were car dealerships and local businesses.

The team quickly gained experience and were able to take their real-world knowledge and use it to be proactive and efficient in providing protection services. Many of the security professionals had prior military service, and firearms training and experience. The team was able to train, attend firearms course from Washington Criminal Justice Training Commission firearms instructors, qualify, and become certified and licensed armed security officers.

As the business grew, new clients came under contract. These clients included large community service and outreach locations and multimillion dollar technology companies in the Puget Sound area.

Patrol vehicles were added to aid the security officers in providing protection services. Patrols are an economical alternative to clients struggling to stay in business during the shutdown. In 2020, the company became well known during the 2020 protests in the Seattle area. They stood out for being proactive and protecting the community, local businesses/employees, private homeowners, religious organizations, and community members. They stayed when other companies, and city organizations were no longer able to stay in the area to provide aid. They built relationships with the community and business owners that are ongoing today. The company caught the eye of local, country, and international news agencies. Articles and news video footage aired from local news outlets to Europe and Australia.

As the business grew, new clients came under contract. These clients included large community service and outreach locations and multimillion dollar technology companies in the Puget Sound area. Alarm response services were added. Providing personal residences and businesses with assistance and security. Security officers are able to stay onsite until emergency board up services have secured the premises.

Security officers and management enrolled in Force Science, Calibre Press, and other training institutes. Continued education is a priority for the company and its officers.

With business expanding quickly, ATS has brought on more team members. Without sacrificing quality for quantity, it continues to offer the upmost service and proactive security in the local industry. ATS security officers are off duty LE officers, current military, military veterans, or trained equivalent. Many officers are medically trained including EMTs and Nurses.