Recognizing a Lifetime of Service: ESA Honors Volunteers with Lifetime Membership

At the heart of the Electronic Security Association (ESA) lies a simple but powerful truth: Our greatest strength is our people. The volunteers who give their time, talents, and passion to this association shape the future of electronic security and life safety industry in lasting ways. That’s why ESA’s Lifetime Membership is more than a title. It’s a reflection of profound gratitude for those whose commitment has helped define our mission and elevate our profession. 

Why Lifetime Membership Matters 

Lifetime Membership is reserved for individuals who have dedicated themselves not only to their own success but to the success of others in the electronic security and life safety industry. These are the leaders who have driven critical initiatives, mentored emerging talent, advanced professional standards, and spoken up on behalf of the industry when it mattered most. 

This recognition is more than ceremonial—it affirms ESA’s culture of service and excellence. By honoring retiring volunteers with Lifetime Membership, ESA sends a clear message: dedication is valued, impact is remembered, and leadership through service is the cornerstone of progress. As we invest in the next generation, we must also honor those who paved the way. 

In 2025, ESA is proud to recognize three remarkable individuals whose contributions have left a legacy. 

James “Jamie” Orvis 

Jamie Orvis’s service to the industry began in 1987 with the Connecticut Burglar & Fire Alarm Association and quickly expanded to the national stage through his work with ESA (then NBFAA). Over the years, Jamie served in numerous leadership roles, including Vice President of the Executive Committee and Chair of key committees such as Marketing & Communications and Chartered State Association Relations. 

Jamie’s 15-year tenure as Treasurer for the Alarm Industry Research & Educational Foundation (AIREF) helped raise over $1.1 million through the AIREF Golf Classic, fueling industry research and education. He was named ESA’s Morris F. Weinstock Person of the Year in 2009 and served as President of Security Solutions in Norwalk, CT until his retirement in 2024. 

His decades of advocacy, innovation, and leadership set a high bar for industry engagement—and his Lifetime Membership reflects the depth of his impact. 

Charles “Dom” D’Ascoli 

Dom D’Ascoli has spent his career not only building a successful business, SMS Integration, but also advancing the industry through tireless volunteerism. From his early leadership in the North Carolina Burglar & Fire Alarm Association to his service as ESA President from 2010 to 2012, Dom’s work has been marked by a focus on education, engagement, and national advocacy. 

He contributed his expertise to the AIREF board and served on the board of Security America Reassurance Group, ESA’s insurance company. Named ESA’s Weinstock Person of the Year in 2013, Dom’s leadership has touched nearly every corner of the industry. 

Now retired, Dom receives Lifetime Membership in recognition of a career rooted in service and defined by meaningful progress. 

C.J. “Stan” Martin 

Stan Martin’s influence on the security industry spans nearly 40 years. Starting as a volunteer in 1987, Stan later served as Executive Director of the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association. His leadership during the deregulation crisis of the 1990s helped secure an historic seven-year ban on RBOC alarm service entry, protecting fair competition and consumer choice. 

His organizational leadership and tireless commitment quickly set him apart, earning him the 1989 Sara E. Jackson Memorial Award for outstanding committee leadership. The following year, he received ESA’s highest honor, the Morris F. Weinstock Person of the Year Award. 

Stan also pioneered efforts to reduce unnecessary alarm dispatches, ultimately serving more than two decades as Executive Director of the Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC). His work shaped the development of Enhanced Call Verification and key ANSI standards. 

In 2024, ESA established the Stan Martin Excellence in Advocacy Award—a tribute to his unwavering dedication and ethical leadership. His Lifetime Membership is a well-earned acknowledgment of a legacy that continues to guide industry best practices and public safety advocacy. 

A Lasting Legacy 

As these three individuals’ step into retirement, their contributions do not fade—they form the foundation on which the next era of ESA is built. By recognizing them with Lifetime Membership, ESA not only honors their accomplishments but sets a standard for all volunteers: that passion, integrity, and service are the building blocks of true leadership. 

In celebrating Jamie Orvis, Dom D’Ascoli, and Stan Martin, ESA celebrates the spirit of volunteerism itself—and recommits to lifting up those who give back so generously to our industry and our future.