A Family Affair: Port City Sound and Security isn’t just a business—it’s a family. Pictured here in 2007, just as we were beginning our chapter in Wilmington, owners Brad and Jo Stich share a meal with the team that built PCSS from the ground up. These moments remind us that our 25-year journey has always centered on people: our team and our clients.

It’s hard to believe more than 25 years have passed since we incorporated Port City Sound and Security (PCSS) in 2000. What began as a focused effort in audio, video, and security in Southeastern North Carolina has grown into a trusted provider of whole-home integration and custom smart systems.

Back then, flip phones were cutting-edge, DVD players represented the latest in home entertainment, and a truly connected home still felt like science fiction. Our goal, however, has remained consistent: Deliver technology that feels effortless and enhances daily living.

As we mark this milestone, we sit down with owner Brad Stich to reflect on the journey, the lessons learned, and what continues to drive us.

Where It All Began 

We didn’t launch from a polished corporate plan. We grew from Brad’s desire for greater control over outcomes and his fascination with technology.

"I was tired of the corporate world of mergers and acquisitions," Brad recalls. "I wanted more control over my own destiny. I’ve always had a fascination with technology and a real passion for high-quality audio and video."

Our early projects centered on “media centers” — large displays paired with immersive sound systems that felt novel and exciting at the time. However, the emphasis was already on clean integration and making powerful performance feel natural in the space rather than dominant.

The OG "Media Center" In the early 2000s, this was the height of home entertainment. Our focus has always been on bringing big-screen excitement and high-fidelity sound into everyday living spaces, making powerful performance feel at home.

What Success Really Means 

After 25 years, we define success not by the flashiest features or latest fad. It comes down to what Brad calls the “Golden Balance”—installations that consistently meet four key criteria: 

1. Deliver strong performance that exceeds expectations.
2. Fit aesthetically into the unique design of the home.
3. Remain easy to use for every member of the household.
4. Respect budget objectives through honest, transparent engineering.

“We define success through happy clients and systems with a minimal punch list that is resolved quickly,” Brad explains. “Even more important is minimal service calls afterward — especially those asking ‘How do I use this?’ If that question comes up, we haven’t succeeded.”

This philosophy shows in our details: one-button whole-home control, lighting scenes that shift naturally with the time of day or sun position, and audio/video tuned so everything simply works. The result is technology that disappears into the background, letting clients focus on living.

That same mindset led to the evolution of our Wilmington showroom. Since moving from Carolina Beach in 2006 and completing two major renovations–including a 50 percent expansion in space—we’ve created a space where clients can simply press a button and experience integrated systems firsthand, rather than trying to imagine how they might perform together.

Technology with a Mission: Restoring Independence

Over the years, there have been plenty of memorable projects, but some stay with us in a different way. One that still stands out began with a long-time client, a wounded warrior who was severely injured while deployed and was facing significant vision loss. As his eyesight deteriorated, even using a large touchscreen became a challenge, so he came to us looking for help.

This wasn’t a quick fix or a standard install. We took a step back and explored voice control more thoroughly than we ever had before. 

“We didn’t just want it to work,” says Brad. “We wanted it to be invisible.”

We were humbled by his request. We are usually reluctant to introduce "bleeding-edge" products like voice control without vetting them ourselves first, but for him, we reinvestigated everything. We purchased several systems and deployed them in our showroom and a technician’s home, living with them day-to-day to ensure they were reliable enough for his needs.

After months of hands-on testing, we arrived at the right solution. This system gave the client a simple, reliable way to control his home using his voice, making everyday tasks feel manageable again. 

“Knowing technology can provide that kind of independence is why we do this,” Brad shares. “It even allows us to make remote adjustments and updates to keep him connected without having to worry about the 'how' or 'why' of the system.”

Moments like this put everything into perspective for us. Technology can be exciting, impressive, and even fun—but at its best, it helps our clients feel more comfortable and more in control of their own space.

Growing with Purpose & Culture

Technology evolves quickly, and staying effective demands more than curiosity; it requires a culture of continuous improvement. We’ve deliberately built a team where Integrity, Dedication, Respect, and Teamwork aren't just office decor—they are the standards that empower our employees to make great decisions on-site.

"We provide the resources, tools, and support our team needs, treating everyone like family while holding each other accountable," Brad says. "That internal culture is what allows us to provide a high level of expert response for our clients."

This commitment to excellence is backed by a structured approach to every project:

• Continuous Education: We maintain a rigorous training matrix and budget for ongoing certifications. Most of our technicians are CEDIA certified, with specialized training in world-class systems like Crestron, Control4, and Lutron.
• The Customer Journey: We’ve mapped our entire process—from the first call to post-project service—to close communication gaps and set clear expectations for architects, builders, and homeowners.
• Professional Tools: Behind the scenes, we utilize D-Tools System Integrator for precise design and material tracking, and dedicated Slack communication channels for each project to resolve issues in real-time.
• Collaborative Spirit: We don’t work in a vacuum. We coordinate closely with decorators, electricians, and carpenters to ensure the technology integrates perfectly with the craftsmanship of the home.

Our growth from a single van (affectionately known as “Rusty”) to a modern fleet and an expanded Wilmington showroom has been intentional. The mission remains the same: delivering expert, rapid response backed by a team that truly cares about the outcome.

Built to Last: Our Commitment to the Region

Reaching this milestone is significant, yet the focus remains on what’s next. Innovations in networking, lighting control, voice interfaces, and AV distribution continue to improve how people live with technology.

“The goal isn’t to chase trends,” Brad says. “It’s NOT just a system install. We engineer experiences that are built to last. If you don't have to think about the technology, we've done our job.

“I haven’t manually turned on a porch light or garage coach light in ten years. The system handles it automatically, based on schedules, sensors, or astronomical timeclocks. That’s the experience we engineer for every client.“

Technology will always change, but our mission hasn't budged since we started in 2000: Deliver a sophisticated experience that feels completely effortless. We invite you to celebrate this milestone with us. Stop by our Wilmington showroom to experience today’s technology firsthand, meet the team that makes it happen, or simply say hello.

2004’s Ultimate 'Man Cave' Back then, this display was a giant and those prominent speaker grills were the height of fashion. While TVs have since gotten larger and speakers have disappeared into the drywall, this remains a great reminder of how we’ve always worked to blend world-class tech with interior design. (And for the record, Brad’s bank shot hasn't changed much!)

The Visionary Start: Our first “experience center” may look nostalgic now, but it set the stage for the seamless systems we create today. It’s a proud reminder of how far we’ve come—moving from bulky gear to fully hidden, high-performance solutions that complement a beautiful home.

Where High Tech Met High Style: Our original home in Carolina Beach. While we still provide the best theater seating in the business, we’ve spent the last two decades shrinking the gear and expanding the performance.

A Relic of the Past: The grand opening of our current home! We’ve upgraded the fleet and the showroom since this shot was taken, but the mission remains the same: Making sure your tech works as hard as "Rusty" did.

The State-of-the-Art in 2006: Moving into our second showroom was a major milestone in mastering the "Total Experience." It’s a classic reminder of how quickly home technology and "wellness" lighting have evolved over the last 20 years.

Ready for Response: Today’s fleet reflects a team that is always ready. Whether we’re on-site or providing remote support, we’re engineered for rapid, expert response across the region.

See how far our showroom has come → Visit the Current Showroom

What Our Clients and Partners Say

We are incredibly grateful for the long-term trust built with our clients and professional partners over the last quarter-century. Their success is our success.

“Once again, I had a wonderful experience with Port City Sound. I have been using Port City Sound for at least 12 to 15 years. I would highly recommend this company to everyone. Their staff of professionals are awesome!” — Denise B.

“Been using Port City Sound and Security for 15 years. THEY ARE THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS!” — Lennea G.

“Can’t say enough good things about Brad. PCSS wired my personal house and two other projects and have helped me several other times. They are always responsive, take pride in what they do and give great advice on what to purchase and why. This is the only company I will use for anything related to TVs, sound or security.” — Jim R.

“As a high-end General Contractor in the Wilmington area, it is important to us to use the best sub-contractors available. We have been working with Port City for nearly 10 years [now 17 years] and their quality and service is second to none. Their loyal crews are knowledgeable, experienced and professional. We recommend them to all of our clients for their AV, Security and Lighting Control needs.” — Adam B.

A Final Note of Thanks

Here’s to the next 25 years of reliable performance, thoughtful integration, and lasting relationships. Thank you for being a part of the Port City Sound and Security story.

— The Team at Port City Sound and Security

Stop by our Wilmington showroom today!