ESA Welcomes Industry Veteran Kevin Stone as New Incoming Chairman

The Electronic Security Association is proud to rank as the largest trade association in the U.S. representing the electronic security and life safety industry. Our member companies employ an impressive 500,000+ industry professionals that together serve over 34 million residential and commercial clients! ESA’s continued growth since its founding in 1948 is due in large part to the dedication and hard work of our leadership. Countless people have served on ESA’s Board as well as devoted their time serving on our various committees. The role of ESA Chairman is an especially important one in advancing our mission, and our industry, into the future, so we are very fortunate to welcome Kevin Stone as our Incoming ESA Chairman. 

With over 35 years of security industry experience, Stone serves as Chief Operating Officer of Doyle Security Systems. “Doyle has been a member of ESA for many years; we’re big believers in giving back to the industry,” he says. “John Loud encouraged me to become more involved with the Association and I started on the Board, then served as Treasurer, then Chairman of the Finance Committee, and now as Chairman.”  

Collaboration is key, and as Stone aptly states, “Together we can do so much more than we can individually. Every company has their own area of expertise and networking allows us all to benefit from each other.” He concedes that, in the beginning, it kind of surprised him that regardless of being competitors, everyone shared their knowledge with others. “It allowed Doyle to become a better company and me as an individual,” he says. “The relationships and the friendships that have been created I’ll cherish forever. Some of my best friends are in the industry. Over the years, countless people have taken the time to help me. We are a better company today because of others’ willingness to share.” 

Interestingly enough, before he joined the industry some 35 years ago, Stone worked in an entirely different arena – selling advertising space. “You really can’t guarantee results with that, but I could provide certainty to people selling them security cameras. And then you realize that you’re doing so much more – you’re helping secure people and make a difference.”  

Stone has continued to make a difference both in his work at Doyle and for the Association. When asked which accomplishments in both his professional career at Doyle and his work with ESA that he is most proud of, he replies “Doyle has one of the best cultures in the industry. I’ve been able to continue to maintain and grow that culture, which is something I’m really proud of. It’s part of the legacy I’ll leave behind at Doyle.” In terms of his work for ESA, he adds “I’m really proud of the security and life safety professionals that have joined our Board. I’m awestruck by the wealth of knowledge, talent, and expertise they bring to it. We’ve grown so much over the years, but there’s a lot we can still do.” 

As Incoming ESA Chairman, Stone has some goals for even further advancing the Association and the industry as a whole. Chief among them, he says, is “To create more awareness of ESA’s benefits. “We’re kind of an untold secret; some companies don’t fully realize all that we do and offer. They may know we offer training but may not know about the other member benefits and great educational sessions we offer. I want to help increase that awareness, build membership and get people to understand and utilze all the benefits we can provide. Alot of people are attracted to the insurance program and the savings from that can be in the thousands. But from there, they can also learn that there are so many other benefits we offer that they can take advantage of.”  

Serving as ESA Chairman is a commitment and one that Stone embraces without reservation. As Merlin Guilbeau, ESA’s Chief Executive Officer points out, “Kevin Stone is a veteran of the electronic security and life safety industry with a perspective that will be invaluable as Chairman. Since joining the Board, he has been a tremendous advisor to me and ESA. His vision, thoughtful counsel, and dedication to the Association creates a blueprint for how to build upon the legacy of ESA. We are grateful to Kevin’s family and Doyle Security for supporting him as he leads the Association for the next two years.” 

Given all of his industry experience and his service to ESA over the years, Kevin Stone is well prepared to take on the role of ESA’s new Chairman. Ours is an industry that continues to grow and, according to Fortune Business Insights, “The physical security market growth is primarily attributed to the increasing concern for public safety and critical infrastructure protection, rapid advancements in video surveillance, biometrics, analytics, and the integration of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT).” 

The Electronic Security Association continues to lead the way in uniting and educating security and life safety professionals into the future to stay well prepared to meet the ever-evolving challenges and demands needed to well serve this industry. Kevin Stone is up to the challenge. Asked what it means to him to be named the ESA’s new incoming Chairman, he says “It’s incredibly humbling. If you look at the previous leaders, it’s a very talented group and I hope to continue to grow the Association and provide increased benefits to members and the industry at large. I’d also like to collaborate with the other Associations to further advance our industry.” 

All of us at ESA welcome Kevin as our new Incoming Chairman and thank him so much for his dedication and service.