Chamber Member Spotlight
Photo credit: Advanced Security Systems
Chuck and Rick Petrusha have been providing “Peace of Mind” to the Eel River Valley since 1979. Advanced Security Systems is one of the oldest members of the Fortuna Chamber of Commerce and actively supports the schools, sports teams, and special programs of our community. Advanced Security Systems was founded in 1971 in Eureka, CA, and has served its neighboring towns from the very beginning. It all started with a mission of their family serving yours and hasn’t changed much over the years. It isn’t often you find a family-owned and operated professional security and alarm monitoring company located in your backyard and with employees who just might be your neighbors. Advanced Security Systems offers a complete line of security, life safety, surveillance, access control, and home automation for residential and commercial properties. They work with and have expertise in many industries such as education, health care, government, construction, and agriculture. Advanced Security Systems can assist in security and life safety planning, whether a homeowner, business owner, or builder that is in construction or has completed a build. Advanced Security Systems is a locally owned and operated company that recently celebrated its 50th year in business. It is also a family-run business with its third generation of security professionals on staff. The success of Advanced Security Systems can be attributed to its committed employees, many of whom have been with the company for up to 20 years. These employees show up to work every day to deliver Peace of Mind while never seeking any recognition. 12
As a family-owned company, they understand the importance of keeping our local community independent and thriving. They also enjoy supporting our community through sponsorships and participation in nonprofit organizations and school programs. In December of 2021, Advanced Security Systems was nationally acknowledged as SDM Magazine’s 2021 Dealer of the Year. SDM Magazine is a 51-yearold, highly respected industry trade journal read by suppliers, dealers, and working professionals. They attribute their success to their hard-working and thoughtful employees. Advanced Security is located at 1336 4th Street, Eureka and can be reached at (707) 443-6366.
Photo credit: Stephanie Richardson
Byran McWaters, local artist and owner of MaDMeTaLs, loves sharing his unique and edgy metal creations with the community. “I like taking an idea and making a cool 3D piece of art from it,” Byran shared. If you have passed by Fortuna’s Welcome Sign at Kenmar Road, you will have seen a rotating display of metal figures against the sun, celebrating local events like the Daffodil Show, Fortuna Rodeo, and Apple Harvest Festival. MaDMeTaLs helped collaborate on that project by creating all the metal pieces. If you take a drive through Fortuna during the holidays, you are bound to see a few “jive” turkeys that will catch your eye, a surprise project by Byran that kept the community guessing as to where they came from and how they popped up around town. Many MaDMeTaLs projects can be seen around Fortuna, displayed by local businesses and residents alike. He has created many business signs and commissioned pieces, like that giant buckle for the 100th anniversary of the Fortuna Rodeo. “Every sign I build is hugely influenced by
