'20 under 40' 2013 - Erik Evans

Erik Evans, 37
Southwest region operations manager,
Cox Home Security, Cox Communications
Atlanta

How did you get into the security industry?

In 2010, I was a project manager at Cox and was asked to be the sales project leader for the launch of the new Cox Home Security product in Arizona. It started out as just another project that I ran, but the more I learned about the product the more I wanted to continue to be tied to it and see it grow. One of the reasons I was so interested was that my own house was burglarized right before I started working with the product. So, I felt like I was fighting back against crime and making it possible for our customers to avoid ever having that sickening feeling my family and I had. I can't put on a Batman suit and fight crime, but this is something I can do. I know our product can help the customers feel safe and secure in their own homes.

Who or what in the industry has inspired you most in your security career?

The customer experience has really been my No. 1 inspiration, seeing the people we've helped. We had a lady whose father had a stroke and she hit the medical panic button and was able to save his life because the first responders got there so quickly. And I've heard about an estranged wife who was having problems with an abusive husband and got the system and was able to prevent him from coming in. Stories like that really give me passion for my job.

What can be done to boost the ranks of young people in the industry?

Becoming involved in college recruiting fairs. I've been involved in some of those with Cox … and I've seen a bunch of high-quality individuals we've been able to attract.