Foundation for Advancing Security Talent Welcomes Aiden O’Brien as FAST Executive Director

O’Brien will lead FAST in its efforts to connect passionate, innovative professionals with new opportunities in the electronic security and life safety industry.

DALLAS, Texas – The Foundation for Advancing Security Talent (FAST) has named Aiden O’Brien to serve as FAST’s first executive director. Created in 2020 through a partnership of Electronic Security Association (ESA) and the Security Industry Association (SIA) – the industry’s leading associations – 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.”

Aiden 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,” said 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. Created in 2020 through a partnership of ESA and SIA – the industry’s leading associations – FAST connects passionate, innovative professionals with new opportunities in electronic security and life safety. The foundation brings awareness to the career advancement opportunities within the fast-paced technology industry that serves to keep people, places and property safe.

The FAST website offers job seekers information about the security industry’s growth and unique position at the convergence of cutting-edge technology and a mission that matters, the types of roles available in the industry, what employers are looking for, leading certifications in physical security and cybersecurity and a jobs board featuring immediate opportunities in security technology and life safety. The FAST Jobs Board allows job seekers to search by keyword, job title and location and features thousands of jobs from over 800 companies. The jobs board continues to grow in 2022 and has become the go-to destination for hiring and finding job opportunities in the security industry.

FAST’s key efforts include outreach to schools, colleges and universities to increase awareness of the exciting and rewarding careers available in security; research on the industry’s workforce development needs and possible solutions; and continuing education resources to help those already in the industry stay current with rapidly emerging and evolving technologies.

FAST’s school and outreach programs, research and resources are funded by individual and organizational donations. Learn more and donate to FAST here. Learn more about getting involved with FAST activities on the Partner With FAST page.

About FAST

FAST is a 501(c)(3) organization created by ESA and SIA to promote careers in the physical security technology industry. FAST is dedicated to connecting passionate, innovative professionals with new opportunities in the electronic security and life safety industry. Through a partnership of the industry’s leading associations, ESA and SIA, FAST brings awareness to the career advancement opportunities within the fast-paced technology industry that serves to keep people, places and property safe.

About ESA

Established in 1948, ESA is the largest trade association in the United States representing the electronic security and life safety industry. Member companies install, integrate and monitor intrusion and fire detection, video surveillance and electronic access control systems for commercial, residential, industrial and governmental clients. ESA provides technical and management training, government advocacy and delivers information, advice, tools and services that members use to grow their businesses and prosper. Together, ESA member companies employ more than 500,000 industry professionals and serve more than 34 million residential and commercial clients.

About SIA

SIA is the leading trade association for global security solution providers, with nearly 1,400 innovative member companies representing thousands of security leaders and experts who shape the future of the security industry. SIA protects and advances its members’ interests by advocating pro-industry policies and legislation at the federal and state levels, creating open industry standards that enable integration, advancing industry professionalism through education and training, opening global market opportunities and collaborating with other like-minded organizations. As the premier sponsor of ISC Events expos and conferences, SIA ensures its members have access to top-level buyers and influencers, as well as unparalleled learning and network opportunities. SIA also enhances the position of its members in the security marketplace through SIA GovSummit, which brings together private industry with government decision makers, and Securing New Ground, the security industry’s top executive conference for peer-to-peer networking.