Security Nation Podcast

Hosted by Electronic Security Association - ESA

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Security Nation Podcast is hosted by ESA, and it brings the voice of the electronic security and life safety industry to you! Host Hannah Boone brings on security pros to discuss best practices, real-life experiences, industry forecasts, and more on this monthly podcast. It's the ever-present voice in an ever-changing industry.

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35 recent

October 20, 2026Episode 3534 min

From Instinct to Insight: Introducing ESA’s Industry Research Center

In this episode of Security Nation, Scott Elkins, ESA Integrator Director and Executive Chairman of Zeus Fire and Security, joins Christopher Thornberg, PhD, founder of Beacon Economics and ESA Chief Economist, to introduce the ESA Industry Research Center and its inaugural Industry Performance Index. They explore the size and growth of the electronic security and life safety industry, wages, changing workforce trends and what the data may signal for integrators. The conversation also examines how future research can help companies of every size benchmark performance, identify opportunities and plan with greater confidence. ESA gratefully acknowledges the volunteer members of the Industry Research Center Advisory Council, along with ESA CEO Merlin Guilbeau, ESA COO Jillian Bateman-McIntosh and ESA Vice President of Advocacy and Public Affairs Taylor Criddle. Their time, insight and commitment helped bring this initiative to life.

April 4, 2024Episode 2435 min

Meet the Associate Director Candidates for ESA's 2024 Board of Directors Election

In this episode, we sit down with Kirk MacDowell, Dean Belisle, Kelly Bond, Jordan Burnsed, Nick English, and Greg Simmons to discuss the contested election for the Associate Director position on ESA's Board of Directors election. From there, Kirk interviews each candidate about their background in the industry and what they would bring to the table if elected. Make sure to subscribe, we’re on all podcasting platforms and the video version is available on Youtube. If you’re curious about how ESA Membership can power your security business, visit our website at esaweb.org. Take some to schedule a discovery call with our membership team — you’ll be happy you did.

May 11, 2023Episode 1921 min

Meet the Integrator Director Candidates for ESA's 2023 Board of Directors Election

In this episode, we sit down with Kirk MacDowell, Melissa Brinkman, Brendan Armstrong, Jeremy Bates, April Maloney, Randall Renfroe to discuss the contested election for the Integrator Director position on ESA's Board of Directors election. From there, Kirk interviews each candidate about their background in the industry and what they would bring to the table if elected. Make sure to subscribe, we’re on all podcasting platforms and the video version is available on Youtube. If you’re curious about how ESA Membership can power your security business, visit our website at esaweb.org. Take some to schedule a discovery call with our membership team — you’ll be happy you did.

April 3, 2025Episode 2835 min

Meet the Integrator Director Candidates for ESA's 2025 Board of Directors Election

In this episode, we sit down with Kirk MacDowell, Jeremy Bates, Melissa Brinkman, Brendan Armstrong, Josh Dice, Peter Goldring, and Ken Kosher to discuss the contested election for the three open Integrator Director positions on ESA's Board of Directors. From there, Kirk interviews each candidate about their background in the industry and what they would bring to the table if elected. Make sure to subscribe, we’re on all podcasting platforms and the video version is available on Youtube. If you’re curious about how ESA Membership can power your security business, visit our website at esaweb.org. Take some to schedule a discovery call with our membership team — you’ll be happy you did.

September 22, 2022Episode 826 min

Accepting Challenges: With Pierre Trapanese

In this episode, we sit down with Pierre Trapanese, CEO of Northland Controls to discuss what it's like being a security integrator company with strong core values, in a world obsessed with safety. They pursue security holistically with their eyes ever-forward, seeking what’s beyond the horizon so that companies can proactively meet their duty of care and take the risks that make sense for them. Make sure to subscribe, we’re on all podcasting platforms and the video version is available on Youtube. If you’re curious about how ESA Membership can power your security business, visit our website at esaweb.org. Take some to schedule a discovery call with our membership team — you’ll be happy you did. Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter | YouTube

July 14, 2022Episode 332 min

Identifying Future Leaders With Kirk MacDowell

In this episode, we sit down with Kirk MacDowell and discuss one of ESA's new Leadership Identification and Nominating Committee (LINC). Kirk is the Founder and CEO of MacGuard Security Advisors. He brings insight from his time at Alarm.com, top Fortune 100 manufacturers General Electric and United Technologies, a top 50 SDM integrator, and his own electronic security firm. – Kirk now offers guidance on how to innovate, transform, and compete in today’s ever-changing electronic security landscape. He holds an active Security Clearance and provides work to the DoD. Chair of ESA’s Leadership, Identification and Nominating Committee as well as current Chairman of the Board of the Security Industry Alarm Collation, (SIAC). Make sure to subscribe, we’re on all podcasting platforms and the video version is available on Youtube. If you’re curious about how ESA Membership can power your security business, visit our website at esaweb.org. Take some to schedule a discovery call with our membership team — you’ll be happy you did. Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter | YouTube

August 6, 2026Episode 3434 min

Why Training Is Your Competitive Advantage

The security industry has talked about the technician shortage for years. But what if the solution isn't just finding more people—it's developing them more effectively? Greg Breyer, Vice President of Design and Compliance at Zeus Fire & Security, joins the Security Nation Podcast to discuss workforce development, structured training, AI's role in the field, technician retention, and how security companies can build stronger teams for the future. The episode also explores ESA's redesigned CAT Level 1 certification and how it helps companies onboard and develop technicians with greater confidence.

December 29, 2022Episode 1431 min

Advocating for the Industry: With Jake Braunger

In this episode, we sit down with Jake Braunger, ESA's new VP of Advocacy and Public Affairs to discuss his background in political campaigns and how he is eager to advocate and educate ESA members about legislation that will benefit the electronic security and life safety industry. Make sure to subscribe, we’re on all podcasting platforms and the video version is available on Youtube. If you’re curious about how ESA Membership can power your security business, visit our website at esaweb.org. Take some to schedule a discovery call with our membership team — you’ll be happy you did. Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter | YouTube

April 3, 2025Episode 2723 min

Meet the Associate Director Candidates for ESA's 2025 Board of Directors Election

In this episode, we sit down with Kirk MacDowell , Tony Wilson , Colby Monachino , Jana Sherer , and Jake Voll to discuss the contested election for the one open Associate Director position on ESA's Board of Directors. From there, Kirk interviews each candidate about their background in the industry and what they would bring to the table if elected.

January 12, 2023Episode 1542 min

How Security Serves People With Liver Cancer: With Brandon Wilson

In this episode, we sit down with Brandon Wilson, Account Executive at RFI to discuss RFI's recent program to serve and educate people about liver disease and liver cancer. The program was motivated after Brandon's father, Brad Wilson's, untimely passing shortly after being diagnosed with liver cancer. Visit the following link to donate to the American Liver Foundation in Wilson’s honor: https://alfmad.org/honorandmemorial/support2/#BW2022 Make sure to subscribe, we’re on all podcasting platforms and the video version is available on Youtube. If you’re curious about how ESA Membership can power your security business, visit our website at esaweb.org. Take some to schedule a discovery call with our membership team — you’ll be happy you did. Facebook | Linkedin | Twitter | YouTube

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