NBFAA Member Update for Friday, June 24, 2005
Friday, June 24, 2005

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In this issue:

Association News


2005 NBFAA Officer Election Results

NBFAA has announced the results of this year’s Executive Committee election.

George Gunning, currently a vice president of NBFAA, was uncontested for the vice president/president-elect position. Currently chief executive officer of USA Alarm Systems, Monrovia , Calif. , and an industry executive for more than 20 years, Gunning has also served as secretary for the association. Following one year as vice president and president-elect, Gunning will assume the role of NBFAA president July 2006. The recipient of the 2003 Morris F. Weinstock award, Gunning will become the first member from a western state to serve as president since George A. Weinstock was NBFAA president in 1973-75.

Reelected for a second two-year term as vice president, Counte Cooley, president of Electronic Sales Company, Gainesville, Ga., has served three years as an NBFAA board member and four years as president and six years as a board member of the Georgia Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (GBFAA).

Also reelected for a second two-year term as treasurer, Mike Miller has been involved in the alarm and security industry for more than 30 years. Miller currently serves as vice president and co-owner of Moon Security Services, Inc., Pasco , Wash. In addition to numerous positions with NBFAA, Miller has also served as president and past president of the Washington Burglar and Fire Alarm Association and was the most recent recipient of the Sara E. Jackson Award.

“Please join me in congratulating and supporting these colleagues as they volunteer countless hours for the betterment of our association and our industry,” said Merlin Guilbeau, NBFAA executive director.

The Executive Committee’s voluntary leadership consists of the president, one vice president-president elect, three vice presidents in odd-numbered years and four in even- numbered years, treasurer, secretary and immediate past president.   The Executive Director and Legal Counsel are ex officio members. Please do not hesitate to contact an executive committee member if you have questions, suggestions, or concerns, or if you would like to get more involved in the association or on a committee. 

For a complete list of the Executive Committee go to the About Us section of the NBFAA Web site at http://www.alarm.org/.We hope to see you in

Members Vote to Amend By-Laws

The votes are in and official. NBFAA members voted overwhelmingly in favor of amending the associations’ by-laws. A new section (Subsection 4.2.1.3) was added and section 4.2.11.1 was amended.

New Subsection 4.2.1.3 reads as follows: The NBFAA Board may deny membership and/or renewal of membership to any individual or business entity whose membership could be harmful to the reputation, credibility, or financial health of the association or could potentially undermine and/or conflict with the goals and/or programs of the association.

The second by-law amendment replaced previous language in 4.2.11.1 with the following:

Amended Language: 4.2.11.1 Associate membership shall be open to any individual or business entity that is engaged in the business of manufacturing, distributing, supplying, or selling products or services generally used and relating to the members of the Association.

To request additional information about the by-law changes and/or the voting results, contact NBFAA Communications at communications@alarm.org.

Travel Information for NBFAA Fall Conference

The NBFAA Fall Conference and Chartered State Association (CSA) Symposium will be held August 22-26 in conjunction with ISC East in New York City . 

If you’re planning to attend the conference and symposium, we have reserved a block of hotel rooms at a special NBFAA rate of $199 at the New York Marriott Marquis located in Times Square . The NBFAA room rate is ‘first come, first served,’ so don’t delay.  To reserve your space, call 800-843-4898.

Your NBFAA registration will include the NBFAA Awards Luncheon, the Industry Breakfast, NBFAA committee meetings, the NBFAA Reception and free admission to ISC East. Information about registering for the conference will soon be available at http://www.alarm.org./

To register for ISC East, go to https://www.compusystems.com/servlet/ar?evt_uid=151&CampaignCode=nbf2

So make your travel plans today – we hope to see you in New York !

Test Drive Online Learning from NBFAA and SIA

Dealers, manufacturers and training professionals - reserve your seat now for the first ever Demo Derby on Wednesday, Aug.3. NBFAA, The Security Industry Association (SIA), and The CMOOR Group, are offering this Web event as an introduction to online learning. The 90-minute Derby will take off at 1:00 p.m. EDT. One lucky driver will cross the finish line with a $200 certificate redeemable at www.GiftCertificate.com. Visit www.alarm.org today to register.

For more information, contact NTS at 866-636-1687 or by e-mail at nts@alarm.org or visit www.alarm.org.

Upcoming NTS Courses

The following National Training School (NTS) courses are currently scheduled. For more information contact NTS at 866-636-1687 or by e-mail at nts@alarm.org.

Complete course schedules for 2005 are also available at www.alarm.org/nts/. These schedules are updated regularly, so be sure to check back often.

Don't forget that NTS training is also available online! Alarm Technician (Level 1) and Fire Alarm Installation Methods (FAIM) are available now – with Advanced Burglar Alarm Technician (ABAT) coming later this year!

Understanding Alarm Systems
July 16 – Monroe , La.

Level 1 Certified Alarm Technician
July 15-17 – Lake of the Ozarks , Mo.
July 22-24 – Gonzales , La.

Fire Alarm Installation Methods
July 13-15 – Long Island , N.Y.
July 15-17 – South Alabama

Electronic Access Control
July 9-10 – Bossier City , La.

Life Safety Code
July 15 – Knoxville , Tenn.

NTS and SIA Educational Survey

The NBFAA recently released an Industry Affairs Update on Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and the alarm industry. The Update provides alarm companies and systems integrators with an overview of VoIP issues to consider. In response, NTS has issued a survey to discuss training possibilities and needs within this growing market.

To be successful in this newly evolving landscape, life safety and security integrator company salespeople and technicians will need specific knowledge and skills regarding Internet Protocol (IP) networking and VoIP. NBFAA has already launched a first-of-its-kind training course to meet this educational need. The program is called the “Security Networking Institute,” a two-day, hands-on course which is being presented around the United States , sponsored in conjunction with your state or local alarm association.

Aiding dealers in fully addressing the opportunities and challenges outlined in the update, the NBFAA is assessing the need for additional classes in VoIP installation and IP alarm transmitters, and it is for that reason that we need the valuable input of our members.

If you haven’t already completed your survey, please do so. It will take only a few minutes of your time. Click here to take the survey now. Your participation is greatly appreciated.

Member News

NAV Expands Las Vegas Facility

NBFAA member company North American Video (NAV) is building a new office in Las Vegas that will include a demo room, warehouse and technical services.

NAV recently completed the security system for the new Wynn Las Vegas and also provides services to a number of other casinos in the area, as well as around the world. The new office will provide NAV with better proximity to its Las Vegas customers.

NAV President Al Croteau will manage the new facility, which is slated to open later this year.

TSA to Purchase GE Screening Technology for Airport Security

The Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) has agreed to purchase 43 explosives detection system (EDS) machines from GE Homeland Protection, a part of the GE Infrastructure Security business unit.

The contract is valued at more than $50 million over the three-year ordering period, according to GE Infrastructure. TSA has already deployed more than 800 GE EDS machines for use around the country.

BellSouth Security Systems from Protection One Expands to New Location

NBFAA member company BellSouth Security Systems from Protection One has relocated its Miami operation to a new, larger location.

From this new location, BellSouth can accommodate future growth and expansion. The company will also be able to show current and future customers some of its latest security technologies in person.

We want to hear from you. If you have a story you'd like to share with other NBFAA members, contact us at 301-585-1855 or by email at communications@alarm.org.

Member Benefit Spotlight: wildbullet.com

Finding and hiring highly qualified employees can be difficult, especially given the amount of time and money that must be spent in order to find the best candidate for a job.

NBFAA has recognized that personnel issues can be especially taxing for its members. Through a partnership with wildbullet.com, NBFAA offers its members discounted rates on wildbullet.com's job posting and electronic recruiting service.

Because wildbullet.com is the largest specialty recruitment site in the United States developed exclusively for the electronic life safety, security, and systems industry, its consultants are tuned in to the needs of both hiring companies and candidates. Since it opened in 2001, wildbullet.com has become the national registry for thousands of professionals in our industry.

Here is what some satisfied NBFAA members have to say about wildbullet.com:

“We actually met with three of the candidates that responded to our posting on Wildbullet.com. We hired one of them. Your Web site was a success for us and we will definitely use it again in the future. Thank you!” – Claire Gibbons, Human Resources Manager for LP Innovations, Inc., in Needham , Mass.

“I am happy as a pig in mud about the response. We interviewed several qualified industry- specific candidates. We would definitely recommend the site to others in the industry” – Sue Silva, HR Manager for JMG Security in Fountain Valley , Calif.

Your company could be the next satisfied customer!

wildbullet.com is just one of the many benefits available to NBFAA members. For more information on the program, contact wildbullet.com's NBFAA Account Specialist Eric Freedman at 949-253-4150 x4150 or visit their Web site at www.wildbullet.com.

Industry News

Structured Wiring, Security Drive Demand for In-Home Technology

According to the third annual State of the Builder Technology Market Survey by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), the demand for home technologies has increased for the third consecutive year.

The main driver for this increase in demand is consumer demand for multi-room audio, lighting controls and structured wiring. Eighty-eight percent of new homes are now outfitted with structured wiring, as opposed to 79 percent in 2004.

Following structured wiring, monitored security systems, multi-room audio and home theaters were the most popular home technologies. Security specialists were also among the installers who received the highest satisfaction rating from the builders themselves.

For Member Update Sponsorship information contact
NBFAA Director of Business Development Tonja Jenkins.

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