Breaking the mold: Alaina Meyer’s rise in security

From there, she jumped in headfirst. One contract led to another, and within a year, she brought in her mother, Kathleen Ford, CEO at scDataCom, a retired Army officer with decades of leadership experience, to co-lead the company.

Together, this dynamic duo transformed a scrappy startup into a national prime contractor, now serving prominent clients such as the VA, DoJ, DoD, and a wide array of industrial, manufacturing, and healthcare organizations.

Recognizing their impact, the powerful mother-daughter team was recently named to the 2025 Security Industry Association (SIA) Women in Security Forum (WISF) Power 100 list.

Trusted partnership, complementary strengths

The decision to bring her mother, Kathleen Ford, into the business was a leap of faith built on lifelong trust. Alaina initially envisioned Kathleen as a behind-the-scenes mentor, someone to coach her through the steep learning curve of leadership.

Alaina describes herself as “bold, borderline brash” and “a little more casual,” quick to connect and comfortable moving fast. Kathleen, on the other hand, leads with the steady discipline and formality shaped by years of military service.

Far from hindering, their differences create a powerful synergy. Their contrasting styles balance each other, fostering a leadership dynamic where diverse strengths converge and innovation flourishes.

Alaina credits her mother with teaching her the power of clear communication and the value of going the “extra mile,” not just in delivering results, but in making people feel seen, heard, and appreciated.

Perhaps the most remarkable part of their story is how their relationship has evolved. What started as a traditional mother-daughter bond has deepened into a true peer partnership one built on mutual respect, continuous learning, and shared victories.
Alaina reflects on the rare privilege of growing alongside her mother professionally, describing it as both humbling and empowering:

“We’re on the same level now, rather than her above me.”

Together, they’ve proven that leadership doesn’t have to follow a template and that sometimes, the best business partnerships are built not just on skills, but on heart.

Confidence, with the work ethic to match

“I had always had a borderline delusional confidence in myself… and just learned that that isn’t delusional if it’s backed by hard work and a willingness to fail.”

Alaina’s philosophy is clear: bet on yourself, but don’t expect it to be easy.

She’s quick to admit the early years were chaotic, equal parts hustle and improvisation. There was no blueprint. No MBA. Just a vision and a willingness to figure it out.

“We were building the plane in flight… but it ended up going beautifully.”
That moment came to a head with their first major federal award, a $4M contract that dwarfed their previous annual revenue. The scale was intimidating. The systems weren’t battle tested, and cash flow was tight. But they made it work.

“It really just reinforced that mentality of you can do hard things. Just do it.”

Scaling smart and building with intention

What followed was a deliberate shift, moving from chasing contracts to building robust infrastructure. Alaina and her team prioritized strategic planning, formalized their operations, and invested in scalable systems, such as SiteOwl, to support their rapid growth.

“We’ve had approximately 76% growth year over year since 2013, which is just bananas.”

Given their rapid growth, establishing a strong internal structure became essential for survival. scDataCom began scaling its internal foundation in parallel with its client base, focusing on everything from hiring and onboarding processes to meticulously tracking KPIs and clearly defining job roles.

“You need SOPs for everything… otherwise, you’re going to be the one stuck doing the thing forever.”

Today, technology plays a key role in supporting that vision, providing Alaina’s team with the operational clarity they need to grow sustainably.

Breaking bias, building legacy

Alaina doesn’t fit the typical mold of a security CEO, and she’s just fine with that. She didn’t grow up in the industry, which freed her from the “this is how it’s always been done” mindset. She didn’t obsess over camera specs—she obsessed over building a great business.

“Honestly, I could have a company that manufactures and sells jelly beans, and I think I would have the same excitement about it.”

Still, that doesn’t mean she lacks technical chops. With a team that’s grown in skill and size, and with certifications like the CSPIP in the mix, scDataCom proves you can take a different path and still lead with credibility and results.

Leadership that’s human

At the heart of Alaina’s journey is a deep sense of responsibility to her people, her clients, and her family. She speaks candidly about the emotional weight of leadership, the challenge of managing underperforming employees, and the growth that comes from building a business with empathy.

“You play a very integral part of people’s lives… I feel the weight of that.”

She also shares openly about navigating work and motherhood, about stepping back, slowing down, and choosing intentionality over constant hustle.

“My baby is my priority… I go home, I put my laptop down, I focus on her.”

 

Redefining talent and culture in security

In an industry grappling with labor shortages and a lack of fresh talent, Alaina takes a bold approach to hiring. She values potential over pedigree and prioritizes mindset over industry experience.

“I have found that if I can be not so rigid in what a qualified candidate is… I can get some really capable people.”

From former graphic designers to top-performing shoe salespeople, her hires are unconventional but highly effective. The through line? A willingness to learn and an alignment with scDataCom’s values.

“You gotta give people a chance. And sometimes it doesn’t work out… but the ones that work—they really work.”

The road ahead

Twelve years in, Alaina is still sprinting—but she’s building a smoother path for others to follow. With her mother at her side, a high-performing team behind her, and a bold vision for the future, she’s not just scaling a business—she’s reshaping what leadership in security can look like.

“It doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by thinking how you can do every single thing smarter, better.”

At SiteOwl, we’re proud to partner with integrators like Alaina who challenge the status quo, invest in their people, and choose progress over tradition. Because the future of security isn’t just about better technology, it’s also about bold leadership.