Executive Bios

Debby G. Levy - Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer

Debby G. Levy, along with her husband, Barry W. Levy, co-founded Levy Security Consultants Limited in 1979, where Ms. Levy served the corporation as the Executive Vice President, Secretary, Officer and Director. In 1994, Ms. Levy assumed the position of Chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of Levy Security Corporation.

Today, Debby Levy owns both Levy Security Corporation and Premier Security Corporation, in Chicago, Illinois and serves both organizations as Chairperson and CEO.

In 2006, Ms. Levy was recognized as the "Woman Business Owner of the Year" by the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO/Chicago). She also holds a Certificate of Membership, and is an active member, in the Women's Business Enterprise Initiative ("WBE"), the National Association of Female Executives, NAWBO, and the American Society for Industrial Security ("ASIS"). As a woman-owned business Levy Security Corporation has been listed several times in both Crain's Chicago Business and Working Woman 500 as one of Chicago's top woman owned businesses. In addition, Ms. Levy was awarded the Women's Business Enterprise Initiative Member of the Year Award for 1997.

Ms. Levy is active in several community related programs. She volunteers and actively supports the American Diabetes Association and the American Heart Association.

Tony Simmons, CPP, CHS-V - President and Chief Operating Officer

tony Mr. Simmons has thirty-four years experience in contract security management. In addition to his over 25 years in senior management positions, he has served as a consultant to numerous Fortune 500 companies on issues including emergency preparedness, workplace violence, security awareness, and risk management. He joined Levy Security Corporation in 2005, bringing his expertise in all areas to include operations and finance.

Mr. Simmons holds a BS degree in Behavioral Sciences from Pacific Western University. He has been awarded the designation of "Certified Protection Professional" (CPP) by the Professional Certification Board of ASIS International. He is board certified in homeland security at the highest level (CHS-V) by the American Board for Certification in Homeland Security. He currently serves on the ABCHS Curriculum Committee reviewing national training initiatives for homeland security certification and on the ABCHS National Awards Committee. He is the past Illinois State Coordinator for the ABCHS multi-jurisdictional Preparation and Response Teams. In 2007, he was awarded Diplomate status with the American Board for Certification in Homeland Security in recognition of his contributions to homeland security and to the certification program.

Mr. Simmons is a member of the American College of Forensic Examiners International, ASIS International, Illinois Security Chiefs Association and the Illinois Chiefs of Police Association.

Steven Forrestal - Chief Financial Officer

steve Steve Forrestal is the Chief Financial Officer for Levy Security Corporation. In his role, he is responsible for Accounting, Finance, Payroll, Treasury and Human Resources.

Prior to joining Levy, Mr. Forrestal held senior level financial and process management positions for over twenty years within various industries. Specifically, Mr. Forrestal has provided financial leadership for both the service and product arenas by his experience within the manufacturing, publishing and consulting industries on a local and global basis. His ability to understand the client’s needs provides a clear direction to both Levy Security and its clients by establishing goals and initiatives that deliver results.

Mr. Forrestal’s education includes a Bachelors degree in Accounting from Marist College and an MBA in Finance from the New York Institute of Technology. In addition, Mr. Forrestal brings certification as a Six Sigma Green Belt, reflecting his expertise in both process and financial management.

Rich Stampanato, CPP - Senior Vice President, Operations

tony Mr. Stampanato is Senior Vice President of Operations for Levy Security Corporation. He has been employed with the Levy organization since August of 2000.

Mr. Stampanato has a Bachelor of Science degree in Law Enforcement Administration from Western Illinois University and has a Masters of Science Degree from Lewis University in Criminal and Social Justice. In 1984, he became a Police Officer with the University of Tennessee – Knoxville and graduated from the Tennessee State Law Enforcement Training Academy.

In 1991, Mr. Stampanato enhanced his campus law enforcement expertise when he joined the Northwestern University Police Department as a Police Officer on the Chicago Campus, earning the rank of Sergeant in 1995. In 1996, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant where he successfully managed the Evanston Campus police force until becoming an employee of Levy Security Corporation.

During his law enforcement career, Mr. Stampanato has been certified as an Evidence Technician and Master Firearms Instructor. He has completed Northwestern University Traffic Institute's eighty-hours "Supervision of Police Personnel," and graduated from the ten-week "School of Police Staff and Command."

In addition, Mr. Stampanato has completed hundreds of hours in specialized law enforcement course work through the Northeast Multi-Regional Training Program. Mr. Stampanato is also among a select few security industry executives who have been awarded the designation of "Certified Protection Professional" (CPP) by the Professional Certification Board of ASIS International.