Foundation for Advancing Security Talent Welcomes Eight New Members to the FAST Board of Directors

Eight security industry leaders join the expert group of security and life safety professionals in guiding FAST’s efforts to promote careers in the physical security technology industry.

DALLAS, Texas— The Foundation for Advancing Security Talent (FAST) has named eight new members to the FAST Board of Directors—an expert-led group drawn from the membership of the Security Industry Association (SIA), the Electronic Security Association (ESA) and PSA and that defines and refines FAST’s strategic plan, as well as the foundation’s annual goals.

The newly appointed members, named by SIA, ESA and PSA, are:

• Matt Barnette has been president and CEO of PSA since 2021 and is a seasoned veteran in the physical security industry with more than 30 years of experience in management and executive roles, including previously serving as president of Mercury Security and of AMAG Technology.
• Taylor Carr is president of Allied Universal Technology Services, one of the largest security systems integrators in the United States, and has more than 25 years of executive leadership and operational expertise in the security and technology services industry, including previously serving as executive vice president of Allied Universal Technology Services.
• Shaun Castillo is president of Preferred Technologies (Pref-Tech), where he leads a team of professionals dedicated to delivering integrated security, communications and life safety solutions. He joined Pref-Tech in 2005 after serving as an officer in the United States Army, where he completed a year of combat operations in Iraq.
• Angelo Faenza serves as general manager and head of digital access solutions at ASSA ABLOY. He has been with ASSA ABLOY since 2002 and leads efforts to provide expertise and knowledge on electronic access control technologies to help customers find the right solution and products for the specific needs of their facilities.
• Hilary Gallagher is chief operating and marketing officer at The Access Control Collective. She brings vast experience and a versatile amount of marketing skills, having previously held product, field and analyst marketing positions at Appirio, UniKey Technologies, Brivo and Copado.
• Wayne Smith is president of Tech Systems, where he leads the team in providing service-centric and converged security solutions to end users and Fortune 500 companies. He has over 23 years of experience in the IT and security industry, including previously serving in leadership roles at Synovus Financial Corporation and TSYS.
• Heather Torrey is general manager of commercial security, Americas, at Honeywell. Prior to her current role, she was the general manager of safety and productivity solutions, Pacific region.
• Tony Wilson, as one of the original founders of CMS, has played a central role in building the organization into one of the nation’s leading wholesale monitoring providers. Wilson has worked across all areas of the business throughout his tenure, assuming the role of president in 1991.

“FAST is proud to welcome Matt Barnette, Taylor Carr, Shaun Castillo, Angelo Faenza, Hilary Gallagher, Wayne Smith, Heather Torrey and Tony Wilson to the FAST Board of Directors,” said John Nemerofsky, chair of the FAST Board of Directors and chief operating officer at SAGE Integration. “This outstanding group of leaders brings deep leadership experience, impressive industry knowledge and a history of high-impact accomplishments, and we look forward to collaborating with them to strengthen our industry’s workforce development and drive forward FAST’s mission to connect individuals with meaningful careers in physical security and life safety.”

FAST is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization promoting careers in the physical security technology and life safety industry. Created in 2020 through a partnership of SIA and ESA— the industry’s leading associations—FAST connects passionate, innovative professionals with new opportunities in electronic security and life safety. The foundation brings awareness to the career advancement opportunities within the fast-paced technology industry that serves to keep people, places and property safe. Each year, FAST leads National Security Technician Day, held Jan. 23 annually and acknowledging and celebrating the invaluable contributions of security technicians.

FAST’s school and outreach programs, research and resources are funded by individual and organizational donations. You can donate to FAST here. Learn more about getting involved with FAST activities on the Partner With FAST page.

About FAST

The Foundation for Advancing Security Talent (FAST) is a 501(c)(3) organization that connects individuals with meaningful careers in the physical security and life safety industry. Created by the Electronic Security Association and the Security Industry Association, FAST helps students, job seekers and career changers learn about the industry, build skills and access real opportunities. FAST works with employers, partners and supporters to grow awareness, expand access to training and develop the workforce the industry needs.

About ESA

Established in 1948, ESA is the largest trade association in the United States representing the electronic security and life safety industry. Member companies install, integrate and monitor intrusion and fire detection, video surveillance and electronic access control systems for commercial, residential, industrial and governmental clients. ESA provides technical and management training, government advocacy and delivers information, advice, tools and services that members use to grow their businesses and prosper. Together, ESA member companies employ more than 500,000 industry professionals and serve more than 34 million residential and commercial clients.

About PSA

PSA is the world’s largest systems integrator consortium made up of the most progressive security and audio-visual systems integrators in North America. Combined, PSA members boast over 700 branch locations, employ over 13,500 industry professionals and are responsible for over $4.5 billion annually in security, fire, life safety and pro audio-visual installations. PSA’s mission is to elevate the industries we serve by providing owners and members exceptional education, networking, services and connections with technology partners. PSA brings this mission to life by partnering with industry-leading product and solution providers, delivering unparalleled education and training programs and offering a variety of distinctive services that can enhance any company’s operations.

About SIA

SIA is the leading trade association for global security solution providers, with over 1,600 innovative member companies representing thousands of security leaders and experts who shape the future of the security industry. SIA protects and advances its members’ interests by advocating pro-industry policies and legislation at the federal and state levels, creating open industry standards that enable integration, advancing industry professionalism through education and training, opening global market opportunities and collaborating with other like-minded organizations. As the premier sponsor of ISC Events expos and conferences, SIA ensures its members have access to top-level buyers and influencers, as well as unparalleled learning and network opportunities. SIA also enhances the position of its members in the security marketplace through SIA GovSummit, which brings together private industry with government decision makers, and Securing New Ground, the security industry’s top executive conference for peer-to-peer networking.