ESA Presents Keith Baird with Honorary Lifetime Membership at ESX 2024

The Electronic Security Association (ESA), during its annual meeting at ESX 2024 presented Keith Baird with an honorary lifetime membership. This membership category is designed to honor an individual who has rendered meritorious service to the association and the industry. The association does not grant this honor lightly, in fact only nine other individuals have been honored in the past 75 years.

Recently retired, Baird’s career in the security industry began in 1984 when Ben Cornett hired him as the West Coast sales manager for Blue Grass Electronics, which was acquired in 1995 by ADEMCO (Pittway), itself then acquired in 2000 by Honeywell, and eventually spun off into Resideo. 

For 35+ years he led with class and by example, guiding and mentoring teams of young professionals that developed into future industry leaders. He worked tirelessly supporting associations including ESA, the Foundation for Advancing Security Talent (FAST), the Security Industry Alarm Coalition and the California Alarm Association (CAA) to name a few. 

Recruited by John Jennings to the board of directors of the Alarm Industry Research and Educational Foundation (now FAST), he served as treasurer and co-chaired the annual golf classic that was a critical fundraiser for the organization. 

His efforts advocating for participation and financial support of local, state, and national associations led to many industry accolades such as CAA Mark Schubert Award finalist (2004), CAA Mid-California Alarm/Silicon Valley Alarm Member of the Year (2004), CAA Mark Schubert Memorial Award finalist (2015) and the Security Sales & Integration Hall of Fame inductee in 2021. 

As a Lifetime Member, Baird can attend ESA meetings and events and shall have the right to vote on all matters brought before the Members.