IN THE SPOTLIGHT - ABBOTT FIRE & SAFETY, INC., Fire protection company predicts sizzling future

Take two ambitious guys: one a visionary corporate sales management executive from the second-largest restaurant and beverage holding company in the U.S., the other an experienced attorney and financial advisor to businesses and individuals. Combine their high energy levels and marketing savvy, and the result is a company on fire with an ambitious business plan designed to evolve into a nationwide franchise operation.

Established in 1986, Abbott Fire & Safety had grown into a $1.5 million-a-year enterprise in 2001 when entrepreneur, Darrell Fleck, and attorney, Larry Peek, decided to purchase the company. The two joined forces on September 14, 2001 and were undeterred by 9/11. "It was scary for a few days when the financing we had arranged was held up by the World Trade Center disaster," Heck recalls, "but our financing eventually came through. Toni Young at Ent Federal Credit Union has been invaluable to us through the whole process."

The company specializes in providing businesses with alarms and fire protection, hood suppression systems for restaurants, sprinkler systems, backflow inspections, fire extinguishers, emergency and exit lights as well as an array of federal and state compliance testing and services. Its client list includes the area's two hospitals, a long list of offices and corporations, and the majority of Colorado Springs' top manufacturers and technology facilities.