Membership Elects 2025-2027 Board of Directors

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On April 24th, TMA members approved the proposed slate of Board of Directors candidates for the 2025-2027 term. Please join in congratulating our returning and new TMA Board of Directors.

Executive Committee

  • Steve Butkovich, CPI Security (Immediate Past President)
  • Alan Gillmore, IV, Gillmore Security (President)
  • Wes Usie, Guardian Alarm Systems (Vice President)
  • Daniel Oppenheim, Affiliated Monitoring (Vice President)
  • Shannon Woodman, Washington Alarm (Treasurer)

Board Reappointments by Member Category Representation

  • Mark Miller, Johnson Controls (National Representative)
  • Scott R. Elkins, Zeus Fire & Security (National Representative)
  • Chester Donati, DMC Security Services, Inc. (Regional Representative)
  • Jack Doyle, Doyle Security (Regional Representative)
  • Tim Westphal, Bay Alarm (Regional Representative)
  • Caroline Brown, Security Central (Contract Monitoring Representative)
  • Mark Hillenburg, DMP (Associate Representative)
  • Stanley Oppenheim, DGA Security Systems, Inc. (Member at Large)

TMA Dispatch – Spring issue now available!

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The spring issue of TMA Dispatch is now available.

Our Cover Story…The genesis of The Monitoring Association (TMA) traces back to a pivotal meeting in 1949 at Chicago’s Merchandise Mart, where eight industry pioneers convened to advocate for independent central stations. Their collaboration culminated in the formal incorporation of CSEPA in Illinois in 1950. Today, 75 years later, we join together to celebrate and reflect on a rich history of collaboration, innovation, and leadership. Learn more about where and how we began our journey and get a glimpse into some of our greatest achievements. Yesterday, today, and tomorrow – Together. Moving. Ahead.

In our Guest Column…Has your company given thought to pursing UL Solutions’ AVS-01 certification, but hesitated for a reason? Get a glimpse into the process from ADT – one of the first certificants. Learn more about the certification itself and how their team went about getting certified.

In Technology…In today’s world, surveillance devices like cameras, speakers, and more are essential. However, the effectiveness of these devices hinges on one crucial factor: they must be operational. Learn how monitoring centers ensure device functionality and reliable operation.

In Research…Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are actively investing in energy management solutions. Parks Associations President and CMO Elizabeth Parks identifies four key trends shaping the adoption of energy management tools among SMBs. Gain new insights into key market drivers.

In Standards…Learn how standards like TMA-AVS-01, ASAP, and NENA’s EPRC are enhancing emergency response. In this month’s column, John Chiaramonte, Mission Critical Partner and PPVAR Board of Director, explores how the two industry organizations are impacting effectiveness and efficiency.

In Training…Today’s monitoring center training is integrating multiple security functions, leveraging cloud-based monitoring tools, and incorporating AI for enhanced security and operational efficiency. Discover how training programs are transforming to keep pace advancements in technology and evolving threats.

Exec Q&A…Meet Steve Reinharz, founder and president of Robotic Assistance Devices (RAD). Find out what keeps him up at night and what advice he’d give to young professionals pursuing a career in the industry today.

Login to the TMA member InfoHub to read.

 

 

DMP Hires New Regional Sales

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Ethan Hickox and Jacob Thomas have joined DMP as the regional sales managers. Hickox will provide ongoing service and support to DMP dealers throughout the Northern Texas territory, including the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. Hickox has nearly 30 years of experience in the Telecommunications and Technology industry. Jacob Thomas will provide ongoing service and support to DMP dealers throughout Louisiana and Mississippi. Thomas brings over 20 years of experience in the technology and wireless industry, having held several leadership roles in sales operations, retail sale management and product strategy.

“I chose DMP because of the industry-leading products and technologies offered, along with the amazing culture that was apparent from the outset,” Hickox said. “I’m extremely excited to be representing a company with an elite product set and culture that focuses on the customer first.”

Hickox had spent most of his career with AT&T, where he served in Operational, Network and Sales and Service roles both in the consumer and business space. Most recently, at AVA Technologies, he led a sales team responsible for growing a platform in the multi-family housing industry that helped consumers set up essential home services during the moving process. Hickox is skilled in strategic planning, relationship building and executing innovative solutions.

“The strong sense of purpose and commitment to innovation and service really stood out to me, and I knew DMP was where I wanted to be,” said Thomas. “The more I explored, the more excited I became to represent a company that was clearly leading the way in this industry.”

Most recently, Thomas served as senior manager of home product management, overseeing the performance of fiber and TV solutions. This role included collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance product offerings, streamline go-to-market strategies and improve customer experience and satisfaction. He is experienced in leading high-performing teams, driving sales growth, and ensuring operational consistency.

Contact Information:

Ethan Hickox | Regional Sales Manager, Northern Texas
Direct Cell: 417-340-5038
Email: EHickox@DMP.com


Jacob Thomas | Regional Sales Manager, Louisiana/Mississippi
Direct Cell: 417-839-0224
Email: JThomas@DMP.com

Vivint Refreshes Brand Identity

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Vivint has renewed its brand identity, unveiling a new visual identity that represents both an evolution and expansion of its focus: redefining a truly smarter home experience to include smarter energy management.

“We are entering a rapid phase of innovation, where energy management concerns are beginning to rival security concerns,” said David Porter, Managing Director of Vivint. “As part of NRG and under new leadership, Vivint is poised to lead this phase and redefine the smart home experience like no one else can. By integrating security and energy management, and making it accessible to millions more homes, we’re at the start of an exciting new chapter for our customers and for Vivint.”

Vivint was acquired by NRG, a Fortune 500 energy and home services company, in March of 2023. NRG brings smart energy solutions to millions of homes and businesses in the U.S. and Canada. The company’s recent consumer research found that nearly 70 percent of people want an “all-in-one’ unified smart home management system inclusive of energy management.

Recently, Reliant, also an NRG company, announced the Smarter Home Bundle, a joint offer from Vivint and Reliant that enables customers to start their smarter home journey. Qualifying current and new Reliant customers receive a free Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro and Vivint Smart Thermostat paired with complimentary installation to ensure everything is properly set up from day one.

Vivint said its brand updates include a new logo crafted to emphasize the focus on the home and what it means to live intelligently. The company said its wordmark carries the familiarity of the prior identity but with a more approachable and human touch, and the new home icon conveys the idea of intelligence coming into the home and represents the brand’s unique approach that has brought peace of mind for millions of families.

This announcement appeared May 5, 2025 on SDMmag.com.

Donna Soloway Joins Industry Hall of Fame

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NAPCO Security Technologies proudly congratulates Donna Soloway on her induction into the 2025 Security Sales & Integration (SSI) Hall of Fame. She joins her husband, Dick Soloway—NAPCO’s Founder and CEO and an inaugural Hall of Fame inductee—making the Soloways one of the security industry’s few celebrated husband-and-wife duos. Together, they’ve built a thriving business and played a pivotal role in driving innovation across the modern security landscape.

Dynamic partnerships are rare but impactful. Hollywood has Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, music has Beyoncé and Jay-Z, and the tech world, Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan. These power couples combine drive, talent, and complementary strengths to achieve remarkable things, both personally and professionally. The Soloways are no exception, having shared decades of marriage and collaboration, growing NAPCO, and helping secure a safer world, 24/7

Donna Soloway’s long-standing contributions span publishing, philanthropy, and industry advocacy. She has been a tireless supporter and organizer for national associations, including the Security Industry Association, Electronic Security Association, and The Monitoring Association. She was instrumental in founding the Metropolitan Burglar & Fire Alarm Association Scholarship Program for children of first responders—a model now replicated across many states. She also played a key role in relocating ISC West to Las Vegas, cementing it as the security industry’s premier trade show.

NAPCO and its Board proudly join Security Sales & Integration in honoring Donna’s many years of service, leadership, and lasting influence—not only as a board member and partner to Dick, but as a trailblazer in her own right. Her Hall of Fame recognition is a fitting tribute to her legacy of innovation, advocacy, and industry advancement.

EY US announces Scott R. Elkins, CEO, Zeus Fire and Security as an Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2025 Greater Philadelphia Award Finalist

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Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) announced the finalists for the prestigious Entrepreneur Of The Year 2025 Greater Philadelphia Award. Now in its 40th year, the Entrepreneur Of The Year program celebrates the bold leaders who disrupt markets through the world’s most ground-breaking companies, revolutionizing industries and making a profound impact on communities. The program honors entrepreneurs whose innovations shape the future and pave the way for a thriving economy and a hopeful tomorrow.

An independent panel of judges selected Scott R. Elkins, CEO of Zeus Fire and Security (“Zeus”), among other finalists for the 2025 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award, recognizing his visionary leadership, resilience, and relentless pursuit of innovation.

A second-generation fire and security entrepreneur, Scott built Universal Atlantic Systems into a thriving business operating across North America before leading its acquisition and becoming the founding CEO of Zeus in 2022. Since then, he has transformed Zeus into one of the fastest-growing, tech-enabled life safety companies in the nation, completing 20 acquisitions, doubling profits, and expanding to over 800  employees across seven hubs.

With a mission to protect people, property, and profits, Scott has championed a culture of purpose, investing in talent, innovation, and local legacy brands to deliver world-class services at scale.

“This recognition is a reflection of the incredible people I’ve had the privilege to collaborate with over the course of my career,” said Scott. “At Zeus, we’ve always believed that our strength lies in our unity. Every milestone we’ve reached has been made possible by the collective effort of a truly exceptional team and the belief that we’re better when we’re together.”

Scott continued, “I’m honored to stand alongside such an inspiring group of finalists. It’s an honor to be part of this community, and I look forward to learning from the experiences and insights of my fellow finalists. The future is bright, and I’m excited for what’s to come.”

Entrepreneur Of The Year honors business leaders for their ingenuity, courage, and entrepreneurial spirit. The program celebrates original founders who bootstrapped their business from inception or who raised outside capital to grow their company; transformational CEOs who infused innovation into an existing organization to catapult its trajectory; and multigenerational family business leaders who reimagined a legacy business model to strengthen it for the future.

Regional award winners will be announced on June 12 during a special celebration in Philadelphia and will become lifetime members of an esteemed community of Entrepreneur Of The Year alumni from around the world. The winners will then be considered by the National judges for the Entrepreneur Of The Year National Awards, which will be presented in November at the annual Strategic Growth Forum®, one of the nation’s most prestigious gatherings of high-growth, market-leading companies.

 Sponsors

Founded and produced by Ernst & Young LLP, the Entrepreneur Of The Year Awards include presenting sponsors PNC Bank, Cresa LLC, Marsh USA, and SAP. In Greater Philadelphia, sponsors also include Donnelley Financial Solutions (DFIN), ADP, Solomon Edwards Group, and DLA Piper.

About Entrepreneur Of The Year

Founded in 1986, Entrepreneur Of The Year has celebrated more than 11,000 ambitious visionaries who are leading successful, dynamic businesses in the US, and it has since expanded to nearly 60 countries globally.

The US program consists of 17 regional programs whose panels of independent judges select the regional award winners every June. Those winners compete for national recognition at the Strategic Growth Forum® in November where National finalists and award winners are announced. The overall National winner represents the US at the EY World Entrepreneur Of The Year™ competition. Visit ey.com/us/eoy.

About EY

EY is building a better working world by creating new value for clients, people, society, and the planet, while building trust in capital markets.

Enabled by data, AI and advanced technology, EY teams help clients shape the future with confidence and develop answers for the most pressing issues of today and tomorrow.

EY teams work across a full spectrum of services in assurance, consulting, tax, strategy, and transactions. Fueled by sector insights, a globally connected, multi-disciplinary network and diverse ecosystem partners, EY teams can provide services in more than 150 countries and territories.

EY refers to the global organization and may refer to one or more of the member firms of Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, does not provide services to clients. Information about how EY collects and uses personal data, and a description of the rights individuals have under data protection legislation are available via ey.com/privacy. EY member firms do not practice law where prohibited by local laws. For more information about our organization, please visit ey.com.

 

Audio Central Alarm Partners with DICE Corporation to Implement Full Nationwide Branded Call Display

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Audio Central Alarm, a client of DICE Corporation, has become the first alarm company in the industry to implement full nationwide branded call display. This groundbreaking service ensures that both service and sales calls from Audio Central now display the company’s logo and identity to recipients across the country—including calls from its central station partner, CSA Monitoring, based in Lansing, Michigan.

Historically, the alarm industry has struggled with call answer rates, as many customers assume unidentified or generic numbers are spam—especially on mobile phones. To address this issue, more than a year ago, Dice began addressing this issue by developing branded calling technology in partnership with telecom providers. The goal: to restore consumer trust and improve the visibility of life safety-related calls.

DICE has been recognized as a leader in bridging the needs of the alarm industry with the priorities of the telecommunications sector, particularly around critical life safety communications. Three of DICE’s engineers have worked closely with mobile carriers to integrate branded calling into DICE’s PBX systems and its advanced alarm and video event management solutions.

Scott Valentine, President of Audio Central Alarm, praised the new system: “This is amazing. We’ve already seen an increase in answered calls, and CSA Monitoring has reported fewer voicemails and more real-time responses from clients.”

Cliff Dice, President of DICE Corporation, added, “This marks the first phase of branded call deployments, now live across the T-Mobile network. We expect to roll out branding to Verizon and AT&T later this year. It’s a major step forward in helping alarm dealers build trust and visibility with their clients.” He continued, “The future is very exciting as we continue to lead with innovations in AI and interconnected services tailored to the alarm industry.”

PureTech Systems Wins TWO 2025 GOVIES Awards for Excellence in Autonomous Security Solutions

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PureTech Systems Inc., a leader in AI-powered perimeter protection and geospatial video analytics, is proud to announce it has been named a winner in the 2025 Security Today GOVIES Government Security Awards. PureTech earned top honors in two categories: Autonomous Border Systems and Autonomous Perimeter Systems for its latest release, PureActiv®v16.

The GOVIES Awards recognize outstanding government security products that deliver innovation, functionality, and performance. PureActiv® v16, the latest version of PureTech’s flagship solution, continues to set the standard in autonomous detection, identification, and response for critical infrastructure and border protection.

“We are honored to be recognized by Security Today for our work in advancing autonomous security technologies,” said Larry Bowe, President and CEO of PureTech Systems. “PureActiv v16 reflects our unwavering commitment to providing the most reliable and intelligent solutions to protect vital assets and enhance national security.”

“We have heard directly from government leaders about the critical need for autonomous capabilities in surveillance towers. With the v16 release, we’re combining our latest technological innovations-proven in border security programs with the invaluable experience and feedback from agents who tested these capabilities in the field,” says Ilia Rosenberg, PureTech V.P Federal Sector.   “This ensures our solutions truly meet the operational demands of today’s border environment and what USBP is expecting from us.”

PureTech Systems remains at the forefront of developing cutting-edge solutions that empower government and commercial agencies to detect and respond to threats faster, more accurately, and with greater autonomy.

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