SIA names Joseph Grillo as honorary member

SILVER SPRING, Md.—The Security Industry Association (SIA) Executive Committee has named Joseph (Joe) Grillo as an honorary member.

Grillo – a security industry veteran, a longtime SIA member and the founder and former CEO of ACRE, LLC – is one of only five individuals to have received this honor, joining fellow honorary members Les Gold, Sandy Jones, Dave McGowan, and Scott Schafer. SIA will recognize Grillo at its Executive Reception taking place March 28 during ISC West.

Grillo is a 30-year electronic security and identification industry leader with a track record of successfully growing, acquiring, and restructuring businesses.  In 2012, he founded ACRE, LLC, as a platform to consolidate acquisitions in the electronic security industry. Since that time, Grillo completed nine acquisitions globally prior to retiring in May 2022.

“I want to thank and express my gratitude for being selected to win this lifetime honorary membership to the SIA organization. It is humbling to be placed alongside the distinguished ranks of past honorees – Les Gold, Sandy Jones, Scott Schafer, and Dave McGowan,” said Grillo. “I appreciate the recognition and want to thank everyone I’ve worked with over the years that have made being a part of this industry so rewarding.”

Prior to founding ACRE, Grillo was known for his long-term association with HID Global, serving as national sales manager in the early 1990s, then participating in a management buyout of the business in 1995 from Hughes Aircraft/General Motors. As president of HID, Grillo oversaw the company’s growth from a $15 million card and reader company to a dominant $100 million-plus industry leader by 2000. Grillo successfully led the effort to sell HID to ASSA ABLOY in 2001. At ASSA ABLOY, he was promoted to running the company’s $750 million Global Technology Division. He served as president and board member of SIA from 1998 to 2007.

“Joe has been an exceptionally strong force in the industry. It’s been my great pleasure to have worked with him starting goes over 30 years ago,” noted SIA Board of Directors Chair James Rothstein. “His creativity, hard work and integrity have helped him achieve great things in our industry, and it’s my honor to recognize him for his contribution over the years.”

“I’ve enjoyed working directly with Joe for the past seven years. I’ve known Joe for almost 30 years through industry events and partnerships,” added Kim Loy, SIA Board of Directors and Executive Committee member and former chief product officer for ACRE. “Joe has brought leadership, motivation, and guidance to many people, including myself, over the years. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this honor.”

Learn more about SIA’s honorary members here.