SILVER SPRING, Md.—The Security Industry Association (SIA) has named Manuel Alejandro Fernández Mena of Johnson Controls and Jonas Rosa of Convergint the recipients for the 2026 James Rothstein Business Scholarship.
The James Rothstein Business Scholarship supports “emerging professionals in the security industry and students entering the industry by providing financial assistance to attend the Securing New Ground (SNG) conference,” according to the association announcement.
This competitive scholarship program—named after Rothstein, president of Sequel LV and a past member of SIA’s board of directors who served as chairman from 2022 to 2024—covers SNG conference passes and travel expenses, enabling recipients to “attend and grow their careers at the security industry’s executive conference,” according to the SIA announcement.
Who Are the 2026 Rothstein Scholarship Recipients?
Fernández Mena is a security pod leader at Johnson Controls, where he leads a team focused on supporting security solutions and operational excellence initiatives. With experience in customer operations, sales support and team leadership. Fernández Mena is “passionate about developing talent, driving continuous improvement and enabling organizations to deliver exceptional customer experiences,” the SIA announcement says.
Based in San José, Costa Rica, he is “committed to advancing his leadership capabilities and contributing to the growth and innovation of the security industry.”
“Receiving the James Rothstein Business Scholarship is both an honor and an exciting opportunity at an important stage in my career,” says Fernández Mena in the SIA announcement. “As I begin my journey as a Security Pod Leader at Johnson Controls, I am eager to learn from industry professionals, connect with peers and gain new perspectives that will help me grow as a leader.
“I look forward to bringing those lessons back to my team and continuing to make a positive impact within our organization and the security industry,” he says.
Rosa, global account manager for Latin America at Convergint, is a global account management and business development professional with experience in the electronic security industry, working with multinational organizations across Brazil and Latin America.
His career “has been built at the intersection of commercial strategy, technology and international business, with a strong focus on developing long-term relationships and navigating complex global environments,” according to the SIA announcement.
Rosa holds an executive MBA from FGV-EAESP and is “passionate about leadership, continuous learning and the evolution of the security industry,” the announcement says. “With an increasingly international focus, he is particularly interested in connecting markets, exchanging perspectives across regions and contributing to the future of the global security community.”
“I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to attend SNG in New York,” says Rosa in the announcement. “I see SNG as a unique opportunity to learn from some of the brightest minds in our industry, exchange perspectives with professionals from around the world and better understand the trends shaping the future of security.
“As someone who aspires to continue growing my career internationally and become more connected with the U.S. security industry, this opportunity is particularly meaningful to me. I’m looking forward to building new relationships, bringing fresh perspectives back to Latin America and making the most of every conversation and learning opportunity throughout the event,” he says.
“I am pleased to congratulate this year’s scholarship winners, Manuel Alejandro Fernández Mena and Jonas Rosa,” says Rothstein in the SIA announcement. “These inspiring young leaders have already had impressive careers across sales, operations, team leadership, business management and more, and at Securing New Ground they will get the unique opportunity to examine industry trends, form meaningful connections and propel their growth and business expertise. We are proud to recognize them and look forward to seeing them at SNG.”
Securing New Ground is the security industry’s executive conference, with the 2026 event scheduled for Oct. 20-21 at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City.
