The Foundation for Advancing Security Technology (FAST) announced the winners of the inaugural Security Technician of the Year Awards. The program is said to underscore the indispensable role that security technicians play within the industry. 

FAST was created by ESA and SIA to promote careers in the physical security technology industry. FAST states: Security technicians form the backbone of the security industry. These essential employees are on the front lines, ensuring the meticulous design, installation, and maintenance of vital security systems that protect our communities. Their dedication and expertise ensure that our workplaces, homes, and nation remain secure. 

Recognizing these unsung heroes is not just an acknowledgment of their tireless work but also a testament to how pivotal they are in shaping the industry’s future. The accolade serves to bolster their professional growth, gain customer recognition, and inspire others to strive for excellence in their roles. 

“The security industry relies on technicians for much of the work that we do, and FAST is proud to recognize the tremendous talent in the industry with these awards,” said Aiden O’Brien, executive director of FAST. “These 10 Security Technicians of the Year consistently go above and beyond every day, and we are proud to share the great work that they do with the entire security industry.” 

The 2023 Security Technician of the Year Awardees are: 

Robert Rigdon
Project Lead Technician, Aktelecom LLC

Stephen Grossi
Senior Technician, Security Systems Unlimited 

Burl Howard
Lead Technician, Priority One Security 

Justin McCormack
Installation Technician, Security Pros 

Joshua Devan
Field Service Technician, Stealth Monitoring 

Dustin Fields
Lead Technician, Indiana Alarm 

Raffaello Lance
Security System Integrator, EMD LLC 

Robert Johnson
Installation Technician II, Everon 

Daniel Strickfaden
Service Technician I, Everon 

Trayer Rende
Managed Services Integration Technician, M3T Corp. 

“Having been deeply involved in the formation of the Security Technician of the Year Awards, I know the profound impact technicians have on our industry,” said stated John Nemerofsky, COO, SAGE Integration and vice chair of the FAST Board of Directors. “Their dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment deserve more than just our acknowledgment — they deserve our admiration. This award puts technicians in the spotlight and gives them the recognition they so rightly deserve.” 

To further recognize their achievements, the awardees will be honored during a ceremony at ISC East in New York City. The ceremony will be held on the Bridge Stage, 3:15-3:45 p.m., Nov. 15. To learn more about the award winners, go here.