Hertel, Martini, and Prendergast honored with top TMA Awards at 75th Anniversary Annual Meeting

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TMA President Steve Butkovich honored the outstanding contributions of three individuals last week in at the 2025 TMA 75th Anniversary Annual Meeting in Palm Springs, CA.

On Mon., Oct. 6th, at the General Membership Meeting, Butkovich presented the 2025 Stanley C. Lott Memorial Award to AICC legal counsel John Prendergast, managing partner, Blooston, Mordkofsky, Dickens & Prendergast, LLP, in recognition of his unwavering advocacy efforts on behalf of AICC and TMA members. The Stanley C. Lott Memorial Award, established in 1991 to honor its namesake, a dedicated leader and past president, recognizes exceptional long-term TMA leadership and support.

Prendergast expressed his gratitude for the recognition, stating, “I am deeply honored to win the Stan Lott award, especially given the outstanding people that have won it before me; and I have been privileged to have worked with all of the dedicated and professional TMA members and staff, past and present, that have made representing the alarm industry so rewarding.”

Also presented at the General Business Meeting, former APCO President Stephen Martini, ENP. CPE, director, Metro Nashville Dept. of Emergency Communications, received the 2025 Public Sector Award. This special honor, established in 2015, is presented by TMA to a public safety professional whose contributions have supported the monitoring industry’s mission to protect and save life and property. Martini has been a longtime champion for TMA’s ASAP Service.

“I am honored and humbled to receive this recognition. The work TMA is doing with the ASAP Program is saving time, saving lives, and reducing workloads on emergency communications professionals,” said Martini. “This commitment to the public we serve and the professionals we depend on to carry out this no-fail mission is critical to the success of public safety response for the next decade.”

On Wed., Oct. 8th, at the closing Gala Dinner, Butkovich presented the 2025 Mel Mahler Award to Morgan Hertel, Rapid Response Monitoring Services Inc. The Mel Mahler Award is presented at the discretion of the TMA president in recognition of outstanding contributions within his/her tenure. Hertel has served as a volunteer leader for decades, contributing his knowledge, experience, and expertise to the TMA community.

“Thank you. I am truly honored to receive this recognition. I have always believed that active participation in our industry associations is not just beneficial, but essential for our collective success,” shared Hertel. “The Monitoring Association is, without a doubt, the most important organization in our industry. This achievement is not mine alone. It is built upon the foundation laid by those who came before me, and it is shared with the dedicated leaders who will follow. It is through this collaborative spirit that we are able to achieve such meaningful results.”

JamAlert Awarded Best in Show at ESX 2025 Innovation Awards

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Digital Monitoring Products (DMP) is honored to announce that JamAlert™, the revolutionary new cellular jamming detection device, has been awarded Best in Show at ESX’s 2025 Innovation Awards. According to ESX.com, the Innovation Awards “identify the next-gen products and services that will offer significant growth opportunities for dealers, integrators and monitoring centers.”

Security industry manufacturers and service providers could enter new products that had been released since January 1, 2024. Judges selected the top ten overall to compete in the TechVision Challenge, held live at ESX to determine the Best in Show award winner.

JamAlert instantly notifies the control panel when cellular communication is being compromised, empowering security professionals to stay ahead of the threat of cellular jammers, a growing industry-wide problem. Production and distribution of cellular jammers is on the rise in the U.S. These illegal devices are being used to defeat alarm system communications, allowing thieves to enter compromised facilities undetected. When jammed, cellular alarm signals never make it to the monitoring center and no authorities are dispatched. By detecting cellular jamming on multiple frequencies, JamAlert offers a way to mitigate potential losses.

“Competing in the TechVision Challenge was thrilling,” said Aaron McGhee, product manager of control panels at DMP. “We developed this device based on requests and feedback from our customers. This type of innovation is what makes DMP products exceptional.”

“JamAlert is positioned to make a huge impact in the industry,” added Jon Adams, vice president of sales at DMP. “The fact that it works with DMP and non-DMP panels offers a wide variety of applications. It’s a security system for your security system.”

JamAlert can be added to intrusion systems in retail stores, financial institutions, businesses and homes for an extra layer of protection against the growing threat of jamming devices that interrupt cellular alarm transmission.

Learn more at DMP.com/JamAlert.

2025 TMA/SDM Excellence Awards Finalists Announced

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The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce the finalists for its 2025 Excellence Awards. This year, the awards competition received a total of 37 entries across five categories. Listed in alphabetical order by company within each category, the finalists are:

Monitoring Center of the Year – Enterprise

  • Affiliated Monitoring
  • Becklar Monitoring
  • TELUS Smarthome Security & Secure Business

 Monitoring Center of the Year – SMB

  • Elite Interactive Solutions
  • Kimberlite – Sonitrol
  • Pro-Vigil

 Monitoring Center Manager of the Year

  • Shari Wilson, ADT LLC
  • Allen Waldrip, Brinks Home
  • Galina Klimchuk, Vivint, an NRG company

 Monitoring Center Operator of the Year

  • Terell King, ADT LLC
  • Jennifer Rivera, Affiliated Monitoring
  • Carol Marcil, TELUS Smarthome Security & Secure Business

 Monitoring Center Support Person of the Year:

  • Michael Christatos, Affiliated Monitoring
  • Heather Ferrara, COPS Monitoring
  • Johnny Garcia, Kimberlite – Sonitrol

TMA’s Monitoring Center Excellence Awards recognize any FM Approvals, Intertek/ETL or UL-listed monitoring center (TMA members) and outstanding personnel who perform in the highest professional manner, thereby making a significant contribution to the betterment of the alarm industry and the alarm profession while demonstrating exceptional service to their customers and community.

The purpose of the awards program is to:

  • Establish and promote the inherent value of professional monitoring services in general.
  • Honor those who have made the most significant contributions to the service.
  • Promote the distinct level of professionalism attained by NRTL-approved monitoring centers.

TMA’s Monitoring Center Excellence Awards are co-sponsored by SDM Magazine, which will publish a feature story on this year’s award winners in its August issue. Entries are judged by a volunteer judging panel appointed by TMA. The five winners will be announced at a virtual awards ceremony presented on April 24, 2025, at 3:00 pm ET. For past winners and more information, visit https://tma.us/events/awards/excellence-awards/.

Register to attend the General Business Meeting and Awards Presentation at https://themonitoringassociation.growthzoneapp.com/ap/Events/Register/52FvwwJsbCWCq

Make National Security Technician Day Special for Technicians, Jan. 23rd!

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TMA joins with security industry associations ESA and SIA to celebrate National Security Technician Day on January 23rd each year. The special day serves as a reminder to recognize the commitment and expertise of security technicians—the heroes fortifying our safety. These individuals, often working behind the scenes, are instrumental in ensuring the functionality, reliability, and effectiveness of security systems that safeguard our communities, businesses, and homes. 

Their dedication goes beyond the technical; it embodies a commitment to our safety. From installing and maintaining security systems to troubleshooting and ensuring operational efficiency, these technicians are integral. Here we explore some ideas to make the day extra special. 

Ideas to Make National Security Technician Day Special for Technicians

1. Recognition and Appreciation:

Encourage businesses and communities to publicly acknowledge and thank security technicians for their invaluable contributions, even a social media shoutout is meaningful. Perhaps distribute thank-you notes or cards expressing appreciation for their dedication and hard work.

2. Professional Development Opportunities:

Organize workshops or seminars to enhance their skills or update their knowledge on the latest security technologies. Offer specialized training opportunities to further their expertise in specific areas. 

3. Security Technician of the Year Awards:

Encourage nominations and entries for the prestigious Security Technician of the Year Awards. Recognizing exemplary skills and dedication, this initiative celebrates outstanding achievements in the field and boosts morale among technicians. It’s an opportunity to honor their contributions and showcase their expertise within the industry. 

4. Celebratory Gatherings:

Host a luncheon or dinner where technicians can relax, socialize, and feel appreciated for their efforts. You can arrange team-building exercises or recreational activities to foster camaraderie among technicians and their colleagues.

5. Gifts and Tokens of Appreciation:

Provide personalized gift baskets containing tokens of appreciation. Present certificates of recognition or achievement to highlight their contributions to the safety of the community. 

6. Honoring Our Heroes 

National Security Technician Day serves as a reminder to extend gratitude, recognition, and support to these indispensable professionals whose commitment safeguards our well-being. By celebrating and honoring security technicians, we affirm their vital role in upholding safety and security across our communities.  

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Elite Interactive Solutions announced the company was recognized this month as runner-up for the 2024 Police Dispatch Quality Award (PDQ). The prestigious honor, which is organized by the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC), was presented during a ceremony at the recent Electronic Security Expo (ESX) held in Louisville.

Since 2005, the PDQ program promoted security companies and law enforcement agencies working together as partners, sharing information and communicating frequently to protect public safety and serve their communities. It identifies providers that exemplify cooperative best practices to reduce unnecessary dispatches that drain precious resources and give officers the most complete information when responding to security incidents.

Elite, which has now twice been named PDQ runner-up and won the award in 2020, is the first provider to have completely eliminated false alarms and false dispatches to law enforcement.

“There are many security systems and monitoring providers in the industry that talk about more effectively managing and stopping false alarms, and many do an admirable job, but many also fail to put teeth into that talk or stop at lip service only,” says Elite Founder and CEO Aria Kozak, who earlier this year was named to the Industry Hall of Fame. “Elite has developed the most proven and effective mitigation of false alarms and dispatches the industry has ever seen. Our revolutionary remote video guarding service reports zero false alarms to responding law enforcement, which is unheard of.”

During the 2023 evaluation period, Elite accomplished zero false alarms while also assisting police in achieving more than 1,000 arrests and detainments. In addition, the company registered nearly 73,000 crime interventions through the swift, expert actions of its command center agents, who are all former military or former law enforcement. With forensically designed systems on customer sites and using a custom calibrated technology stack that filters out most of the “noise,” Elite agents address any suspicious activity with a live voice-down in an average time of 7 seconds.

As for building police relationships, Elite may be the only provider that has an in-house Law Enforcement Advisory Board (LEAB) comprised of active and former LE command staff and executives. They are fully engaged in the daily activities of Elite’s subterranean, UL-Listed command center. The LEAB trains Elite agents, reviews and ensures calls for dispatch follow best protocols, and routinely communicates and meets with agencies around the country to facilitate optimal support and collaboration.

A 2023 letter of commendation from Peace Officers Association of Los Angeles County Board President Anthony Miranda states: “During the years of our association with Elite, we have witnessed the evolution of procedures and technology where your company went from significantly reducing to now virtually eliminating false alarm calls. The impact on reducing unnecessary police response to alarms, enhancing officer safety when response is merited and the prevention of losses at your protected premises is extraordinary.”

Allied Universal Named to Newsweek’s 2024 Greatest LGBTQ+ Workplaces

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Reprinted from SDM, June 6, 2024

Allied Universal has been recognized on Newsweek’s list of America’s Greatest Workplaces for LGBTQ+ 2024. Achieving 4.5 out of a 5-star rating, the company was acknowledged for its meaningful initiatives in fostering an inclusive culture for employees of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

“It is an honor to be included in the 2024 Newsweek List of America’s Greatest Workplaces for the LGBTQ+ community,” said Steve Jones, global chairman and CEO of Allied Universal. “This recognition reflects our dedication to creating a welcoming and inclusive corporate culture. We believe that when employees can be their authentic selves, they perform at their best. At Allied Universal, we are committed to nurturing a workplace where every voice is heard, every idea is valued, and every individual is empowered to succeed.”

Allied Universal said it remains dedicated to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion within its workplace, reinforcing its commitment to becoming an Employer of Choice by supporting employees of all sexual orientations and gender identities.

To read more about Newsweek’s ranking, go here.

TMA Members Recipients of ESX 2024 Innovation Awards

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The Electronic Security Expo (ESX) announced the winners of the 2024 Innovation Awards, recognizing excellence and innovation within the electronic security and life safety industry. Each year the awards program highlights next-generation products and services that present significant growth opportunities for integrator companies.

An independent panel of judges selected the winners based on a comprehensive set of criteria, including ingenuity, applicability, response to market needs and more. The 2024 ESX Innovation Awards judging panel, led by Preston Atkins, systems engineer at Certified Alarm Co. of AL Inc., also included Richard Tampier, vice president of Everon Solutions, Jamie Byrd, vice president of business development at Security Central, and Gregory R. Breyer, director of fire business development at Zeus Fire & Security.

Congratulations to the TMA member companies who were recognized as 2024 ESX Innovation Award Winners:

FIRE/LIFE-SAFETY

Detection Appliances – Smoke / Heat / Gas Detection Services

  • FireProtect 2 RB (Heat/Smoke/CO) UL Jeweller by Ajax Systems

Cellular / Radio Communications

  • Super Dual StarLink Fire Max2 Supervised Dual SIM/ Dual Path Communicator by NAPCO Security Technologies

INTRUSION SYSTEMS

Outdoor Detection

  • MotionCam Outdoor (PhOD) Jeweller by Ajax Systems

VIDEO SURVEILLANCE

Video Analytics

  • Alarm.com AI Deterrence (AID) by Alarm.com

Megapixel / HD Cameras

  • First Alert VX3 HD Outdoor Camera by Resideo

IP Cameras

  • TurretCam (8 Mp/2.8mm) by Ajax Systems

The ESX Innovation Awards ceremony was held during the ESX 2024 Expo in Louisville, Ky.

NAPCO Security Technologies Wins 2024 Innovation Award at ESX

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NAPCO Security Technologies is pleased to announce that its new Super Dual™ StarLink Fire Max2 Supervised Dual Sim/Dual Path Communicator was named 2024 Innovation Award Winner at the Electronic Security Expo (ESX) in Louisville, KY. ESX Innovation Award winners are selected for innovation and driving efficiency and profitability, by an independent panel of industry judges who use a specific set of criteria, including ingenuity, applicability, response to market need, etc, each year at the Annual Exposition for the largest professional membership association in the security industry.

Stephen Spinelli, SVP of Sales at NAPCO commented “We are honored to receive the prestigious 2024 ESX Innovation Award for our Super Dual StarLink Fire Max2 Dual Sim FACP Communicator, it is the latest labor-saving product in the StarLink Series for Fire & Life Safety, uniquely saving dealers time by eliminating the need for an IP /IT connection in UL 864-Listed Dual Path reporting requirements, while maximizing dependability. The initial market response in sales orders has been very gratifying as well.  ”

The Super Dual is a NAPCO exclusive, dual supervised cell-only option, available on all its dual sim StarLink Fire Max2 5G cellular FACP Communicators, now at all distributors at new low equipment and service rates (w/ instant rebate). UL 864 Listed Super Dual™ plan uses two supervised dual cellular-network communication paths, Verizon + AT&T – instead of IP connections (a red and blue color LED indicators onboard shows which is active.) By automatically switching between the supervised cell carrier paths dynamically, it can provide better supervised life-safety reporting by avoiding reliance on IT networks, prone to future changes, reboots, updates, etc.  Super Dual saves dealers significant time, labor, and pain points by eliminating IP connection hassles, IT delays &/or firewall issues.

Available at all Napco Distributors, StarLink Fire Max2 Dual Sim/Dual Path FACU Communicator is the ideal UL 864-Listed solution that maximizes your commercial fire business’ Recurring Monthly Revenue (RMR) while minimizing accounts’ operational expenses vs POTS lines. It is easy to standardize on, as just one model, for both Verizon & AT&T, can be stocked on the truck, working seamlessly, regardless of the installation location or code requirements. It offers three modes: Sole path cellular, traditional dual path cell/IP, and the industry’s only Super Dual™ supervised dual cell-only or dual path (selectable by plan).

For more ask your Napco RSM, take a free class online or in person, and the StarLink Fire Max2 will be featured at NFPA Fire Expo in Orlando, June 17-19, Booth 1927.

Watchful Founder Named Hi-Tech Young Achiever

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Joshua Parson, the founder of one of TMA’s newest members, Watchful, received the award for Hi-Tech Young Achiever at the New Zealand Hi Tech Awards 2024. Headquartered in Auckland, Watchful is an automated decision-making software that monitors security systems with an unparalleled level of detail. The company offers services in New Zealand, Australia and the United States.

About The NZ Hi-Tech Awards

The New Zealand Hi-Tech Awards celebrate the success of our producers of goods and services from the software, electronics, telecommunications, mobile, agritech, creative and other high-tech industries. The Awards are run by the NZ Hi-Tech Trust, a not-for-profit organization aimed at promoting and supporting the wider industry. The board is comprised of  trustees: David Downs (Chair), Amber Taylor, Rob Ellis, Neil Hamilton, Marian Johnson, Mike O’Donnell, Mandy Simpson, Sarah Ramsay, Sir Ian Taylor and Andrew West.

The awards ceremony was attended by more than 1,300+ including several senior Government Ministers, at Auckland’s Spark Arena making it one of the biggest awards nights to be held in New Zealand.

More than 80 local and international judges contributed to the judging of the Hi-Tech Awards which continues to see a year-on-year increase in submissions with an increasingly high caliber to match. Of the 2024 Awards New Zealand Hi-Tech Trust chair David Downs saw the achievement of the Tech sector as a pride that all of Aotearoa could share in; “We’re witnessing an industry that is continuing exceptional growth as well as innovation.”

“The continued increase of diversity across the finalists is a reflection of the fact that there is a place in Tech for all New Zealanders.”

Read the full press release at https://www.hitech.org.nz/news/202-nz-hi-tech-awards-winners-announced/

TMA Member IronYun Wins Industry Best New Product Award

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Congratulations to new TMA member #IronYun for winning the SIA NPS prize Best New Product Award and the Managed Services Award for its Vaidio AI Vision Platform 8.0 product. The awards were presented at ISC West on April 10th.

Congratulations also to these TMA members who also took home prizes:

#AXISCommunications – Won multiple awards, including: Threat Detection and Response Solutions Award for its AXIS D2210-VE Radar and Video Surveillance Awards for its AXIS W110 Body Worn Camera

and its AXIS Q9307-LV Dome Camera, which won Honorable Mention in the same category.

#Bosch – Won Hosted Video Solutions Award for its Bosch IQsight Data Fusion

#Evolon – Won Commercial Monitoring Solutions Award for its Evolon Insights