Directed

Directed Electronics was founded in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1982 by Darrell Issa (now a U.S. Congressman representing California's 49th District) and his wife Kathy, as a maker of vehicle security products. In 1986, Directed Electronics moved to Southern California, where the business began to expand rapidly. Automobile theft was rising dramatically, especially in major metropolitan areas, and Directed's commitment to research and development led to advances in integrated circuit-controlled security systems that propelled the company to the forefront of the field. The Viper® and Python® brands were introduced, and sales more than doubled between 1989 and 1990, leading to Directed's inclusion in the Inc. 500 the following year.