2023 TMA/SDM Excellence Awards Finalists Announced

/0 Comments/in , , /by

The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce the finalists for its 2023 Excellence Awards. This year, the awards competition received a total 36 entries across five categories. Listed in alphabetical order by company within each category, the finalists are:

Monitoring Center of the Year – Enterprise

  1. ADT
  2. COPS Monitoring
  3. CPI Security

Monitoring Center of the Year – SMB

  1. Central Monitoring & Dispatch, Inc.
  2. Habitec Security
  3. Statewide Central Station

Monitoring Center Manager of the Year

  1. John Turner, ADT
  2. Larry Esposito, Affiliated Monitoring
  3. Alexandria Keen, EPS Security
  4. Tracy Ehrsam, Habitec Security
  5. Fiore Ayala, Rapid Response Monitoring Services, Inc.

Monitoring Center Operator of the Year

  1. Samantha Marzilli, COPS Monitoring
  2. Jennifer Labrecque, Habitec Security
  3. Loretta Grubb, TELUS Smart Home

Monitoring Center Support Person of the Year

  1. Jamie Mashike, ADT
  2. Michael Bolton, Holmes Security Systems
  3. Brian De Carlo, Rapid Response Monitoring Services, Inc.

“We were pleased to welcome some new companies to this year’s competition,” remarked TMA President Morgan Hertel. “I was impressed to see how TMA members are evolving and expanding their businesses in new directions and positioning their teams for greater success. By embracing new technologies and innovating new services, businesses are increasing efficiencies and raising the bar on customer service. It’s a time for great opportunity for our industry.”

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 the winners later this summer. Entries are judged by a volunteer judging panel appointed by TMA. The five winners will be announced at a virtual award ceremony presented on April 17, 2023 at 4:00 pm ET. For past winners and more information, visit https://tma.us/events/awards/excellence-awards/.

Finalists for 2023 TMA/SSI Monitoring Technology “Marvel” Award Announced

/0 Comments/in , , /by

The Monitoring Association (TMA) and Security Sales & Integration (SSI) announced the finalists for the TMA/SSI 2023 Monitoring Technology “Marvel” Award. They are:

  • Edgeworth Security
  • National Monitoring Center
  • Statewide Central Station

This award honors innovations in monitoring center technology. It is co-sponsored by TMA and Security Sales & Integration (SSI) and coordinated by the TMA Technology Committee.

The purpose of the Marvel Award is to provide recognition for monitoring centers creating and/or using cutting-edge technology to raise awareness of these new technologies. “The monitoring industry is experiencing exponential shifts as new technology emerges,” said TMA Technology Committee Co-Chair Sascha Kylau, OneTel Security. “Our goal with this award is to bring those monitoring centers and their partners who are demonstrating how new technologies are allowing security monitoring providers to reach new levels of efficiency and service. It’s exciting to see the evolution first hand.”

The Marvel will be presented to one overall winner for the “best adoption of new technology to advance your business.” Submission categories included:

  • Best implementation of video verification
  • Best implementation of PERS monitoring
  • Best technology to build efficiency in monitoring
  • Best cybersecurity
  • Best new business model
  • Best migration to the cloud

The TMA/SSI 2023 Marvel Technology Award will be presented on April 17th in a virtual awards ceremony. The winner will be featured in the August 2023 Monitoring Issue of SSI. Runners-up will also receive coverage in the issue.

TMA Honors Fiore’s Lifetime Contribution with Everlasting Scholarship

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

The Monitoring Association’s (TMA) President Morgan Hertel announced the establishment of the Louis T. Fiore Electronic Communications Scholarship on Mon., Oct. 31st during the TMA General Business Meeting at the 2022 Annual Meeting on Marco Island, FL. The scholarship honors Mr. Fiore’s enduring contribution to the alarm industry and the Alarm Industry Communications Committee (AICC) and is intended to promote careers in electronic communications.

“How do you recognize someone who’s given his heart and soul for more than 30 years to an organization?” asked President Hertel when introducing the new scholarship. “Lou has served the alarm industry in many capacities. We wanted to honor his immeasurable contributions in an everlasting manner to make certain he and his work is never forgotten.” The room rose with a standing ovation as Fiore approached the stage to accept a small token of recognition from President Hertel.

“I am honored. As chair of the AICC for 30 years, I worked hard to make certain the Committee and its members thrived. The work was very close to my heart. Thank you very much. This is incredible,” stated Fiore in his acceptance comments.

The scholarship is open to anyone studying electrical engineering, specifically electronic communications, or software development related to electronic communications, regardless of financial need. Students at any nationally accredited educational institution, including vocational schools, two-year colleges, or other institutions of higher learning are eligible.

For more information on this scholarship, including donating, go to https://tma.us/louis-t-fiore-electronic-communications-scholarship/

Pictured (l to r): Bill Signer, Carmen Group; Ret. U.S. Rep. Peter T. King [R-NY]; and Louis T. Fiore

Enter the 2023 TMA/SDM Excellence Awards Beginning Dec. 1

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

Looking for a way to differentiate your company and brand in today’s crowded and competitive landscape? Awards are one of the best ways to stand-out and convey your commitment to quality and to your customers. The Monitoring Association (TMA) and SDM magazine joined together nearly 20 years ago to establish the Excellence Awards. A combination of five awards is presented annually to recognize excellence demonstrated by monitoring centers and outstanding monitoring professionals. The winners are recognized in an SDM feature article.

The application period for the 2023 TMA Excellence Awards will open December 1, 2022. Applicants must be a member of TMA. The submission deadline will be January 6, 2023. The awards will be presented virtually in conjunction with TMA’s Mid-Year Meeting in April.

Go to https://tma.us/events/awards/excellence-awards/ for complete award details. If you have any questions, please contact communications@tma.us.

TMA President Recognizes UL Solutions’ Schmidt at AM22

/0 Comments/in , , , , /by

TMA President Morgan Hertel recognized the outstanding contributions of UL Solution’s Steve Schmit on Nov. 1st at TMA’s 2022 Annual Meeting in Marco Island, FL. A plaque and gift were presented to Schmit during the AM session.

Schmit has worked closely with TMA on many key standards initiatives. Schmit played an instrumental role in the development of Work From Home guidelines and standards at the onset of the pandemic. He’s recently initiated a new certification inline with TMA’s proposed ANSI standard – AVS-01, which is expected to be released by year’s end.

Steve will be retiring from his position at UL Solutions in November 2022.

Hertel and Butkovich Present 2022 TMA Awards

/0 Comments/in , , , /by

TMA President Morgan Hertel and TMA Vice President Steve Butkovich had the honor of presenting TMA’s 2022 awards on Monday, October 31, 2022 on the opening day of TMA’s 2022 Annual Meeting at the JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort.

Steve presented the inaugural DEI Leadership Award to Kimberlite Corp. Joey Rao-Russell accepted the award. She encouraged other TMA members to engage in DEI initiatives – noting the value her company had drawn from such activities.

Morgan presented the following awards to TMA members for their outstanding contributions to TMA:

Mel Mahler Award was presented to:
Anita Owstrowksi, Vector Security
John Brady, TRG Associates

Stanley C. Lott Memorial Award was presented to:
David Carter
Don Young, ADT

Lastly, Morgan presented a special recognition award to Lou Fiore for his decades of service to TMA and AICC. In doing so, he also announced the establishment of a scholarship fund in his name.

Please join in congratulating all of our winners!

TMA and Security Systems News Announce Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Leadership Award

/0 Comments/in , , /by

The Monitoring Association (TMA) and Security Systems News have partnered to create a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Leadership Award with the goal of promoting and fostering a more inclusive workforce throughout the security industry.

Today’s business world requires that businesses create, foster, and encourage diversity and inclusion in the workplace to be successful. Doing so stimulates innovation; drives better decisions; makes teams more agile; and results in better business outcomes for employees and customers. These improvements result in higher levels of employee engagement and better financial performance.

The idea for the “TMA/SSN Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Leadership Award” emerged from a small working group comprised of TMA CEO Celia T. Besore; TMA President-Elect Steve Butkovich, SSN Editor Paul Ragusa, and staff in 2021. The award will be given to TMA members who demonstrate a commitment to DEI policies and programs across their organization.

“TMA, together with Security Systems News, seeks to be an agent of change and to raise awareness of the significance and the value of DEI initiatives within the security business sector. We’re proud to introduce this new award as a means to bring this critical issue to the forefront, to inform, and to empower companies to embrace and embed these core principles,” stated Celia T. Besore, CEO, TMA.

“With workforce development one of key topics within security today, the focus and conversation has turned to building a strong company culture that attracts quality candidates and inspires them to want to stay and grow in your company,” added Paul Ragusa, editor, Security Systems News. “Creating an environment that is inclusive, open and based on a strong DEI framework is key to successfully retaining top talent, and this new award was created to recognize companies that are leaders in this area.”

The efforts and achievements must have been demonstrated through specific work with other individuals or groups, or through a specific product, initiative, innovative programs, or activities that have a visible, tangible, or measurable impact on the perception of, attitude toward, and respect for a truly inclusive environment, where individuals are valued for their talent and able to reach their full potential.

Each nominee will be asked to deploy the TMA/SSN DEI Employee Assessment Survey to their employees. The web-based assessment tool consists of approximately 40 questions covering eight facets of DEI practice within your organization. (Companies will receive only a summary report without individual responses.)

Each nominee will also be required to submit one to four “Shared Success Examples” of how their organization implements DEI-related activities in the following areas of focus, such as:

  • Workforce Diversity
  • Multicultural Outreach
  • Community Involvement

The TMA/SSN DEI Leadership Award aims to:

  • Raise industry awareness of the importance and value of being a diverse and inclusive industry.
  • Recognize TMA member organizations who have developed innovative initiatives to foster DEI efforts within their organization.
  • Initiatives may include new hiring policies; practices to create and retain diverse candidate pools; best practices for facilitating difficult dialogue; and how to create an effective diversity program within your organization.
  • Inspire business strategies and industry best practices that reach out to diverse populations.
  • Through analysis and sharing of the information obtained from the TMA/SSN DEI Employee Assessment Survey, organizations across the industry can gain valuable insights into the development or improvement of their own DEI policies and programs.

Companies interested in applying for the award, please click here to begin the nomination process.

TMA’s 2022 Excellence Awards and Marvel Technology Award Winners Announced

/0 Comments/in , /by

On Monday, April 25th, TMA had the pleasure of presenting its 2022 Excellence Awards and Marvel Technology Award.

Please join in congratulating our outstanding winners.

2022 Excellence Awards

Monitoring Center of the Year – Enterprise

AvantGuard Monitoring Centers

Monitoring Center of the Year – SMB

EPS Security

Monitoring Center Manager of the Year

Marcos Reyes, Kimberlite-Sonitrol Corporation

Monitoring Center Operator of the Year

Sydney Johnston, EPS Security

Monitoring Center Support Person of the Year

LaMar A. Shroyer, Dynamark Monitoring, Inc.

 

2022 Marvel Technology Award

SentryAI & USA Monitoring Center

TMA/SDM Excellence Awards Finalists Announced

/0 Comments/in , , /by

It was an exciting competition! This year, we received 22 nominations from 15 TMA members spanning five award categories. The judges were impressed with the quality of the entries and challenged to select the three finalists in each category.

The winners will be announced at the upcoming General Business Meeting on April 25th at 2:30PM ET. Look for all the details coming soon.

Please join in congratulating our 2022 Excellence Award Finalists:

Monitoring Center of the Year – Enterprise

  1. ADT
  2. AvantGuard Monitoring Centers
  3. COPS Monitoring

Monitoring Center of the Year – SMB

  1. EPS Security
  2. Kimberlite-Sonitrol Corporation
  3. Wayne Alarm Systems

Monitoring Center Manager of the Year

  1. Larry Esposito, Affiliated Monitoring
  2. Julie Aliferis, American Alarm and Communications
  3. Marcos Reyes, Kimberlite-Sonitrol Corporation

Monitoring Center Operator of the Year

  1. Emily Bishop, COPS Monitoring
  2. Sydney Johnston, EPS Security
  3. Timothy Tinajero, Kimberlite-Sonitrol Corporation

Monitoring Center Support Person of the Year

  1. Aaron Salma, Affiliated Monitoring
  2. LaMar A. Shroyer, Dynamark Monitoring, Inc.
  3. Corey Gose, Kimberlite-Sonitrol Corporation

Vivint Home Security and Universal Atlantic Systems Take Top Excellence Awards

/0 Comments/in , /by

The Monitoring Association (TMA) presented its 2021 Excellence Awards virtually, April 15th. TMA’s Monitoring Center Excellence Awards recognize monitoring centers 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 2021 Excellence Award Winners are:

2021 Monitoring Center of the Year – Enterprise Level – Vivint Smart Home

2021 Monitoring Center of the Year – Small-to-Medium Business Level – Universal Atlantic Systems (UAS)

2021 Manager of the Year – Jonathan Rainbow, Rapid Response Monitoring Services, Inc.

2021 Operator of the Year – Diandra Dean, Affiliated Monitoring, Inc.

2021 Support Person of the Year – (Tied) Michelle Quattrini, Rapid Response Monitoring Services, Inc. and Deepak Bysani, Affiliated Monitoring, Inc.

The purpose of this 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.

NEW in 2021, TMA introduced a newly restructured Monitoring Center of the Year category for application, which segments entrants based on the size of their business. The new Enterprise Level category welcomed applicants with more than 40,000 subscribers, while the Small-to-Medium Business (SMB) Level category was established for those with 40,000 or less subscribers.

TMA’s Monitoring Center Excellence Awards are co-sponsored by SDM Magazine, which will publish a feature story on the winners in its August issue. Entries are judged by a blue-ribbon volunteer judging panel appointed by TMA.