Denis Hébert to receive SIA’s George R. Lippert Memorial Award

SILVER SPRING, Md.—The Security Industry Association (SIA) has selected Denis Hébert, president of Feenics, as the 2020 recipient of the George R. Lippert Memorial Award, an honor presented annually to a distinguished individual for long-term, selfless service to the security industry and to SIA. Hebert will receive the award during a virtual SIA Honors presentation held as part of Securing New Ground on Wednesday, Oct. 21.

Hébert has been a longtime association volunteer and has served on SIA’s board of directors from 2008 to 2020, including officer roles as treasurer and then as chairman, and during his board service he had a profound positive impact. Hébert had been previously recognized by SIA with the creation of a SIA scholarship in his name that supports students pursuing education and degrees in access and identity management.

Hébert was noted as being instrumental as an active member of strategic planning committees where he helped focus SIA’s strategy for providing true value to SIA Members. He was also recognized for being a proactive champion of SIA’s government relations and standards programs. As SIA Board Treasurer, he dedicated considerable time to improve SIA’s financial reporting and to develop a sound SIA investment policy. He followed his role as SIA Treasurer by serving as Chairman of the SIA Board (2016-2018), and during that chairmanship, he played a vital role in establishing a long-term contract between SIA and ISC Events that provides SIA with a dedicated revenue stream, new revenue in education and opportunities to create new events and conferences.

“I am truly honored to receive this recognition amongst all of those who contribute to our industry, in addition to being considered among such an elite group of prior recipients,” Hébert said. “I have worked with great people over the last 35 years and witnessed much change in our industry. Serving the membership of SIA has been especially gratifying, allowing me the honor of giving back by helping build a strong foundation for SIA’s future and broadening our definition of security. I look forward to further contributing any way I can.”

In his role leading some of the world’s premier access control solutions companies — first at HID Global and now at Feenics — Hébert has helped drive steadfast support of SIA events and programs. All the while, he has also given back to the industry through countless speaking opportunities, including roles at Securing New Ground and through the SIA Education@ISC courses offered at ISC West and ISC East. He was central to the creation of the 2017 report Security Industry Technology Forecast, produced by SIA and the International Security Management Association (ISMA).

“During the 12 years he served on the SIA Board of Directors, Executive Committee and as Chairman of the Board, Denis Hebert has been an extraordinary leader, selflessly giving us his time to make sure SIA was delivering value to fellow members and simultaneously ensuring SIA was on solid footing financially to do so long into the future. SIA is pleased to honor him with the 2020 Lippert Award for his extraordinary leadership, dedication and service to SIA and the security industry” said SIA CEO Don Erickson.

The Lippert Award is named in honor of George R. Lippert, who dedicated more than 20 years of his life to SIA and the security industry. When evaluating candidates for this award, SIA’s committee considers nominees’ long-term service to SIA and the security industry, the impact of their efforts on behalf of SIA and the industry and the integrity, leadership and diplomacy displayed in their industry dealings.

The Lippert Award will be presented as part of the SIA Honors program; SIA Honors presentations will be made during the first day of SIA’s executive conference Securing New Ground (Oct. 21-22), and will be held virtually for all conference attendees. Along with presenting the Lippert Award, SIA will also honor industry leaders at the 2020 Honors Night with the Jay Hauhn Excellence in Partnerships Award and the SIA Progress Award.