Ron Poteat, vice chair for investor relations for the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County Board of Directors, presents Applied Data Trends CEO Derrick Copeland a plaque commemorating the company’s 15 years in business.

“This is not only a great day for the founders and employees of ADT, but also for the community as we celebrate the success and growth of a company that in so many ways is symbolic of a community that is truly identified as a smart place to live, work and play,” Poteat said. “I am proud to say that over the past 15 years ADT has certainly enhanced our community’s image as a leading technology area – where innovation, entrepreneurship and technology have met and continue to forge our future.”

ADT, which started in 1994 amid sharp budget cuts to military spending, developed a niche market and now has revenues of $27 million. The company’s lead product, Tactical Office® Software Technology, serves as the core for all Army Air and Missile Defense Command Post Force Operations. The company added some 50 employees this past year bringing its total headcount to 170, according to ADT president Derrick Copland, who was the 2007 winner of Entrepreneur of the Year at the Chamber’s Small Business Awards Celebration.

“We have a principle that success is not the key to happiness; happiness is the key to success,” Copeland said. “When I started my business 15 years ago at the age of 29, people thought I was crazy to start a business amid all the chaos [of budget cuts for the military]. Chaos is really opportunity. We have grown a lot since then and have been recognized for our success, but the chaos has never stopped and neither have the opportunities.”

Those new opportunities have led to increased business which in turn has led to the company winning numerous awards and recognitions. ADT was ranked on the Inc. 500 list of fastest growing private companies in nation at No. 101 in 2001 and in 2005 the company was named Small Business of the Year in the technology category by the Chamber.