Sdm Editors' Podcast

This week, our guests are Tia Eskandari, senior director national service, Allied Universal, and Candice Aragon, chief experience officer, PSA Security. In conjunction with Senior Editor Rodney Bosch’s recent feature article, we’ll be discussing DEI in the security industry.

Brian Arenofsky, president of NJELSA, talks about the 2024 NJELSA Annual Symposium as well as the importance of involvement in state associations.

The SIA 2024 Security Megatrends report found the top four megatrends revolve heavily around AI. Additionally, SDM has been running a poll for some time asking what readers think is the most promising trend in the industry. 59 percent — as of recording this podcast — say that AI is the top trend. This week, our guests are Geoff Kohl of the Security Industry Association (SIA) and Steve Van Till of Brivo who will provide us with a little insight into the state of AI in the industry.

SDM spoke with Jeremy Bates of Bates Security; Mike Botten of LVC Companies; Aaron Simpson of Stone Security; and Justin Stearns of Chimera Integrations about how they are preparing for an uncertain economy in 2024.

SDM spoke with Beth Tarnoff, Chief Marketing Officer, Everon, about the company’s recent rebrand – from ADT Commercial – and its split from ADT.

SDM recently spoke with Shaun Castillo, president Preferred Technologies LLC, which was 2023’s Integrator of the Year. Castillo explains why he thinks 2023 was Pref-Tech’s year.

SDM spoke with Alan Kruglak, president, R24 Security Integration, about starting over with his newest company — his third, his success with it, as well as his over 40 years of experience in the industry.

SDM spoke with Leonid Levit, chairman of the Steering Committee, ONVIF, and Chris Wetzel, principal at CGL Technologies and executive board member of Security-Net, about cloud-based video solutions.

SDM sat down with Bert Bongard, president & CEO LVC Companies (No. 22), and Marc Gemellaro, president & CEO GSI (No. 15), two companies that ranked on our 2023 Top Systems Integrators Report. Bert and Marc talk success in the industry, and the philosophies that drive it.

SDM spoke with Tyson Johns, senior vice president of security monitoring operations at Interface Systems, about Interface’s 20 years of Five Diamond Certification.

SDM spoke with Steve Jones, global CEO of Allied Universal, about his recent media statement about security professionals as well as Allied Universal’s GoFundMe to support employees affected by the recent deadly Maui fire.

SDM spoke with John Nemerofsky, vice chair of the FAST board of directors and COO at Sage Integration, and Ken Kocher of Force Security, who is treasurer of FAST and serves on its board of directors, about FAST's new initiative: the Security Technician of the Year Awards.

SDM spoke with: Eric Gardner, president of alarm division, Pye-Barker (no. 9); Markus Scott, CEO, Eye Q Monitoring (no. 29); and Joseph Lynch, CEO, Minuteman Security (no. 47), to discuss their success, growth and the challenges they overcame to achieve said success and growth.

SDM spoke with the following guests about sustainability in the security industry: Erin Spadavecchia, program manager for sustainability, ASSA ABLOY; Steve Beaudry, director of the Northeast business area, Axis Communications; and Greg Mora, global product management leader, Johnson Controls. 

SDM spoke with two of our panelists — Joey Rao-Russell and Bryan Cipoletti — about the three biggest issues facing security dealers and integrators today.

SDM spoke with Melissa Brinkman about Custom Alarm’s origins, company culture, being a female CEO in the security industry, and much more

SDM spoke at length with Joe Oliveri in preparation for the Integrator of the Year article. Listen to a portion of that conversation where he talks acquisition strategy and future plans

Mark McCall serves as director of global operations for Immix, which provides physical security monitoring software for central stations and security operations centers. He’s also chair of TMA's AVS-01 Standards Committee. SDM Senior Editor Rodney Bosch spoke in-depth with McCall about AVS-01, including its technology aspects, the cross section of industries and public service making it all happen, benefits to the public, and much more.

Convergint has made it its mission “to become the most equitable and inclusive global service provider by leveraging diverse talent and creating a culture where all colleagues can achieve their maximum potential.” SDM Senior Editor Rodney Bosch spoke with Convergint’s Yaruba Tate, vice president, Inclusion & Diversity (I&D), to learn about the integrator’s work to achieve its lofty goals. In a wide-ranging discussion, we explore how I&D helps serve clients, how these initiatives promote retention and recruiting, and much more, including best practices advice for small- and medium-sized businesses.

SDM Editor Karyn Hodgson spoke with three SDM 100 companies who achieved both double digit growth in RMR in 2021, and moved several spots up the 2022 SDM 100 rankings: Michael Hanlon, vice president of hosted and managed solutions, Allied Universal Technology Services, Santa Ana, Calif. (ranked No. 14); Tim Creenan, CEO of Amherst Alarm Inc., Amherst, N.Y. (ranked No. 51), and Jim Pinto, CEO of Key Security Designs Corp., Orinda, Calif., (ranked No. 89) spoke with SDM about their experiences, challenges and tips for future success in this exclusive podcast