ALARM ASSOCIATION OF FLORIDA ANNUAL 2018 CONFERENCE SPEAKERS AND INSTRUCTORS Senator Kathleen Passidomo, Keynote Speaker Kathleen Passidomo is the Florida Republican State Senator from Florida District 28 encompassing Naples and the surrounding area of Southwest Florida including parts of Lee, and Hendry and Collier counties. She served in the Florida House of Representatives from 2010 2016 and was elected to the Senate in 2016. Senator Passidomo during this past legislative session served as Chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Pre k 12 Education, Vice Chair of Health Policy Committee, also serving on Appropriations and their subcommittee on Health and Human Services; she also served on Commerce and Tourism, Ethics and Elections, the Joint Legislative Auditing Committee and the Joint Committee on Collective Bargaining. Biographical Information Occupation: Attorney, Kelly, Passidomo & Alba, LLP Spouse: John M. Passidomo of Naples, FL Children: Catarina, Francesca, Gabriella Grandchildren: William, Emilio Trinity University, Washington D.C., B.A., Cum Laude, 1975 Education: Stetson University College of Law, J.D., 1978 Affiliations The Florida Bar, Member Florida Bar Certified Real Estate Lawyer Florida Bar, Real Property Probate and Trust Law Section, Member Collier County Bar Association, Member Collier County Women's Bar Association, Member Collier County Real Estate Attorneys Section, Member Leadership Florida, Class XII Leadership Collier Class of 1991 Leadership Marco Island Class of 2014
Collier County Republican Club Collier County Women's Republican Club Marco Island Republican Club Other Public Service Statewide Council on Human Trafficking, 2017-2020 Florida Public Service Commission Nominating Council, 2017-2018 State of Florida Commission on the Status of Women, Commissioner, 2001-2007; Treasurer, 2003-2005; Vice Chairman, 2005-2006; Chairman, 2006-2007 Board of Supervisors of the Ave Maria Stewardship Community District, Member, 2004-2007 Collier County Juvenile Justice Council, Founding Chairman Collier County Senior Resource Center, Founding Director Honors and Awards AARP Capitol Caregiver Award, 2017 Associated Builders and Contractors of Florida, Legislator of the Year, 2017 Florida Sheriffs Association, Friend of the Sheriff Award, 2017 Florida League of Cities, Legislative Appreciation Award, 2017 Florida Realtors, Legislative Champion, 2017 Florida Association for Women Lawyers, Rosemary Barkett Outstanding Achievement Award, 2017 Florida Bicycle Association, Elected Official Champion of the Year Award, 2016 U.S. Chamber of Commerce, State Legislative Achievement Award, 2016 Elder Law Section of The Florida Bar, Legislator of the Year, 2014, 2015 Trial Law Section of The Florida Bar, Legislator of the Year, 2015 Florida Council on Aging, Advocacy Award, 2014 Florida Land Title Association, Legislator of the Year, 2013 Florida Bankers Association, Legislator of the Year, 2013 American Institute of Architects, Florida Legislator of the Year, 2013 Community Advocacy Network, Community Association Legislator of the Year Award, 2013 Education Foundation of Collier County, "Glass Slipper" Award, 2010 Legal Aid Service of Collier County, Florida Bar President's Pro Bono Service Award, 2010 Naples Area Board of Realtors, Ad Miller Service Award, 2010 Legal Aid Service of Collier County, Attorney of the Year, 2010 Children's Advocacy Center of Collier County, Wallace Benevolent Award, 2007 Collier County Women's Bar Association, Attorney of the Year, 2005 Zonta Club of Naples, Yellow Rose Award, 2000 Naples Daily News, Citizen of the Year, 2000 Leadership Collier, Distinguished Alumni Award, 1996
Girls, Incorporated of Naples - Collier County, "She Knows Where She's Going" Award, 1991 The Florida Law Related Education Association of the Florida Bar, Attorney of the Year Award, 1990 Kent Merrill CEO of Merrill Insurance Group Merrill Insurance has more than 500 years of industry experience at its headquarters office, led by President/Chief Executive Officer Kent Merrill. An industry fixture since 1980, he acquired the company in 1986. The Merrill family is also represented by his wife and two sons. Karen Merrill, with 22 years of industry experience, serves as chief financial officer, while the sons Blake and Brett form the next generation of the business. They are helping to build the agency into a place where the next two or three generations of the Merrill family can continue to serve the insurance needs of many different people. History Now located in Eustis, Florida, the company s presence in Mount Dora, Florida, dates back to 1925. That year, the agency that eventually became Merrill Insurance, was established as Sadler Simpson, an insurance/real estate office, by Sam Sadler and Jack Simpson. The office later became Simpson Waite, Inc., owned by Jack Simpson and Ed Waite. During the 1970s, James E. Simpson joined the partnership. After buying out the partners, he changed the name to James Simpson, Inc., in 1982. In 1981, Kent Merrill joined the agency and worked with James Simpson until 1986, when he purchased the agency. In 1988, Kent Merrill changed the agency s name to the current Merrill Insurance. Today, Kent Merrill s wife, Karen Merrill, and two sons, Blake and Brett, are also part of the leadership group. Together, they are building the business for future generations through firmly held core values. Mission Statement Encouraged by the needs of others we communicate, educate and serve so that we all can live with peace of mind using Christ like principles.
Chris Bell Insurance Agent for Merrill Insurance Group Merrill Insurance is a full service, family owned Independent Insurance Agency that specializes in caring and responsive service, and to provide affordable coverage. With the understanding that people can purchase insurance from any agency, Merrill Insurance has built its foundation upon being innovative, experienced and prudent. The underlying philosophy: While a respected reputation is the key to attracting clients, long term relationships require the continual innovation that comes from experience and prudence. As such, when clients need help the most when even their best friends can t do anything but put their arms around them Merrill Insurance is there to deliver both strategic and personalized assistance. Merrill Insurance is a member of the Florida Association of Independent Agents and a Trusted Choice Agent. Kevin McCaffrey Florida Regional Sales Manager for Napco Kevin McCaffrey, is a 38 year veteran of the alarm industry. Starting in the summer of 1980 with an installing company in Clearwater, Kevin learned all aspects of the industry. He worked in installation, service and as a central station manager. He joined a national distributor as a counter Rep, but quickly rose through the ranks to hold many positions including branch manager. He has held a position as sales manager for a systems integrator in the Tamp Bay area for several years. Kevin then opened a location for another national distributor new to the Florida market. Kevin has served several times on the AAF board and is a former AAF FASA/BASA instructor. Kevin joined Napco four years ago and has help introduced Florida to the Napco product line to include StarLink cell radios, GEMC fire panel and Gemini security panels. Kevin currently holds a seat on the AAF Board of Directors as the vendor representative.
Ziad Ghossaini National Trainer for Napco Ziad Ghossaini, is National Training School Certified, NBFAA Level 1, 2A & 2B and has a rich background in all aspects for security, beginning as an installation manager and director of tech support in Westec, and continuing in various technical, operations and management positions in the industry, rising to Trainer of a biometric access control company, before coming to Napco to implement its nationwide training program, including security, life safety, connected home and communications technologies trainings in the field and online. Ziad attended UCLA, is EMT & CPR Instructor certified, and past president of his local Fire/Police, and is a member of both NFPA and ASIS. Julius Halas State Fire Marshal Division Director A native Floridian, Chief Halas came to Florida from Dearborn, Mich., at the age of 2. He attended local schools here, graduating from Bayshore Junior High and Manatee High School. He received an associate degree in Fire Science Technology from Manatee Community College, and Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees from National Louis University. He is past president of the Florida Fire Chiefs Association, a post he filled while he was fire chief on Longboat Key. Halas is long experienced in the fire service as both a firefighter and qualified paramedic. He spent 25 years with the City of Sarasota while that department merged with Sarasota County in 1996. Starting with the city in 1974, he held all ranks in the department and was promoted to chief in 1992. Town Manager Bruce St. Denis actively recruited him for the position of chief on Longboat Key in 1999 as he approached retirement in Sarasota. Halas is currently the director of the Department of Financial Services, Division of State Fire Marshal (SFM Division Director). As such he reports directly to the Florida chief financial officer. The scope of his division is wide. There are four bureaus within the Division: 1) Fire & Arson Investigation 2) Fire Prevention 3) Fire Standards & Training (includes the Ocala Fire College) 4) Forensic & Explosive Analysis (Arson Laboratory) He also directs the Florida Fire Incident Reporting System, and he leads the management and staffing of firefighters and search and rescue teams at the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in the event of disaster or a state emergency.
Michael Long Regional Supervisor Bureau of Fire Prevention Division of the State Fire Marshal The Bureau of Fire Prevention is the Compliance and Enforcement Arm of the Division of State Fire Marshal. The Bureau is comprised of four (4) sections: Plans Review, Inspections, Boiler Safety, and Regulatory Licensing. Each building constructed with the State will be affected by at least two (2) and maybe all four (4) of these sections. The purpose of this guide is to identify the general requirements of the Bureau as they may affect your construction project. It includes a brief description of the codes and standards that will be used to evaluate your project both during the plans review process and in the field. Mitch Reitman Reitman Consulting Group, Inc. Reitman Consulting provides financial consulting, general accounting services, transactional services, tax compliance, and tax representation services to security alarm companies in twenty three states, Mexico, Canada and the EEC. Mitch has twenty two years of experience in the Security Alarm industry and was elected to the SSI Electronic Security Hall of Fame in 2017. Mitch sits on the boards of numerous state, local, and national associations and is a TBFAA Board Member. Prior to forming Reitman Consulting, Mr. Reitman was Vice President of Acquisitions for Select Security, and Director of Acquisitions and Business Development for Protection One Alarm Monitoring. He began his career at Coopers and Lybrand, Certified Public Accountants.