The Security Industry Association (SIA) announced that Ric McCullough, president, PSA Security Network, has been appointed as the first chairman of the SIA Executive Council. Additionally, Chris Peckham of Ollivier Corporation has been selected to become the new chair of the SIA Education and Training Committee.

Established in 2017, the SIA Executive Council is a panel of security industry thought leaders from SIA member companies that was formed in 2017. It serves as a forum in which members offer input into how market developments influence SIA’s strategy and key initiatives and make recommendations to the SIA Board of Directors regarding ways to increase member value.

The SIA Education and Training Committee helps build a qualified workforce by identifying and creating learning, training and career development opportunities for security professionals. Its offerings include instructor-led training, online education, scholarship programs, educational conferences, forums and instructional materials and resources.

McCullough, who became a member of the PSA Security Executive Management team in 2012, has more than three decades of operations, sales and customer service leadership experience. He was vice president of sales and customer service and later Chief Operating Officer at PSA and previously worked for Amazon and IDenticard Systems.

 “I am honored and really excited to have the opportunity to chair the SIA Executive Council,” said McCullough, who has been a member of the council since October 2019. “It is a privilege to help a distinguished panel of business leaders identify ways to grow the security industry.”

Peckham, who holds a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from New Jersey Institute of Technology and an MBA from Rutgers University, brings extensive technical and industry knowledge to the position. Before joining Ollivier as the company’s director of operations, he served as chief operating officer for Building Intelligence and senior vice president and chief technology officer for Kratos Public Safety & Security Solutions.

“As security technology rapidly evolves, SIA – especially the Education Committee – has a critical role in helping the workforce stay current with knowledge and skills,” Peckham said. “I’m looking forward to working with committee members and SIA staff to bring the industry together through high-quality educational programs that draw people and topics from across the various segments of the association’s membership.”

SIA CEO Don Erickson said McCullough is an “ideal fit” to be Executive Council chairman.

“Ric is known for his exceptional business acumen and collaborative style within the industry,” Erickson said. “The Executive Council has made valuable contributions to SIA during the past three years, and Ric will further elevate its value to as a key advisory body on behalf of the SIA membership to our Board.”

Erickson lauded Peckham’s strong qualifications and long history of volunteering with the association.

“Chris has made many valuable contributions to multiple SIA initiatives in the past and he is someone we look to for insights into emerging technologies and industry trends. We are honored to welcome him to this leadership role,” Erickson said. “His experience and commitment to the industry will enable the Education and Training Committee to deliver additional compelling and relevant educational offerings to our members.”

McCullough’s chairmanship became effective on Sept. 21 through an appointment by SIA Chairman Pierre Trapanese. Peckham replaces James Marcella, director, industry associations, for Axis Communications, who served as chairman for four and a half years. Marcella was honored with the SIA Committee Chair of the Year Award in 2018.