Security Sales & Integration has learned that GE
Infrastructure, Security President and CEO Ken Boyda is
retiring and will be succeeded by COO Louis Parker. In
addition, GE will be moving the headquarters of
Infrastructure, Security division from Austin, Texas, to
the former home base of Edwards Systems Technology (EST) in
Bradenton, Fla.

Boyda has been through two mergers and several product
introductions as head of the security products manufacturer
now known as GE Infrastructure, Security for more than 15
years. Boyda was named president and CEO of Sentrol Inc. in
1990, then took on the same role after Sentrol, renamed SLC
Technologies Inc., merged with Interactive Technologies
Inc. (ITI) in 2000 to form Interlogix. Boyda also stayed on
as president and CEO after GE bought Interlogix in 2002 and
used it to form the base of GE Infrastructure, Security.

“My 15 years in the security industry were extremely rewarding and enjoyable,” says Boyda, who announced his retirement on June 15 during the GE Security Conference in Hollywood, Fla. “I really appreciate all the friends I’ve made throughout the years.”

Boyda says he has spent the last nine months grooming Parker to lead GE Security. The change in leadership will formally take place in July. The two have similar backgrounds, as both were born and raised in Pittsburgh and both are graduates of the Harvard School of Business.

“Under Lewis’ leadership, GE will achieve new levels of success,” Boyda says. In turn, Parker – profiled in the May issue of SSI, lavished praise back at Boyda. “Ken build GE Security from nothing, and will forever be in his debt.”

Boyda will remain a consultant to Parker and GE and says he has worked with Parker on a “three-year” plan for the security division, though Boyda didn’t reveal the details of that plan.

In the immediate plans is a move from Texas to Florida. The former EST complex, near Sarasota, became GE property after the fire/life safety systems provider was purchased by GE in March.

GE also announced during the conference that it is separating Infrastructure, Security into three divisions – Network Solutions, Engineered Solutions and Homeland Protection. Network Solutions and Engineered Solutions will deal with the manufacture and sale of security and life safety systems for the residential and government markets, while Homeland Protection will emphasize solutions for government clients.

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