Ken Gould elected as new NJELSA president

MARLBORO, N.J.—The New Jersey Electronic Life Safety Association (NJELSA), which represents members of the security and life safety industry as well as locksmiths in the state of New Jersey, elected Kenneth J. Gould, of Ken Gould Consulting and Gould Alarm and Communications, as its new president.

Gould was sworn in at the NJELSA Annual Symposium in March of 2020 and enters the role with more than 45 years of experience in the security and life safety industry. He will be instrumental in helping set the organization’s agenda while staying true to exceptional leadership. Gould will also act as a liaison to foster positive dialogue between fire protection, life safety, and security specialists, as well as fire departments, government officials and code regulators.

“I would like to thank the members of NJELSA for electing me as their new president,” said Gould. “This is an important time in New Jersey as its people face many unique challenges. I look forward to working with my NJELSA partners in expanding the scope of our organization’s influence.”

He has served on the NJELSA Board of Directors for many years and has served and chaired numerous committees. He has prepared for this position by being the charter chapter representative for New Jersey and the Electronic Security Association. He also acts as a consultant and is a frequent speaker on industry-related topics.

In addition to his close work with the NJELSA, Gould is also involved in several other professional and community associations, including The Mission 500 national charity organization where he is the Chairmen of the Board. He also served as past president of the Staten Island Burglar and Fire Alarm Association, Past President of the Metropolitan Burglar and Fire Alarm Association and past president of the New York Fire Alarm Association.

Gould’s new term, which began in March, includes a variety of longer-term goals, including:
•    To adjust the NJELSA’s financial goals by reducing the budget for the recovery of 2020;
•    To set goals for 2021 with the understanding that large, in-person events may not occur in the near future;
•    To work more closely with the NJELSA’s talented Executive Director, Christine Higgins;
•    To empower membership with more education and tools to improve their business;
•    To broaden the organization’s reach with more support and hello calls from staff and board members to support the membership;
•    To add more non-board members on the 2020 committees; the NJELSA currently has nine committee members not on the board of directors;
•    To work with the codes, standards and licensing committee and the new AHJ public safety committee;
•    To transform the organization by utilizing technology, such as a new phone system, more social media, new vertical boardroom equipment for Board calls;
•    To identify future leaders and use the experience of the present board members;
•    To help cultivate and build on the powerful talent within the organization;
•    To recognize membership with awards such as, “Member of the Month”; and
•    To support other industry associations and the community at large by way of charities such as Mission 500.

“Beyond these tangible goals, I see my new role as one of style-driven leadership,” Gould added. “The first half of 2020 has forced New Jerseyans to adapt to a radically different world. The same is true for the NJELSA. As we look for new ways to innovate and to bring us all together in virtual ways, I look forward to relying on my superior team members for their creative ideas and support.

For more information visit https://njelsa.org.