Marquis Laude fell in love with Friesian horses around 25 years ago. The horses, large in size, were bred to carry the weight of knights in their armor during battle. They’re war heroes, and according to Laude, that always interested him.

Twenty-five years later, Laude’s family crest — with an added Friesian silhouette — hangs on Laude’s company building in Evergreen. Its name, Integrated Security Solutions, Inc., which Laude created in 2001.

The security company handles the installation and maintenance of hundreds of security systems for critical infrastructures around the world. To Laude, it is a form of security similar to the Friesian horse who now represents it: tough, elegant, protective.

Located in Evergreen, the company has helped with the security in the Flathead Valley, nationally and worldwide with a specific focus on government facilities.

Notably, Laude has helped install security systems at the Hoover Dam, the Vandenberg Air Force Base, the presidential palace in Kabul, Afghanistan, and locally for the Hungry Horse Dam and the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office.

Laude grew up on a dairy farm just outside of Oshkosh, Wisconsin. At 17, he joined the Army, entering a career in law enforcement. According to Laude, his interest in protection always was a part of him, even long before he created his own security company.

“I’ve dedicated my whole life to law enforcement and security,” Laude said. “So the interest was always there — to serve and protect so to speak.”

During his time in the Army, Laude worked as an undercover narcotics agent in Germany for 12 years and then as a protective service agent for then-Secretary of Defense Richard Cheney for four years. Laude retired from the service in 1992.

After his time in the service, Laude worked for an engineering company for nearly a decade that handled security systems around the world. When a security project led him to the Flathead Valley at the Hungry Horse Dam, however, Laude felt the need to stay put — for the first time since his childhood.

“I loved Montana and I loved being here, so I looked into starting my own business,” Laude said.

He ultimately responded to a solicitation for a contract at the Hungry Horse Dam, maintaining the security system there, and was awarded the contract in 2001 — out of that grew his business, Integrated Security Solutions, Inc.

When the company first started, it was just Laude in a small Columbia Falls office that he shared with an insurance agent.

Eventually, Laude was awarded a contract for the security systems at the Sweetgrass border crossing in Montana. From there, the company’s expansion continued and never stopped.

The company’s current building — located in Evergreen — was purchased nearly 20 years ago as company growth demanded more room. They continued installing security systems for a multitude of high-priority locations: hydro dams, embassies, border crossings, etc.

“Our forte is the electronic element,” Laude said.

Integrated Security Solutions handles large scale security threats by proactively installing cameras, physical barriers, reinforced arms rooms, crash barriers, and more. The equipment they use is of good quality and follows government regulations, Laude said.

The company currently has projects going in Guam, the Virgin Islands, Germany, Turkey, Puerto Rico, and all across the continental United States. Laude has employees stationed around the world for these projects. Notably, Laude is a consultant for the Army Corps of Engineers, where the company helped design systems for critical infrastructures across the nation.

The seven year contract — worth $600 million in total — is an effort to update all intrusion detection systems in their facilities, state by state and territory by territory. The company is around half way through the process and maintains other projects continuously around the world.

In the aftermath of the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, Laude was able to understand the importance of security to a new degree, one of the kickstarters that led him to create the company. Over 20 years later, Integrated Security Solutions, Inc. works to maintain the security that helps keep the nation safe.

“We don’t protect against, per say, against your common thief — you know the guy that’s going to steal a box of tools from the dam or things of that nature — our job is to protect against the huge threats,” Laude said.

Laude set up the security systems at the Flathead Sheriff’s Office nearly 20 years ago. According to Flathead County Sheriff Brian Heino, the security company installed strong, high quality security systems in the building that ran without needing service.

“The amazing part is that you’re talking about an international business system that is housed here in Kalispell which is intriguing in itself because that isn’t always the case,” Heino said. “Much like a lot of our businesses in the Evergreen area, they invest back into our community in a lot of different ways.”

Outside of work, Laude raises cattle and Friesian horses on his ranch west of Kalispell. For nearly 20 years, as a reserve deputy with the Sheriff’s Department Laude would ride his Friesian horse Pedro while on duty before the horse died a couple years ago.

“He was literally an icon,” Laude said.

Laude now owns 15 Friesian horses — two of which are new and a mother-son pair named Princess and Zeus — and is heavily involved in the Friesian Horse Association of North America, where he chairs the member council and the inspection committee.

Laude also enjoys his time raising cattle and flying his airplane. At the end of the day, however, Laude attributes his success to customer service and the care of his employees, his family, he refers to them.

“Not a lot of people know we exist and I am OK with that,” Laude said about the community.

According to Laude, they are the only business of its kind in Montana — nationwide there may only be a total of 10 actual competitors.

“I love Montana, I love this community,” Laude said. “I’m not a recognition person — I don’t need big banners and lots of pats on the back. It’s an honor to just live in this community.”

Reporter Kate Heston can be reached at kheston@daiyinterlake.com or 758-4459.