2007 20 Under 40

08.2007

This month, Security Systems News unveils its first ever "20 under 40" special section, designed to profile young and talented individuals who are making an impact on what is generally agreed to be an aging and traditional markeplace. The phenomenon isn't unique to the security industry, but the looming retirement of the Baby Boomers has created a talent vacuum, and the security industry is in competition with many other tech-heavy markets for the best and brightest young workers. Particularly, workers with IT training and skills are in demand as the security industry, like others, moves into an IP-driven world. Sam Vinicur, vice president at industry recruiting and consulting firm Total Search Solutions, hears about it every day. Security companies are "looking for IT-like, not a pure IT play," he said, which can further complicate attracting talent. "Hiring authorities say, 'We need somebody with IT experience, but they need security experience as well.'" Further, as a traditional and relatively small industry, filled with a number of family-run businesses, "It is sometimes difficult for the younger or out-of-industry candidate to assimilate into the security world," Vinicur noted. "The question most often becomes: Who is mentoring and coaching these younger players?"  Despite these obstacles, however, a number of younger people hold important positions in the industry and it seems that more each day are opening businesses, being promoted and making their presences felt. The 20 people we've profiled here, culled from a list of roughly 150 candidates, all of them nominated by third parties, are all working for security installation and integration firms or third-party monitoring centers, those places where the industry meets the mainstream world. They collectively represent the new face of the industry, so we thought we'd show you their faces.

Rob Rene, 39
Vice president, Portland operations, EYESthere

Rob Rene felt an urgency to somehow make the world a little safer. It was out of that need that he became involved in the security industry. He is now the vice president of Portland, Ore.-based digital video security installation firm, EYESthere, which has begun franchising nationally.

Rene is pleased with his role in helping people feel safe: "To work in the security industry has been a blessing because you are really protecting people and empowering them at the same time. This is the time to do it."

Rick Rene, Rob's brother and the chief executive officer at EYESthere, wrote to Security Systems News about his brother's successful marketing campaign. Using a word-of-mouth approach, "Rob has transformed the digital video security market overnight in Portland. EYESthere has become the dominant player in CCTV through an aggressive approach in marketing that leverages customers who will talk," says Rick.

Prior to his work at EYESthere, Rene sold enterprise security software. He saw an opportunity to operate a company that prided itself on security system installations, as well as on reputable customer service that generated a buzz.

"At EYESthere we're trying to revolutionize the security industry and trying to create a national solutions provider for high-quality digital video security installations," Rene says. "We don't see that anywhere in the marketplace. There are people that sell hardware and large companies that will sell any kind of security equipment, but very little that we've been able to find nationally that can do a full-service installation and be a true service provider."

Looking toward the future, Rene is confident the security industry is in good shape. According to him, Playstations and Nintendos may not a waste of time for kids after all.

"With increasing computer networks and kids that grow up playing video games," he says. "I think there are a lot of kids who have grown up in the computer world who would make a natural fit in the future of the security industry." --Angelique Carson