Have you implemented management procedures that have made a difference for your company or that set an example for the industry?

If so, you could win a 2011 ESA Leadership Summit Best Practices Award.

Submit Your Application

Deadline: Friday, Dec. 3 2010

Celebrated at the Summit Banquet, the Best Practices Awards competition recognizes outstanding business processes in the custom electronics integration industry.

A panel of industry experts will name best practices in each of the following categories:

• Financial, Legal and Human Capital Management
• Recurring Revenue Management
• Growth Strategies
• Production Management (Design and Installation)
• Sales and Marketing Management

Winners will receive an award and a $500 cash prize. The winning entries will be featured in ESA publications, on the Summit website and in a panel presentation at the Summit. Additional practices of merit will receive print and online publication coverage. It’s easy to enter. Just submit the information requested in the attached document, identifying the practice category and describing the practice and the quantifiable results it has yielded in 200-400 words. The form includes details on what constitutes a quantifiable result and a list of business procedure examples to spark your thought process.

The deadline for entries is Dec. 3, 2010. The competition is open to ESA member companies only and there is no cost for entering.

Overall benefits:

• Stimulate business inquiries and new opportunities by earning valuable recognition from customers, suppliers and possible peer integrator allies as a company focused on excellence in operations
• Foster a culture of accomplishment and excellence within your company
• Contribute to the progress and professionalism of custom electronics integration industry

For an entry form, please email nfranco@ae-ventures.com.

We want to congratulate Jamie Orvis, president of Security Solutions Inc. in Wilton, CT, and David Koenig, partner with Capitol Lock Inc. in Madison, WI, for winning the Morris F. Weinstock Person of the Year Award and Sara E. Jackson Memorial Award respectively.

As an industry professional who has been traveling to ESA (formerly NBFAA) meetings since the age of ten , Jamie was destined to achieve great things on behalf of the industry. It is through years of such great achievements, that he earned the the 2009 Morris F. Weinstock Person of the Year Award which was presented to him during the Weinstock/Jackson Awards Ceremony and Reception at the Electronic Security Expo (ESX) in Pittsburgh.

First presented in 1970, the Morris F. Weinstock Person of the Year Award is nationally acclaimed as the most prestigious honor in the security industry. In memory of Morris F. Weinstock’s contributions to the industry, this award is presented in grateful appreciation for outstanding individual achievement and continued efforts on behalf of the association and the industry.

Jamie began his alarm career at the age of five when his father set him up to assemble door and window switches while watching the Howdy Doody show. As a high school student, he worked summer jobs as an installer for local alarm dealers and was also the business assistant for the family business, Alarm Technology Distributors (ATD), overseeing ordering, inventory, reselling and billing.

As president of Security Solutions, Inc., he became very involved in the state association serving as CASIA (formerly Connecticut BFAA) president, regional vice president and treasurer. In 1998, Orvis took his drive and leadership skills to the national level. He served three terms as ESA (then NBFAA) vice president, from 1998 – 2004, and chaired the Public Relations Committee. While chairman, he helped develop and launch the First Line of Defense award. In 2003, he was part of the team that created the seven-year strategic plan for ESA. He also served on the Convention Committee and chaired the Ad Hoc Committee on Chartered State Association relations.

After his years on the executive board, he turned his attention to ESA’s foundation, the Alarm Industry Research and Educational Foundation (AIREF), devoting the past seven years to AIREF as the treasurer. Shortly after becoming treasurer, Orvis recognized the need for AIREF to establish an income source in order to fulfill its mission of funding research and education. Along with Bart Didden, he founded the AIREF Golf Classic. The tournament has, to date, raised more than $500,000. This money has gone toward valuable industry research and new and updated courses for ESA’s National Training School. He continues to serve as AIREF treasurer.

In 2008, he received the President’s Award from then-president George Gunning for his dedication to ESA and the industry and for his work as AIREF’s treasurer and co-chair of the AIREF Golf Classic.

“Jamie has shown true leadership by serving on the ESA Executive Committee as well as the AIREF board.  Because he has worked so hard co-chairing the AIREF golf tournament, the industry is able to benefit from the Rutgers Study and other studies conducted on behalf of the industry  and NTS has been able to release two new classes and update another,” said Michael A. Miller, ESA president. “He’s also a gracious host, taking me under his wing when I first started my journey as a new ESA board member. The work he’s done on behalf of ESA makes him truly deserving of this award.”

Orvis’ dedication and work on behalf of the electronic security industry, his leadership on both the state and national level, and his work on committees, as treasurer of AIREF and as co-chair of the AIREF Golf Classic, have earned him this distinguished award. As the 2009 Morris F. Weinstock Person of the Year recipient, he exemplifies the qualities and characteristics the award was designed to acknowledge.

Sara E. Jackson Award

The winner of the Sara E. Jackson Award, David Koenig, has been involved in the security industry since 1981, beginning with Mid-Wisconsin Security as a central station dispatcher. He has held a number of management positions in firms large and small that have provided a variety of security services including electronic access control, burglar and fire alarm systems, uniformed security officers and patrol services, central station monitoring services and locksmithing. His experience includes sales, system installation, project management, design, budgeting, consulting and business management.

David serves the association and the industry in many capacities including treasurer of the ESA Executive Committee, assistant treasurer for the ESA Political Action Committee and executive committee liaison to the ESA Education and Training Committee. However, it was his work as chairman of the ESA Budget/Audit Committee and chairman of the Investment Committee for which David is being recognized.

As chairman of those committees, David oversees the creation of the association’s operating budget for approval by the Board of Directors. He ensures the accuracy of financial statements and disclosures and works with an independent auditor on financial issues and policies. He also serves as the investment fiduciary, responsible for the prudent management of the association’s investment portfolio.

“David is able to look at a problem, analyze it and present a solution on a global scale and communicate it to everyone in a simple format so that it is easily understood,” Mike said. “I am proud of David’s work and on behalf of ESA, he is my clear choice as the Jackson Award honoree.”

The Sara E. Jackson Memorial Award is named in honor of the 1950-51 ESA president and is presented annually to an ESA committee chair who has displayed outstanding leadership.

25-year veteran honored for industry leadership and insight

The Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) announced the winner of the 2010 William N. Moody Award for outstanding excellence in the security alarm industry on June 15. This year’s recipient is Ivan Spector, President of Sentinel Alarm Company in Montreal, Canada. SIAC Executive Director Stan Marin presented Spector with the award at the icebreaker luncheon at the Electronic Security Expo in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Created in 2004 by the SIAC Board of Directors, the William N. Moody Award acknowledges individuals who unselfishly give of their time and talents to alarm management issues and who reflect the attributes of Bill Moody, including integrity, fairness and perseverance in the face of adversity.

“Ivan has been a tireless leader in our industry for more than 25 years,” said Martin. “He was a founding member of SIAC and even served as our Public Relations Chair. His keen insight and great wisdom has   truly advanced alarm management in both Canada and the United States.”

Spector has served the alarm industry in numerous leadership roles. His involvement with CANASA includes its Board of Directors, National President and Chairman of the Response Committee. In this role, Spector proved instrumental in driving many of our False Dispatch Reduction Initiatives.

Currently, Spector also serves on the board of directors for CSAA. In addition to his involvement in serving the alarm industry, Spector also gives back to the Montreal community by volunteering his time on the Board of Directors of the Starlight Foundation. This organization helps seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities.

“Bill Moody is a wonderful individual and winning this award is a great honour,” said Spector. “The alarm industry has made tremendous strides on both sides of the border and it’s my hope to continue our work to reduce dispatches and increase safety of our customers for many years to come.”

$41,000 in scholarship awarded to 29 students

Children of police officers and firefighters from Indiana and Tennessee were awarded $10,000 in scholarships through the ESA Youth Scholarship Program. Altogether, ESA and its participating Chartered State Associations awarded $41,000 in scholarships to 29 winners from more than 680 applications. The program has awarded more than $300,000 in scholarships since its inception in 1996.

Claire Williams of Greenfield, Ind. was the first place winner of the ESA Youth Scholarship Program and received a $7,500 scholarship for her outstanding essay and scholastic achievements. Claire will graduate second in her class of 284 students at Mt. Vernon High School in Fortville, IN. Her scholastic excellence has already proven invaluable as she has recently received an appointment to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Claire’s father, Craig Williams, is a lieutenant with the Buck Creek Township volunteer fire department. Her leadership efforts in school clubs and church functions, combined with her volunteer community service activities, illustrate Claire’s deep sense of civic duty that was most certainly handed down by her father.

In her essay she wrote, “As I grew older, I could better recognize the deeper meaning of my dad’s choice to get involved, as I began to notice his personal sacrifices such as time, sleep, and effort he made to serve at the fire house. His involvement inspired me to make a more personal difference as well. I started volunteering at the Julian Center, an urban domestic violence shelter, and spent my summers playing with children in the kids’ program. It was one of the most beneficial experiences of my youth. I learned how much I have been blessed with, and how important it is for one to give back to his/her community. Even small efforts can make a big difference in the lives of others.”

Kristian Maples of Gatlinburg, Tenn. was awarded second place and received a $2,500 scholarship. An active senior at Gatlinburg-Pittman High School, Kristian is editor of the school’s yearbook, is an honors student, class leader and active volunteer in her community.

Kristian’s father, Jimmy Maples, is captain of the Gatlinburg Police Department. In her essay, Kristian wrote, “My dad’s tough policeman personality is very impressive, but he has another side that I find just as heroic. Aside from being an officer, he is a marriage counselor, a wedding minister, a Sevier County constable, a chaplain for the Fraternal Order of Police, and a charter member of the Sevier County Marine Corps League. He has also been a youth pastor, and a commander of the American Legion Post 202. My dad has proved to me that being ‘busy’ is not an excuse when it comes to helping people.”

”Each year in these submissions we see the effect that a committed parent has on his or her child. The essays, along with the quality of each applicant’s background, show how police and fire officials across the country are positive role models for the next generation. ESA is proud to reward the next generation of students who will help provide solutions in the years ahead for a more safe and secure world,” said Dave Simon, ESA Public Relations Committee chairperson.

Both ESA and its Chartered Chapter Associations participate in the program. The first place winner of each state’s program is automatically considered for the national ESA Youth Scholarship Program awards. This year, 14 Chartered Chapter Associations participated, an increase of two states over last year. Each state typically awards $1,000 or more in scholarships. Claire and Kristian both received an additional $1,000 from the Indiana and Tennessee Burglar & Fire Alarm Associations, respectively.

Students who reside in states without a chartered ESA chapter or in a state with a non-participating state association submit their applications directly to ESA. From these applications, one is chosen to compete against the state winners as the national nominee. The national nominee is awarded a $1,000 scholarship to honor that individual’s achievement. This year’s national nominee was Amanda Watson, a senior at William J. Palmer High School in Colorado Springs.

Students’ applications are scored based on a combination of GPA, ACT/SAT test scores, an essay and extracurricular activity.

In celebration of a signature year of achievement and change 77 members and guests attended the May 20, 2010 Annual Meeting.  Eleven Awards were given to Wisconsin Electronic Security Association members and their staff who provided exceptional service to the security industry during the past year.  The Awards Committee, consisting of past presidents, chose members in six service categories for Member of the Year Awards, one special support acknowledgement and a special achievement award.

Created to honor individuals deserving recognition for dedication, generosity, significant contribution, and excellence in their work on behalf of the security industry in Wisconsin, the Robert W. Shirley Achievement Award was first presented in 2005. This highest honor of the Association is not an annual award but is reserved for special achievements.

WIESA Past President, Chris Utter was chosen to receive the second Robert W. Shirley Achievement Award.  In presenting the award, the first honoree and Past President Mike Horgan stated that, “Nobody has done more for this association and the Wisconsin Alarm industry during recent times.  Nobody has attended more meetings, taken more calls, faxes, e-mails, and other correspondence, done more lobbying, done more relationship building, especially with the city of Milwaukee, but elsewhere too”.  Thanks in large part to Chris Utter, WIESA has a strong relationship with Milwaukee’s Neighborhood Services Department, and has a real voice in the City of Milwaukee Private Alarm Systems Taskforce.  No one has shown more enthusiasm, more determination, more passion, and more care for the association and the security industry.

In the 2010 Members of the Year categories, top honors went to H&S Protection Systems, Inc recognized as the Dealer Member of the Year and also receiving the Administration Person of the Year award was H&S Protection Systems, Inc, Administrative Assistant Renee Smith.

The Associate Member of the Year Award went to Honeywell Security, represented by Mike Witchie.  Lead Alarm Technician, Tim Johnson, Engineered Security Solutions, Inc received the Technician of the Year award.  Salesperson of the Year honors went to Sherman Salter, Stanley Security Solutions, Inc and Richard Paur from the Department of Neighborhood Services, City of Milwaukee was recognized as the Public Safety Member of the Year.

A WIESA Support Award was presented to Carl Johnson, General Manger, Broadview Security for his support of employee involvement in WIESA activities.  Outgoing WIESA President, Chris Utter, paid honor to three members with Presidents Awards.  Receiving those awards were Bob Wolf, Past Education and Training Chairman and Retired NTS Trainer who returned to teaching for special needs of the Association; Gary Talma, Broadview Security & WIESA Chairman of Education and Training who provided many hours of NTS planning, organizing and teaching to meet the new certification requirements in Milwaukee, and Maureen Mecham, Engineered Security Solutions, Inc, Past Member-At-Large and Marketing Chairperson who was strategic in the planning and implementation of the first WIESA/ESA Youth Scholarship Program.

The following members were elected to serve as directors of the WIESA Board of Directors for a two year term from May, 2010 through May, 2012.

• President, Tom Binish, A&A Fire & Security
• Vice President, Josh Manring, Per Mar Security
• Treasurer, Mark Weidemann, Stanley Security Solutions
• Secretary, Dave Fontecchio, TECC Security
• Member at Large, Jill Greenwood, A&A Fire & Security
• Associate Member at Large, Brandon Dobratz, APD
• Immediate Past President, Chris Utter, Magnasphere

What’s the true value of a product? Is it the number of features it has, the functions it can perform, its power or efficiency? For security integration and monitoring companies, it’s about how a product helps to meet customer needs, grow revenues and profits and increase company value. We’ll recognize new and recently introduced products in a wide variety of electronic security product and service categories for their ability to do just this.

Make sure to check out each of these Maximum Impact Award Entrants at the ESX Expo, June 16-17 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center (Pittsburgh, PA).  For more information on the Maximum Impact Awards and the entrants below, go to www.esxweb.com/max.

Haven’t registered yet? Get to it! Early bird pricing ends in a little over a week: www.ESXweb.com/register.

ESA would like to congratulate its member companies that received a coveted SAMMY award from Security Sales & Integration. The 15^th annual SAMMY Awards were distributed in Las Vegas on March 23. The awards recognize security dealers and systems integrators who exemplify professionalism in their sales, marketing and installation endeavors.

ESA also would like to give a special congratulations to John Hakanson, System Sensor; William Moody, Mohawk Data Management Inc.; John Murphy, Vector Security; and Ralph Sevinor, Wayne Alarm Systems Inc; for their induction into the SSI Hall of Fame.

ESA member companies taking home SAMMY awards were:

Stanley Convergent Security Solutions Inc. – Integrated Installation of the Year, Best Overall Integrated Marketing Campaign, Best Community Outreach Program

Vector Security – Best Broadcast Advertisement

The Protection Bureau – Best Promotional Giveaway Item

Atronic Alarms – Best Display Advertisement

By Melissa M. Courville, Client Services & Head of Marketing, DICE Corporation

Finding out that Pittsburgh is the next stop for the industry-changing ESX conference was a thrill!  Having lived in Pittsburgh for a few years, with family ties to the area, it’s easy to fall in love with the city that mixes both history and the NOW, harmoniously. From the architecture of the widely-renowned PPG building, Heinz Ketchup factory and Andy Warhol museum, to the bustling shops at Station Square and beauty of Point Park, Pittsburgh was deservedly voted one of the safest and cleanest cities in the United States, and has been for years.

ESX has already become a highlight in my plans, where security life meets industry-specific networking.  The ESX event continues to be a focal point for security integration and monitoring companies with showcases for the ESA Weinstock/Jackson Awards, CSAA anniversary and the SDM Gala, as well as the niche-focused tradeshow, seminars and conferences.  As the head of marketing for DICE Corporation, I’m very glad that we’ve continued to invest in and make it our commitment to attend each event.  The rewards are priceless.