Members of the Electronic Security Association (ESA) recently voted for several open positions on its board of directors.

The purpose of a director on the ESA board is to work collectively as a team to provide good governance of ESA affairs and to set direction to optimize the growth and performance of the organization. Each board member has a responsibility for ensuring strategies and policies that are developed, discussed, and implemented will enable the organization to achieve its mission and vision, and to monitor the organization’s implementation of those strategies and policies.

In accordance with the recently amended and adopted ESA Bylaws, one (1) National Company Director, three (3) Integrator and one (1) associate member director positions were open for two-year terms.

Voting opened on April 29, 2024, and concluded May 24, 2024. In accordance with the ESA bylaws, all current ESA members were eligible to vote for all open positions on the board. Balloting was conducted electronically through a third-party platform that maintained election integrity and security.

At the conclusion of balloting the following candidates were declared the winners of this election and will be inducted onto the ESA board of directors in July: 

National Company Director (Two-year term)

Doug Bassett, executive director connectivity ops licensing and compliance, Comcast Xfinity Home, Philadelphia, Pa.

Bassett has served on the board of directors since 2022 and is the executive director of licensing and field compliance for Comcast’s XFNITY Home Security. Directing programs, policies, and practices to ensure the company’s compliance with all applicable low voltage licenses and permit requirements. He maintains a thorough understanding of current and emerging federal, state, and/or local licensing laws and permitting requirements governing the installation and service of alarm monitoring and communication products.

An industry professional with forty years of leadership experience including management of installation, service, sales, and licensing of local, regional, and national activity. His scope of work and experience includes security, commercial fire, access control, CCTV, and sound in the residential, commercial, new construction, industrial, and governmental applications. Bassett was appointed by Florida Governor Rick Scott in June 2016 to the Florida Electrical Contractors Licensing Board, he has served as the chairman since 2018.

“It is truly an honor to be of service to our industry and the Electronic Security Association,” Bassett said. “I sincerely appreciate the confidence of our members and their continued support, thank you."

Integrator Director (Two-year term)

Randall Renfroe, president /CEO – Allstate Security Industries, Inc., Amarillo, Texas

Renfroe has served on the board of directors since 2023 and has had a distinguished career with ASI, starting in 2007 as a uniform division security officer and patrol officer for the first two years. He demonstrated exceptional leadership skills and was soon promoted to a position at the monitoring station manager in 2009. Renfroe played a crucial role in the remodeling of the ARC and reorganizing of the department which helped to improve the overall operations of the organization.

He then moved into procurement, where he implemented significant changes and improvements, and subsequently transitioned to the technical division. Renfroe progressed through the ranks in the technical division, starting as a technician and eventually becoming the service/installation manager. His performance and leadership skills led to his promotions to chief operating officer and vice president, and to the position of president.

“It's an honor to have been chosen to be on the ESA board of directors again and I can't thank everyone enough for the support,” Renfroe said.

Neil Atha, president, Atronic Alarm, Lenexa, Kan.

With over 16 years of experience in the electronic security industry, Atha has been integral in the growth of Atronic. With Atha at the helm, Atronic has grown from a single location with thirty-five employees to more than one hundred employees spanning across Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. 

Prior to joining Atronic in 2011, Atha spent three years as a regional account manager for a Dallas-based national security integrator. During that time, he gained extensive knowledge of commercial estimating and system design, including fire alarm, cameras, access control and intrusions systems. 

While maintaining a diversity of business and personal interests, Atha concentrates most of his efforts towards continuously improving the quality of products and services delivered by Atronic. Daily he oversees the management team, strategizes growth opportunities, acquisitions, coordinates marketing initiatives and develops company policies.

 Atha holds a B.S. in Economics from Southern Methodist University and is a lifelong Kansas City Chiefs fan. He is the president of the Kansas City Burglar and Fire Alarm Association, treasurer for the Electronic Security Association of Missouri and is on the Board of the Kansas City Crime Stoppers and the Foundation for Advancing Security Talent. He is also an active member of Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO) of Kansas City. Atha is a licensed pilot and enjoys flying his wife, Amy, and his three children around the country.

“I am honored to join the Electronic Security Association's board of directors,” Atha said. “ As a second-generation security business professional, I am committed to building on our legacy of innovation and trust. I look forward to working with my colleagues to support ESA's mission of providing resources, education, advocacy, and connections for professionals in the electronic security and life safety industry.”

Scott Elkins, CEO, Zeus Fire & Security, Paoli, Pa. 

Scott R. Elkins is CEO of Zeus Fire & Security, a network of leading fire and security providers. Zeus’ footprint includes Alert Alarm of Hawaii, Independent Alarm of New Jersey, PASS Security of Missouri, SMG Security of Illinois, and UAS of Pennsylvania. Elkins is the former owner and a 30-plus-year employee of UAS, a national provider of fire and security services in a wide variety of vertical markets including restaurants, retail, and outdoor equipment yards. Zeus maintains two monitoring centers including the 2021 TMA SMB Monitoring Center of the Year at UAS in Paoli, PA and an additional monitoring center in Honolulu, HI. 

Elkins is also the chairman of the board for NetOne, a network combining the thirty-nine “Best of the Best” independently owned security companies from across North America and has been on the NetOne Board for over 15 years. In addition, Elkins was the principal inventor of United States Patent No. 7,155,739: “Method and system for secure registration, storage, management and linkage of personal authentication credentials data over a network.” Elkins studied at Villanova University and earned a Master of Science degree in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania.

Associate Director (Two-year term)

Dean Belisle, national sales trainer, DMP – Digital Monitoring Products, Springfield, Miss.

Belisle has served on the board of directors since 2023 

Belisle has been active in the electronic Security & Fire Alarm Industry for over 40 years. He started early as a technician and then co‐founded his own successful security and life safety business. He has extensive experience in front‐line sales, sales training, program development and he has a unique ability to custom‐fit solutions to your specific needs.

He is recognized by many as an expert in the electronic Security & Fire Alarm Industry. He has been often quoted in the press and featured on the SDM magazine cover. He has consulted with legislators on the state and federal level, Michigan State Police, the Governor’s Office, Michigan Association of Chief’s of Police, and the Detroit Police Department. Dean has also served the industry as president of the Burglar & Fire Alarm Association of Michigan; a position he held for a total of 20 years.

Throughout his professional career, Belisle has mentored, trained, and spoken to thousands of the security industries’ best and brightest — sharing his insight and experience in the areas of sales, marketing, RMR creation and growth. He considers these efforts to be one of his professional life’s best achievements to date.

“Law enforcement has a motto they live by 'Protect and Serve,'” Belisle said. “I have adopted a similar motto in representing the Security & Life Safety industry... Protect and Promote. Protect this great industry from all threats to its integrity and professionalism. Promote the incredible safety and value we provide each day. I believe that being a member of this amazing industry is both a privilege and a responsibility.”

“Congratulations to the new Board of Directors. This year, we had a contested election, meaning that we had more candidates running for the associate’s position that we had vacancies to fill. In fact, five were running with only one open slot available. Congratulations to Dean Belisle, the incumbent for being reelected-and congrats to all new board members, and people who ran for election,” Kirk MacDowell said.