People & Places Dec. 2015

    Dec. 1, 2015
    Kee, Paxton
    Kee, Paxton

    Kee Joins Paxton as Director of Operations

    Paxton Access, Inc. has welcomed Jim Kee as Director of Operations. Kee will oversee warehouse operations, corporate training, IT and the technical support department from Paxton’s headquarters in Greenville, SC. He will be responsible for achieving operational objectives through strategic planning and recruitment of key personnel. His first objective will be to execute Paxton’s new assembly initiative, forecasted for full operation in the fist quarter of 2016.

    Kee recent;y served as Director of Events for Pelco/Schneider Electric.

    Bob McKee, Paxton Access, Inc. President, says: “We’re excited to have Jim on board to continue the enhancement of the operations group. His experience at Schneider Electric (Pelco), engineering background, analytical mindset and strong communication skills will certainly be an asset to Paxton.”

    Paxton Access, Inc. has appointed Leo Granados as Technical Support Engineer to further strengthen its technical support team.

    Paxton’s expanding first class support department ensures its dealers always receive the best possible service. A graduate of ITT Technical College, Leo will act as a Paxton technical expert to review the company’s new products for the America’s market.

    Fluent in Spanish, Granados is well positioned to provide post-sales support to Paxton’s Spanish-speaking, Latin America customers.

    “We’re very excited to have Leo join Paxton’s technical support team. He is eager to take on new tasks and learn more about the company’s products and applications. Leo shares the same sense of pride and ownership that helps drive our goal of being the best at what we do. We look forward to building on our already excellent support department with Leo’s assistance,”  said Kee.

    More Info: www.paxton-access.com

    IDN-H. Hoffman Hosts 8th Annual Trade Show

    IDN-H. Hoffman, a distributor of door hardware and security related products, hosted its 8th annual Chicago Security Convention on Saturday, October 24 in Rolling Meadows, IL. This year’s theme was a Carnival with a fun and lively atmosphere throughout the show.

    IDN-H. Hoffman offered classes for security professionals including an automotive class by Ilco and Advanced Diagnostics, a Schlage Primus class, and a Code Compliance course by ASSA ABLOY.

    The IDN-H. Hoffman Chicago Security Convention was filled with over 70 manufacturers displaying items as diverse as locksmith tools, doors & frames, safes, safe locks, low energy power operators, automotive products, padlocks, key machines, access control, CCTV, and both residential and commercial locks. A portion of the proceeds benefited the Alzheimer’s Association. Photos of the event can be found on the IDN website atwww.idn-inc.com in the Press Release section. There was something for every locksmith to see and hundreds of locksmiths made the trip to the Chicago area from all over the Midwest to attend.

    IDN-H. Hoffman is part of the International Distribution Network (IDN), which provides security products, access control solutions, and related services to security professionals through its six regional business hubs located in North America. With a wholesale distribution network of more than 50 locations, IDN offers customers the strength and buying power of a national organization along with local product availability and personal, customized service.

    More Info:  www.idn-inc.com.

    Inaugural Baldwin Design Council Named

    Baldwin Hardware, a leading brand of the Hardware & Home Improvement (HHI) division of Spectrum Brands Holdings (NYSE:SPB), has namedd members to  the Baldwin Design Council—an advisory board of architects and designers sharing ideas and shaping the future of design.

    “We received an overwhelmingly positive response from the A+D community with hundreds of prestigious architects and designers applying to be on the inaugural Design Council,” said PJ Rosch, Baldwin brand manager. “It’s an exciting time for Baldwin, as we will be celebrating our 70th anniversary in 2016 and our newly named council members will have a prominent role in the year-long celebration and beyond.”

    The inaugural Baldwin Design Council consists of 25 members who will serve a two-year term from August 2015 – August 2017. The members of the Baldwin Design Council include:

    CLARK Security Pitches In For Baseball

    CLARK Security Products, an Anixter company and leading wholesale distributor of physical security products and services, coordinated a nationwide equipment drive in August to collect new and gently used equipment for Pitch In For Baseball, a non-profit foundation that distributes the equipment to kids around the world who want to play ball but lack the equipment to do so.

    The drive brought in over 1000 balls, 150 bats, 200 mitts, 61 helmets, 40 equipment bags, and an assortment of jerseys, cleats, batting gloves, and catchers’ gear.

    “We are blown away by the success of our equipment drive,” said Jay Heffernan, National VP of Sales for CLARK. “We invited our customers, suppliers, and employees who love ‘America’s favorite pastime’ to Pitch In with us – and the industry responded!”

    CLARK began the equipment drive in early July. The drive culminated in a nationwide event on August 28, as 12 branches hosted local barbeques and invited local suppliers, customers, and employees to Pitch In. The price of admission was a donation of new or gently used baseball and softball equipment.

    Twenty-one security manufacturers participated in the CLARK Pitch In events across the country, including Access, ADA EZ, Alarm Lock, Allegion, ASSA ABLOY, CDVI, Codelocks, Command, Compx, Door King, DynaLock, ILCO, Keedex, Marks, Master Lock, Medeco, Mul-T-Lock, Olympus, Paxton, Stanley, and Trine.

    “The real winners are the kids receiving the generous donations of baseball equipment by the manufacturers attending the event,” said Ray Keddington, a former Division III Baseball player and current Regional Manager at Paxton Access. “Who knows when some child out there gets one of these new bats or balls or baseball gloves and is inspired to become the next major league star?”

    A Sports Authority store in Atlanta also participated, donating three coach’s kits, which included a bucket of baseballs, score books, and new baseball bats.

    David Dirkse, National Accounts Manager at Engineering Specialties in Georgia, initiated a drive of his own by posting information about CLARK’s Pitch In event on his Facebook wall.

    "Our kids had the opportunity to play,” Dirkse wrote, “so let's help some kids that don't."

    Dirkse’s message rang out across his social network. When August 28 came, Dirkse sent in a picture of all the equipment he collected with the caption: “Hope You Have a Big Bin!” The picture showed enough gear to outfit two entire teams.

    “It really does bring tears to my eyes to think how many kids will get to play ball, thanks to David,” said Vicky Griffith, CLARK Sales Representative in Atlanta.

    The equipment is en route to Pitch In For Baseball headquarters where it will be distributed according to the foundation’s mission.

    Susan Kuruvilla, President of CLARK, commended the efforts of everyone involved in the drive.

    “Thanks to our coworkers, suppliers, and customers—and, of course, the Pitch In For Baseball team—for embracing the charity and spreading the word,” Kuruvilla said. “We will be helping a lot of kids learn a new sport, practice sportsmanship and teamwork, and best of all, get outside to play.”

    More Info: www.clarksecurity.com and www.pifb.com.