This article originally appeared in the July 2012 issue of SD&I magazine
Even before the show floor ribbon dropped ESX 2012 began recognizing those in the industry who went above and beyond their job titles to assist with industry endeavors.
The industry’s two most prestigious awards—the 2011 Morris F. Weinstock Person of the Year and the 2012 Sara E. Jackson Memorial Award were presented at a formal awards ceremony at the show. Dan Budinoff, president of Security Specialists in Stamford, Conn., received the Weinstock award for his tireless support of the Electronic Security Association (ESA) for more than 35 years. Budinoff was instrumental in the establishment of the National Training School and has held numerous leadership and committee roles both locally and nationally. Most recently, in 2012, Budinoff was appointed to the Security America Risk Retention Group board of directors as a Class C representative. The award was sponsored by Interlogix.
The Sara E. Jackson Memorial Award was presented to Bob McVeigh, vice president and general manager of Security Solutions Inc., Norwalk, Conn. McVeigh has chaired the Industry Affairs committee of ESA since 2008. The award was sponsored by Honeywell.
With a 4.28 grade point average and poise well beyond her 18 years, Emma Sonenson of Higganum, Conn., was the first place winner of a $7500 scholarship for an outstanding essay and academic achievement. She graduated as the valedictorian from Haddam-Killingworth High School and will attend Yale University this fall. Her father is a policeman at the Berlin Police Department.
Two other industry leaders were presented accolades during the William N. Moody Award Presentation based on their ongoing service to the industry. Maria Malice, vice president of Special Projects of COPS Monitoring, Arizona, and the president of the Arizona Alarm Association and Mel Mahler, chairman and chief executive officer of ADS Security, Nashville, received the accolades at the Industry Icebreaker luncheon.
New officers installed
ESA also installed John Knox as the 2012 to 2014 term president (beginning in July) and elected four officers during the annual membership meeting. Knox is owner and president of Life & Property Security Systems in Knoxville, Tenn., and has been an Executive Board member since 2006, serving as secretary and vice president. Other elected officers include: Roy Pollack, director of compliance for Devcon, Hollywood, Fla., elected to one-year term as vice president; Marshall Marinace, president of Marshall Alarm Systems of Yorktown, N.Y., re-elected to two-year term as vice president; Robert Michel, president of Valley Alarm in Sun Valley, Calif., elected to two-year term as vice president; and Bill Cooper, industry liaison manager for ADT Security Services in Louisville, Ky., re-elected to two-year term as secretary. Immediate Past President Charles A. "Dom” D’Ascoli will serve on the Executive Committee for two years as Immediate Past President.
Exhibits were held on two days of the show, and the floor was crowded. Exhibitors like Altronix were pleased with the qualified buyers walking the exhibit space, and others had similar comments that they were getting good leads from the show.
Other news and appointments
Working with alarm companies, manufacturers and service providers, ESA also announced the establishment of the SECURE+ Initiative as a way of increasing awareness of enhanced digital services offered by member companies.
The initiative establishes the ESA SECURE+ Seal of Acceptance, along with an awards competition to acknowledge real-life examples of how ESA companies are making their customers' lives not only safe and more secure, but simpler, more energy-efficient and more convenient. The SECURE+ Seal of Acceptance will be used by participating companies to help promote their expertise in this area.
The SECURE+ Awards competition creates five categories aimed at honoring innovation and technical skill while encouraging companies to provide solid customer testimonials. Nominations for the ESA Accepted SECURE+ Awards can be submitted in the coming weeks, with winners to be announced at the ESA Leadership Summit, February 18 through 21, 2013, in Orlando, Fla. Categories include: Life Safety; Peace of Mind; Protect and Connect; Sustainable Lifestyle; and I Love My Pet.
