FAST Livestream Marks National Security Technician Day
FAST Board Chair John Nemerofsky, left, addresses viewers during a National Security Technician Day livestream as Lori Hudnall, vice president of human resources at SAGE Integration, speaks to technicians gathered for an onsite celebration in Kent, Ohio.
The Foundation for Advancing Security Technology (FAST) marked National Security Technician Day with a LinkedIn livestream recognizing security technicians across the security industry and highlighting the ongoing need to attract and develop new technical talent.
Hosted by FAST Board Chair John Nemerofsky, the livestream featured remarks from integrators, association leaders and field operations executives. The program included virtual check-ins with integration firms around the country, though technical difficulties prevented several planned stops at other company gatherings that were also taking place in celebration of the annual observance.
Nemerosfsky, who serves as COO of SAGE Integration, explained National Security Technician Day is held each year on January 23 to acknowledge the work of technicians who install, service and maintain security systems and whose efforts are critical to system performance, customer satisfaction and public safety.
Field leaders emphasize technician contributions
Nemerofsky opened the livestream at SAGE headquarters in Kent, Ohio, where technicians gathered for a company-hosted luncheon to mark the day. Vice President of Human Resources Lori Hudnall said the company wanted to take time to formally recognize technicians for their contributions.
“We’re really just celebrating with each of our technicians what they do each and every day for us,” Hudnall said. “They are our backbone of the industry. They do so much and they go unappreciated most of the time.”
Hudnall added that the event was meant to provide a moment of appreciation ahead of a busy winter weekend.
“We just wanted to appreciate you all,” she said. “Thank you very much. Keep up the work.”
The livestream then shifted to M.C. Dean in Tysons, Va., where Ryan Kaltenbaugh, Global Sales Leader, discussed the role of technicians in supporting complex and mission-critical security environments. He described technicians as “unsung heroes” whose work often takes place behind the scenes.
“These are the men and women in the field that do all the hard work,” he said. “They install, design and program, sitting in trucks and vans and telecom closets across the U.S. and beyond.”
Kaltenbaugh, joined by General Superintendent Bill Elgin, who leads the company’s field organization, highlighted the demanding conditions technicians face and emphasized the importance of recognizing their work.
“Our core success is our field organization, and I wanted to highlight Bill and the team he leads, along with their colleagues who support the field every day,” Kaltenbaugh said. “They’re often not recognized for the work they do, sometimes six or seven days a week, whether that’s in the middle of a snowstorm or even a sandstorm in the Middle East. National Security Technician Day is an important opportunity to recognize the very hard work they do to support our customers and our industry, while continually learning and expanding their technical expertise.”
PSA focuses on talent pipeline and career paths
The program concluded with remarks from PSA Security Network CEO Matt Barnette, who discussed why PSA has expanded its involvement with FAST and workforce initiatives.
Barnette said talent shortages remain a consistent topic of conversation among PSA’s membership, which includes roughly 230 integration firms nationwide.
“The lack of new talent in the industry is something I hear about constantly,” Barnette said. “As the industry grows, we need to keep fueling that growth with individuals that can help.”
Barnette noted that PSA’s network includes approximately 19,000 technicians nationwide and said FAST plays a central role in addressing workforce challenges by promoting awareness of security technology careers.
“If we’re not able to bring new people into this industry, we’re going to have a problem,” he said.
Barnette also shared his own background, explaining that he began his career as an IT technician working for a systems integrator.
“This has been a wonderful industry for me,” he said. “I wasn’t an installer technician, but I was an IT technician, and I’ve been in this industry for 35 years and counting.”
He added that many technicians advance into leadership roles over time, underscoring the long-term career potential within the security industry.
FAST’s mission
FAST was established in 2020 by the Electronic Security Association (ESA) and the Security Industry Association (SIA) to help address the industry’s ongoing workforce challenges.
FAST promotes security technology careers, supports education initiatives and provides resources such as career guides designed to attract new talent. The foundation works with integrators, manufacturers and industry associations to raise awareness of technician roles and encourage long-term career development within the electronic security and life safety sectors.
As the livestream concluded, Nemerofsky offered a final message of appreciation.
“A big shout out to all the technicians in the industry,” he said. “Congratulations and happy National Security Technician Day.”
About the Author
Rodney Bosch
Editor-in-Chief/SecurityInfoWatch.com
Rodney Bosch is the Editor-in-Chief of SecurityInfoWatch.com. He has covered the security industry since 2006 for multiple major security publications. Reach him at [email protected].