Among CAA convention highlights: Smith gets Weinstock Award

SAN FRANCISCO--California Alarm Association Winter Conventionand Western States Security Conference was held December 11-13, 2008 at the San Francisco Hilton.

The highlight of the convention was the presentation of the CAA George A. Weinstock Award for Lifetime Achievement and Service to the Industry to Tony Smith. Smith is a past president of the CAA and founded the CAA Tribute Dinner which has raised more than $250,000 in nine years to support industry programs on the local, state and national level.

The CAA gave special recognition to outgoing Chief Paul Johnson of the Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Security & Investigate Services for his innovative programs to protect the California consumer. Longtime BSIS staff member Noreene DeKoning also received a special award from outgoing CAA President Jon Sargent for her active participation and support of the association. 

The CAA Business Management Forum was moderated by Tony Smith of Security Finance Associates and Mitch Reitman of SIC Consulting and the panel featured the leading attorneys, accountants and financial advisors in the industry.  Bill Stuntz, vice president and general manager of Cisco's Physical Security Business Unit, discussed changes having a significant impact on the industry and how technology drives change during his keynote presentation.  The CAA Executive Symposium featured Felix Gonzales, vice president Strategic Initiatives and Business Development for Stanley Convergent Security Solutions, Inc., Sandy Jones of Sandra Jones & Co., and PSA president and CEO Bill Bozeman. The panel was moderated by George DeMarco.