SIA announces 2025 winners of the James Rothstein Business Scholarship

SILVER SPRING, Md.—The Security Industry Association (SIA) has named two recipients of the 2025 James Rothstein Business Scholarship, a program supporting emerging professionals in the security industry and students entering the industry by providing financial assistance to attend the Securing New Ground (SNG) conference.

The 2025 Rothstein Scholarship awardees are Johanna Chu, finance manager at HID, and Tanner LaRocque, director of sales and marketing at Evolon.

This competitive scholarship program - named after Rothstein, president of Sequel LV and a past member of SIA’s Board of Directors who served as chair from 2022 to 2024 - covers SNG conference passes and travel expenses, enabling recipients to attend and grow their careers at the security industry’s executive conference.

Chu is a finance manager at HID Global with extensive experience in corporate finance. She leads critical initiatives focused on financial forecasting, operational efficiency and investment strategy. Chu holds a business management degree from the University of Texas at Austin and has previously worked for financial institutions and global semiconductor companies.

“I am honored to receive the James Rothstein Business Scholarship and appreciate the opportunity to gain invaluable business insights, network with industry leaders and enhance my professional development,” Chu said. “Thank you to the scholarship selection board for their recognition and dedication to support industry education.”

LaRocque is the director of sales and marketing at Evolon, an artificial intelligence-powered proactive video monitoring company. With nearly a decade of experience spanning sales, marketing and go-to-market leadership, he has helped grow brands and build partnerships across the security industry.

In addition to his work at Evolon, LaRocque is highly involved in the security industry, serving on the SIA RISE Steering Committee, previously serving on the Built Environment Advisory Board and serving in volunteer roles with TMA and ASIS. He is focused on pushing the industry toward a modern era where branding drives growth and marketing leads strategy.

“I am honored to receive the James Rothstein Business Scholarship and excited to attend Securing New Ground. This is a chance to learn directly from the executives shaping our industry and to contribute my perspective as part of the next generation of leaders,” LaRocque stated. “I believe branding and marketing will play a defining role in the future of security, and I look forward to being part of that conversation.”

“I’m proud to extend a heartfelt congratulations to this year’s scholarship winners,” Rothstein noted. “Johanna Chu and Tanner LaRocque are impressive and accomplished young leaders in our industry who will surely benefit from the outstanding Securing New Ground program this year. We look forward to offering them the opportunity to network with the industry’s brightest minds, biggest players and most driven entrepreneurs and celebrating their achievements at SNG.”

In 2024, SIA and the Board of Directors established the James Rothstein Business Scholarship program in recognition of the commitment to business leadership and education Rothstein demonstrated during his term. His comprehensive understanding of the security industry business landscape and untapped growth opportunities for SIA member companies has informed the strategic decision making of many companies seeking to expand into new markets, and his guidance has helped businesses to innovate while remaining agile amid challenging economic shifts and world events.

In his role as a leader on the SIA board, Rothstein played an instrumental role in the development of the annual SNG conference, and he continues to support industry education and career advancement opportunities for early career professionals and students through various advisement and volunteer service roles.

SNG, hosted by SIA, is the security industry’s executive conference, with the 2025 event taking place Oct. 14 –15 at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City.

Learn more about the Rothstein Scholarship here.