2018 HGCAA August NEWSLETTER


SPECIAL  NEWS  |  SPECIAL NEWS  |  SPECIAL NEWS  |  SPECIAL NEWS


DPS vs TDLR

In years past the TBFAA has had discussions about supporting a move of the alarm regulatory body from DPS to the TDLR. Those discussions seem to have surfaced again because of a recommendation in the DPS Sunset Committee Report and a recent TDLR sting on unlicensed contractors. The TDLR may have the ability to do some things better than DPS presently does, but I’m certain there would be plenty of downsides with the TDLR that we don’t have with DPS.

In my opinion, our situation is similar to being married to DPS for 20+ years. Trying to divorce her to get with the TDLR might be nice at first, but we will more than likely end up single and have both agencies angry at us. It just isn’t worth it. DPS isn’t perfect, but we know each other pretty well, we’re getting along and we have the ability to make things better. I believe even talking about moving is dangerous. If you don’t believe me, mention to your wife that you’re looking at another woman and see what happens.
I don’t support having this conversation and I certainly don’t support moving us to the TDLR. As the HGCAA President, I intend to oppose these discussions and any efforts to move us. I will also use my position as the TBFAA VP of Fire to try and convince the Board to drop this. Please contact me ASAP with your feedback so I can best represent Houston.
John C. Helweg
Atlas Alarms, LLC



Our Sponsor in August 2018 for our Monthly Meeting



HGCAA Board of Directors

2017 – 2018

President
Vice
President

John C Helweg
713-467-6666
President@HGCAA.org

Van Mayorga|
281-932-2270
VicePres@HGCAA.org

Secretary
Treasurer

Mary Edmonson
713-799-3022
Secretary@HGCAA.org

Penny Mayorga
979-478-6432 x103
Treasurer@HGCAA.org

Sergant-at-Arms
Parliamentarian

Amanda Jackson
713-861-9418
SGT@HGCAA.org

Calvin Stewart
832-642-3702
PARL@HGCAA.org

Editor
Membership
Director

Steven Carr
713-553-6212
Editor@HGCAA.org

Dennis White
713-870-3702
Membership@HGCAA.org

Education
Director

Van Mayorga|
281-932-2270

Education@HGCAA.org

Past
President

Brian McKinney
713-9830182
PastPres@HGCAA.org

 

 


 

August 2018 Message from the HGCAA President – John Helweg

Our July meeting at ECD went well. I was missing several of my board members, but we managed to make do. I’d like to thank ECD for hosting us and providing great food. Please remember, our associate members support us, so please support them.

We discussed the DPS PSB meeting and one of the cases the Board heard. We also discussed a letter I asked RenEarl Bowie to draft on DPS letterhead that states that alarm sales/companies are regulated by DPS under Texas Occupation Code 1702. This is important because some Municipalities/Cities/Counties have been issuing solicitation permits to non-licensed companies which, in my opinion, gives citizens a false sense of security. I intend to distribute that letter and another letter on HGCAA letterhead to Houston PD and our surrounding Municipalities, Cities & Counties.

Our guest speaker was Danny Cranford with Pro-Vigil they are a video monitoring solution that aims to replace guards. Their technology sounds very impressive. If you’re not coming to the meetings, you’re missing out on CEU’s, great speakers and lots of inside information.

Our upcoming meeting is August 2nd at Anixter (Tri-Ed) West. Our guest speaker is Tanner Lyman with Agemni. They offer a web based back office solution for managing your customers and their accounts at the monitoring station, in billing & at third party service providers like cellular radios. 

See y’all soon,

John C. Helweg

President/HGCAA



Secretary Report on July Meeting

Treasurers Report

 


Alarm Industry Related Articles

Click Headline to view article.


 

 

 

 

 


August 2018 TBFAA UPDATE BY PRESIDENT – KELLY RYAN

We’re in the middle of summer, and I know that October seems like a long way out, but it’ll be here before you know it! Take full advantage of the #TBFAA2018 annual convention and join us in Austin this October. There are plenty of great seminars and updates to help you grow & manage your business, and there will be a lot of discussion on the upcoming Sunset Commission final recommendations that affect the Private Security Board and alarm company licensing.

In addition to the great seminars, the TBFAA 2018 golf tournament is being held on October 10th at the incredible Star Ranch Golf Course! Get your team together or contact your favorite vendor and make your plans to tee off at this awesome Austin course! The vendor show will be held on October 11th . Meet the reps and see the latest equipment and service options to help your business expand!

This is the first TBFAA convention to be held in Austin. The convention hotel is the Double Tree by Hilton, 6505 IH-35 North, and was recently remodeled. Special TBFAA rates are still available, but don’t delay as rooms will be in high demand.

Make your plans today for TBFAA 2018! Information and registration is at http://www.tbfaa.org.

Sincerely,

Kelly Ryan



 

 


 


CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR 2018

HGCAA meetings are held the second Thursday of each month from 11:30-1pm.

See below for the locations.

Dates and locations may change as needed.

August 2018
8/2– Anixter (Tri-Ed west) on Mitchelldale

September 2018
9/13 – HGCAA meeting & elections @ Anixter(Tri-Ed North)

PLEASE THANK OUR ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
FOR PROVIDING FOOD AND HOSTING OUR MEETINGS
BY PURCHASING THEIR PRODUCTS




Automated Outlet Houston has moved to:
6300 Westpark Dr., Suite 100
Houston, Texas 77057
Thank you for being a loyal Customer!


 


Houston Alarm Detail

Check with the City of Houston to make sure your company is listed on their alarm permit web site.

They have a  specific form you need to fill out and submit to them for inclusion.

You also need to be sending municipalities notice of alarm system activation.

Please make sure your customers are using the most current alarm permit form.



Harris County Alarm Detail

Please make sure your customers are using the most current alarm permit form.


Ft Bend County Alarm Detail

Be sure your customers are securing an alarm permit from Fort Bend County upon activation. Their alarm permit can be found here.


Montgomery County Alarm Detail

Check with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office to make sure your company is listed on their alarm permit web site.

Please make sure your customers are using the most current alarm permit form.

Alarm ordinance – Montgomery County are actively ticketing homeowners that don’t have alarm permits.


 

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

HOUSTON GULF COAST ALARM ASSOCIATION
PO Box 19484
Houston, TX  77224-9484

Comments, questions, change of address or material for inclusion in this publication should be directed to the Editor. Other associations wishing to use material from the “Communicator” are welcome to do so as long as proper credit is given to the author and publication.


NEWSLETTER ADVERTISING

We are renewing ad spaces for 2017-2018.

The ad spots are $300/yr. The ads will move around as content dictates.

Ads are 5” wide x 7” tall and may be updated monthly.

The revenue generated by our Newsletter helps support our Association, Scholarships and our Industry.

Contact us for additional information – John C. Helweg  713-467-6666