SecuritySpecifiers was established in 2010 by Ray Coulombe, a 30+ year security industry veteran, to address the need for the physical security industry to more effectively engage with the specifier community. In 2017, Ray initiated the highly successful CONSULT^® Technical Security Symposium.
For his efforts, Ray was recognized in 2023 with election to the SSI Industry Hall of Fame. Previously, SIA awarded Ray the Jay Hauhn Excellence in Partnerships Award for his role in leading the CSI Division 28 update effort. He is on the Electronic Technician Association’s (ETA International) competency boards for Information Technology Specialist and Electronic Security Networking Technician certifications, both of which he holds. Formerly, Ray was COO and co-founder of SyPixx Networks and has played a significant role in the development of several other technology companies in the industry. Early in his career, Ray served as a Captain in the United States Air Force, where he assisted the development and production of TV, laser, and infra-red guided missiles. He holds a BSEE from Cornell University; Masters degrees in Management from MIT and Information Technology from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; a graduate certificate in Cyber Security from the University of Rhode Island; and numerous professional certifications. He belongs to ASIS, IEEE, INSA, ETA International, and the Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society.

Ray Coulombe LinkedIn Profile

Listed below are those outstanding Industry Leaders who have graciously provided their time and advice to SecuritySpecifiers as Advisory Board members.

Phil has been a leader in one of the most innovative and fastest growing areas of the risk, resilience and security industry: Security Risk Management Services (SRMS). As the former owner of Aronson Security Group and key executive for ADT Commercial, he has leveraged his experiences in every evolution in the industry. From redefining the role of a service provider to the expanded definition of risk management and the master planning of technology deployments, he has been dedicated to helping the industry create a path to value for the executives managing the risk and opportunity of their organizations.

Lorna Chandler is CEO of Security By Design, Inc., a security consulting firm whose services include vulnerability analyses, feasibility studies, training programs, and designs for the integration of systems for physical security, fire, and data center failure mode monitoring. Lorna spent thirteen years with Chevron Corporation where she gained experience in the design and specification of software, quality assurance, control procedures, and physical security issues in the areas of credit, accounting, lock-box banking, credit card processing, data processing and public relations. Lorna holds a Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics, University of California, Irvine and has been active within the security industry since 1974, earning the CPP certification in 1986.

Security by Design Web Site

Scott is Founder and CEO of Safer Cities, an Auckland, New Zealand-based firm offering an integrated approach includes consulting on CCTV infrastructure and connecting security assets, along with a complementary range of managed services. The company's overwhelming focus is on the public safety sector. Prior to founding these companies Scott held leadership roles at Cisco in New Zealand, Europe and the United States. As a senior sales engineer and product manager for Cisco’s CCTV business unit Scott worked extensively with public safety and service providers to design and deliver complex network and security solutions. Early in his career, Scott earned CIsco's prestigious CCIE certification, attesting to his outstanding technical capability.

Safer Cities Web Site

Jerry Blanchard has led Risk Management Associates, Inc (dba Protus3) as Chairman and CEO since 2012. Protus3 is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina and specializes in physical security consultancy. Jerry has been in the security industry for thirty-one years since his departure from the military. Following his military service and while working in corporate security for Northern Telecom, Jerry managed the corporate security operations and security systems network in the Research Triangle Park. Jerry then had the opportunity to become the first Loss Prevention Manager for Crown Crafts, a medium sized textile company. Finally, having set up a successful security program at Crown Crafts, Jerry made the move twenty-five years ago to Protus3 where he continues to enjoy the opportunities to work with many great organizations.

Protus3 Web Site

Benjamin Butchko is the President/CEO of Butchko, Inc. Ben is an accomplished strategic planner and senior security engineer in the field of risk analysis, threat assessment, security consulting, system design, and project planning for national and international projects. He develops Security Master Plans and deploys solutions for enterprise projects in petrochemical, industrial, medical, corporate, and science research industries. He is a regular presenter on security assessment, strategic planning, design, and deployment.

Butchko Inc. Web Site

As the Chief Technology Officer at Integrated Security & Communications (ISC), now Pavion, Jim leads the design, implementation, and deployment of secure and innovative IT solutions for diverse and complex environments. He has over 20 years of experience in network security, cybersecurity, network infrastructure, and software development, as well as physical security and operational technology.

Pavion Web Site

Brian P. Coulombe, is the Global Lead for Design and Construction at Amazon Corporate Security. Previously, he was Principal and Director of Operations at DVS Security, a division of Ross and Baruzzini. Brian is a licensed Professional Engineer and holds an MBA from Yale University and a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Lehigh University. Having joined DVS in 2006 as an engineer and project manager, Brian has managed numerous security engineering and design projects, including the World Trade Center (NY), Independence National Park, the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, and Princeton University Firestone Library. Prior to DVS, Brian worked as a project engineer for TransCore ITS, deploying intelligent transportation and network-based communication systems.

Amazon Web Site

Joshua Cummings is Executive Vice President, Technology at Paladin Technologies. Josh has over 20 years of physical security experience in design, cyber security, and integrating technologies. At Paladin he leads a national team of Designers, Systems Engineers, Estimators and Drafters who serve to design and engineer solutions to solve our customer’s most complex challenges. Additionally, Josh serves leading efforts in training and professional development programs across the Paladin footprint. He regularly presents on technology and cyber security for PSA Security, Security Specifiers, ISC West, and SIA. Josh is the chair of PSA’s Cyber Security Committee and has received both his Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP – www.isc2.org) and Physical Security Professional (PSP – www.asisonline.org) certifications. He also is a contributor to the Security Industry Association’s Security Industry Cyber Security Certification (SICC).

Paladin Technologies Web Site

Forrest Gist, Global Technology Lead - Security for Jacobs, has over 30 years of security expertise gained through design and construction management of over 250 security projects on a wide variety of critical infrastructure sectors including aviation, marine, high tech, data center, water/wastewater, electrical and nuclear power, banking/finance, food, correctional, education, health care and military. Forrest is Jacob’s subject matter expert in risk assessments and security planning and specializes in security risk assessment services, identifying security threats, vulnerability assessments and developing mitigation plans and upgrade recommendations. He has deep subject knowledge in video surveillance technology, particularly in planning large enterprise video management systems and within the areas of video analytics, video storage and bandwidth. He is a registered Professional Engineer (Electrical) and ASIS Certified Protection Professional (CPP). In his spare time, he enjoys international travel, exploring remote areas where cell phone coverage is limited, and expanding his vinyl record collection.

Jacobs Web Site

Maria Gonzalez, CPP, a 20+ year security industry veteran, is Sr. Manager of Physical Security, Americas. Previously, she was a Principal, Senior Consultant, and Team Lead at TEECOM. Her consulting experience included responsibility for engineering, design, needs assessment, planning, construction administration, and coordination for massive construction, redevelopment and relocation projects across the nation. Maria has led projects in a number of vertical markets, but has focused on commercial, educational, cultural, and workplace market sectors. Further, Maria has been involved as a contributing author for a number of industry publications and articles including the book “Women in the Security Profession: A Practical Guide for Career Development” by Sandi Davies. And she has been a guest speaker for security-focused podcasts and radio shows. Maria balances her time as a security leader at TEECOM with being a mom to her boy Jack.

Amazon Web Site

RJ Hope is a Principal & Director of Corporate Security & Travel and Facility Security Officer at Burns & McDonnell Engineering, headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri. He is directly responsible for the physical security, personnel security, business continuity and crisis management, cleared operations, and employee travel for Burns & McDonnell. These distinct mutually supportive groups, under a singular command and control structure, enable Burns & McDonnell to be responsive to the needs of their employee-owners, work sites and clients to support their overall mission of making their clients successful. With a 20+ year background in security operations and consulting in a large diversity of industries Mr. Hope strives to bring his diverse background and project experience forward to find innovate solutions and approaches to help support Burns & McDonnell as this organization continues to grow. RJ is also a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.

Burns & McDonnell Web Site

Jerrod Johnson is currently the head of global security and business continuity for Ferguson Enterprises. Prior to his current role, he served as a full-time consultant affiliated with the Security Executive Council, serving clients in the transportation, banking, and entertainment verticals. A 20+ year veteran of the industry, Mr. Johnson has previously held corporate security leadership positions with some of the world’s premier brands, including Target Corporation, PetSmart, and Best Buy, and has had the privilege of serving his community as a reserve police officer for many years while a resident of Minnesota.

Ferguson Enterprises Web Site

Geoff Kohl is the senior director of marketing for the Security Industry Association (SIA). As senior director of marketing, Kohl is responsible for delivering strategic marketing direction to expand the awareness of SIA and its product and service offerings, and he serves as the manager of the Securing New Ground conference. Kohl entered the security industry in 2004 to launch SecurityInfoWatch.com as its founding editor-in-chief and associate publisher and went on to serve as editorial director of Cygnus Security Group, then publisher of SecurityInfoWatch.com, Security Dealer & Integrator magazine and Security Technology Executive magazine. In 2011 he founded the Secured Cities conference. He holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Mississippi and Bachelor’s degrees in English and Philosophy from the University of the South.

SIA Web Site

Jim serves as the ICT Technical Leader and is an Associate Principal at HEAPY, a nationally recognized engineering design and commissioning firm founded in 1945. A veteran technology systems expert, Jim founded the Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Practice Center at HEAPY, which leads the planning and design of all low-voltage systems design throughout the 240-person firm. With more than 25 years of technology design expertise, Jim specializes in design of technology systems for government, healthcare, education, and corporate clients throughout the U.S. Jim has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Wright State University and is a BICSI Registered Communications Distribution Designer, with additional specialty certifications for Network Transport Specialist and Electronic Safety and Security Specialty.

Heapy Web Site

Charles LeBlanc is an Associate Principal and Project Executive at IMEG Security Group and was a principal with BLW Security Group prior to merging with IMEG in 2018. IMEG is a full service engineering firm and the IMEG Security Group specializes in physical security consulting, planning, and design services. Charles is a licensed Professional Engineer with a B.S in Electrical Engineering from Texas A&M University and a specialist in assessing security system features and integrating those features with facility operations. He has developed and deployed successful and innovative solutions for new and retrofit projects in many industries including medical, energy, financial, corporate, education, lab, and research.

IMEG Web Site

Chrissy McCutcheon is a Principal and Senior Security Consultant at Security By Design, Inc. with 20 years of experience. She has coordinated, designed, and specified integrated security approaches and created standards for projects that range from schools to global corporate offices. She brought project management and security knowledge learned during her military time as a Security Manager, Security Analyst and Special Security Representative. She supervised and managed the physical, industrial, personnel, and information security programs in four countries, ensuring compliance with required Department of Defense and Air Force regulations. Mrs. McCutcheon retired from the US Air Force Reserve in 2021. She holds a BA in Communication Design: Media Arts from the California State University, Chico with a minor in Criminal Justice. She also holds AA degrees in Information Systems Technology & Human Resource Management from the Community College of the Air Force.

Security by Design Web Site

Frank Pisciotta is the Founder and President of Business Protection Specialists, Inc. (BPS). BPS is an independent security consulting firm providing clients with an array of security consulting services to help organizations prevent crime and keep their people, assets and information safe. Frank is an expert in physical security assessments and is versed in multiple risk assessment methodologies, security system design and security program development. Frank was board certified in Security Management as a Certified Protection Professional (CPP) by ASIS International in 1994 and is currently a Certified Security Consultant (CSC), through the International Association of Professional Security Consultants (IAPSC). Frank is the immediate Past President of IAPSC and the leader of the Technical Standards Committee. He is on the ASIS International Risk Assessment Standards Technical Committee and on the Agriculture and Food Defense Council. He has managed over 3,500 domestic and international consulting engagements.

Business Protection Specialists Web Site