Introducing the SSI Industry Hall of Fame Class of 2021
SSI’s Industry Hall of Fame hails those who have contributed most significantly to the security industry. Here are 2021’s inductees.
Dale Eller | Owner, ITZ Solutions
Bio
- Born in Erie, Pa., in 1959
- One of three children, father founded Glenwood Fire & Security where mother ran the office
- Married to wife Paula for 38 years, with one daughter and one son
- In 1977, enlisted in U.S. Navy, serving six years and earning several communications and electronics certifications; received USN Good Conduct and Navy Achievement Medals
- Security honors PBFAA Leadership Award (1987, 1999, 2010), ESA/NBFAA Executive Director of the Year (2000, 2002) and ESA NTS Instructor of the Year (2013)
- Hosted a monthly radio program on a local talk radio for six years
- Says if career had taken another path would have remained in the U.S. Navy or become a private contractor to it
- An avid lifelong Pittsburgh Steelers fan, his other interests include looking for hidden treasures with his wife at garage sales, antique shops and rummage sales
Why He’s on the List
- Nearly 40 years of prominence in industry advocacy, support and visibility working with and leading a multitude of security trade associations and other professional organizations
- Having founded consulting firm ITZ Solutions in 1998, he is currently executive director for Pennsylvania Burglar & Fire Alarm Association (since 1999), New York Electronic & Life Safety Association (since 2003), Ohio Security & Fire Alarm Association (since 2016), and association manager for Pennsylvania Association of Fire Equipment Distributors (since 2005)
- Gained frontline dealer experience as GM and president of Glenwood Fire & Security Systems (1983-1995) and GM of Doyle Security Systems (1995-1998)
- Certified as an ESA National Training School (NTS) instructor since 1989, also served as ESA Director of Education and Standards (2004-2011)
- Other trade groups roles include serving as program manager for the Installation Quality (IQ) certification program, chairman of ASIS’ Lake Erie chapter and multiple stints as a member of the ESA Board of Directors
- Long service on Gifts for Kids Board of Directors, a Pennsylvania State Police-run charity patterned after Toys for Tots but geared toward kids impacted by a parent in the legal/prison system or foster care
Keys to Success
“I have always thought that being a dealer in a small market as opposed to a major market or large city helped me, as a dealer, diversify product/service offerings. One day you might be called on to sell/install an intrusion system, tomorrow it could be CCTV, the next day access control and by the end of the week a fire alarm system. That diversity provided an insight on the nimbleness necessary to compete in our, or any, marketplace. As I later moved to the association side of the industry, that same insight helped me relate to dealers, appreciate their challenges and ultimately identify ways for the association groups to pivot or adapt to dealers’ needs.”
How Security Fulfills a Career
“I often say a ‘job’ is something you do for money, whereas a ‘career’ is something you do to make a difference. The moment that changed my job into a career began with a phone call from a customer about their fire alarm going off the previous night. Apparently something inside the chimney had fallen, resulting in the vent flue closing and the fire gases and smoke backing up into the house. Smoke detectors alerted the family and the monitoring station notified the fire department.
“After venting the house, the fire chief told the homeowner had it not been for the alarm and monitoring that he likely would have removed the entire family from the house in body bags. The homeowner thanked me for saving his family’s lives. To this day I get chills thinking about the day one of my systems saved a life. Needless to say, I have not had a ‘job’ since that telephone call.”
Supporting Power of the People
“Being an alarm person first and foremost has given me the ability to manage the associations and/or teach the classes in a way where I can ‘talk their talk, and walk their walk.’ From literally Day 1, I saw firsthand the power of people working collaboratively together ― and I have become an advocate for the value that provides to dealers. No industry issue or cause can effectively be addressed individually. Only through collaborative efforts can industry issues be mitigated or eliminated. My involvement with the IQ Program taught me that dealers willing to put in the extra effort and install systems properly was beneficial for their company, their customer, law enforcement and ultimately the industry.
2 Wishes for Industry Change
“First, I would require every alarm dealer donate a minimum 1% of monitoring revenue to funding SIAC. My greatest fear is an issue will arise that will overwhelm current funding and wipes out SIAC, ultimately damaging or forever destroying the entire industry. If dealers can’t see the value of SIAC and willingly donate, then for their own good I would make it a requirement of being in the business. Second, given the low quality of some installations I have seen, I would create a minimum educational threshold to getting into the business. We are being called on to provide a life and property protection service, and we should install professional systems that reflect quality and pride of service.”
Continue to the next page for a profile of Bob Harris…
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About the Author
Scott Goldfine
Scott Goldfine is the marketing director for Elite Interactive Solutions. He is the former editor-in-chief and associate publisher of Security Sales & Integration. He can be reached at [email protected].
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