Alphabetical order dictated the course of Jim Aargstad's career.

Aargstad had just completed a yearlong apprenticeship at a security company in Phoenix when he opened the yellow pages shortly after returning to Orofino, where he had graduated from high school.

He called Fisher Systems because it appeared at the top of the list for security companies. The business had an opening, and he landed a job as an apprentice in 1997.

The random choice turned out to be such a good fit that 20 years later Aargstad has become the owner after purchasing the business this summer from Richard McMillen and Gary Fisher, the son of one of the company's founders.

"I've grown up with the company," Aargstad said.

The name, services and location - 2117 12th Ave., Lewiston - are staying the same, but Aargstad plans to grow operations by hiring employees focused on new products that are just now reaching the market.

Fisher will stay with the 20-employee business for an unspecified length of time. Technically, Fisher is a senior installation technician, but the role he serves is much broader, Aargstad said.

Fisher was one of his early mentors, setting a high standard of quality and teaching him things textbooks don't cover, such as how to win the respect of customers and ways to show clients how much the business stands behind its work, Aargstad said.

"I have the responsibility to be sure I'm keeping that family name and heritage alive."

The business was founded in 1957. It sells, designs and installs custom telephone, security, fire alarm and audio-visual systems for businesses and homeowners.

Meetings with new customers begin with a needs analysis that involves a lot of questions. Do they sometimes find unauthorized people wandering around the premises? Are there documents that contain information that is proprietary or by law can't be disclosed? Are there expensive items on the site that would be damaged by a change in temperature or other environmental factor?

Only after Fisher Systems understands a company's vulnerabilities does its employees select products, which perform a broad range of functions, alerting customers by their choice of email, text or telephone call if something isn't right.

Some allow only specific people to enter and exit places, such as hospitals, documenting arrival and departure times of individuals. Others track liquid levels in tanks to prevent chemical spills.

Still others are installed near the bedroom windows of teenagers either to keep the children inside or prevent others from entering.

His staff can configure networks so that front-desk personnel can alert law enforcement, staff in other parts of the building or both if a customer is getting out of control.

"No two businesses are created equal," Aargstad said. "Everybody has a different need or want."

Technology is constantly providing more options. He plans to expand his market share in the residential arena by offering a new line of home security systems that enable customers to adjust temperatures, lock doors or turn on lights from their smartphones, even if they're not at home, Aargstad said.

At the same time, he also will be introducing systems that identify locations of active shooters at businesses and institutions so that law enforcement and people on site have a better chance of saving lives in the event of an attack.

"It will help them respond faster," he said.

Williams may be contacted at ewilliam@lmtribune.com or (208) 848-2261.