Team
Timothy Ledford
Chief Executive Officer & President
Tim Ledford is a co-founder and the CEO of Safeguard Equipment. Prior to founding Safeguard, Tim worked in supply chain, operations management, industrial engineering, and various leadership positions at Corporate Walmart, Boeing, and other early-stage ventures. Tim has a keen eye for building successful teams by identifying, developing, and empowering the right people to build successful cultures of sound values and trust. He graduated summa cum laude and at the top of his class from the University of Idaho with a degree in Operations Management. During his college career he was recognized and awarded a full-ride scholarship for academic, philanthropic, and leadership success on campus and in the state of Idaho.
Brandon Bledsoe
Chief Operating Officer & Vice President
Brandon Bledsoe co-founded and is the COO of Safeguard Equipment, Inc. Raised as a hard worker, Brandon was taught to follow through, with an eye on quality, on any project he started. Passionate about his future, Brandon pivoted his love of work to the University of Idaho where he tackled a dual major in Operations Management and Human Resource Management. After holding multiple leadership positions on campus, working 30-hour weeks, and being a lead on projects in his field, Brandon turned his focus to pursuing entrepreneurship. After multiple start-up ventures during his college days, Brandon banded with John Thompson and Tim Ledford to pursue the development of Compass. Today, Brandon oversees Safeguard’s manufacturing, supply chain, marketing, customer service, and day-to-day business operations.
John Thompson
Chief Technology Officer
John Thompson is co-founder and CTO of Safeguard Equipment. From a young age, John was highly absorbed with invention and the “magic” of how electronics worked. John’s technical development in electrical engineering was first sparked through his 9th-grade electronics course when he placed 2nd at a Boise TSA (Technology Students Association) electronics competition by designing a rudimentary room security system. John followed in his older brother’s footsteps by receiving his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Idaho. John further developed his technical and professional traits though undergraduate internships with Avista Utilities and Schweitzer Engineering Labs (“SEL”). Through his Masters project, “Design of Control System Hardware for a Wind-Turbine Doubly Fed Induction Machine” and a personal project of designing a fully-autonomous flying drone, John continued to hone his engineering, circuit design, and programming skills. Once the opportunity presented itself to start Safeguard and work on COMPASS, John was ecstatic! It was an opportunity that accelerated and further developed his passion – Circuit Design. Today, John directly oversees the development, quality control, and continuous refinement of the Compass. He is also developing many other projects which will be introduced as Safeguard looks to further enhance the safety of electrical and other workers.
Kevin Nichols
Chief Financial Officer
Kevin Nichols is a results-oriented, high-achieving Chief Financial Officer with an entrepreneurial passion. Over the past 20 years, he has brought his broad range of services to numerous successful start-up companies, including his own ventures. Over the years, he has successfully worked with and facilitated raising more than $70 million in equity funding. With a strong foundation developed as a CPA in public accounting, he brings an impressive suite of skills ranging from outstanding leadership, strategic planning and implementation, fund raising, legal and tax knowledge, project development, forecasting, due diligence, communication, and team management skills.
Bob Behrens
VP of Sales
Bob Behrens is the Director of Sales Development of Safeguard Equipment. With his extensive experience as both a Journeyman Lineman and a Distribution Manager in the Utility Industry, Bob oversees the strategy and development of Safeguards growth in sales.
Louis Graham
VP of Engineering
Lou is the Vice President of Engineering at Safeguard Equipment, Inc. Lou grew up in nearby Bonners Ferry, Idaho and then studied Electronics Engineering at the University of Idaho. He started his career designing electronics used in safety instruments for commercial nuclear power plants in Idaho Falls, ID. During that time, Lou was the Lead Electrical Engineer, so in addition to design, he also managed all projects and personnel. Lou then moved to the Seattle area and worked for an engineering firm designing plant protection and automation systems. From 1998 to 2019 Lou designed electronics for a large company near Sandpoint, ID, where he also managed the Electrical Engineering Department and Co-managed the entire Engineering Department. In addition to electronics, Lou also brings knowledge and experience on the Production and Quality side of Safeguard’s business.
Brady Hansen
Trainer
Brady Hansen, a Journeyman Lineman and CUSP, is the Product Trainer for Safeguard Equipment. Brady specializes in the knowledge of electrical systems, safety training classes, and personal protective equipment throughout the industry.
Forrest Gromlich
Product Assembly Manager
Forrest Gromlich is the Product Assembly Manager at Safeguard Equipment. Derived from his extensive experience in product assembly, Forrest manages the assembly process of Compass and other products produced by Safeguard.