TMA Dispatch – Winter issue Released

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The winter issue of the TMA Dispatch is now available! 

Our Cover Story…A serious regulatory proposal now under review by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has the potential to significantly disrupt the alarm and life-safety industry nationwide. A company called NextNav has petitioned to acquire a portion of the lower 900MHz band where many low power alarm devices currently operate. If this proposal goes through, harmful interference and channel crowding could result in the widespread failure of current alarm devices and a significant threat to lives and property. Replacing potentially hundreds of millions of devices could cost billions, overwhelm technicians, and disrupt supply chains. While this is not yet a crisis, it is a clear warning—and the time to act is now. 

Our Guest Column…Our industry is facing a growing skills-transfer challenge that affects every stage of alarm response and on-site resolution. To help bridge this divide, many organizations are beginning to explore AI-supported tools. Learn how your business can achieve greater success. 

In Technology…Agentic AI is not just another tool that adds a layer of automation. It represents a different category of capability. These systems can observe, analyze context, decide on a course of action. Gain new insights into how AI is rapidly changing monitoring center operations.

In Research…Did you know that approximately a third of apartment renters are willing to pay an additional $60 per month amenity fee for a complete smart home and security amenity package, representing an $8.5B market opportunity for multifamily. Read to learn more about this growing market.

In Marketing…When it comes to marketing, do you feel as though you are drowning trying to to be everywhere? TMA Marketing and Communications Committee Co-Chair David Morgan unveils what the winners are doing differently.

Read these and more in the latest issue the TMA Dispatch now!

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TMA Mourns the Passing of Past President Bob Bean

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TMA learned of the passing of it much beloved Past President Robert Bean on Friday, November 21st. He leaves a lasting legacy as a business leader whose generosity uplifted colleagues, inspired innovation, and opened doors for others. His unwavering commitment to serving his community reflects a life defined not just by success, but by the positive impact he made on everyone around him.

In presenting Bob with one of TMA’s highest honors, the Stanley C. Lott Memorial Award, in 2021, then President Don Young, commented, “Two words that epitomized Stan Lott’s character are integrity and dedication. These words, likewise, can be attributed to this year’s award winner today. As chair of the Membership Committee, the award winner was a driving force to increase TMA membership, including international members. Countless hours were devoted to TMA’s interests in ESX, which served as TMA’s Mid-year Meeting for a number of years. He is truly all that Stanley Lott represented.”

In accepting his award via Zoom, Bean, full of emotion, remarked, “I am humbled. This is the highest honor that TMA can bestow on any member. Putting me in the category along with the other previous honorees is definitely humbling. I thank TMA very much for this great award.”

Bean sponsored the TMA board dinner for many years, first through his company and in later years personally. During his tenure as TMA President, he purchased a home in New Jersey so he could be closer to TMA staff in Virginia.

Additional information will be shared here as it becomes available.

TMA Welcomes New Chief of Staff

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The Monitoring Association (TMA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Jessica Franklin to the organization’s newly created position of Chief of Staff. An accomplished association professional with nearly 20 years of experience, Franklin’s talents span event planning, operations, and customer service. Franklin’s first day at TMA is Mon., Nov. 24th.

“I am honored to step into this pivotal new role at TMA,” commented Franklin. “This role presents an exciting opportunity to work closely with the association’s leadership and help drive the initiatives that advance TMA’s mission. I look forward to working closely with our members and stakeholders to enhance the value we deliver and to support the continued growth and impact of the association and the industry.”

TMA CEO Whitney A. Doll said, “Jessica brings a unique combination of talents and skills to our team at TMA. She is an outstanding leader who has consistently demonstrated the ability to connect with stakeholders at all levels. Her energy and commitment to service excellence will be an asset to TMA as we look to future growth.”

As Chief of Staff, Franklin will serve as a strategic advisor and thought partner to the CEO and provide cross-functional collaboration and project management. Additionally, she will lead the planning and execution of TMA meetings and events, including the Mid-Year Meeting, Annual Meeting, OPSTech, and other TMA-sponsored receptions, dinners, and events.

Franklin can be contacted by email at jfranklin@tma.us or by phone at (703) 660-4917.

COPS Monitoring Promotes Dream Rovira to Assistant Site Manager of Lewisville, TX Operations

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COPS Monitoring announced the promotion of Dream Rovira to Assistant Site Manager of its Lewisville Operations Department. The promotion recognizes Dream’s strong leadership, outstanding communication skills, and her proven ability to motivate and inspire others, qualities that have made her an essential part of the company’s success.

Since joining COPS more than three years ago, Dream has advanced through key roles, including Dispatcher, Shift Supervisor, and Shift Manager. From the start, she has demonstrated a consistent commitment to excellence, earning recognition for her reliability, initiative, and natural leadership.

Known for her collaborative approach and ability to bring people together, Dream fosters an atmosphere of unity and professionalism that reflects the culture COPS is known for. Her structured, methodical leadership style, combined with her focus on clear communication and accountability, has contributed to the continued strength of the Lewisville team.

In her new role, Dream will lead the Lewisville office’s training program, focusing on developing dispatchers, mentoring shift managers, and providing ongoing guidance that supports the continued excellence of the operations team. Working closely with the Lewisville Site Manager, she will ensure that every team member is fully equipped to deliver the exceptional service and reliability that define COPS Monitoring.

“Dream’s promotion is a direct reflection of her dedication and the leadership qualities she brings to our organization,” said Jim McMullen, President of COPS Monitoring. “Her ability to inspire confidence, promote teamwork, and lead by example perfectly represents the values that define COPS. We are proud to see her continue to grow and contribute to the ongoing success of our Lewisville operations.”

When asked about her new role, Dream shared, “I’m excited about this opportunity to use my skills and help develop the management team and dispatchers to be the best versions of themselves. I look forward to bringing new perspectives and ideas to our training program and continuing to build on our culture of growth and success.”

Dream’s promotion reflects COPS Monitoring’s ongoing commitment to recognizing and developing internal talent. By expanding leadership within the Lewisville Operations Department, COPS continues to strengthen its position as the industry leader in professional monitoring and uphold its mission to deliver the highest quality service through caring professionals supported by leading edge technology.

TMA has an exciting new leadership opportunity!

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We’re seeking a strategic, results-oriented Director of Strategic Growth & Membership to lead our membership, sponsorship, and business development initiatives.

This highly visible role is central to driving organizational growth — expanding our membership base, deepening member engagement, and increasing non-dues revenue through sponsorships and product sales.

The ideal candidate is a confident relationship-builder with a proven track record in membership development, sales, and sponsor cultivation. We’re looking for a proactive, people-focused leader energized by the opportunity to engage with industry leaders and help shape the future of a growing association.

If you’re passionate about growth, connection, and impact — we’d love to hear from you!

View the full position description at:

Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to wdoll@tma.us.

Alan Gillmore, IV Assumes Presidency of The Monitoring Association

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The Monitoring Association (TMA) is proud to announce that Alan Gillmore, IV, President of Gillmore Security, has been appointed as TMA’s 38th President. Gillmore assumed the role at the conclusion of TMA’s 75th Anniversary Annual Meeting, held on Wednesday, October 8th, 2025, in Palm Springs, California.

A long-time volunteer and dedicated leader within TMA, Gillmore has served in numerous leadership capacities over the years, most recently as Co-Chair of the Membership Committee. His commitment to member engagement, innovation, and industry advancement has made a lasting impact on the association and its initiatives.

“I am incredibly honored and excited to be chosen to lead TMA’s growth, innovation, and collaboration efforts over the next two years,” said Gillmore. “TMA is the industry leader in education, standards development, and thought leadership. I am eager to advance these areas while finding new avenues for growth and modernization. I look forward to working with the TMA Board and staff to continue our legacy of excellence and support our great industry, which has given us all so much.”

Outgoing TMA President Steve Butkovich praised Gillmore’s leadership and vision, noting his long-standing dedication to the association and the industry at large.

“Alan’s deep understanding of our industry and his proven leadership within TMA make him the ideal person to guide our association into the future,” said Butkovich. “His strategic mindset and collaborative spirit will undoubtedly take TMA to new heights as we continue to evolve and serve our members in an ever-changing environment.”

As President, Gillmore will focus on advancing TMA’s mission and strengthening its role as a thought leader in the monitoring and security industry. His priorities for the coming term include:

  • Membership growth and expansion, including outreach into new vertical markets
  • Supporting and expanding the ASAP Service initiative
  • Enhancing collaboration and alignment with other industry associations
  • Driving standards development and promoting adoption of existing standards such as AVS-01
  • Fostering thought leadership and education to help the industry navigate a rapidly changing landscape

Learn more about President Gillmore and his vision for TMA in the next issue of TMA Dispatch.

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.”

Eastern Bank Announces LOUD Security Systems As A Commercial Banking Customer

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Eastern Bank is pleased to announce LOUD Security Systems, Inc., a leading provider of security, fire, access control and video systems for residential, commercial and government customers, as a new commercial banking customer. Founded in 1995 and headquartered in Kennesaw, Georgia, LOUD serves nearly 13,000 customers across metro Atlanta and 20 states, providing sales, installation, service and monitoring of security systems such as intrusion and fire alarm, access control, video surveillance and automation.

Eastern is providing $7.5 million in financing to support LOUD Security’s growth initiatives, including a revolving line of credit to support the company’s ongoing financial needs as well as a full suite of treasury management services.

“LOUD is a well-established, growing operator in the security alarm sector and we’re pleased to add them to our portfolio of customers in the alarm services industry,” said Greg Buscone, Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Banking Officer of Eastern Bank. “We look forward to providing a comprehensive range of financial solutions tailored to support their ongoing day-to-day operations as well as future growth plans.”

“This financing supports our vision of leveraging growth opportunities – both organically and through acquisitions – and allows us to invest capital in key acquisitions within our market,” said John Loud, President of LOUD Security Systems, Inc. which ranks on the SDM 100 Report. “Eastern Bank demonstrates a clear understanding of our business and the dynamics of the security industry. Their responsiveness and ability to deliver the financial solutions specifically for our needs made them the ideal bank to support our company’s vision and financial goals.”

Eastern Bank provides a range of commercial financing offerings to help companies across many industries improve cash flow, increase efficiencies and build for the future. Commercial lending solutions include working capital/lines of credit, equipment/term loans, real estate loans, acquisition financing, asset-based lending, franchise lending and employee stock ownership plan-related financing.

The Commercial Banking team advising LOUD Security includes: Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Banking Officer Greg Buscone; Senior Vice President and Commercial Group Director Brendan O’Neill; and Senior Vice President and Team Leader Matthew Hunt.

Pye-Barker Fire & Safety Acquires Phoenix Fire Protection

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Pye-Barker Fire & Safety acquired Phoenix Fire Protection to expand its sprinkler services in Las Vegas. This transaction strengthens Pye-Barker’s ability to serve customers in the area with integrated life safety services that protect lives and livelihoods.

“Delivering top-tier sprinkler systems that preserve life and property has always been our top priority,” said Tim Myszkowski, owner and president, Phoenix Fire Protection. “The Pye-Barker team is positioned to elevate our operations and give our team new opportunities with their extensive knowledge and resources. With this partnership, our company’s next chapter is set up for success.”

Bart Proctor, CEO, Pye-Barker, added, “I’m grateful that companies like Phoenix Fire Protection trust us to continue their legacy. We consistently take strategic steps to partner with local teams that help us service our customers even better, and I’m confident that Phoenix Fire Protection will be integral in expanding our fire protection services surrounding Nevada.”

Phoenix Fire Protection’s skilled technicians will continue to serve customers in Las Vegas. Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough, LLP represented Pye-Barker in the transaction.

Verkada Unveils Major AI-Powered Enhancements at VerkadaOne 2025

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Verkada used its annual customer conference, VerkadaOne, to unveil a slate of new products and platform upgrades designed to make security more proactive, intelligent, and seamless. More than 2,000 IT and physical security leaders attended the event to explore how the company is advancing the future of connected security.

“We’re pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in physical security, delivering a platform that powers the entire workflow of a security professional,” said Brandon Davito, Verkada’s SVP of Product and Operations.

AI-Driven Innovations

Building on existing capabilities like People and Vehicle Analytics and AI-Powered Search, Verkada introduced the Unified Timeline, the industry’s first tool to visually map the movement of people and vehicles across a property. This new feature brings video events from every camera into a single, map-based timeline, simplifying investigations and response.

Alongside Unified Timeline, Verkada rolled out expanded AI Alerts tailored to specific industries and activities, plus a new Operator View that organizes alerts into a ticketing-style workflow to help teams work faster and more efficiently.

Verkada also expanded its access control portfolio, debuting the AF64 Access Station Pro, which allows users to unlock doors with facial recognition. The AF64 combines a door controller, multi-technology reader, touchscreen, and wide-angle camera into a single device requiring only a PoE connection.

Update Announcements

Additional software updates announced at VerkadaOne include:

  • Retail analytics dashboards that deliver queue, conversion, and exception-based reporting.
  • Attendance insights based on access control data to analyze space usage across sites and departments.
  • Device health dashboards for simplified management of large camera fleets.
  • Emergency response tools within Verkada Guest, modeled after the Standard Reunification Method (SRM) by The “I Love U Guys” Foundation.

New hardware also joined the lineup, including redesigned multisensor cameras (CH53-E, CH63-E, CY63-E), the compact BP32 wireless alarm panel, next-gen wireless sensors (QM11, QC11, QT11), and new audio intercom units (TA43 series).

The new software features will roll out on October 9, with hardware availability varying by product.