Foundation for Advancing Security Talent Welcomes Eight New Members to the FAST Board of Directors

The Foundation for Advancing Security Talent (FAST) has named eight new members to the FAST Board of Directors—an expert-led group drawn from the membership of the Security Industry Association (SIA), the Electronic Security Association (ESA) and PSA and that defines and refines FAST’s strategic plan, as well as the foundation’s annual goals.

The newly appointed members, named by SIA, ESA and PSA, are:

  • Matt Barnette has been president and CEO of PSA since 2021 and is a seasoned veteran in the physical security industry with more than 30 years of experience in management and executive roles, including previously serving as president of Mercury Security and of AMAG Technology.
  • Taylor Carr is president of Allied Universal Technology Services, one of the largest security systems integrators in the United States, and has more than 25 years of executive leadership and operational expertise in the security and technology services industry, including previously serving as executive vice president of Allied Universal Technology Services.
  • Shaun Castillo is president of Preferred Technologies (Pref-Tech), where he leads a team of professionals dedicated to delivering integrated security, communications and life safety solutions. He joined Pref-Tech in 2005 after serving as an officer in the United States Army, where he completed a year of combat operations in Iraq.
  • Angelo Faenza serves as general manager and head of digital access solutions at ASSA ABLOY. He has been with ASSA ABLOY since 2002 and leads efforts to provide expertise and knowledge on electronic access control technologies to help customers find the right solution and products for the specific needs of their facilities.
  • Hilary Gallagher is chief operating and marketing officer at The Access Control Collective. She brings vast experience and a versatile amount of marketing skills, having previously held product, field and analyst marketing positions at Appirio, UniKey Technologies, Brivo and Copado. Wayne Smith is president of Tech Systems, where he leads the team in providing service-centric and converged security solutions to end users and Fortune 500 companies. He has over 23 years of experience in the IT and security industry, including previously serving in leadership roles at Synovus Financial Corporation and TSYS.
  • Heather Torrey is general manager of commercial security, Americas, at Honeywell. Prior to her current role, she was the general manager of safety and productivity solutions, Pacific region.
  • Tony Wilson, as one of the original founders of CMS, has played a central role in building the organization into one of the nation’s leading wholesale monitoring providers. Wilson has worked across all areas of the business throughout his tenure, assuming the role of president in 1991.

“FAST is proud to welcome Matt Barnette, Taylor Carr, Shaun Castillo, Angelo Faenza, Hilary Gallagher, Wayne Smith, Heather Torrey and Tony Wilson to the FAST Board of Directors,” said John Nemerofsky, chair of the FAST Board of Directors and chief operating officer at SAGE Integration. “This outstanding group of leaders brings deep leadership experience, impressive industry knowledge and a history of high-impact accomplishments, and we look forward to collaborating with them to strengthen our industry’s workforce development and drive forward FAST’s mission to connect individuals with meaningful careers in physical security and life safety.”

FAST is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization promoting careers in the physical security technology and life safety industry. Created in 2020 through a partnership of SIA and ESA— the industry’s leading associations—FAST connects passionate, innovative professionals with new opportunities in electronic security and life safety. The foundation brings awareness to the career advancement opportunities within the fast-paced technology industry that serves to keep people, places and property safe. Each year, FAST leads National Security Technician Day, held Jan. 23 annually and acknowledging and celebrating the invaluable contributions of security technicians.

Featured

New Products

  • 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.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.