The leadership transition follows a deliberate succession process that has been more than five years in the making and comes at a time of strong organizational performance and stability. Current Owner and CEO, Pierre Trapanese, will assume the role of Executive Chair, where he will focus on governance and long-term strategic initiatives.

“Succession is never simple, but we are making this move from a position of real strength,” said Pierre. “Ed has grown with this company every step of the way. He understands our business, our customers, and most importantly, our culture. I’m proud to hand the CEO role to a leader who truly embodies what makes Northland exceptional.”

Over the past 15 years, Edward has taken on increasingly complex leadership responsibilities across the organization, combining deep operational expertise with a proven track record of results. His leadership embodies Northland’s culture of adaptability, resilience, and tackling challenges, positioning him to lead the company confidently into its next chapter.

“I’m honored to step into the role of CEO and build on the extraordinary foundation that Pierre has created,” said Edward. “Northland was built on strong values and an inspiring purpose that shaped the company we are today. I’ve had the privilege of watching us grow from a regional integrator into a trusted global partner to many of the world’s leading technology companies. And as we look ahead, I’m energized by the opportunities in front of us.”

Edward’s leadership journey has been defined by guiding the company through a series of opportunities and challenges. As Managing Director of EMEA, he led the region past a critical inflection point, building a high-performing team and empowering them to execute with trust and accountability. In doing so, he earned the respect of employees, partners, suppliers, and customers alike.

He later relocated his family to the United States during a pivotal chapter in the company’s history to serve as Chief Operating Officer. In this role, he led the organization through some of its most challenging economic and operational headwinds, including the COVID-19 pandemic and significant global supply chain disruptions, not only strengthening performance but positioning the business for long-term resilience.

Both leaders share a strategy rooted in Northland’s employees with Edward emphasizing, “What makes this company truly special is our people, our culture of embracing difficult challenges, and our unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service to customers around the world.”

Drawing on experience across every region, Edward brings a grounded understanding of delivery and a global perspective that will shape Northland’s long-term direction. His appointment provides continuity for clients and partners, reinforces the company’s culture, and positions the organization to grow and adapt in step with its global customer base. Guided by the vision of building a “100-year company,” he will lead Northland’s next phase of growth by prioritizing excellence in delivery, strategic global expansion, deep customer partnerships, and the development of future leaders.

“Helping to secure and connect our client’s environments at a global scale will bring new challenges and opportunities,” he adds. “But I am excited and ready to take on those challenges, just as I am confident that Northland is ready to take the next step in its evolution while staying true to our purpose: to unlock prosperity for all those we touch.”

About Northland Controls
Northland Controls is a global systems integrator and managed services provider specializing in designing, installing, and managing best in class security technology. Through a combination of deep technical expertise, 24/7 global operations, and a customer-first approach, Northland delivers reliable, high-quality solutions across industries including high tech, data centers, and higher education. With headquarters in Silicon Valley, Northland’s global footprint includes offices in Washington, DC; Rochester, NY; Austin, TX; Montreal; London; Dublin; Heidelberg; Singapore; Shanghai; Bangalore; Chennai; Jakarta; Kuala Lumpur; and Tokyo.

For media inquiries, please contact Dakota Bierly at dbierly@northlandcontrols.com.