In 1940, former Washington state legislator and Chief U.S. Marshal, Anthony E. Mandery founded NW Protective with his wife Velva. During World War II, most of the maritime traffic was attributed to the military. Mandery's experience and reputation attracted his first clients; Webster Brinkley and the American Can Company. Operating out of the family garage of their Greenlake home, they understood the rising call for for security presence on Seattle's waterfront and piers - they were determined to provide the urgently needed security.

Just following the end of WWII in 1945, Seattle turned into a major West Coast port and NW Protective provided most of the security for the Seattle waterfront. When peace arrived - and an economic boom with it, NW Protective hired many men that were leaving the military. Their background, experience and training made them already prepared for security work.

Mr. Mandery's constant pursuit of a higher industry standard underlined the company's continual expansion. Northwest Protective expanded to serve hospitals, high-rises, and industrial sites.

Around 1960, Velva Mandery assumed operation of the company. She embraced the women's liberation movement and empowered women by actively training female "guardettes" for security duty.

Throughout the 70s', 80's and 90's Northwest Protective set the benchmark for security in the Northwest. Growth and expansion soon required opening offices in Tacoma, Spokane, Yakima, and Portland. Northwest Protective now employs approximately 600 professionally trained security officers.

Our founder's original vision still anchors NW Protective's corporate philosophy today. As one of the largest locally owned security service providers in the Pacific Northwest, the family tradition of providing protection, safety and security to our neighbors and communities has kept Northwest Protective a leader in the industry today.