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Sacramento COO Balances Life At Work And Continuing Education

An individual in any line of professional work is only as good as his training and experience. For security guards and private investigators, a large part of their work depends on the confidence they have in their own abilities to identify, adapt and react to any situation out of the norm. Security & Firearms Training Academy provides that confidence. SAFTA is one of Northern California's most comprehensive and highly recommended security and firearms school. With decades of experience in both military and civilian defense, there's no denying their credentials. As COO, Jessie Meeker handles the day-to-day operations of SAFTA and works one-on-one with SAFTA's CEO to implement big picture strategies and plans for the company.

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(Photo Courtesy of Jessie Meeker)

What does your job entail?

"As the chief operating officer of Security and Firearms Training Academy (SAFTA), I am responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Academy as well as working with the CEO, in creating and implementing strategic goals for the business. SAFTA is licensed by the BSIS and provides the required training to individuals looking to obtain the necessary licenses for employment in the private security industry. Not only does SAFTA provide the highest level of training in the area, we pride ourselves in helping our graduates obtain employment in the rapidly growing private security industry."

What do you enjoy most?

"SAFTA is 100% Veteran owned, and nothing is more enjoyable and rewarding to us than helping our fellow veterans get trained and employed in the industry. We have a 100% job placement rate with the Veterans who have graduated from our Advanced Security Course."

What was your education like?

"Prior to working for SAFTA, I was a police officer in Arizona and served eight years in the Army Reserve as a Military Police Officer. While serving both my country and community I was able to finish up my AA degree.  I am currently working on a Bachelor degree in Business, with an emphasis on small business management and entrepreneurship, from the University of Phoenix. I have never lost focus on the importance of education and have continued to balance my professional career with education."

Has your education helped you?

"As mentioned before, I am still pursuing my Bachelor degree in Business, which will be beneficial to me for running the business side of SAFTA. The experience I gained in the Military and Civilian Law Enforcement prepared me for my transition into the private security industry and the training side of SAFTA."

Any advice for someone seeking a similar career?

"The private security industry is a rapidly growing industry with a lot of job opportunities. Security is a 24/7 industry that is not going to go away anytime soon. Financial assistance is available to those who qualify."

With not a lot of training (40 hrs to 80 hrs) depending on the course taken, graduates can start a very rewarding career in security with salaries ranging from entry-level $10/hr to $35/hr for the most qualified students.

Paulo Acoba is a California native raised in the Bay Area and living in the Central Valley. He enjoys distance running, cycling and grassroots motorsports. He holds a degree in management from the University of California Merced. Paulo has been writing for Examiner.com since 2012 and covering the Fresno area.

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