Kurus Elavia, who was recently elevated to CEO of Gateway Security after starting work there 18 years ago as a security guard has been named one of the six finalists in the 2006 NJBIZ Executive of the Year competition.

After earning graduate degrees in Business from Bombay University, Elavia joined Gateway Security in 1988 as a security guard when it was an $11 million company. He steadily worked his way up the ranks to CEO providing and executing the strategic planning that resulted in growing Gateway Security to nearly 4,000 employees and $70 million in revenues.

"I am honored to be nominated as an NJBIZ Executive of the Year Finalist and it is especially gratifying coming so quickly after being named CEO of Gateway Security Inc.” said Elavia. “The nomination is a direct reflection on the hard work and dedication of all the Gateway employees who are responsible for making us one the leading security and customer service companies in this region. We have a long and innovative tradition of protecting with integrity and serving with excellence.”

Gateway Security, Inc. is privately held and located in Newark, New Jersey. It delivers premium security and customer relationship services to the region’s three major airports, largest healthcare facilities, many Fortune 50 companies and international real estate management companies. The company is known for its superior customer service, expert recruitment, security training and retention of its employees. Gateway Security was recognized as the Fastest Growing Urban Company for three consecutive years by Inc. Magazine. In 2004, Gateway Security was named the New Jersey Family Business of the Year by the Rothman Institute Family Business forum at Fairleigh Dickenson University.

Mr. Elavia was named one of the NJBiz’s 40 under 40 in 2004. In 2006 he was awarded the Asian American Leadership Award by the Asian American Association for Human Services. He is a member of the advisory board of the Rothman Institute for Entrepreneurial studies at Farleigh Dickenson University and of the American Association of Airport Executives Training and Diversity Board. He is featured in the best seller Speak from the Heart by Dr Steve Adubato and is often a featured speaker on physical security matters. He earned his Karate black belt from Japan and lives in Chester, NJ with his wife Purba and their daughter Anushka.