Meet the Graybeards

Ron Davis, President

Ron Davis is well known and readily recognized as one of the most knowledgeable people in the security industry. He is President of Davis Mergers and Acquisitions Group, the industry’s longest running “broker” or “finder,” exclusively representing the sellers of electronic security companies and integrators. Along the way, he has been recognized for his many achievements:

• Ron has spoken at over 1,000 industry meetings and conventions, and was among the first group inducted into Security Sales & Integration’s Hall of Fame.
• He was the creator of the phrase “Recurring Monthly Revenue.”
• Ron is one of the most prolific authors in the industry. He has written numerous articles, columns and newsletters. He recently published the best-selling book “Greatest Ideas of the Alarm Industry’s Greatest Thinkers” which is based on his columns and interviews included in the publication Security Sales — Integration over the past few years. His second book, “The Start of the Deal,” has been widely recognized as the most complete handbook on the Mergers & Acquisitions process. He also is recognized for writing and narrating the cassette program “The Success System for Selling Security.”
• He is the founder and first chairman of Security Alliance Corporation, the founder and first chairman of Security Associates International and the founder of Security Industry Education Group.
• He is a founding member of the National Speakers Association and is one of the first to receive the designation of Certified Speaking Professional.(CSP)
• Ron was the originator and founder of the security industry’s first educational symposium, conducted over 20 years, mostly in Las Vegas.

Ron Davis is the man who has helped hundreds of Alarm and Integration industry professional understand how to get from here to there, and then what to do about it!

Beverly Davis, Partner

One of the firm’s original founders, Beverly has most recently been associated with Security Associates, as its Director of Human Resources. Beverly brings to the company a knowledge of the industry and knows how to work with alarm dealers. She is well acquainted with the administration of programs needed to help dealers achieve funding, obtain management and marketing support, as well as assist in Davis Group's work in buyouts, acquisitions and mergers.

Katie Maahs-Bally, Associate

Katie Maahs-Bally was President of North Shore Security, a company that was acquired by Alarm Detection Systems of Illinois. It was one of that company's major acquisitions. Katie has worked with Ron Davis in numerous capacities for the last 25 years, most recently as SAI's convention and meeting planning coordinator. "Katie brings a wealth of practical experience to the Davis Group, and while she technically doesn't qualify as a "Graybeard," she certainly knows what it's like to build a business, prepare it for sale, and then actually go through the selling process. In fact, she is uniquely qualified to help alarm dealers through this process," explained Davis. In addition to being a Certified Meeting Planner, Katie represents Davis Group at industry events as a speaker and consultant in the area of acquisition and mergers.

Stephen Rubin, Associate

A security industry veteran of over 30 years, Steve Rubin built and sold his own alarm company before working with Ron Davis to build one of the most successful Central Stations and Dealer Networks in the country. In that capacity, Steve brought on thousands of alarm dealers with nearly 400,000 subscribers. During this time, Steve purchased 27,000 subscribers from several security alarm dealers throughout the country.  He knows what buyers want and applies his experience to ensure that sellers are well prepared. Steve’s other roles include Management, consulting for Marketing and Operations, and as a seminar instructor for NBFAA local and state associations. He has consulted with hundreds of alarm company owners, troubleshooting problems and building on their strengths. Steve is uniquely qualified to help you build or sell your alarm company.

David Sylvester, Associate

Mr. Sylvester's Security Industry experience includes Commercial Doors & Security Hardware, Video Security (VMS), Electronic Access Control (EAC), Residential Security, Wireless Locking and Sensor Technologies, and Scientific Imaging. As President of ASSA ABLOY, he led their $1 B Door Security Solutions group where he integrated 21 brands of mechanical and electronic products, fine-tunend market strategies, built brand image and realized market share growth. As President of Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies Americas, he led the $1.7B business to consistent revenue profit growth across commercial markets, residential markets via channels including builders and big box stores, and electronic access control and video security with end users via an assimilation of security integrators. Dave brings expertise in buy/sell transactions with Systems Integrators, Alarm Dealers, and Contract Hardware Distributors.

Art Romero, Imaginist

Mr. Romero has been the creative force behind many of the security industry's most recognizable marketing programs, corporate identities, products and collateral. A veteran Silicon Valley marketer, Art honed his marketing and communications skills in the semiconductor, networking and security industries. His clients have included Intel, Network Peripherals, Nortel and many others. After serving as the Advertising Manager for Radionics, Art expanded his security marketing portfolio with clients such as DMP, Dispatch Center, Intruder Alert, Scantronic, Scarsdale Security, First Alarm and many others. To contact Art, please visit www.imaginist.com.