ESA Board of Directors Approves Competency Directors and Officer Positions

Members of the Electronic Security Association (ESA) recently approved several competency director and officer positions. After voting for recent director positions concluded on May 24th, Chair-elect Kevin Stone recommended two (2) Competency Directors and requested Board approval on June 2nd. These director positions are selected based on their subject matter expertise and must be an owner, officer, or employee of an ESA Member in Good Standing. Each Competency Director shall serve for a two (2) year term beginning July 1st, 2024.

Competency Diector Positions

Kirk MacDowell, the 2023 Weinstock Person of the Year Award winner, is the founder and CEO of MacGuard Security Advisors. Bringing insight from his time at industry innovator Alarm.com, top Fortune 100 manufacturers General Electric and United Technologies, a top 50 SDM integrator, and his own electronic security firm, Kirk now offers guidance on how to innovate, transform, and compete in today’s ever-changing electronic security landscape.

A sought-after industry speaker, Kirk also remains active in many associations serving on numerous industry and private company boards. He was the Past Board of Director of the Security Industry Association (SIA) and The Monitoring Association (TMA), past Chairman of AIREF (Alarm Industry Research & Education Foundation), past Chairman of the Security Industry Alarm Collation (SIAC) and past president of the Los Angeles County Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (LABFAA). Kirk currently serves as the Chairman of ESA’s Leadership Identification and Nominating Committee (LINC). Kirk was recently inducted into the SSI Industry Hall of Fame.

“I am honored to join ESA’s board of directors as a competency director and proud to serve the industry that has given me so much. Looking forward to working alongside ESA’s elected board and officers. “

Michael Barnes, who recently served as a Competency Director from 2022-2024 under Chairman John Loud, founded Barnes Associates in 1986 and directs the firm’s Mergers and Acquisitions activities. He is based in St. Louis, Missouri. Since founding Barnes Associates, Michael has been involved in more than 280 security alarm acquisitions and financings, with an aggregate transaction value in excess of $29 billion. He has lectured at numerous events within the security alarm industry on matters relating to acquisitions, the availability of capital and the operating dynamics and performance of alarm companies. Michael was the 13th person to be inducted into the SSI Industry Hall of Fame, an honor he received in 2004. Barnes Associates co-sponsors the annual Barnes-Buchanan Conference.

“Overall, I feel honored to once again be invited to serve on ESA’s Board. The organization does such great work in supporting and advocating for the industry, and the Board has a large responsibility for setting direction. I feel the weight of that responsibility and hope I can rise to the occasion.”

Officer Positions

In addition to the approval of the Competency Directors, the Board approved three officer positions to serve from July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025.

Integrator Director Jeremy Bates, of Bates Security, will serve as Vice Chairman. The Vice Chairman reports to the Chairman and the Board of Directors, serves as liaison to at least one of the standing committees of the Association, promotes all the objectives of the Association, and performs such duties as may be assigned to him or her by the Chairman and the Board of Directors.

Competency Director Michael Barnes, of Barnes Associates, will continue in his role as Treasurer. The Treasurer has general supervision of the fiscal affairs of the Association.

Integrator Director Melissa Brinkman, of Custom Alarm, will serve as Secretary to the Board. The Secretary is responsible for the preparation of accurate minutes of the proceedings at all membership and board meetings.

Featured

New Products

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities