Employee of the Month
July 2021
Alyssa Pywar
Join May 2019
Alyssa keeps herself open to anything life throws her way. Her start with Omega was equally casual! A friend of hers already worked for us, so she would occasionally fill in at parades and races. When Covid paused her job in child care, however, she officially came on board as a regular employee.
In March 2020, Alyssa received a call from Dawn, one of our Ops Managers, asking her to work at a new site in Stroudsburg. She took to the role immediately and very quickly became one of our heavy hitters. Within weeks, her leadership skills earned her the position of Field Coordinator! Even after returning to school for dental hygiene, Alyssa has continued to consistently cover weekends – a real boon to our schedule!
Outside of work, Alyssa primarily enjoys leisurely activities. Between spending valuable time with friends, listening to random songs, and hiking when the weather permits, Alyssa also recognizes the importance of a good nap!
June 2021
Vanessa Rodriguez
Joined April 2021
Growing up, Vanessa saw a lack of sufficient representation for impoverished juveniles in the US judicial system. She wanted to serve as an advocate for such underrepresented children, so she decided to pursue a Criminal Justice degree. While attending school, she sought to continue to support her own children with a local job relevant to her intended career, so she applied online with Omega.
Vanessa’s background leads her to approach security academically. She views her time with Omega as a continual learning experience. Specifically, the customer service element has caused her to "get out of her shell" and feel more comfortable approaching and talking with people – something that she did not anticipate when she applied!
From attending classes and studying to taking care of her children, Vanessa bears many responsibilities beyond work, and she greatly appreciates Omega’s understanding and flexibility with scheduling. Since coming aboard, she has joined our full-time crew, which she sought so that she could account for her time consistently.
May 2021
Nelson Collado
Joined August 2020
Nelson came to Omega because he sought not just a job, but a career. He used to work as a mailman, and before that, he handled overnight stocking. After a few years of those positions, he’d had enough. Initially, his search turned up rather little, but eventually, he happened upon our ad online.
Having never worked security before, Nelson brings a fresh approach to the sites in Reading. Additionally, he arrives on time, dutifully performs his rounds, and always makes sure to pay attention to detail around the sites he works. He expresses an appreciation for our flexibility in scheduling, as well as the ability to request time off in advance.
Outside of work, Nelson enjoys taking leisurely walks, engaging in sports (especially basketball) and traveling – though, he has not been able to travel nearly as much since the start of Covid. Nelson looks forward to resuming his regular trips across the country, as well as a strong future with Omega!
April 2021
Ricky Velez
Joined December 2020
Ricky brings to the table nearly two decades of security experience. He first got into the industry in New York at the age of 19. In addition to holding employment as a guard, Ricky also worked as a bounty hunter and an auxiliary police officer. In 2012, he moved to Pennsylvania, where he found a job as a correctional officer. Years later, when he decided to seek the next step in his career, one of our guards told him about Omega.
On the job at any site, Ricky prioritizes observation and follow-through. Always remaining alert, he constantly keeps an eye out for anything out of place. He makes sure to do his job correctly while keeping the client happy, and he prides himself on ensuring safety for all persons to the best of his ability. Off the job, Ricky lives for his kids. For him, this means carrying a similar approach – staying alert, keeping his eyes open, and ensuring the safety of his children while taking them wherever they want to go. At the request of his kids, Ricky has found himself attending a number of events such as festivals and carnivals, as well as visiting the local arcade.
March 2021
Terrell Bailey
Joined October 2020
Terrell found his introduction to security when the military assigned him to a Presidential Security Detail in 2009. In 2015, he joined the industry as a civilian working in the naval shipyards of Virginia. When looking for a job later on, his experience led him to apply with Omega. Since coming aboard, Terrell has provided excellent and reliable service in the Reading area. He has expressed appreciation for Omega's clarity of instruction, which he states helps him to perform his role effectively.
In addition to his military background, Terrell graduated in 2016 with a degree in Electrical Engineering & Technology. He also holds certification in Fiber Optics and has received a mention in High Tech News magazine. During his off-hours, he independently pursues further studies in fiber optics and communications. In order to keep sharp, Terrell often reads technical documents while listening to hip-hop and rap from the genres' golden age and the early 2000s. In the future, he would like to return to school for CISCO certification, as well as to earn a degree in Optical Sciences & Engineering.
February 2021
Westley Kalson
Joined October 2020
Westley K was working at a bookstore when he bumped into Zach Pacella. Zach presented an opportunity to earn more than he made in retail, so Westley joined Omega. Since then, he has reliably arrived early to almost all of his shifts. He cites a preference for not feeling rushed as his driving motivation to always remain ahead of schedule.
Outside of Omega, Westley attends Penn State University for Business Management and Accounting. Additionally, he has played football for PSU for two years and has swum for Division 2 since his Junior year of high school. Westley credits athleticism with "keeping him sane" as he strives for success in all his endeavors.
January 2021
Richard Guarino
Joined August 2019
A year and a half ago, Richard was looking for a more professional change of scenery. He reached out to Omega and spoke with Jose Ramos, his old coworker, for the first time in over a decade. Jose recognized Richard as a reputable and responsible guard from their time working together at a prior security site, so he helped him to join Omega Protective Services.
Richard brings over three decades of experience in the field of security, having worked as a constable, a paralegal, and a prison guard. Additionally, Richard has devised officer survival training, trained in interviewing and interrogation, managed departments, engaged in employee theft detection, and holds multiple copyrights in security. In academia, Richard is known for his thesis on counter-terrorism, as well as his expertise in: security management and administration; defensive and offensive techniques; and the force continuum.
Richard expresses his gratitude to Omega for providing him with employment that accounts for the time he sets aside to continue his studies. He practices martial arts (with certification from World Taekwondo Federation), trains via powerlifting, and regularly schools in classical Greek philosophy, having read everything from Socrates to Machiavelli.
“Strive to bridge the theorist & practitioner gap; and then bring that approach to work!”
December 2020
Damian Cruz
Joined December 2018
After several years in the Service, Damian sought the next step in his life. He heard about Omega from his girlfriend’s brother and decided to apply, landing an interview within a week. The hiring managers deemed him a solid fit for a bar near his home address. On the last Thursday of that year, they called him for his first shift. That evening, he met Devin and Greg.
Two years later, Damian keeps going strong! He considers Omega to be quintessential to the unique experience of working security. His military background has provided him with the discipline necessary to keep his composure during intense situations. This has enabled him to easily implement elements of tactical negotiation and verbal judo, often finding peaceful resolutions for unruly guests. Omega’s consistency allows him to build on his approach and continually improve at his job.
Outside of Omega, Damian enjoys writing poetry while listening to contemporary transcendental music. His listening selections often hold messages he considers significant. He also streams video games on his Twitch channel, 5h4d0w_x. Damian primarily plays first-person shooters and RPGs, as well as some casual tabletop games.
"Omega and their leadership care about individual growth. Where other companies may suffocate newer employees, Omega lets their people fly."
November 2020
Zach Pacella
Joined October 2018
Two years ago, Zach was looking for something to do on the weekends and earn some extra income. He had some friends who worked for Omega. As a new guard, he started out working events at Franklin & Marshall College. Zach found everybody on the team to be helpful. After honing his skills, he worked as an ID-checking specialist at the front entrance of Revel Social. From Jose and Greg, he learned about talking to people, as well as reading and predicting situations. Zach feels grateful to Omega for helping him when he needed it.
Today, he works numerous sites and helps wherever he is needed. Outside of Omega, Zach continues to pursue the same two interests he has held since the age of 14: metalworking and music. He discovered metalworking while attending Upper Bucks County Tech School. Zach already had knowledge of woodworking and construction, and the new avenue intrigued him. Today, he holds a fulltime job welding. Music came into Zach’s life via live acts. Seeing the crowd, the lights, and the overall energy at concerts inspired him to take up bass. Today, he plays for a band called Hollow Visions. They have released two EPs and two music videos.