FAST names Aiden O’Brien as its first executive director

DALLAS—The Foundation for Advancing Security Talent (FAST) has named Aiden O’Brien to serve as its first executive director.

Created in 2020 through a partnership of Electronic Security Association (ESA) and the Security Industry Association (SIA), FAST connects passionate, innovative professionals with new opportunities in electronic security and life safety. O’Brien will lead FAST’s efforts to promote an innovative and essential industry to the next generation of security leaders.

“I am very excited to start this new challenge as the executive director of FAST,” said O’Brien. “The security industry is an innovative, high-tech field, and I look forward to helping FAST solve the industry’s workforce challenges by bringing awareness to the engaging, meaningful career opportunities available in security, ranging from technician roles to cybersecurity, sales, operations and more.”

O’Brien is an experienced association and government affairs professional. In his previous role, Aiden served as director of the Tree Care Industry Association (TCIA) Foundation, with the mission of reducing accident and fatality rates in the tree care industry by improving access to training and technology. He also has a background in government affairs; in his previous role at TCIA as the advocacy and standards manager, he worked to build a grassroots advocacy program for the industry and managed an American National Standards Institute-accredited standards committee.

O’Brien, who is based in New Hampshire, graduated from the University of New Hampshire.

“Aiden brings a wealth of experience from the organizations he has worked for in the past that will certainly benefit the foundation,” said ESA CEO Merlin Guilbeau. “As an advocate for FAST, Aiden will help us navigate the challenges of preparing a foundation for future growth and engagement with the electronic security industry.

“SIA is thrilled to have Aiden O’Brien join FAST as its executive director, spearheading FAST’s initiatives to bring awareness to the fast-paced security technology industry and the many exciting, fulfilling career advancement opportunities it offers,” added SIA CEO Don Erickson. “Aiden’s successful background in engaging with association members in support of foundations, liaising with boards of directors, developing new programs and events, communicating effectively with teams, securing private and government grants and managing committees will help him serve as an impactful leader with FAST.”

FAST is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization promoting careers in the physical security technology and life safety industry. The foundation brings awareness to the career advancement opportunities within the fast-paced technology industry that serves to keep people, places, and property safe.

More info can be found at https://advancingsecurity.org/.