Inc. Ranks Whelan Security as One of the Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies in the United States and One of the 20 Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies in St. Louis

New York—Inc. has ranked Whelan Security on its annual ranking of the 5000 fastest growing privately held companies in the country. In addition, Whelan Security was ranked by Inc. as one of the Top 20 fastest growing privately held companies in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The Inc. list is considered the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy - America's independent-minded entrepreneurs. Taken as a whole, these companies represent the backbone of the U.S. economy.

"Our second annual list continues the most ambitious project in business journalism," said Inc. Project Manager Jim Melloan.

"The Inc. rankings give an unrivalled portrait of young, underreported companies across all industries doing fascinating things with cutting-edge business models, as well as older companies that are still showing impressive growth."

The most notable median growth categories among Inc.'s fastest growing businesses are in the Energy sector (298% growth) followed by Government Services (220% growth), Security (200% growth), IT Services and Software (187% growth), and Consulting (182% average growth).

The largest business category is IT Services. Business Services, Construction, Manufacturing, and Advertising & Marketing complete the top five industries ranked in 2008.

"On behalf of Inc., I am delighted to recognize your accomplishments. For more than 27 years, the Inc. 5000 has served as a benchmark for the most innovative, dynamic, and successful companies in the nation," wrote John Koten, Editor in Chief and CEO of Mansueto Ventures the Publisher of Inc. "As an Inc. honoree, Whelan Security is now a member of the most influential business club in America. The entire team at Inc. commends you on your success and recognizes the commitment that has gone into building your company into what it is today."

The 2008 list from Inc. measures revenue growth from 2004 through 2007. To qualify, companies must be U.S. based and privately held independent companies.

WHELAN SECURITY: With headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri, Whelan Security is a privately owned and operated security firm providing outsourced and contract security staffing services to corporate headquarters, Class A office buildings, financial institutions, educational campuses, industrial and distribution facilities, medical facilities, retail shopping centers, residential communities, and sensitive government facilities throughout the Central and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States (including Missouri, Illinois, Kansas, Tennessee, Minnesota, Mississippi, Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Michigan, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Maryland, Delaware, Northern Virginia, and Washington DC). Founded in 1949, Whelan Security currently employs more than 3,500 full-time employees and currently ranks within the top fifteen security companies in the country, placing it within the top 1% of the industry.