Mike Ferrua - Board of Advisors
Prior to assuming his current role at Uniworld, Michael F. Ferrua founded a privately held, California based corporation in 1992. He was responsible for all areas of WSA Group operations with special focus on the administration and marketing of the company. Mr. Ferrua led WSA Group subsidiaries, WSA Security and WorldWide Security Associates, through the rapidly changing security environment following the terrorist activities of 2001. He maintained a key leadership role in moving WorldWide Security Associates forward during a period of transition for airport security, developing close relationships with the Transportation Security Administration and with airline clients. WSA Security was formed to address the special technical issues associated with securing the assets of the corporate, commercial, healthcare, and hospitality industries with emphasis on physical security, executive protection, and security engineering. As Chairman of the Board of each of these organizations, Mr. Ferrua provided strategic direction and resources to assure their mission success and continuous development.
Prior to establishing WSA Group, Mr. Ferrua served as President and Chief Operating Officer of a major Southern California security company specializing in high-rise and commercial real estate. During his tenure with that firm, he led the team responsible for significant growth in revenues and profits, instituted systems for security officer training that won college accreditation from the California Community College District, and helped develop a system for employee communication and involvement that fostered significant employee loyalty.
Before his entry into the security profession 15 years ago, Mr. Ferrua spent more than 22 years in the airline industry. At Western Airlines, he served as manager of numerous functions, from ramp and cargo operations to City Manager, responsible for passenger service and marketing. He was appointed as one of the company spokesmen for labor contract negotiations, and was an executive member of the team who orchestrated Western's return to financial and product strength during the industry downturn of the early 1980's.
As Regional Director for Airport 'Services, he oversaw operations in the southwestern states during Western's sale and consolidation into Delta, and was instrumental in the planning and implementation of the phased reconstruction of the Terminal 5 facility at Los Angeles International Airport. After its merger with Western Airlines, Delta Air Lines named Mr. Ferrua to the position of Director, Airport Customer Service, responsible for the airport operations of both companies in the southwest.
A native of San Francisco, Mr. Ferrua is a graduate of the University of San Diego and a Vietnam veteran who served four years with the United States Army Security Agency as an electronic intelligence specialist. He is active with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Building Owners and Managers Association, Building Industry Association, American Society for Industrial Security, the International Security Management Association, and the National Air Transport Association. He has completed an extensive postgraduate course of study in quality management.