Commercial Integrator + Security Sales - January/February 2025 - 65

THE SECURITY INDUSTRY is always
changing, and four prominent integrators
say they expect a jolt this year and beyond
thanks to the election of President Trump,
the growth in the use of artifi cial intelligence
and customers' unquenchable
thirst for data and analytics.
The integrators were among those who
gathered in Tampa, Fla., for the annual
Resideo CONNECT event. During a highly
interactive roundtable discussion, they
touched on some of the hottest topics in
the industry and shared what they think
will happen across the space in the next
12-plus months.
What follows are highlights from that
conversation, during which the four
participants, who had never met each
other, became fast friends and perhaps
future collaborators on some high-profi le
security systems installations across the
U.S. and around the world.
Strengths and
Competitive Diff erentiators
People's Security Company, located in
Brainerd, Minn., delivers " peace of mind "
for its customers, most of which live in
high-end homes or are outfi tting their
second homes in the Land of 10,000
Lakes, says sales manager Jason Cave.
" This is the biggest investment some
people have, " he says.
Langston Security & Integration, LLC, in
Peoria, Ariz., meanwhile, prides itself on
being a " one-stop shop " for its customers,
most of which are commercial business
leaders, CEO Kristen Siqueiros says.
" If they worry about how to use their
technology, it takes them away from what
they do, " she says.
Siqueiros notes that it's everyone's
responsibility at Langston to make sure
customers' needs are always met.
" If the phone rings more than twice,
everyone is responsible for picking up
the phone, " she says, noting the company
has " always been built on word of mouth, "
meaning they pride themselves on a job
well done because it means it will lead
to more work from their neighbors and
beyond.
Fleenor Security in Johnson City, Tenn.,
" intentionally focus[es] on our culture, "
says
president
Will
Fleenor,
noting
the
'I'm
a torch bearer
for the company,
holding on to
the values that
have made us
successful.'
-Will Fleenor, president,
Fleenor Security
multi-generational family-run company
worked on its mission vision of values
about six or seven years ago and hasn't
stopped trying to perfect them since
launching the eff ort.
" I'm a torch bearer for the company,
holding on to the values that have made
us successful, " he says. Fleenor calls
Fleenor Security " a high-challenge,
high-support environment, " noting that
constant push for excellence helps when
it comes to recruiting and retaining
employees.
Protection Systems in High Point,
N.C., " treat[s] all employees like family, "
says president Chris Lohr, whose father
started the company in 1970 and whose
sister also is among its 25 employees. To
amplify the point, Lohr notes Protection
Systems has fi ve employees with more
than 25 years of experience there and a
dozen with 10-plus years in the fold.
With such a well-known company in
such a tight-knit community, Lohr knows
he can't hide - and he wouldn't want
to - if things go haywire with one of
Protection Systems' installations.
" People know where to fi nd me, " he
says.
The Donald Trump Eff ect
With Donald Trump having just launched
a second, non-consecutive, four-year
term as president as of Jan. 20, our
roundtable quartet expressed universal
optimism about the eff ect he'll have on
their businesses, citing his campaign
promises and policy focuses on his road
to the White House.
" Many small business owners are
optimistic, " says Fleenor. " You have to be
proactive [before Trump inherits the offi ce
from President Joe Biden] and prepare
for robust good health by having the right
systems, people, and processes in place. "
Cave noted the stock market and the
cryptocurrency sector both went up in the
immediate wake of Trump's election in
November. The new president is " putting
money into things that are important,
including school safety and border security, "
he adds, saying that those emphases
from the Oval Offi ce will help security
integrators get more work.
Siqueiros says Trump's strong personality
and ability to lead will trickle down
to business leaders and help to instill
confi dence in them and their customers.
" We know that 80% of running a business
is psychological, " she says. " People
will follow a person who's leading them. "
Siqueiros is also " excited to see how [U.S.
Health and Human Services secretary
designee Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.] will help
with healthcare policies. "
According to Siqueiros, Trump " has
a proven track record when it comes to
the economy and the supply chain. He
advocates for business, and we drive the
economy. "
Trump also " brought in [the National
Defense Authorization Act] during his
fi rst term, " adds Lohr.
With Trump winning a second,
non-consecutive presential term, " the
anxiety level starts to drop, " says Fleenor.
That's because, he declares, Trump is
considered " a pro-business president. "
January/February 2025 | Commercial Integrator+Security Sales & Integration
65
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