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Meet Our Team of Lock & Safe Specialists

Portrait of the late Gary Alford, who owned and operated Alford Safe & Lock starting in the 1970s.

Gary Alford

Owner

Gary Alford was the heart of Alford Safe & Lock Co. for decades. His father, William Edgar Alford, opened the shop in 1946 and Gary grew up in the shop—making keys as a kid and learning the trade from the ground up. He took over the business in the early 1970s and built a reputation not just for his locksmith skills, but for his unforgettable personality.

Gary was a true people person who loved cracking jokes, and connecting with every customer who walked through the door. He passed away in 2021, but his legacy continues to shape everything we do. 

Portrait of Mary Alford, owner and president of Alford Safe & Lock.

Mary Alford

Owner/President

Mary has been part of Alford Safe & Lock Co. since 2010 and stepped into ownership in 2021 after the passing of her husband, Gary Alford. As the owner and president, she’s deeply involved in the day-to-day operations—always taking time to visit with customers and ensure their needs are met with care and professionalism.

Outside of work, Mary is a dedicated CASA volunteer, proudly supporting children in the local foster care system. Her heart for the community is at the center of everything she does.

Portrait of Brayden Wilkinson, Vice President of Alford Safe & Lock

Brayden Wilkinson

Vice President

Brayden has spent the past 8 years growing with Alford Safe & Lock Co.—starting with 5 years as an apprentice before stepping into his current role as the vice president. He handles everything from accounting to keeping the shop running smoothly, and one day he’ll take the reins as owner.

His favorite part of the job is working alongside his family. During his college years, he spent three years working on the Louisiana Tech football team—so if you ever want to talk locks or linebackers, he’s your guy.

Portrait of Bryan Guillory, longtime shop manager and locksmith at Alford Safe & Lock

Bryan G.

Shop Manager/Locksmith

Bryan has been with Alford Safe & Lock Co. for 38 years, working as the shop manager. He is best known for repairing the seemingly unrepairable.

When not at the shop, Bryan will most likely be spending his time outdoors, especially fishing.

Portrait of Justin Robertson, longtime locksmith and road technician at Alford Safe & Lock in Baton Rouge.

Justin R.

Locksmith/Road Technician

Justin has been with Alford Safe & Lock Co. for 18 years, working as a locksmith and road technician. With nearly two decades of experience, he’s seen it all—but his favorite part of the job is keeping things light by giving his coworkers a hard time (all in good fun, of course).

Outside of work, Justin trades tools for paintbrushes and enjoys creating peaceful Bob Ross–style landscapes.

Portrait of Joseph Parsons, a locksmith and shop technician at Alford Safe & Lock in Baton Rouge.

Joseph P.

Locksmith/Shop Technician

Joseph has been with Alford Safe & Lock Co. for a year and a half, working as both a locksmith and a shop technician. He takes pride in getting the job done right and finding real solutions for people when they need them most.

When he’s not fixing locks, Joseph is working on cracking another code—he’s a language enthusiast who’s currently diving into Russian, just for fun.

Portrait of Grant Wilkinson, locksmith and shop technician at Alford Safe & Lock in Baton Rouge.

Grant W.

Locksmith

Grant has been with Alford Safe & Lock Co. for three years, working as a shop technician. He enjoys the hands-on work and being part of a family-run business.

When he’s not at the shop, you’ll probably find him gaming—he’s always up for a good challenge, on or off the clock.

Portrait of Bruce Wilkinson, head of accounting and safe sales at Alford Safe & Lock

Bruce Wilkinson

Accounting/Safe Sales

Bruce has been with Alford Safe & Lock Co. for 3 years, focusing on accounting in the office and safe sales on the shop floor. He’s passionate about helping customers find the right security solutions and enjoys being part of a business that serves the local community.

What he enjoys most is getting to work closely with his two grandsons every day.

Portrait of Richard Helm, longtime locksmith and road technician at Alford Safe & Lock in Baton Rouge.

Richard H.

Locksmith/Road Technician

Richard has been a locksmith and road technician with Alford Safe & Lock Co. for 27 years. He’s known for his deep experience, quick problem-solving—and even quicker pranks. Whether he’s out on a call or cracking a joke at the shop, Richard keeps things running smoothly and energy high.

Outside of work, he enjoys shooting pool and spending time with his three kids.

Portrait of Donnie Rills, a safe installer and locksmith at Alford Safe & Lock in Baton Rouge.

Donnie R.

Locksmith

Donnie has been part of the Alford Safe & Lock team for over 5 years, working as a safe installer. He really enjoys being around the crew and making sure every job gets done right.

When he’s not at work, you’ll usually find him out fishing, taking some time to unwind and enjoy the outdoors.

Portrait of Landon Himel, locksmith and road technician at Alford Safe & Lock in Baton Rouge.

Landon H.

Locksmith/Road Technician

Landon has been with Alford Safe & Lock Co. for 3 years as a locksmith and road technician. He enjoys the hands-on work and the opportunity to keep learning and growing in such a specialized field.

When he’s not out on a job, you’ll probably find him building something, specifically LEGOs—he’s a big fan and always up for a good challenge.

Portrait of a small black dog named Bitsy, who serves as the shop mascot and beloved pet at Alford Safe & Lock in Baton Rouge.

Bitsy

Very Beloved Shop Mascot

In June 2025, Mary Alford adopted this tiny pup - named Itsy Bitsy. She was named after Bitsy, the beloved yellow lab and constant companion of Gary Alford, who was constantly by his side for 16 years.

Though she may be smaller in size than Gary’s original Bitsy, Itsy Bitsy brings just as much joy to the shop. She's quickly become a favorite among customers and never fails to bring a smile to the faces of everyone who comes through the door.

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