View from the Chair

Well, if you did not attend January’s meeting, you missed a class "A" presentation on Quality. If you are thinking to yourself, “been there done that” then you miss twice.

Bob Larson spoke about Quality from the position of a business executive who has had to live it, breathe it, and deliver it consistently for over 25 years in Corporate America. He clearly has a grasp of Quality Concepts and how they can be applied to Security and other Departments. Mr. Larson's presentation and biography will be available in the SFBA Chapter's new 'Speakers Bureau' section that we will be adding in the near future.

For those of you who might think Quality isn’t Rocket Science, you might have to rethink that thought. Mr. Larson began his career as a line foreman with Ford Aerospace Missile and Weapon Systems Division.

If you haven’t yet decided to attend February’s meeting, don’t miss the unique opportunity to speak with the experts on bombs and explosives. Tony Lavelle and Mike Wantz of DSS will be discussing the integration of bomb threat policies into your security plan as well as providing some mock bombs so you can see and feel what the most common types of bombs look like. They will also have a couple of their top “dog” employees available for demonstrations.

“DSS Executives encompass a lifetime of worldwide canine counter-terrorism expertise, safeguarding presidents, the Pope, airports, and highly secure special military installations,” states their website (www.dssbombdogs.com). They know their stuff and you may just find yourself “begging” for more.

I am having a little fun at Tony and Mike’s expense, but believe me I hold them and what they do in highest regard. I have had the occasion to meet these gentlemen personally and can say they don’t take themselves too seriously, but they do take their jobs very seriously.

I will be there and hope to see you there too.

One final thought, isn’t it appropriate that the Patriots should win the Super Bowl in these times of renewed patriotism and focus on homeland security? I was torn between the two teams because my husband is a Rams’ fan (second only to our mutually beloved Forty-Niners). But when the Patriots declined to announce their starting lineup individually and were to be presented as a team in the opening ceremony, I was completely won over.

ASIS is a team made up of all its members. Our “Whole” is stronger than the sum of our individual parts. I am a proud member of American Society for Industrial Security and proud that our legacy of American Pride and Security “Know How” began nearly 50 years ago.

Go Team ASIS

Your 2002 Chair,
Connie Vaughn