Rising Stars 2025: Locksmiths

Jessica Anderson has been with Los Alamos Lock and Key since 2017 and has become a customer favorite. Jessica's ability to stay up to date with the latest technology is a skill that serves her well in various aspects of her job. Anderson can take lead on sensitive situations and prioritize customers’ needs. She is always ready and willing to find solutions to even the toughest of customer requests.

She has experience in access control, automotive locksmithing, residential, and commercial hardware and repair. Anderson also helps restore vintage door hardware and is very detail oriented. She has helped develop custom house keys from concept to final production and is always willing to help customers in every way possible.

She says, “We are a third-generation family business, and I find locksmithing to be an interesting challenge in which no two days are ever the same.”

Tommy Baze

Cothron’s Security Professionals

In 2020, Tommy Baze joined Cothron’s Security Professionals. He previously worked as a personal trainer and a high school math teacher before considering the world of locksmithing. He started out in one of Cothron’s storefronts, learning the ins and outs of the business, and quickly worked his way up to a field service technician.

In addition to providing services to customers in and around the Austin area, Baze also provides educational opportunities to his peers as an ALOA-certified instructor. Within two years of becoming a technician, Baze’s dedication to his craft and customer service elevated him to become a reliable go-to guy for customers and co-workers alike.

He holds the following distinctions:

•  ALOA Fundamental Locksmith (AFL)
• Electronic Access Control Device Installer
• Certified ALOA Instructor (CAI)

Baze also taught two classes (Servicing Aluminum Storefront Doors & Hardware and Servicing Hollow Metal Doors & Frames) at Banner Solutions’ Security Professional Trade Show & Training Expo in 2023

Gabriel Briceno

Double Quick Locksmith

Double Quick Locksmith serves Oahu, Hawaii, with unwavering dedication to quality, reliability, and community trust. Also, they do the auto car keys that nobody else knows how or wants to do.

“What sets us apart is not just our fast response times or advanced locksmith technology; it's our commitment to making customers feel safe, respected, and valued. Whether it’s an emergency lockout, smart key programming, or any lock installation, we treat every call as a priority and every customer like family. We are locally owned and operated. With countless 5-star reviews, loyal repeat clients, and a reputation built on trust, Double Quick Locksmith is a dependable partner in island security,” says Briceno.

Mark Heidel

FlyLock Security Solutions

Mark Heidel, the owner of FlyLock Security Solutions Detroit-North, is an insanely hard-working individual who thrives on giving his customers the best experience possible. What started off as just a locksmith company has increasingly grown into a security specialist company, providing door hardware, auto door repairs, maglocks, strikes, cameras, access Control and more. He works directly with municipalities, charter schools, libraries, police and fire stations, daycares, etc. to help with all of their security needs.

Heidel found his passion for sales early on in his career working for distribution at PEPSI. Decades later, that same drive led him to The Flying Locksmiths, (2016-present) franchise owner/ operator. Spending most of his career in national sales and brand marketing, Heidel values the direct sales aspect of his role.

"From managing CD Distribution for major retail stores to now engaging with IT directors at large companies, he thrives on learning and growing. With aspirations for growth, the franchise gives Heidel opportunities to take on new challenges each day, while allowing him to lead others to success. His leadership within the company at Detroit North Flylock Security Solutions has made this location franchise among the Top 5 in the nation.

Heidel inspires others to achieve their goals with challenges throughout the Locksmith industry. His support and encouragement for further education and development of his employees is paramount. He is a fantastic mentor who leads by example, showing support on job sites, listening to technical issues, offering creative solutions.”

Heidel explains, "Owning a Flying Locksmiths franchise gives me the freedom to work for myself and the support to succeed. From managing national sales to navigating new technologies, every day brings new challenges and opportunities to grow."

Some of his achievements include:

• Franchise Spotlight Award 2025
• Avetta Safety Star Award 2024
• William McMenimon Award 2022 - The William McMenimon Award is the highest honor that can be earned by a franchisee in The Flying Locksmiths network. This award recognizes a local business owner that embodies the spirit of our founder’s entrepreneurship and passion.
• ·       Inspirational lead to 4 Technicians at Detroit North Tech of the Month awards.

Ben Malka

Best Locksmith

Malka has been in the locksmith industry from 2007, advancing from entry-level locksmith technician to owner.  He started as a sub-contractor in California, then moved to Dallas and opened Best locksmith in 2013. Since that time, he has served clients in Dallas and surrounding areas in the most professional and top quality and honor. He has more than 500 five-star reviews from different clients, residential, commercial and automotive and works with all the biggest companies in the area. He helps his team no matter what, if they need technical support, emotional support and donates to synagogues and people in need.

Jake Pflaumer

TFL Franchise Systems

Jake Pflaumer began his career in the industry as an apprentice at a family-owned business. Over the years, he held roles as a locksmith and safe technician and general manager. Now he now serves as the National Hardware Expert for TFL Franchise Systems.

From Pflaumer: As a locksmith, I brought a strong passion for learning and a commitment to excellence in the field. I had the opportunity to train several apprentices — many of whom continue to thrive within our network. That experience left a lasting impact and sparked a desire to further contribute to the development of technicians across the organization. I consistently focused on staying ahead of the curve by learning about the latest products, which helped drive my sales performance and ultimately positioned me to step into the General Manager role when the opportunity arose. As General Manager, I led our team to record-breaking sales — our highest ever — until the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Later that year, I was honored to accept the position of National Hardware Expert, a role that allowed me to expand my impact across the entire organization. In my current position, I wear many hats. I’ve played a key role in developing, launching, and now overseeing our learning management system and technical support operations for more than 90 locations nationwide. I also founded and manage a dedicated team of locksmiths who provide project quoting support to our branches and contractor partners across the country.

Since joining TFL Franchise Systems/FlyLock Security Solutions (formerly The Flying Locksmiths) in 2013, I have held several key roles in the security industry, including apprentice, locksmith, safe technician, and General Manager. Over the years, I’ve developed deep expertise in physical security and currently serve as a committed contributor to our national network. I am a member of ALOA and hold certifications in Kaba Mas GSA locks, specifically in the X07–X10 product lines. My core professional focus is on advancing the locksmith and security industry by sharing the knowledge and experience I’ve gained over the past 13 years. I am passionate about mentoring others, supporting ongoing professional development, and maintaining a commitment to continuous learning. Helping our industry evolve and thrive remains the most meaningful and rewarding aspect of my work.

Kenneth A Rubin

National Sentry Security

Kenneth Rubin is a former FBI Technician who was in charge of the Surreptitious entry program for the Locks and Alarms group. He is a member of the International Association of Investigative Locksmiths as well as a teacher/instructor of the prestigious International Association of Surreptitious Entry Specialist groups. In addition, he is a dedicated instructor for the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and the Army's 902nd Battalion-Fort Meade, Maryland. He is always on call to help any individual who needs help. He is an Eagle Scout and Boy scoutmaster. He has been married to his wife, Gayle for 36 years and has twin boys and one daughter.

Some of his achievements include:

•       International Association of Investigative Locksmiths
• International Association of Surreptitious Entry Specialists
• Former FBI Physical Security specialist and Electronics Technician
• Valor Award Recipient for a technical issue from the Director of The FBI (Director William Sessions)

Jenneye Shugar

Colorado LockStar

Jenneye Shugar has been an excellent asset to the town and surrounding areas of Pagosa Springs. Colorado, tackling the simple to complex locksmith solutions with creative originality such ascreating and building an original design for a small school to prevent forced intruders from overcoming entry doors. She also takes on the typical challenges locksmiths get to deal with such as unlocks for auto, armor enforcement of entry doors, and craftsmanship of challenging doors, commercial, residential, key systems, unlocking 18-wheeler trucks, saving pets from automobiles and more, and always with a friendly demeanor and fair prices. “It is very gratifying to help people in need and some of my best payments and gratuities have included appreciative hugs,” Shugar says.

Looking back at how she got started in the business, she explains, “I always had a knack for fixing things, I became an engineer and was not satisfied with an office environment and upon seeing a posting for locksmith help (that I actually passed along to someone else who declined) I decided that I wanted to see what it was all about and loved it”

Tyler Thomas

Security Engineering Consultants

Tyler J. Thomas, CJIL, CMKA, CRL is the president of Security Engineering Consultants, Inc. in Atlanta, GA, where he and the company specialize in the design, implementation, and maintenance of high-security master key systems.

He served as Southeast Director for ALOA Security Professionals Association from 2019 until 2023 and is the web administrator and active member of the Lock Industry Standards and Training (LIST) Council. He was the recipient of the 2022 ALOA President’s Award.

Check out his podcast series, The Three Tumblers (along with fellow locksmith “tumblers” Jeff Moss and Tim Coleman) at https://threetumblers.com/ currently highlighting the history of the Lockwood Hardware Manufacturing Co.

When asked how he got started in locksmithing, he says, “I started picking and tinkering with locks at 16 and was hooked. I started reaching out to locksmith shops around town at 19 for an apprenticeship and landed one. Only profession I’ve had since then.”

Wayne Winton

Tri-County Locksmith Service

“I have had the pleasure of knowing Wayne from his infancy in the locksmith industry. I have regularly teased him that he is the ‘hardest working locksmith in the world.’ I did not know exactly how true that was until recently when I retired from my longtime governmental institutional locksmith job and started my own locksmith business. Not only did Wayne start his company while learning locksmithing, we made it a point to share his growing knowledge with other locksmiths along the way. He often volunteers his time and skills for non-profits that need but can't afford professional locksmith services. He is a fierce industry advocate for professionalism while never on the attack. His efforts raise the professionalism of the industry only through positive actions and words. In addition to his hard work in the industry, he is fundamentally a good man and contributes meaningfully to his local community, his home state of Colorado and our great nation,” Rick Fox wrote in his nomination.

Some of his career distinctions so far include:

• ALOA Training Instructor, Southwest Director, President
• Founder, Locksmith Nation Facebook Group
• Wayne’s Lockshop training videos