Board of Directors

Chairman

Brian Duffy

Board member since 2015

CEO, Per Mar Security Services

Brian Duffy is the CEO of Per Mar Security Services in Davenport, IA. Founded in 1953 by Brian’s grandparents, John and Eleanor Duffy, Brian and his brother Brad are now the 3rd generation of Duffy family leadership, recently taking over from their father, Michael Duffy. Per Mar Security is the largest, full-service security provider in the Midwest, serving over 50,000 customers in 7 states and employing over 2500 people.

Brian graduated from University of Notre Dame with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics in 2009 and then began his career with Capital One Financial in Richmond, Virginia. He began his full-time career with Per Mar as a General Manager in the Cedar Rapids market in July of 2012, and then increased his responsibility in July of 2013 leading both the Quad Cities and Cedar Rapids branch offices. He became President of Electronic Security in December of 2014.

Brian is an active member of numerous security associations locally and nationally. He is active in several organizations in the Cedar Rapids and Quad Cities areas, including the Notre Dame Club of the Quad Cities. Brian is Chairman of the Board for Junior Achievement of the Heartland and Finance Officer for the Iowa Chapter of Young Presidents’ Organization.

Treasurer

Tim Westphal

Board Member Since 2023

CEO, Bay Alarm

As a third-generation family owner, Tim grew up in the alarm industry and learned about the business from an early age. After receiving his undergraduate degree from Whittier College and working in the telecom and internet industries, Tim started his career with Bay Alarm. He spent time in the field as an installer and service technician, as well as working shifts in the company’s in-house monitoring center. He later moved to Southern California to open the first office in Bay Alarm’s expansion throughout the west.  

After moving back to the Bay Area, Tim earned his MBA from St. Mary’s College of California and deepened his focus running all aspects of the business. After many years in various leadership positions, he became Chief Executive Officer of Bay Alarm. 

Today, Tim is active in the security industry and serves on several boards and committees, including as past president of the California Alarm Association. He is currently involved with The Monitoring Association and NetOne.

After many years of playing lacrosse—including time playing in Australia—Tim enjoys coaching and volunteering with Bay Area lacrosse clubs. He spends his free time mountain biking, surfing, and enjoying the outdoors. He and his wife of 20+ years, Bentley enjoy traveling and supporting their three kids with their sports and activities.

Secretary

Mike Meridith

Board Member since 2009

CEO, Security Equipment Inc (SEi)

Mike is the CEO of Security Equipment Inc (SEi) headquartered in Omaha, NE. with branch offices serving the Midwest. Mike has been with SEI since 1994, has held many different positions in the company and was named CEO in 2025.  Mike serves on the board for the Central Station Alarm Association and the Heart Ministry Center, which is a food pantry and clothing shelter for the needy in Omaha.  Mike and his wife, Lisa, have two children, Shea and Colton, to keep them busy at home. In his spare time Mike enjoys reading, golfing and hunting.

Director

Melissa Brinkman

Board Member since 2026

CEO, Custom Alarm

Melissa Brinkman grew up in Rochester and is a graduate of Lourdes High School, and the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Melissa started her career in the security industry after moving back to Rochester in December 1998. Before Custom Alarm, Melissa spent several years in various management positions in the hospitality industry. The decision to relocate back to where Melissa grew up was based on the desire to find a good community in which to raise a family, Rochester was a natural choice.

Since starting in the ‘family’ business in 1998, Melissa has held several positions within Custom Alarm from marketing, to sales manager, business development director, and customer services manager. Most recently she was Chief Operating Officer before Leigh J. Johnson, founder and CEO at the time, announced his retirement and Melissa’s promotion to CEO in February 2014. In the 15 years leading up to her promotion she moved throughout various departments and was committed to learning as much as possible about the security industry and Custom Alarm with a focus on taking care of the customer.

Melissa serves on the boards of directors for Spark, Rochester Area Economic Development Inc. (RAEDI), Think Bank, and the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce. She also has served as an advisor with some security industry manufacturers and is on the Board for ESA. Melissa previously served on the boards of directors of the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce and served as board chair, Olmsted Medical Center Board of Trustees, Lourdes Foundation Inc. (LFI), Sales Tax Extension Steering Committee, Journey to Growth, Minnesota Children’s Museum. United Way Emerging Leaders, and the United Way Campaign Cabinet.

Melissa received the Mayor’s Medal of Honor- Community-Wide Service in 2013, was recognized as 10 Who Make a Difference in 2012, Rochester Chamber Volunteer of the Year 2008 and named as one of the 5 Extraordinary Women by Rochester Women Magazine in 2009.

In her spare time, Melissa enjoys going to concerts, traveling, photography and spending time with her two kids.

Director

Scott R. Elkins

Board Member Since 2004

CEO, Zeus Fire & Security

Scott R. Elkins is CEO of Zeus Fire & Security, provider of the most technologically advanced fire and security solutions in the industry. Established in 2022, Zeus formally launched with Alert Alarm Hawaii, SMG Security, Chicago, and UAS, Philadelphia and National Accounts. Since then, Zeus has added strategic hubs in Independent Alarm, New Jersey, PASS Security, St. Louis, and Martin Systems, Inc., Wisconsin. Elkins is the former owner and a 30-plus-year employee of UAS, a national provider of integrated security services that protects more than $15 billion in commercial and residential assets. A recognized security industry leader, Elkins developed successful new business models to introduce and implement technology products and services. He created the UAS National Accounts Division, a business unit that grew substantially by leveraging its unique centralized management structure. Under Elkins’ leadership, the UAS National Accounts Division developed strategic business relationships by targeting a wide variety of vertical markets, including food service providers, convenience stores, and retailers.

A board member of The Constitutional Walking Tour of Philadelphia and former Chairman of Valley Forge Educational Services, Elkins also co-founded Catavault and served on its Advisory Board. He was a principal inventor of United States Patent No. 7,155,739: “Method and system for secure registration, storage, management and linkage of personal authentication credentials data over a network.” Scott studied at Villanova University and earned a Master of Science degree in Organizational Dynamics from the University of Pennsylvania. Elkins and his family reside in Wayne, Pa.

Director

Alan Gillmore IV

Board Member Since 2019

President, Gillmore Security Systems

Alan serves as President of Gillmore Security Systems, a third-generation family business headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio. Alan joined Gillmore Security in 2002 and has worked in many capacities including sales, operations and executive leadership. Alan’s current role as President focuses him on strategic design and implementation, enterprise control and acquistion initiatives.

Alan graduated from Miami University in 2000 with his B.S. in Business and a minor in International Business. After graduating, Alan went on to join McDonald Investments as an analyst focused on marketing investment banking products to the financial sponsor community. In 2002 Alan left McDonald to join his family’s business, Gillmore Security. After four years of developing direct sales experience, Alan returned for his MBA from the Weatherhead School of Management with concentrations in Strategy and Finance.

Alan has appeared and has been quoted in several national and local publications like Crain’s Cleveland Business, Inside Business Magazine, Smart Business and Security Systems News for his knowledge about the security industry. He has also received SSN’s 20 under 40 award, the Smart Business Northeast Ohio Smart 50 Award and has been featured in the Inside Business One to Watch column. Alan currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Monitoring Association (Treasurer) as well as the NetOne Corporation and serves on the Board of Advisors for Acroment Technologies and Habitec Security.

Director

Pamela J. Petrow

Board Member Since 2022

President & CEO, Vector Security

Pamela J. Petrow is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Vector Security, Inc., a Pittsburgh-based electronic security company that is now the fourth largest in the U.S. She began her career at Vector Security in 1982 as a sales consultant, eventually rising through the ranks to become President and CEO in 2010. Under her leadership, Vector Security grew from about 5,000 customers in Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio to serving nearly 400,000 residential, business, and national account customers across 58 branches in North America and the Caribbean

Ms. Petrow has held leadership positions in the Pennsylvania Burglar and Fire Alarm Association (PBFAA); Electronic Security Association (ESA); The Monitoring Association (TMA), formerly the Central Station Alarm Association (CSAA), executive committee; and is the past President of TMA International.  She is involved with the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials – International (APCO) and received its President’s Award in 2009 for her outstanding contributions to the electronic transmission of signals between central stations and 911 dispatch centers.  In 2014, she was presented with an Ernst & Young (EY) Entrepreneur Of The Year™ Award in the Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia program.

In 2006, she graduated from the prestigious Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program.

Director

Shannon Woodman

Board Member Since 2021

CEO, Washington Alarm

Shannon Woodman is CEO of Washington Alarm, Inc, headquartered in Seattle, Washington.  Washington Alarm was founded in 1943 and with Shannon’s leadership, has grown into one of the largest privately held alarm companies in Washington.  In 2000, Shannon started as a sales representative and quickly worked her way up to Sales Manager, then Vice President. In 2011 Shannon officially took over the day-to-day operations of Washington Alarm.  She has grown Washington Alarm into the premier fire, security, and monitoring company it is today.

In 2010 Shannon was named a 20 under 40 in SSN Magazine for the security industry.

In 2014 she received the Presidential Special Recognition Award for her work with the Membership Committee for the Central Station Alarm Association.  (Now known as TMA)

In 2019 she received the Business Leader Award from the Seattle Commission for People with DisAbilities.

She currently is an active member of the following organizations: Board Member of Seattle International District Rotary Club, Co-Chair of the Membership Committee for The Monitoring Association, Board Member of The Monitoring Association, Treasurer of The Monitoring Association, Executive Committee for The Monitoring Association, Board member of The Security Integration and Life Safety Association of the Northwest.

Investment Committee Chair

John Cannon

Vice Chairman of Zeus Fire & Security

John Cannon is Vice Chairman of Zeus Fire & Security, the industry leader in fire and security solutions. In early 2022, Zeus acquired Alert Alarm of Hawaii – where Cannon served as CEO from 2009 to 2017 – SMG Security of Chicago, and UAS of Philadelphia.

Previously, Cannon was a managing director for Silver Point Capital, opening and helping to lead the Chicago office of the $15 billion hedge fund. His work at Silver Point along with prior roles at American Capital Strategies and Waud Capital Partners yielded approximately $1 billion of investments in over 20 platform companies. In 2009, Cannon helped to launch Spring Rock Capital, where he remains General Partner.

Cannon has served on the Board of Directors for City Mill, one of Hawaii’s leading companies, and as chairman of the Board of Trustees of Hawaii’s Le Jardin Academy. From 2010 through 2022, Cannon served on the Board of Directors of NetOne, Inc., an elite network of more than 30 of the industry’s leading security companies, where he maintains his role as Chair of the Investment Committee. The University of Illinois graduate lives in Western Springs, Ill., with his wife and four children.