Security Industry Association Names Brett Feddersen, Gene Fullano and John Steele as 2026 Industry Advocate of the Year Awardees

Feddersen, Fullano and Steele were recognized for their outstanding leadership and support of SIA’s government relations initiatives at Security Hill Day.

SILVER SPRING, Md.—The Security Industry Association (SIA) has named Brett Feddersen, Gene Fullano and John Steele as the 2026 recipients of the SIA Industry Advocate Award. The 2026 awardees will be recognized during SIA’s Security Hill Day event.

The SIA Industry Advocate Award recognizes SIA member volunteers for their extraordinary contributions of professional time, leadership and resources to position SIA and its members to address the public policy challenges impacting the security industry. 

Brett Feddersen is the vice president for strategy and governmental affairs at D-Fend Solutions, where he leads the company’s strategy, public policy and government relations and engages with U.S. government branches, policymakers and regulators. Previously, he was the CEO of Feddersen Group, which specialized in national security and government relations, and the president of AcceleratUM, which focused on advancing uncrewed mobility and aviation security. Before entering the private sector, Feddersen held key senior executive service roles in the U.S. government, including leadership positions with the Federal Aviation Administration, the U.S. Department of Defense and at the White House. He previously served as an aviation and intelligence officer in the U.S. Army and as a Pennsylvania state trooper. He holds a B.S. from Geneva College, an M.S. from Duquesne University, an executive certificate in legislative affairs from Georgetown University and an executive certificate in public policy from Harvard University.

Feddersen serves as chair of the SIA Drone Security Subcommittee, where he leads the group’s  efforts to educate about available counterdrone technologies and appropriate training and give authorities options to mitigate uncrewed aircraft system (UAS) attacks. Under his leadership, the subcommittee has issued guidance on how to spot a drone, the complexities of addressing hostile drone threats and the need for legislative changes to help prevent domestic drone attacks and advocated for legislation to address the threats to public safety and infrastructure posed by the misuse of drones. Feddersen has spoken at SIA GovSummit on topics related to counter-UAS and safeguarding sensitive environments in the era of hostile drone threats.  

“As the drone landscape evolves from a niche technology to a critical component of modern infrastructure, the work of the SIA Drone Security Subcommittee has never been more vital. Our members bridge the gap between rapid aerial innovation and the rigorous security standards required to protect people and assets,” said Feddersen. “By collaborating with industry leaders, policymakers, and Congress, we are not just reacting to the risks of today—we are defining the framework for a safer, more resilient airspace for tomorrow.”

Gene Fullano is the senior director of government affairs at Motorola Solutions. He previously served as legal counsel at the U.S. House of Representatives, Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee Communications and Technology, and prior to that worked for 14 years at the Federal Communications Commission within leadership of the Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau. Fullano’s earlier career included work at the firms Nixon Hargrave, Devans & Doyle and Schiff Hardin & Waite. Fullano holds a J.D. from the Catholic University of America, as well as master’s and bachelor’s degrees from Loyola College.

Fullano’s engagement with SIA includes previously serving as chair of the SIA Government Relations Committee for three years, where he helped SIA and its members navigate complex and critical issues surrounding data privacy, artificial intelligence and biometrics. Under his leadership, the committee created critical resources like SIA’s guides to federal grant opportunities and school security funding. Fullano has been actively involved in SIA’s efforts to ensure the availability of spectrum for the critical services the industry provides and advocacy around the responsible and effective use of innovative technologies.

 “Security is essential to the protection of our nation’s businesses, communities and critical infrastructure,” said Fullano. “I thank SIA for this honor and recognition and for the opportunity to engage on the government relations initiatives and issues that matter most to our industry.”

John Steele has more than 30 years of government, association and private-sector experience and currently serves as the senior director of government relations for Johnson Controls, where he leads the state legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts for the world leader in building products, technologies, software and services. He held the same position at Tyco International prior to its merger with Johnson Controls. Previously, Steele handled state government relations for the American Beverage Association, and before that role he served as a communications director for members of Congress and on political campaigns. Steele holds journalism and political science degrees from Rutgers University.

Steele is a longstanding active member of SIA’s Government Relations Committee, and his leadership and direction was the catalyst for SIA’s government relations team developing a robust state and local advocacy program. He has been a strong advocate for SIA and encouraged other members to take coordinated action on state-level policy issues for the good of the security industry as a whole. His efforts have helped SIA achieve many successful legislative outcomes on a wide range of issues involving government procurement rules, school safety, right-to-repair policies, artificial intelligence, biometrics and more.

“I’m honored to receive the SIA Industry Advocate award.  I have worked with SIA for more than 20 years, and it has been a productive and rewarding partnership,” said Steele. “SIA has excelled at advocating for the industry and protecting its members’ ability to freely sell and service their products across the country. I am proud to have contributed to that success. Looking to the future, I know SIA will meet every challenge and maximize every opportunity.” 

“SIA is proud to honor Brett Feddersen, Gene Fullano and John Steele with the 2026 SIA Industry Advocate Awards,” said SIA CEO Don Erickson. “Brett, Gene and John’s deep experience and knowledge have been instrumental as SIA navigates the complexities of issues like drone security, emerging technologies, critical infrastructure protection, school safety and government procurement and advocates on behalf of our members and the broader industry. We thank them for their leadership and the valuable support, expertise and time they have contributed to SIA’s government relations efforts and to helping shape policy development and look forward to further collaboration with them to advance SIA’s government relations efforts.”

SIA presented the Industry Advocate Awards at Security Hill Day, a unique executive event created to help raise the collective voice of the security industry with members of Congress and their staff. At this executive event produced by SIA and the Electronic Security Association and held March 4–5 in Washington, D.C., attendees accessed high-level briefings from key contacts in Congress about significant issues facing their business and customers, including school security, artificial intelligence, tax policies, telecommunications, funding that supports solutions deployment and key federal incentives for businesses to attract and keep employees, and had the opportunity to connect  with government officials responsible for crafting these policies. 

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.