By Rodney Bosch
LAS VEGAS — Members of the Electronic Security Association's Young Security Professionals (YSP) group convened here on Wednesday for a daylong agenda that included facility tours and an evening social event.
Founded in 2009, the organization for managers and executives between the ages of 25 and 45 is dedicated to developing new industry leaders through occasional social, educational and best-practice forums.
Billed as "YSP West," participants from across the United States began the day touring Eagle Sentry, one of Nevada's leading custom electronics design and installation companies. The 25-year-old firm is a full service provider of electronic solutions for residential and commercial audio/visual, security and integrated systems.
Eagle Sentry's lavishly equipped demo room — estimated at $250,000 — caught the interest of YSP member Brandon Savage, who serves as director, supply chain management, for Provo, Utah-based Vivint (formerly APX Alarm).
"What amazing picture quality and sound fidelity," Savage said. "The rest of the tour clearly demonstrated that Eagle Sentry provides a broad range of solutions, particularly focusing on leveraging the latest technology, including the 2GIG panel, to bring services to the consumer through smart phone and tablet controls. Overall, it was a great experience and a terrific tour."
Observing how other installing security contractors operate their business and implement best practices is an enlightening component of the YSP program, says group member Randall Renfroe, vice president, Allstate Security Industries Inc. of Amarillo, Texas.
"I don't think there is another industry that has as many people willing to share on how they do things," he says. "My favorite part of the day was when [Eagle Sentry Vice President Greg Simmons] started his speech saying his company was willing to share anything. It reminded me why I love this industry so much."
The participants next headed to the Strip for a behind-the-scenes sightsee of The Cosmopolitan, one of Las Vegas' newest resorts. A networking happy hour at the PBR Rock Bar & Grill concluded the event.
Industry professionals interested in learning more about the YSP program can visit www.alarm.org/ysp. SSI's March issue featured a roundtable interview with four up-and-coming security managers and executives, discussing the unique challenges they face in assuming leadership roles at their companies. To read the story, click here.
Rodney Bosch is managing editor for SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION.
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