SSI Industry Hall of Fame Class of 2018 Inductee: Scott Goldfine
Goldfine has spent 20 years innovating and leading SSI in addition to introducing numerous industry products and programs.
Scott Goldfine
Founded in 2004 to represent the highest commendation for going above and beyond in professionalism, conduct and achievement, the SSI Industry Hall of Fame now numbers nearly 100 members.
SSI is proud to welcome Editor-in-Chief/Associate Publisher of Security Sales & Integration Scott Goldfine to the class of 2018.
Why He’s on the List
- 20 years innovating and leading one of security’s most prominent and respected publications in print, online and in-person
- Award-winning body of work includes groundbreaking research, landmark features, leadership roundtables, high profile case studies, and many industry exclusives
- Well versed in technical and business aspects of video surveillance, access control, systems integration, intrusion detection and fire/life safety, he is a nationally known figure in demand as presenter and expert
- Products and programs he introduced include Industry Hall of Fame, Control Panel (industry’s first email newsletter), Police Dispatch Quality (PDQ) Award, Monitoring Marvel Award, Installers of the Year, Integrated Installations of the Year and many more
- Active in events, organizations and committees, including ESA, SIA, SIAC, TMA, FARA, SSI and Total Technology Summits, PSA-TEC, SAMMY Awards, ISC, Mission 500, ESX, ASIS and many more
- Progressive approach has included being industry’s only media member of the PSA Cybersecurity Advisory Council and Robolliance
- More than 40 years’ media experience spans magazines, newspapers, Internet, digital, radio, TV, film, records, teletext and books
Discovering Security’s Hidden World
“Like most people I sort of stumbled into the electronic security industry. After showing up to find the doors chained shut on a teletext news service I had spent 11 years with that unexpectedly went belly-up, a friend told me about an opportunity to work for a business-to-business security magazine.
I had next-to-zero experience with magazine publishing, B2B niches or the security industry. Coming aboard as a senior editor in 1998 and rapidly ascending to managing editor, executive editor and editor-in-chief within three years, the undertaking involved a steep learning curve but proved to be fascinating and rewarding.
Getting a handle on the players, technologies and how the industry worked was challenging, but the quality and character of the industry’s people and being able to help them through the publication to be more successful in business and, most importantly, in security’s mission to protect lives and property that hooked me.”
Industry Opens Up Unexpected Doors
“Born and raised in L.A., until I joined SSI my only time east of Arizona was to Long Island on account of my wife-to-be. But among my many amazing experiences being part of the publication and security industry has been seeing and doing things I might never have otherwise. I toured Japan as a guest of Panasonic and Quebec and Montreal as a guest of Genetec, visited Bermuda for a PSA event, and spent time in Cancun for a CSAA [now TMA] meeting, among countless other travel to sites and cities.
But my biggest thrill was, as a lifelong Dallas Cowboys fan, spending a week there for an ASIS expo. I made it to the then new stadium three times; game on Sunday, a security tour and Stanley’s private party. The latter allowed me to meet the owner, former players and cheerleaders, enjoy unlimited photo ops with the Super Bowl trophies, kick field goals and pass/catch on the field and more. I still can’t believe it happened.”
Memories of the Way It Was
“Some of my most unforgettable memories include a cover story on first DHS Secretary Tom Ridge; winning a Maggie Award for my feature on Richard Picciotto, the last fireman to escape the 9/11 devastation; going to LAPD Chief Bratton’s office to discuss his desire to stop alarm response; coordinating a cover story and ISC East keynote featuring the star of the reality show ‘It Takes a Thief ’; gathering security’s five largest manufacturer CEOs in Las Vegas for a cover story and photo shoot; and reporting from the set of TV’s ‘Las Vegas’ on the show’s depiction of video surveillance.
But the topper was when on the eve of ASIS 2004 in Dallas, my pregnant wife called to tell me I had to get back to L.A. ASAP because they were going to have to induce labor. I could not get a flight out until 6 a.m. and had to get messages out to let the people scheduled for my 40 show meetings that I had to leave. I was kidded about my priorities and due to the conspicuousness of my son’s birth he became an extended member of the security family with colleagues forever asking about him and wanting new photos.”
Something You Might Not Know
A music and stereo equipment enthusiast, he formed a mobile D.J. company in high school called Musical Moods, which he ran for 15+ years and did hundreds of events. Also hosted “Platter Chatter,” an album reviews TV show, published the book “Everything Is on THE ONE: The First Guide of Funk” and presently hosts the YouTube music interview program “Truth in Rhythm.”
The Goldfine File
- Born 1961 in Los Angeles
- Younger brother to one stepsister; father was an electronic technician, mother a schoolteacher
- Married to wife Jill with one teenage son, and three cats
- Graduated with honors while earning undergraduate degree in radio-TV-film with minor in psychology from California State University Northridge; later earned certificate in accounting from Santa Monica College
- He is a certified alarm technician, former cable-TV tech and audio company entrepreneur
- Received Diebold’s Industry Recognition Award in 2013
- Says if career had taken different path would have ended up in the music industry
- Other interests include music, movies, sports, enjoying nature and outings with his son
If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!
Related Content
Security Is Our Business, Too
For professionals who recommend, buy and install all types of electronic security equipment, a free subscription to Commercial Integrator + Security Sales & Integration is like having a consultant on call. You’ll find an ideal balance of technology and business coverage, with installation tips and techniques for products and updates on how to add to your bottom line.
A FREE subscription to the top resource for security and integration industry will prove to be invaluable.
