October President's Message
| Dear IAF Members and Industry Friends, As I begin to write the introduction for this month’s issue of The Handshake, I can’t help but think about just how much has happened in the last 30 days. Since writing last month’s message, Florida has now experienced the second major hurricane in less than 2 weeks. As I watch the hurricane coverage of our Sunshine State, the devastation is striking and painful to process. Yet, through it all, our State and our industry remain resilient. I’ve spoken with multiple members who have expressed their desire to help others during this time. I’ve seen and heard firsthand the acts of kindness and support we share with each other and our ability to come together as an Association. One moment that really stood out to me was when Kevin Madden, our IAF Secretary and Southeast Regional Director, sent me a message that said “Marvin, we have canceled as much as we could for the next 14 days. So, you and anyone else who needs help, please call me.” I am always proud of the work we do together but it’s this sense of responsibility towards each other I’m most proud of with our Association. I also want to take a moment to recognize someone else who continues to make a difference. Glen Mowrey, our IAF Law Enforcement Public Service Representative and Retired Deputy Police Chief, officially retired from SIAC. Glen’s impact on our Association, false alarm reduction, false alarm ordinances, and SIAC is immeasurable, not to mention his impressive 36-year Law Enforcement career. Over my Presidency, Glen has been a constant voice of reason and partnership for me. I’ve enjoyed learning from him and working with him on a variety of topics including false alarm reduction and giving back to our community. During both recent hurricanes, it was Glen who picked up the phone first to ask how we can help each other. Over the next couple of months, I will share more information regarding Glen and the impact he has made for all of us. Lastly, the past month continues to be another month of growth. Our membership continues to climb, our social media reach is growing and our Secure Your Career Media Campaign has resulted in 440K+ impressions, nearly 8,500 engagements, and 127 leads in the month of September. As we progress together through October, I hope you, your family and your businesses are safe. I hope you can sit back and enjoy something pumpkin spice to help relax and find comfort in knowing that IAF is here to assist you. Together we will weather the storm and come out stronger than before. With gratitude, Marvin Smith IAF President |