A Stronger Industry Starts with Us

By Jeremy Bates, Chairman, Electronic Security Association 

As I begin my term as Chairman of the Electronic Security Association, I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve this industry. We have an outstanding Board of Directors, dedicated volunteers, and an exceptional ESA staff, all working toward a common goal: helping our members build stronger companies. I’m excited about where we’re headed. 

Education Is an Investment in Our Future 

One area I’m particularly passionate about is education. Under Kevin Stone’s leadership, ESA has made significant investments in strengthening our educational programs. We’ve expanded our team, begun refreshing our training curriculum, and are creating new opportunities to help members develop both their businesses and their people. 

I’m especially excited about where we’re headed with ESA’s National Training School. ESA has already begun refreshing our certification programs with the launch of the redesigned CAT Level 1 course, and we plan to continue that work across our entire training portfolio. Our industry is evolving quickly, and our education needs to evolve with it. I want ESA to continue providing the best training available, helping companies develop skilled technicians, stronger leaders, and ultimately stronger businesses. The companies that embrace continuous learning today will be the companies leading our industry tomorrow. 

Learn from Others and Share What You Know 

Some of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned throughout my career came from conversations with other security professionals. Whether it was an idea shared after an ESX session, a discussion with another integrator facing similar challenges, or a best practice picked up through ESA, those experiences helped shape how we built our company. 

I’ve always believed in a simple philosophy: learn from others, then allow others to learn from you. When business owners openly share ideas, challenges, and successes, everyone benefits. That’s how stronger companies are built. That’s how better leaders are developed. And ultimately, that’s how we strengthen the entire electronic security and life safety industry. 

Engage with ESA 

That’s why I encourage every member to engage with ESA. Enroll your team in continued education programs. Join an Executive Management Professionals (EMP) Peer Group. Volunteer for a committee. Share your experiences. Ask questions. Bring members of your team to ESX. 

The value of membership grows exponentially when you choose to participate. Looking back at my own career, I can confidently say that ESA made our company better. The education helped us improve our business. The networking introduced us to lifelong friends and trusted advisors. The ideas we brought home helped us become a stronger organization, and I know many other companies have experienced the same thing. 

For those who aren’t yet members, I encourage you to take a closer look at what ESA has to offer. Beyond education and networking, members gain access to valuable business resources, advocacy efforts, insurance programs, and a community of professionals who genuinely want to see one another succeed. 

Building Together 

Perhaps most importantly, I encourage you to become part of the conversation. This association is built by members who are willing to share their knowledge and invest in the future of our industry. Every presentation, committee meeting, mentorship opportunity, and conversation contributes to something bigger than any one company. 

Over the next two years, my hope is that ESA continues to be a catalyst for growth, helping our members build stronger businesses, develop stronger teams, and prepare for the opportunities ahead. A stronger industry starts with all of us. I look forward to working alongside you as we continue learning, growing, and building that future together.