Her Story
About Ashley
Ashley Watts is a Service Manager at Protos Security in Roanoke, Virginia, where she oversees service operations and works to ensure effective, reliable service delivery. She has built approximately three years of experience in the security industry, progressing from Senior Service Agent to Service Manager. In her role, she focuses on team leadership, operational efficiency, customer service, and empowering team members to recognize the value of their voices and take ownership of their personal and professional growth.
Before transitioning into the security industry, Ashley developed extensive experience in medical and dental practice management. She served as a Certified Otolaryngology Practice Manager at Roanoke ENT, where she managed a medical office team, oversaw the construction of a new office building, and implemented marketing strategies designed to expand the practice’s patient base and revenue. She also previously worked as an Office Manager at Real Life Endo. Ashley attended Radford University studying nutrition and dietetics but did not complete the degree due to major life changes. She later earned her Certified Otolaryngology Practice Manager credential, an accomplishment that required intensive study in areas including medical terminology, insurance, and coding.
Ashley’s leadership approach is grounded in integrity, confidence, continuous learning, and supporting others. She attributes much of her success to the support of her parents, husband, and faith, and she strives to lead with honesty, openness, and courage. Outside of work, Ashley enjoys reading and baking, particularly making homemade breads, sourdough, desserts, and other foods from scratch. She also supports philanthropic initiatives including Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, a local food bank, and a local women’s crisis pregnancy center. Looking ahead, she sees the safe and effective integration of artificial intelligence as an important challenge and opportunity for the security industry, particularly in improving efficiency while maintaining responsible practices.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Ashley
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success largely to my support system. I was fortunate to grow up surrounded by parents who, even when finances were sometimes challenging, worked hard to ensure that my siblings and I did not carry the burden of those difficulties. They taught us the importance of love, kindness, and treating others the way we would want to be treated.
My parents, my husband, and my faith have all played an important role in shaping who I am as a person, and I believe those values have directly influenced my success in both my personal and professional life. I would not be where I am today without the love, encouragement, and support they have given me throughout my life and into my early adulthood.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is not to be afraid of making mistakes. Mistakes are going to happen, and what matters is that you learn from them, gain something from the experience, and avoid repeating the same mistake over and over.
One of my coworkers once referenced a quote from a book that encouraged the idea of “hurry up and make a mistake” so you can learn from it. While I do not remember the name of the book, the message has stayed with me. I believe mistakes can be valuable learning opportunities when we take responsibility for them, understand what went wrong, and use the experience to grow.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to any young woman entering the security industry is to be confident in yourself. No one enters an industry already knowing everything or having all the answers, so do not be afraid to ask questions and learn along the way.
Lean on your existing support system, recognize the value that you bring, and do not be afraid to speak up. Finding your voice and having the confidence to use it are important parts of professional growth. You do not have to be an expert on day one; be willing to learn, ask questions, and continue developing your knowledge and abilities.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in the security industry right now is learning how to incorporate and best utilize artificial intelligence. We have already spent decades adapting to advances in technology, and we are now entering a new phase defined by artificial intelligence.
I believe the opportunity is to determine how AI can be incorporated responsibly so that organizations can become more efficient, stay ahead of technological changes, and continue to be leaders in the security industry. At the same time, it is important to understand how to use AI safely and responsibly. Finding that balance between innovation, efficiency, and responsible implementation will be an important focus for the industry moving forward.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is the value that is most important to me in both my professional and personal life. I strive to be a woman of integrity by being honest, upfront, and bold in the way I approach situations and interact with others.
Integrity also means treating people with kindness and respect and staying true to the principles that have shaped who I am. I believe that being honest and straightforward, while having the courage to speak up and do what is right, is essential to building trust and strong relationships.
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