On the Road Again

Thank you, Willie Nelson, for a song title that is so appropriate given the whirlwind couple of weeks I’ve had, literally, on the road again.

No, I did not have the Partridge Family psychedelic tour bus to take me to my destinations, as my family van and JetBlue were my means of transportation in representing Security Systems News at two industry events – one that supports a very important mission, and the other a conference that yours truly attended for the first time, and even got some mic time in the process.

My first stop was the second annual Moms in Security Global Outreach (MISGO) golf outing at the Meadows Golf Club in Lincoln Park, N.J., where more than 60 security professionals hit the links to support the security moms’ mission - to rescue and protect victims of child trafficking.

I have said countless times in my blogs and articles over the past year how much hard work the four Moms in Security - Elisa Mula, Founder, EM Designs (EMD), LLC; Antoinette King, PSP, DPPS, SICC, CMMC-RP, Founder, Credo Cyber Consulting, LLC; and Janet Fenner, President, Defined Marketing; and Min Kyriannis, CEO, Amyna Systems - have dedicated to support rescue missions for abused and trafficked children around the world.

For the second straight year, Elisa, Antoinette, Janet, and Min brought the security industry together to support their efforts, as proceeds for the event supported non-profit organizations that are dedicated to rescuing trafficking victims.

Before the golfers hit the course, the Moms in Security brought in a guest speaker to offer a first-hand account of what it takes to execute a rescue mission for child trafficking victims.

Rich Reinhold, Deputy Special Agent in Charge (SAC), Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, provided a gripping account of what he and his fellow agents – including his own wife - do on a daily basis to rescue victims of child sex trafficking. His story really brought to light the courageous efforts and emotional tolls that these agents encounter on a daily basis. Kudos to all who take part in these rescue operations in the U.S. and abroad!

In addition to thanking the Moms in Security for another successful golf outing, I wanted to thank industry veteran John Moore, who hosted the MISGO golf outing for the first time. A long-time director of National Accounts at ADT/Tyco/JCI and now a sales consultant for Convergint, Moore is no stranger to hosting charity golf outings, with 18 previous events under his belt before hosting the MISGO outing.

In addition to getting acquainted with John, he allowed me to cross something off my bucket list – drive a golf ball on a professional golf course for the first time, albeit with an air cannon. Who knows where my ball landed, but that didn’t matter. Thank you, John, for giving me the opportunity, and for taking the photo you see in this blog.

Speaking of John and I, we are happy to announce that we have joined the MISGO Executive Advisory Board (story to come). We had a chance at the golf outing to bounce some ideas off each other on how to grow MISGO and reach more industry folks. I have a feeling that bigger and better things are on the horizon for MISGO, so stay tuned!

Three days after the MISGO golf outing, I got on a plane to Denver for PSA TEC 2022. This event, hosted by PSA Security Network, brings systems integrators together for four days of networking, educational sessions, exhibits, receptions, and awards presentations.

Speaking of awards presentations, I was truly honored to announce the winners of the inaugural PSA Security Network/Security Systems News Integrator of the Year and Bill Bozeman Awards on opening night.

And to top it off, the legendary Bill Bozeman himself – who I had a chance to get to know for the first time in Denver – was on hand to help present the awards, including the one named in his honor! Bozeman, a former CEO of PSA and SSN Security Legend Award winner (2019), is truly a class act and we are honored, in partnership with PSA, to present the Integrator of the Year and Bill Bozeman awards on an annual basis at PSA TEC, continuing next year in Dallas!

As SSN Editor Paul Ragusa stated in his blog last week, the winners of the Integrator of the Year Awards are Cam-Dex Security Corporation from Kansas City, Kan.; Integrated Security and Communications from Millstone, N.J.; Integrated Protection Services (IPS) in Cincinnati, Ohio; and the Bill Bozeman Award Winner, LVC Companies from Minneapolis, Minn.! We will profile each of the award winners in upcoming issues of SSN.

Two road trips, two great security industry events! As Willie Nelson eagerly stated, “I just can’t wait to get on the road again!”