What Does The Wackenhut Corporation Do?

Total employees63000
HeadquartersPalm Beach Gardens
Founded1954

The Wackenhut Corporation, founded in 1954 by George Wackenhut, was a major American security services company. It provided a wide range of security solutions, including armed and unarmed security officers, private investigations, prison management (through its subsidiary Wackenhut Corrections Corporation, later The GEO Group), and security for sensitive government and commercial facilities like nuclear power plants and embassies. Known for its distinctive uniforms and disciplined approach, Wackenhut grew to become a significant international player in the security industry before being acquired by Danish company Group 4 Falck (later G4S plc) in 2002. Its operations were subsequently integrated into G4S and later Allied Universal following G4S's acquisition in 2021. The Wackenhut legacy is tied to the evolution of private security in the latter half of the 20th century and its role in both private and public sector security.

Where Is The Wackenhut Corporation's Headquarters?

The Wackenhut Corporation officeThe Wackenhut Corporation officeThe Wackenhut Corporation officeThe Wackenhut Corporation office
*Images sourced via web search. Rights belong to original owners

HQ Function

Served as the central command for global operations, strategic planning, executive leadership, and administrative functions for its diverse security services portfolio.

Notable Features:

The headquarters was a purpose-built, prominent facility on a large campus, reflecting the company's security focus. It was often described as an imposing and well-secured complex.

Work Culture:

The work culture at Wackenhut HQ was generally characterized by discipline, a hierarchical structure, and a strong emphasis on security and professionalism, aligning with its core business in the security sector.

HQ Significance:

The Palm Beach Gardens HQ was pivotal as the nerve center for a major international security firm, overseeing critical contracts with both private corporations and governmental agencies, including sensitive U.S. government installations.

Values Reflected in HQ: The headquarters' design and operation likely reflected values of security, strength, order, and corporate authority, consistent with The Wackenhut Corporation's brand and service offerings.

Location:

Prior to its acquisition in 2002, The Wackenhut Corporation maintained a substantial global presence, with operations in dozens of countries across North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. Functions supported globally encompassed a wide array of security solutions, including: uniformed physical security (armed and unarmed), corporate investigations, executive protection, aviation security, K-9 detection services, emergency services, and the management of correctional and detention facilities through its subsidiary, Wackenhut Corrections Corporation (which later became The GEO Group, an independent company). They also provided specialized security services for high-risk environments such as nuclear facilities, oil and gas installations, and government embassies.

Street Address:

4200 Wackenhut Drive

City:

Palm Beach Gardens

State/Province:

Florida

Country:

USA

Where Else Does The Wackenhut Corporation Operate Around the World?

New York City, New York/USA

Address: [Specific historical address difficult to ascertain; typically a regional office located in a major commercial or business district of Manhattan]

To oversee and deliver a comprehensive suite of security services across the strategically important New York metropolitan area and surrounding states, a region with high demand for sophisticated security solutions.

London, United Kingdom

Address: [Specific historical address not readily available; likely a central London office facilitating UK and European operations]

To establish, manage, and expand The Wackenhut Corporation's footprint in the European security market, offering localized expertise and operational capabilities while adhering to global standards.

Coral Gables, Florida/USA

Address: [Various addresses over time, as this was its founding location and maintained a significant presence]

Served as a foundational operational base, supporting South Florida operations and potentially Latin American business development due to its strategic location.

Buying Intent Signals for The Wackenhut Corporation

Highperformr Signals uncover buying intent and give you clear insights to target the right accounts at the right time — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams close more deals, faster.

Notable news
Hiring actively
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
Corporate Finance
*Example signal, not calculated in real time

Who's Leading The Wackenhut Corporation? Meet the Executive Team

As of April 2025, The Wackenhut Corporation' leadership includes:

George Wackenhut - Founder and Chairman Emeritus
Richard R. Wackenhut - Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Gary A. Sanders - President and Chief Operating Officer
Juan D. Miyar - Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer
Wayne H. Calabrese - Executive Vice President (also President of Wackenhut Corrections Corporation at one point)

Who's Investing in The Wackenhut Corporation?

The Wackenhut Corporation has been backed by several prominent investors over the years, including:

Public Shareholders (formerly traded on NYSE under symbols like WAK and WHK)
The Wackenhut Family (significant founding shareholders)
Various Institutional Investors (e.g., mutual funds, pension funds)

What Leadership Changes Has The Wackenhut Corporation Seen Recently?

Hire0
Exits0

The Wackenhut Corporation was acquired by Group 4 Falck in 2002 and ceased to operate as an independent entity. Therefore, there are no executive new hires or exits attributable to 'The Wackenhut Corporation' in the last 12 months. Any such recent news would relate to its successor companies, G4S (now part of Allied Universal).

Departures

N/A, No executive departures in the last 12 months as The Wackenhut Corporation was acquired in 2002.

New Appointments:

N/A, No new executive appointments in the last 12 months as The Wackenhut Corporation was acquired in 2002.

What Technology (Tech Stack) Is Used byThe Wackenhut Corporation?

Discover the tools The Wackenhut Corporation uses. Highperformr reveals the technologies powering your target accounts — helping your sales, marketing, and GTM teams prioritize smarter and close faster.

The Wackenhut Corporation Email Formats and Examples

Specific historical email formats for The Wackenhut Corporation are not definitively public. However, common corporate email patterns during its operational years (pre-2002) likely involved combinations of first name, last name, and initials with the domain '@wackenhut.com'.

Likely formats included [first_initial][last]@wackenhut.com (e.g., jdoe@wackenhut.com) or [first].[last]@wackenhut.com (e.g., jane.doe@wackenhut.com).

Format

rsmith@wackenhut.com (hypothetical example using a common format; domain is now defunct)

Example

0%

Success rate

What's the Latest News About The Wackenhut Corporation?

The New York Times / Associated Press • March 8, 2002

Wackenhut News: Group 4 Falck Agrees to Acquire Wackenhut for $570 Million

Denmark's Group 4 Falck A/S announced its agreement to acquire The Wackenhut Corporation in a deal valued at approximately $570 million. This strategic acquisition aimed to significantly bolster Group 4 Falck's presence in the North American security market, making it one of the largest security companies globally....more

Company Press Release / Media Reports • May 12, 1994

Wackenhut News: Wackenhut Corrections Corporation Goes Public

Wackenhut Corrections Corporation (WCC), the prison management subsidiary of The Wackenhut Corporation, completed its initial public offering (IPO). This move allowed WCC to raise capital for expansion in the growing private corrections industry, while The Wackenhut Corporation retained a majority stake at the time. WCC later became The GEO Group....more

Historical Company Records • October 1, 1954

Wackenhut News: Wackenhut Corporation Founded

George Wackenhut, a former FBI special agent, along with several other former agents, founded Wackenhut Corporation in Coral Gables, Florida. The company began by offering investigative services and physical security, laying the groundwork for what would become a major international security firm....more

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