SSI Industry Hall of Fame Introduces 2023 Inductees
Join us in welcoming a diverse lineup of remarkable individuals to our HoF roster.
Ray Coulombe | Managing Director, SecuritySpecifiers
Bio
- Born in 1950 in Rochester, N.Y.
- One of four children, father was a cost accountant/estimator for a printing company and Army Reservist; mother was a homemaker and parttime piano teacher
- Married 49 years with three children and four grandchildren; son Brian works in corporate security for Amazon
- Academia: B.S. electrical engineering, Cornell; master’s, management, MIT; master’s, IT, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; graduate certificate, cybersecurity, University of Rhode Island
- Served as captain in USAF Systems Command, 1973-76
- If career had taken different path, says, “the combination of a programming background and management degree probably would have led me to Silicon Valley”
- Other interests include travel, food & wine, fitness, reading and volunteer work
Why He’s on the List
- More than 40 years of championing new security technologies and promoting interaction among security consultants who design and specify the most challenging security systems
- In 2010, established SecuritySpecifiers to address need for physical security industry to more effectively engage with the specifier community
- In 2017, expanded that engagement by initiating successful CONSULT Technical Security Symposium
- Led effort to update CSI Division 28 to recognize current technology and cybersecurity
- With SIA, established Security Industry Cyber Certification as first accreditation and criteria for security technicians to deploy cyber-secure systems
- Other leadership experience includes National Guardian, International Fiber Systems (IFS), Fiber Options, Core Tec Communications and SyPixx Networks
Keys to Success 
“Persistence in identifying and acting upon new opportunities and possibilities coupled with the opportunities the industry has constantly presented for innovation. My greatest challenges have all surrounded the launching of new, innovative ventures from the ground up, all of which have arguably been successful. Specifically, these were National Guardian, IFS and SyPixx establishing new technologies and getting enough of the ‘right’ people to believe in those enough to give them a chance to prove out. That required determination and a willingness to listen to advice from within and outside the industry, a lot of luck, and a fair amount of prayer.”
Fiber Helps Bind Consulting Community
“When we started IFS and fiber optic transmission was an emerging concept, several reps introduced me to prominent consultants in their areas. My task was to convince them of the many benefits of the technology with the intent to get it specified. Consultants are inherently risk averse. Once we started getting product specified, integrators called looking for pricing and information.
“Because fiber interfaces and cable sat between pieces of manufacturers’ equipment, they had to be totally transparent and not interfere with signal transmission. Some manufacturers were reluctant to test or provide equipment for testing, and clients were reluctant to use unsanctioned equipment. Consultants helped break the logjam to secure cooperation. Several manufacturers realized cultivating the specifying community was good business and developed programs. Others relied on reps and field salespeople, with lesser success. This situation eventually led me to conceive of SecuritySpecifiers, expanding the visibility and possibilities of working with consultants more closely.”
Convergence to Consume Consulting
“I believe electronic security consulting will continue to evolve with information security, so that security becomes a truly holistic concept. IT considerations will be central to almost every installation and, while promised for the past 15 years, the idea of security as a true client application of IT will become pervasive. Implementations common to IT today, such as Cloud services and virtual networking and storage, will be in the basic solutions mix. Only the most prepared consultants will endure for the longer term. Virtual technologies, e.g. visualization and digital modeling, will impact design significantly. Also, there is room for AI to impact the specification and integrator and vendor selection process.”
Biggest Wish for Industry Change
“Create a public perception of the true breadth and nature of the security industry, reflecting that it is an industry with many exciting jobs and projects. That would attract top talent, bringing their ideas and enthusiasm with them. Hopefully, a changed public perception would also affect the C-suite to understand the true and potential value of security to their organizations.”
Continue to the next page for a profile of Don Erickson…
If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!
About the Author
Scott Goldfine
Scott Goldfine is the marketing director for Elite Interactive Solutions. He is the former editor-in-chief and associate publisher of Security Sales & Integration. He can be reached at [email protected].
Related Content
Security Is Our Business, Too
For professionals who recommend, buy and install all types of electronic security equipment, a free subscription to Commercial Integrator + Security Sales & Integration is like having a consultant on call. You’ll find an ideal balance of technology and business coverage, with installation tips and techniques for products and updates on how to add to your bottom line.
A FREE subscription to the top resource for security and integration industry will prove to be invaluable.
