NBFAA Hires New Communications and Chapter Relations Directors

Aug. 19, 2005
New positions reflect associations' enhanced emphasis on member services

Irving, TX, Aug. 17, 2005 - The National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (NBFAA) announced the appointment of Georgia Calaway as director of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing and Jorge Rivas as director of Chapter Relations, Membership and Events.

"We are very excited about the team we have put together in Texas, and believe that our members will be pleased with the enhanced emphasis on customer service. In addition, we have added focus on our chapter relations with the addition of Jorge in his newly-created position," said NBFAA Executive Director Merlin Guilbeau.

Calaway, who started working for NBFAA in early June, began her communications career as a public affairs officer in the U.S. Air Force. Her responsibilities include: the management and administration of NBFAA's Web site, member and marketing communications and public relations activities, and the strategic and tactical communications planning for the association.

She will also manage the NBFAA/Security Dealer Youth Scholarship and First Line of Defense Award programs, as well as provide staff support to the association's Communications Committee.

With more than 25 years of communications and marketing experience in a number of industries, including aerospace and defense, information technology and telecommunications, Calaway comes to NBFAA following a position as director of communications for the Information Technology Solution Providers Alliance. Calaway has a bachelor's degree in journalism and a master's degree in public administration.

Rivas, who began in early July, is taking on a new role at NBFAA and will be devoting a considerable amount of his time to working with the chapters, as well as overseeing membership, events and member benefit/affinity functions.

The new focus on chapter relations will enable the association to develop more involved, mutually beneficial and proactive relationships with chapters. Rivas will also provide staff support to the Membership Committee and the Alarm Industry Research and Educational Foundation (AIREF)/NBFAA Golf Tournament Committee.

Coming to NBFAA with more than five years of association experience with the National Society of Hispanic MBAs, Rivas brings management experience in operations, conference and meeting planning, finance and general administration. He has a bachelor's degree in business administration management from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico.