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As we begin 2026, I want to thank each of you for the role you play in making the OSFAA such a strong and engaged association. A new year always brings fresh opportunities, and OSFAA is kicking things off with meaningful opportunities designed to help your business grow, connect, and thrive.
One event I strongly encourage our leaders in our industry to attend is our upcoming virtual Lunch & Learn Financial Benchmarking Session with Spencer Rogers with Barnes Associates. This Member Exclusive session is designed specifically for owners, CFOs, controllers, presidents, and senior executives within OSFAA member companies. |
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During this webinar, Spencer will provide a high-level, data-driven look at how leading security and fire alarm companies are performing, and where opportunities exist to improve profitability, cash flow, and operational efficiency. Spencer will walk through the financial benchmarks that are essential to track to run a better business, including cost structures, margins, labor efficiency, and overall financial health.
This session offers more than just numbers. It’s an opportunity to evaluate how your organization compares to industry peers and to use that insight to guide smarter strategic planning and growth decisions. Whether you are looking to validate current performance, identify operational gaps, or position your company for future capital infusion or a potential sale, this is information that can have a direct impact on your bottom line.
In addition to valuable educational programming, we are excited to share that OSFAA has expanded our events calendar for 2026. We are especially thrilled to introduce a brand-new event — the OSFAA Spring Expo in Medina, Ohio. This is not your typical industry gathering. The Spring Expo will feature an exhilarating and entertaining backdrop at The Foundry Social and includes: -
Vendor exhibits showcasing the latest products and services
- Outstanding networking opportunities with fellow professionals
- Educational sessions to keep you informed and competitive
- Lunch included with registration
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And for a little fun — High-Voltage Karting to cap off the day!!
This event is designed to bring our association together in a dynamic, high-energy setting where business and relationship-building go hand in hand.
OSFAA continues to focus on delivering real value to our members through education, advocacy, and connection. I encourage you to make the most of your membership by participating in these upcoming events and inviting key members of your leadership team to join you. If you are not a member yet, now is the time to join here!
I look forward to seeing many of you, virtually and in person, in the months ahead!!
Wishing you a successful and prosperous year, Sincerely,
Keri-Ann Kalavity
President, OSFAA
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The Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC) is pleased to announce the election of industry veteran Grady Medcalf as its new board chairman. OSFAA is looking forward to working more closely with SIAC and Grady as he takes the reins!
Medcalf brings more than two decades of leadership experience in regulatory compliance, operations, and industry advocacy within the electronic security and life safety industries. He currently serves as Director of Licensing & Compliance at Comcast, where he oversees state licensing, compliance processes, and industry best practices for product installation and training across multiple markets. |
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OSFAA's All-New Online Training powered by Alarm Academy is Live! The Freshest Industry Content, Affordable Courses, and
Career-Boosting Education for Security & Life Safety Professionals |
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Our Brand New Bundled Online Course Packages offer you the very best value for your team! Every business is different and requires different combinations of training. We have developed options for your new technicians as well as anyone joining your company that is new to our industry!
Choose from 8 options all discounted at 50%+ in savings versus buying the courses individually!
Need help navigating which packages are best for your various team members? Schedule a call here with Behrens today! |
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Executive Director's Corner |
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Shannon Few OSFAA - Executive Director |
| Efficient Project Management Protects Your Margins!! In the security and fire alarm industry, technical expertise may win you the job, but disciplined project management is what protects your margins and your reputation long after the work begins.
Across Ohio, projects are becoming more demanding. Schedules are tighter, compliance requirements are increasing, and customers expect seamless coordination from start to finish. The companies that consistently rise to the top are not just technically capable, they operate with strong internal structure. They follow defined processes, maintain thorough documentation, communicate proactively, and manage each phase of a project with purpose.
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That level of organization is not accidental. It comes from building systems your team understands and uses consistently. Effective project management influences every corner of your operation ensuring: - Timelines are met more reliably
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Costs are tracked and controlled
- Change orders are handled clearly and professionally
- Office staff, technicians, and customers stay aligned
- Proper documentation reduces risk and protects everyone involved
When these elements fall out of sync, projects become reactive and stressful. When they work together, jobs move smoothly, customers gain confidence, and your team performs at a higher level.
This is exactly why the OSFAA is committed to bringing members practical training that strengthens business operations, not just technical skills. Our Project Management Course for low-voltage and life-safety integrators is designed to deliver real-world tools that companies can implement immediately.
This course focuses on building a repeatable, dependable project management approach that improves organization, increases efficiency, and supports better communication from the first walkthrough to final closeout and it comes with dozens of templates that you can integrate into your business immediately! You don't have to re-invent the wheel, we have built it for you!
What This Course Covers Participants gain a structured framework they can apply to projects of any size, including how to: - Recognize the value and structure of effective project management
- Understand the phases and workflow that drive successful projects
- Establish consistent procedures that keep teams aligned
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Download and use dozens of standardized forms and documentation to maintain control
- Apply practical tools that guide a project from start to completion
- Manage key financial elements such as budgeting, purchasing, and change orders
These are the practices that turn unpredictable jobs into manageable ones. When your team understands both the sequence and the reasoning behind each step, work becomes more consistent, communication improves, and profitability follows. True operational excellence is not about pushing people harder, it is about creating clarity, accountability, and repeatable processes that set everyone up for success.
If your company is ready to bring more structure to your projects and deliver work with greater confidence and control, this course is an investment that will pay dividends across your entire organization.
We are proud to support Ohio integrators with education that strengthens both technical capability and business performance. Please contact Behrens Watkins on our team today for assistance with signing up for this course and/or others for your team!
Kind Regard, Shannon Few |
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Lunch N Learn:
Virtual Financial Benchmarking Webinar |
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Join us for an exclusive Lunch & Learn designed specifically for company owners, CFOs, controllers, and executive leadership within OSFAA member organizations. This virtual financial benchmarking session is exclusive to OSFAA Member Companies and their employees will provide a high-level, data-driven look at how leading security and fire alarm companies are performing—and where opportunities exist to improve profitability, cash flow, and operational efficiency.
Spencer Rogers of Barnes Associates will walk through key financial benchmarks that matter most to executive decision-makers, offering insight into cost structures, margins, labor efficiency, and overall financial health. Attendees will gain practical perspective on how their organization compares to industry peers and how to leverage benchmarking data to support smarter strategic planning and growth decisions. Members please keep an eye out for the registration link that will be sent to you this week!! |
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Workforce Development Tool Kit Now Available! |
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| Once you’re logged in to the OSFAA website, visit the Member Resource Center to explore the Workforce Development Toolkit. It’s your go-to resource for recruiting, qualifying, hiring, and retaining great talent. Contact us if you need any assistance logging in! |
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Security Business 2025 State of the Industry Report |
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This year's State of the Industry report reveals fascinating data on the state of business for security integrators and consultants. In addition to hard revenue and economic numbers, we also took a deep dive into the impact of artificial intelligence, cloud services, workforce development, and more. After you digest all that data, Security Gives Back is the perfect palate cleanser. Read about how your fellow integrators and consultants gave back to their communities in 2025. |
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Special Thanks to Our Premier Partner!!! |
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