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Columbia Safety Services
9520 10th Ave S, Ste 150
Seattle, WA 98108
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Columbia Safety Services
9520 10th Ave S, Ste 150
Seattle, WA 98108
"*" indicates required fields
EXPERTISE
CERTIFICATIONS & LICENSES
INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP
EDUCATION
LANGUAGES
English · Spanish
BASED IN
Greater Seattle, Washington
Aaron Dickens is Chief Executive Officer of Columbia Safety Services, the parent organization for a growing family of fire protection operating companies across the Pacific Northwest, Mountain West, and surrounding markets. He leads the company's long-term strategy, acquisitions, leadership development, operational excellence, and geographic expansion.
Since joining Columbia in 2023 and relocating to the Seattle area to lead Columbia Fire and the broader platform, Aaron has focused on building a company designed to endure. He brought Valley Fire Control and FFF Protection into the Columbia Safety Services family of companies and has driven organic growth across multiple markets through new service offerings and geographic expansion. His approach strengthens established local businesses — preserving their reputations and cultures while creating opportunities for employees, customers, and communities to thrive for decades to come.
Aaron has spent his career in fire protection, pairing technical depth with operational leadership. Before Columbia, he held executive and management roles across APi Group companies — including Vice President, Area Manager, and Corporate Service Growth Manager — leading multi-state operations throughout the Western United States, launching new service divisions, integrating acquisitions, and implementing large-scale technology and process improvements. Having lived and worked in California, Maryland, Alabama, Utah, and Washington, he brings perspective shaped by diverse markets and teams.
A strong advocate for leadership development, Aaron believes enduring companies are built by investing in people, creating clarity, and establishing systems that let teams thrive. His philosophy centers on accountability, continuous improvement, and servant leadership — empowering local leaders to serve their customers and communities at the highest level. Much of his focus today is developing future leaders and advancing Columbia's vision of becoming formidable — an organization respected for its integrity, technical excellence, and the development of its people, and capable of enduring well beyond any single individual.
A dual citizen of the United States and Italy, Aaron is fluent in Spanish and remains active in industry, community, and church service. He and his wife, Erika, have been married since 2010 and are raising their three children in the greater Seattle region. Outside of work, he enjoys travel, history, music, and exploring new cultures with his family.
EXPERTISE
LICENSES
INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP
38+ years in fire protection & life safety
BASED IN
Reno, Nevada
Sean McGuire serves as Vice President of Columbia Safety Services, the parent organization for a growing family of fire protection operating companies across the Pacific Northwest, Mountain West, and surrounding markets. He provides leadership and operational oversight across the organization's subsidiaries, working closely with operating company leaders to drive performance, develop talent, share best practices, and support both organic growth and strategic expansion.
With more than 38 years of experience in fire protection and life safety, Sean has built a career spanning service, inspections, fire alarm systems, sprinkler and suppression systems, construction operations, project management, business development, and executive leadership. Known for a hands-on approach to problem-solving, he has led teams through significant growth, organizational change, process improvement, and operational transformation across multi-market environments. He holds electrical contractor licenses in both California and Nevada and brings extensive experience navigating the regulatory environments of the Western United States.
Throughout his career, Sean has focused on building strong teams, creating accountability, and implementing systems that improve communication, execution, and customer experience. He believes exceptional customer service begins with investing in people — developing future leaders and creating cultures where teams are empowered to succeed. Since joining Columbia Safety Services, he has helped strengthen operational performance, expand service capabilities, and build organizations positioned for long-term success.
Outside of work, Sean is active in ministry leadership and enjoys spending time with family, outdoor recreation, and pursuing continual personal and professional growth.
EXPERTISE
EDUCATION
PRIOR EXPERIENCE
INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE
15+ years in finance, operations
& business leadership
BASED IN
West Seattle, Washington
Danielle Ullmann serves as Controller of Columbia Safety Services, the parent organization for a growing family of fire protection companies. As a member of the senior leadership team, she works closely with the CEO and executive leadership to support strategic decision-making, organizational growth, and the financial and operational infrastructure needed to scale the business.
Danielle oversees financial reporting, cash management, audit, internal controls, and accounting operations across the organization, while also playing a central role in enterprise systems, process improvement, and organizational development. Since joining CSS, she has led the implementation of Acumatica ERP, the transition from ADP to WorkForce Go, and the financial integration of acquired companies — most recently Valley Fire Control, including opening balance sheet accounting, payroll conversion, and ongoing financial reporting. She is actively involved in acquisitions from integration planning through post-close execution.
Prior to Columbia Safety Services, Danielle spent more than a decade with Optimum Energy as Controller and Head of Human Resources, partnering with executive leadership on financial performance, workforce strategy, systems implementation, and operational decision-making. Earlier in her career she held roles at Moss Adams, Zulily, and in finance recruiting, building a foundation across public accounting, corporate finance, and talent.
Danielle also brings an owner-operator perspective to her leadership. For more than a decade she founded and operated businesses in the fitness industry — carrying full responsibility for strategy, financial performance, hiring, team development, and customer experience. That background shaped a hands-on leadership style and a deep appreciation for the connection between financial discipline, operational execution, and culture.
Outside of work, Danielle is a longtime fitness enthusiast and competitor. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and taking advantage of everything the Pacific Northwest has to offer — including time at the family cabin and the outdoors.