Security Industry Leader John Murphy Dies
PITTSBURGH — Security industry professionals are mourning the loss of Vector Security President and CEO John Murphy, who died Oct. 13.
Murphy battled cancer for six years before succumbing to his illness. He died peacefully at home with his family at his bedside, according to a statement released by the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA).
Serving as president of Vector Security since 1991, Murphy grew the business into one of industry’s largest regional alarm companies in the United States.
“John was one of the most brilliant, financial minds I have ever met,” Alarm Detection Systems President Robert Bonifas tells SSI. “I sat in once on one of his board meetings, and it was an impressive event to see him handle his staff, and how he was able to fixate them on their numbers and their departments and contributions to Vector.”
“He had the unique ability and talent to have brought experience from the finance and acquisition side and not lose track of the important life-safety services we provide,” adds Wayne Alarm Systems President Ralph Sevinor. “His sincere interaction and actions with the AHJs will pay dividends for years which benefit all. His understanding of the important life safety mission and the peace of mind our services provide has almost been forgotten by most all striving for the highest revenues — but not John, and through him, Vector.”
Among his industry leadership roles, Murphy served as president of CSAA and was instrumental in joining with the Electronic Security Association (formerly NBFAA) to launch the Electronic Security Expo (ESX).
Murphy also served in top positions with the Alarm Industry Research & Educational Foundation (AIREF), the Alarm Industry Communications Committee (AICC) and the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International (APCO).
Murphy received numerous industry awards, most recently being honored as the 2009 recipient of the Triton Award. Bestowed by the Security Industry Association (SIA), CSAA and ESA, the honor recognizes industry statesmanship and efforts to promote good working relationships among the three associations.
In 2008, Murphy received CSAA’s highest honor, the Stanley C. Lott Memorial Award, in recognition for his contributions to the association and the industry.
“There are very few people that are as committed and driven in our industry — there are even few that possess these qualities and are compassionate to all,” Sevinor says. “People like John come along once in a lifetime. Our industry is a better place because of John Murphy and we are all the recipients of his dedication.”
Murphy was inducted into SECURITY SALES & INTEGRATION‘s Hall of Fame earlier this year. For the 2010 Hall of Fame inductee article published in the March issue, Murphy stated the following when asked what were his keys to success:
“Ironically, both my success and my early challenges were related to getting the right people in place. Early on, I hired the smartest, most experienced people believing that I could instill our culture within them. Later on, I learned to hire those with the highest probability of similar culture and commit to train them to be the best and the brightest leaders for Vector.”
In lieu of flowers, Murphy’s family requests donations be made to the Directors Fund in Clinical Cardiology at Penn Medicine. Donations should be made payable to “The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania” and sent to:
Carol A. Forte:
Executive Director of Development
Centers & Institutes
Penn Medicine
3535 Market St., Suite 750
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Additionally, Pamela Petrow was unanimously appointed as Vector Security’s new CEO by the company’s Board of Directors and its parent company, The Philadelphia Contributionship.
Petrow, a member of the Security Industry Standards Council, had been identified as Murphy’s successor when he appointed her as executive vice president and then chief operating officer of Vector Security.
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