Looking out an office window isn't part of Mike Hegedus' workday. Hegedus, head of security at USIS, has no office windows. He works underground at the Iron Mountain Mine in Boyers, where evidence of the limestone mine is just over his shoulder.

CHERRY TWP — Working in an underground mine converted into an office may not sound like the most fun profession, but Mike Hegedus doesn't seem to mind.

Hegedus, 43, is the director of security at USIS, and works at the company's Boyers office at Iron Mountain.

“The job is intriguing,” Hegedus said.

USIS does background checks for people who want to work for the federal government and certain private companies. The company also facilitates national security clearances.

“In order to work for the federal government ... you have to have access,” Hegedus said of needing security clearances.

In addition to the Boyers office, the company has two other Western Pennyslvania offices in Grove City.

The company used to be a part of the federal government, but it was privatized in 1996.

The company has nearly 2,300 credentialed investigators. They talk to people at every place a prospective employee worked and attended school for the past 15 years. They also talk to neighbors, friends and co-workers. Investigations are mostly done in person.

“It's sensitive, very sensitive information,” Hegedus said.

Hegedus said the job the company does is essential and often involves national security.

“It's an important job that we all do,” he said.

Hegedus graduated from Wheeling Jesuit University in 1990 with a bachelor's degree in business administration.

“I had no idea what I was going to do,” Hegedus said.

He attended a job fair one day and representatives from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management were there. Hegedus applied and was hired right out of college.

“I started with the federal government,” he said.

Hegedus started as an investigator with the OPM in Augusta, Ga., in 1990. In that position, he was often out of the office, talking to references and doing interviews.

However, his family was back in West Virginia.“I wanted to be a little closer to home,” Hegedus said.He applied for a transfer to the Boyers office in 1992. There, he became a suitability adjudicator, examining field reports to determine whether or not the subject of an investigation is eligible to work for the government.In 1994, he became a quality control officer for OPM, reviewing reports to make sure they meet all requirements.In 1996, the investigative branch of OPM broke off from the government and became USIS. Hegedus became an operations manager for the company. He became the director of operations for the commercial services division in 1998.In 2001, he became the director of security.He said he sometimes misses the times when he was an investigator.“I really liked being an investigator because you're outside, you're speaking to people of all walks of life. You run into different things every day,” Hegedus said.Although he misses working out in the field, he said he is content in the office.“At this stage in my life, I'm comfortable where I'm at,” Hegedus said.When he's not working, Hegedus spends time with his family.“We're always doing something together as a family,” Hegedus said. “I have three just wonderful daughters and a wonderful wife.”Hegedus lives in Chicora with his wife, Molly, and their three daughters, Megan, 17, Annie, 15, and Emily, 13.He coaches two of his daughters in basketball. He is the assistant fifth-and sixth-grade girls basketball coach at Butler Catholic School and is the assistant varsity girls coach at Karns City High School.“From October until June, it's probably all basketball,” Hegedus said.He has played basketball since he was in school. He played the most when he attended Wheeling Central Catholic High School.During his time playing there, he was coached by Dino Gaudio, an ESPN analyst and former coach for Wake Forest University, and Skip Prosser, a former Wake Forest coach. He still maintains a friendship with Gaudio.He said his time playing basketball has helped him in his life.“I think that's where I get a lot of my discipline and dedication,” Hegedus said.However, he said he does not get to play as much as he used to.“I love playing. I don't play as much now. It seems like I always get hurt playing now,” Hegedus said.Additionally, Hegedus tries to play golf once a week during the summer. He has a small putting station set up in his office.Although he has attained a high career status, Hegedus' family is still his top priority and personal measuring stick.“Everything I do is pretty much centered around my family,” Hegedus said. “To me, that's how you measure success.”Another key to success, he said, is having a good group of workers.“If I didn't have a good, solid group of people working with me ... I wouldn't have any success,” Hegedus said.He said it is important to have respect between a supervisor and employee. Additionally, a supervisor should include his employees in decision making.“I try to lead by respect,” Hegedus said.

<b>Name: </b>USIS<b>Address: </b>1137 Branchton Road, Boyers; 125 Lincoln Ave., Grove City; 11 Pine Grove Square, Grove City; and Falls Church, Va., is the national headquarters<b>Top official:</b> President and CEO Peter Masanotti<b>Services:</b> Does background checks on federal employees and for private companies<b>Employees: </b>994 in Boyers and 519 in Grove City; 6,000 nationwide<b>Contact:</b> 888-270-8978, www.usis.com<b>Mission: </b>“Ensuring a safer future today.”

Mike Hegedus, the director of security at USIS, offers these tips for improving the quality of life in Butler County:• Encourage businesses to perform background checks, reducing risk to companies and creating better staffs• Encourage more volunteerism• Encourage more help for senior citizens.

<B>Name: </B>Mike Hegedus<B>Age: </B>43<B>Residence: </B>Chicora<B>Employment: </B>Director of security for USIS<B>Family: </B>Wife, Molly; three daughters, Megan, 17, Annie, 15, Emily, 13<B>Education: </B>Bachelor's in business administration from Wheeling Jesuit University, 1990<B>Memberships: </B>Mater Dolorosa Roman Catholic Church, Chicora Moose Lodge, West Sunbury American Legion Post 243‘Everything I do is pretty much centered around my family. To me, that's how you measure success.'

When not working, Mike Hegedus, head of security at USIS, is a community asset, helping to coach girls basketball at Butler Catholic School and Karns City High School.