Tag: Alarm Detection Systems

FORT COLLINS, Colo.—Astute Financial Consulting, a security industry financial consulting firm and software developer of business reporting solutions, has announced the hiring of Amy Becker as senior vice president. Becker brings over 30 years of experience in the accounting/finance field, including her time as CFO with two NetOne affiliated companies. “We’re very excited to have Amy on board. Her collaborative leadership style, results-oriented work ethic, and extensive financial...

AURORA, Ill.—Did you know that Amy Becker, Chief Operating Officer, Alarm Detection Systems (ADS), had a grandfather who was killed in the Battle of Iwo Jima? Or that she plays guitar in her church band? Find out more about Becker’s hobbies, her thoughts on what she likes most about the security industry, and more. Are you married? Any kids? I have been married for 27 years to Keith, a Navy Vietnam veteran. We have one son, Gus, who is 26 years old. What are some of your hobbies?...

YARMOUTH, Maine—Alarm Detection Systems, Inc. (ADS) is a family-owned alarm company that has protected homes and businesses for more than 50 years. Based out of Aurora, Illinois, ADS is led by Founder and CEO Bob Bonifas, whose company provides electronic security and fire safety services to businesses and residential customers in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Colorado. Bonifas started ADS in the basement of his father’s grocery store in Aurora in the late 1960s. With a mantra of providing...

AURORA, Ill.—Bob Bonifas, Founder and CEO of Alarm Detection Systems, Inc. (ADS), is pleased to announce the appointment of Amy Becker as Chief Operating Officer (COO), effective immediately. As COO, Becker will oversee the company's day-to-day operations, which includes responsibility for all of the functions at the Illinois and Colorado locations. "Amy brings proven leadership both within the alarm industry and at ADS,” said Bonifas. “She has worked tirelessly alongside...

AURORA, Ill.—50 years ago, Bob Bonifas got started in the security industry with a Dictograph Security Systems franchise here, with the name Alarm Detection Systems.Prior to joining the security industry, Bonifas managed a grocery business and got his first taste of security when putting in a security system at a tavern across the street from the store.“We started out in Aurora. Having been in the grocery business, I was a businessman and new a lot of the business people. So, I focused...

AURORA, Ill.—In its biggest acquisition in 47 years, Alarm Detection Systems has acquired Safe Systems, a residential and commercial security business in Louisville, Colo.The buy expands the company's territory outside of the Midwest for the first time, adds more than 10,000 accounts to Alarm Detection's existing 30,000 and more than $500,000 to its previous RMR of $2.3 million, Ed Bonifas, EVP of Alarm Detection Systems, told Security Systems News.The two companies' central stations will stay...

CHICAGO—Alarm monitoring organizations, including CSAA and IESA, are rallying the industry to vote on two motions at the NFPA's annual meeting, scheduled to take place June 25.“What's happening in Chicago is that some of these communities are operating their own monitoring centers. … This [motion would change the NFPA code and] enable that community to have an effective monopoly on alarm monitoring,” Kevin Lehan, executive director for the Illinois Electronic Security Association...

The alarm monitoring industry is taking notice of the NFPA. There are two motions proposed for vote at NFPA's meeting this year that could have a serious impact on the industry. This pair of motions directly refers to the NFPA 72 Nation Fire Alarm and Signaling Code, which, in the current draft of the 2016 edition states that listed central stations can be used for fire alarm monitoring. A group based in northern Illinois opposes this language, and seeks to alter it, giving local municipalities more...

John Spooner, executive VP for Alarm Detection Systems, based in Aurora, Ill., has been in the industry for 28 years. Spooner rose from service technician, to installation manager, service manager then to EVP of operations. Four years ago Spooner was appointed to his current role. In February, he talked with Security Systems News about the system he has at home.What kind of system do you have?I have a Honeywell VISTA-21ip with Tuxedo keypads. It's a graphic touch, it also has a web browser built...

AURORA, Ill.—Alarm Detection Systems, based here, is seeking to strengthen its executive team by promoting six people to new roles.“Of the individuals that are being promoted … a lot of them are on the monitoring side, and [that] has to do with account growth,” John Schwartz, marketing director for ADS, told Security Systems News.In 2013 the company listed about 27,000 accounts, split evenly between residential and commercial. The company has grown since, he said.These new positions...