Q&A Hail to the Chief


DON BUDDEN IS ADT’S BRANCH OPERATIONS MANAGER FOR NOVA SCOTIA AND NEWFOUNDLAND. HE IS ALSO THE NEW PRESIDENT OF THE CANADIAN SECURITY ASSOCIATION. SECURITY PRODUCTS CANADA SITS DOWN WITH BUDDEN TO SEE HOW HE PLANS TO TAKE THE INDUSTRY INTO THE FUTURE


SPC: How did you get your start in the industry? DB: I started as a central station opera- tor in St. John’s, Nfld., when I was 17 years old. It was meant to be a part time job, but here I am 30 years later. As for my association involvement, I became president of the New Brunswick Sub- Chapter of CANASA in the early 1990s, which was formed to deal with legisla- tive issues [in that province.] In 1999, the issues were resolved and we rolled into the Atlantic Chapter. Then I got involved in the Atlantic Chapter and continued on to join the national board.


SPC: Why did you want to take on the role as president of CANASA? DB: Agreeing to step into the role or to even be nominated took some prompting. People thought I would do well in the po- sition and it helped having been involved in the association for many years. The is- sues that we as an industry will need to deal with are issues in which I have experi- ence, such as advocacy and education. The timing was right as the association now has the infrastructure in place and I had a com- fort level of knowing many people who can work with me in achieving our goals. This is a great industry. CANASA believes in moving the industry forward and building the industry as a great place to work.


SPC: As president of CANASA, what are you goals, vision and mission? DB: The association and I have three main goals: growing membership, growing and disseminating knowledge to the public, and self-regulation. Per- sonally, my goal is to help facilitate more engagement at the volunteer level. As an association we can only go so far, but legislatures pay more atten- tion to constituents than to a


spokesperson for the industry. They carry more weight, but both are crucial. We have a number of initiatives to increase membership, including e-mail and telephone campaigns. We also plan on using existing members. The point is that no matter how busy a person is everyone can have a voice in the indus- try. It may not be a leadership position, but they can at least make a few calls. There is something for everyone who wants to participate.


I plan to personally call each chapter president on a regular basis. The mem- bers of the executive committee have also committed to be more involved. We are also currently working on a government relations/advocacy committee, although we have not yet chosen a name. That team would mentor and teach local vol- unteers because I believe we can equip our local volunteers to represent the asso- ciation. Our goal is to be proactive rather than reactive.We also plan to cooperate and partner with related associations, such as BICSI. Some of their members would be a good fit for CANASA and vice versa.


SPC: What are your thoughts on self-regulation? DB: I was actively involved in self- regulation in Nova Scotia. It’s an issue that is near and dear to my heart. CANASA offers opportunities for mu- nicipal and provincial governments, and possibly the federal government as well, to build a framework to better serve the community. As an associa- tion, we are in the best position to maintain the professionalism, conduct and quality that will benefit us all, at little or no cost to the government.


SPC: Any thoughts on false alarms? DB: Any is too many, but the problem


needs to be managed rather than be completely eliminated in the short term. CANASA has the responsibility to work with governments [across Canada.] We need to bring value so we are seen as a trusted partner.


CANASA NEWS


Normand Fiset (far left) and Robert Branchaud accept R.A. Henderson Award from Karen McGee and J.F. Champagne


At CANASA’s annual general meeting held this past October at Security Canada Central Con- ference & Exhibition in Toronto, the association elected its new National Board of Directors: Donald Budden, president, Phillippe Bouchard, vice-president, Carl Jogensen, vice- president 2, Carol Cairns, treasurer, Karen McGee, past-president, and board members: Lawrence Benjamin, Jim Carr, Beverley Champagne, Jamie Couper, Ellery Demedash, Gordon Hebb, Michel, Houde, Shawn Lazaruk, Todd Mitchell.


Karen McGee presents President's Award to Frank Pietrobono


Also at the AGM, CANASA bestowed its


top honours to three members of the industry. Normand Fiset (Panavideo) and Robert Bran- chaud (Microtec) won the R.A. Henderson Award, presented to a member of CANASA who has demonstrated extraordinary achievements and who has made significant contributions to the advancement of the inter- ests of the security industry. Frank Pietrobono (Tyco Security Products) won the President’s Award, given by the current national president to a person who has made significant contri- butions to the association over the past year.


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