Brinks Home Security has tapped the Dallas-based company's general counsel and chief transformation officer to serve as interim CEO. 

William Niles takes over for Jeff Gardner, who stepped down as CEO and president Feb. 27, ending a four-year tenure at Brinks, a subsidiary of Monitronics International Inc. 

Gardner's departure follows the company's emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year. The firm, one of the largest home security and monitoring companies in the U.S., eliminated more than $800 million in debt as part of its reorganization. 

"Brinks Home Security is an exceptional company and leading the team has been an honor," Gardner said in a statement announcing his exit. "I am proud of what we have accomplished together and our deep commitment to serving our customers."

The company's board of directors named Niles as interim CEO. He also will continue to serve as GC and CTO while Brinks carries out a "comprehensive search to name a permanent CEO." His promotion, while potentially temporary, comes as more in-house leaders are being elevated to the CEO's office as part of a trend that appeared to accelerate in 2019

A Brinks representative declined to provide details about why Gardner stepped down. Niles was not available for an interview. 

Niles joined Brinks in September 2019 after having served as CEO of Ascent Capital Group Inc., the parent company of Brinks Home Security and Monitronics. Before he was elevated to CEO, he served as Ascent's executive vice president, general counsel and secretary.

Niles also served as executive VP and GC of Ascent Media Group from 2002 until it was sold in 2010.

Earlier in his career, he worked as an associate at Baker McKenzie and as a partner with Stein & Kahan. He is a graduate of the Georgetown University Law Center.