Home>
Features
U.S. News Ranks School of Business Undergraduate Program
New Merrick School of Business Dean Named
UB/Towson MBA to Launches Forward-Thinking Redesign in Collaboration with Baltimore's Business Community
Dean's Corner
Message from the Dean
Events
Calendar of Events
Faculty
Business School Professor Ranked as a Global Leader in Research in Mobile Information Technology
Professor Williams: A Woman to Watch
Professor Wins Merrick's Best Paper with Look at U.S. Housing Market
Students
Senior Accounting Honors Student is Maryland’s Sole Recipient of AICPA/Accountemps Scholarship
Team of UB Students Succeeds in National Competition for Papers on Future of Home Energy Demands
MBA Student's Business Brings Joy to Others
Alumni and Friends
Alunmi Spotlight
Update Your Alumni Information
Alumni Benefits
Social Media
Past Issues of the Merrick Exchange
Centers of Excellence
Entrepreneurship Center's Second Annual 'Rise to the Challenge' Competition
Record Crowd Attends 2014 Data Day
Contact
Subscribers can contact Danielle Giles, at dgiles@ubalt.edu or by phone at 410.837.4948 to share comments pertaining to the newsletter.
 
Kevin Dunbar
Alunmi Spotlight
Kevin Dunbar: Business Innovator

Kevin Dunbar, MBA ’95, President and CEO of Dunbar Armored, Inc.—America’s largest independently-owned armored car, cash management and cyber security services firm. In his role, Dunbar leads a nationwide company which serves retailers, financial institutions and government entities seeking to safeguard valuables in-transit, protect employees and enhance security at their place of business. A widely-recognized entrepreneur, business leader and innovator, Dunbar was awarded the “Maryland’s Most Admired CEO” award” by The Daily Record in 2013, SmartCEO magazine’s “Voltage” award for “Technology Implementer,” also in 2013, and the “Entrepreneur of the Year Award” for Business Solutions by Ernst & Young in 2008.  

Dunbar recently sat down with The Merrick Exchange and shared some thoughts about his career, as well as some valuable advice for our students.

Merrick Exchange: How did you decide upon a career in the security industry?

Dunbar: As a young man with an absolute passion for sports and athletics, I originally thought that I would want to be a Phys Ed teacher. However, during my college years, it gradually occurred to me that it would be much more to my advantage from an income potential and lifestyle standpoint to pursue a career in business.

Merrick Exchange: Where did you get your start? What led you to your current position?

Dunbar: I started my career at my father’s armored car company – then named Federal Armored Express – driving our trucks and making pickups as a driver guard.  Upon graduating from college, I became an Account Executive with the Company and moved shortly thereafter to Milwaukee, Wisconsin where I sold our services into what was then a new market. Succeeding in Sales and progressively taking on more responsibilities in the Sales area, I soon moved into Sales management and became the VP of Sales & Marketing. Expanding my overall knowledge of Operations as well as Sales in the years following, I was eventually appointed as the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the entire Company – and following years of success in both Sales and Operations – I was elected President by the Board of Directors.

Merrick Exchange: Please describe your current position as President & CEO of Dunbar Armored.

Dunbar: As President & CEO, I serve as “Chief Visionary” and head of operations for the nation’s largest privately-owned armored car company - Dunbar Armored, along with six other cash management and security – including cyber security related businesses. My duty is to ensure that the growth of the company is both profitable and in-line with the Company vision. In this role I use my broad base of armored car and security industry knowledge to guide Dunbar’s rapid expansion across the U.S. into new markets.

Merrick Exchange: What are some current challenges that you, your department or company are currently facing?

Dunbar: Continually educating our customers and prospects about the competitive superiority of Dunbar’s products and services versus those on market from low-cost providers who do not deliver the same level of service. Decision-makers must be provided with full and accurate information to be able to make “apples-to-apples” comparisons and fully understand the value of the services that they are getting.  When they do the equation with all of the variables fully considered — Dunbar wins.

Merrick Exchange: What were your expectations in pursuing a career in security?

Dunbar: To achieve my full potential as a businessman, entrepreneur, leader and innovator in contributing to The Dunbar Companies and my family heritage in the security industry.

Merrick Exchange:
What advice would you give to students who might want to pursue a career in security but are undecided?

Dunbar: If they truly want to pursue a career in security, they should educate themselves on the different opportunities available in terms of both public and private security.  Although the worlds of public and private security are becoming increasingly intertwined, the responsibilities in protecting the public as a police officer remain substantially different from those involved with serving as a custodian and transporter in delivering shipments of cash or valuable cargo to a destination.

Merrick Exchange: What’s the one job-hunting secret you wish all students knew?

Dunbar: Think in terms of a career, not just a job. But be prepared to start in an entry-level position. What is your passion? What do you really want to do? Where do you want to be?  Identify the companies or organizations that might be able to make your dreams come true. Job opportunities can be identified by networking, through organizations, on websites and of course employers can also be contacted directly.

Merrick Exchange:
Why did you choose to attend UB?

Dunbar: The University of Baltimore was accredited, had a great reputation, was conveniently-located to my workplace and featured the availability of night courses that I needed to get the MBA degree that I wanted.

Merrick Exchange: How has attending UB helped you in your career?

Dunbar: My MBA degree from the UB Merrick School of Business provided me with a strong foundation in the business principles and philosophies needed to assume a leadership position.

Merrick Exchange: What personal goal have you set for yourself this year?

Dunbar: I’d like to get more involved in the university lecture series at various universities.

Merrick Exchange: What is the last book you read?

The last book that I read was “The Inner-Work of Leadership” by Barry Brownstein, PhD.

Merrick Exchange: What does your future look like?

Dunbar: I’m going to keep working the program that I know and growing the people in my business.

Facebook Twitter LinkedIn
Email Newsletter Software by Newsweaver