On the Rise: Andrew Campagnola Uses Data-Driven Approach to Solve Security Problems
Chamberlain Group/LiftMaster access solutions lead’s love of security dates back to creating his own “panic room” as a teenager.
Photo courtesy of Security Industry Association
Editor’s Note: “On the RISE,” a column by the Security Industry Association (SIA) in partnership with Security Sales & Integration, profiles the next generation of security industry leaders. This column is part of SIA RISE, a community that fosters the careers of young professionals in the security industry through networking and career-growth events, education and professional-development offerings, and scholarship and mentorship opportunities.
For this installment of “On the RISE,” SIA spoke with Andrew Campagnola, lead, access solutions, at Chamberlain Group/LiftMaster.
Security Industry Association: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your career path.
Andrew Campagnola: A data-driven problem solver at heart, I started my career on a solid foundation for understanding customer needs and the art of communication with door-to-door sales. After the Facebook movie came out, I thought I’d make a million dollars quickly by joining an early-stage startup.
Three years later, after wearing multiple hats and learning the many facets of running a business, I was still not a millionaire. At that point, I made my entrance formally into the security industry with a large integration company as a sales rep, and I’ve been here ever since!
As I have delved deeper into the industry, I’ve held multiple roles with integration companies and manufacturers, spanning sales, presales engineering, business development, channel strategy and sales operations. This experience has granted me a holistic view of our industry.
I’ve been involved with a vast array of products — from intrusion to fire, CCTV, access-control software, AI platforms and even networking equipment.
When recharging, my wife and I like to travel the country to different parks and beaches in our fifth-wheel camper. There are many reasons to enjoy this, but the best reason is that our German Shepherd gets to join us wherever our adventures take us!
SIA: What first got you interested in security and safety as a career choice?
Andrew Campagnola: Movies seem to have a big impact on my life. When I saw the movie “Panic Room,” I thought the super-secure saferoom with CCTV and access control was the coolest thing ever. With that in mind, I, at 13 years old, thought it was a great idea to head over to the mall to get a prepaid Visa gift card and shop online to turn my bedroom into a super-secure panic room, just like in the movie.
A few weeks later, my dad came home to me chiseling away at my door frame to make room for the brand-new electric strike I had bought. While he wasn’t happy with what was happening, he realized that there was no going back with that door frame, so he helped me complete the job.
About half a decade later, I enrolled in a security systems bachelor’s degree program. And the rest is history.
SIA: Who has influenced or mentored you, either within the security field or outside it?
Andrew Campagnola: My wife, Shayna, says that my analogies get a little wild sometimes, but I think the best way to explain this is with a little something I like to call “Andrew’s Life Playlist.” I like to think of my life as a never-ending and ever-evolving playlist.
Every person I’ve interacted with adds their own song, for which they are the artist. Some add songs that have become timeless classics — versatile enough to be played in multiple scenarios and moments of my life — and others have been like those catchy tunes that are perfect for a particular moment or mood, leave an imprint and then move into the library to potentially be played another day.
But each one, whether they play on repeat or make a brief but impactful appearance, contributes to the unique rhythm and narrative that is my life.
SIA: What’s something most people don’t know about you?
Andrew Campagnola: While we typically talk about our professional experiences, I do have a few other exciting dedications. I’m an avid sailor and take weekly voyages with my grandpa, who taught me how to sail. One of my favorite experiences was captaining a catamaran in Italy for a week, sailing around the Amalfi Coast with my wife and friends.
For almost a decade, I was a volunteer firefighter and critical-care EMT. This commitment to service was recognized when I was elected captain twice by our 200-member organization, leading a team of 30 dedicated providers for two years. These experiences, while diverse, have taught me leadership, adaptability and the importance of continuing education.
SIA: What are some challenges and advantages of being a young professional in security?
Andrew Campagnola: While this is true for a lot of industries, our industry has a steep learning curve because of the many moving parts and intricacies. Another issue is that not a lot of data about our industry is shared mainstream, which can lead a new professional to have a hard time navigating it all.
On the bright side, this brings an advantage, as this industry is ripe for innovation to streamline it all, and a new wave of professionals is here to help bring it to the next level.
SIA: What advice do you have for young professionals just starting out in the industry?
Andrew Campagnola: As there is a steep learning curve, when you’re starting out, make sure to align yourself with a company that has a strong training program. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or speak up when you have ideas.
Set goals to progress your career and be open to trying new roles and exploring other facets of the industry.
Last but not least, network, network, network! With that said, feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn. I’ll surely help in any way I can.
SIA: What do you enjoy most about being at your company and being in the security industry generally?
Andrew Campagnola: The people. We call ourselves the ONETEAM at Chamberlain Group, and it shows in the innovative products we create. We celebrate different perspectives, backgrounds and ideas.
One of my favorite parts of the industry is seeing how we touch everyone, every company, everywhere. When I was in integration, I loved seeing what people found important to protect.
I am also excited about the digital transformation our industry is currently going through. There are so many opportunities for anyone out there who wants to be part of it!
SIA: How do you define success?
Andrew Campagnola: I’ve always wanted to be successful. That goal has been a moving target for me throughout my life. What I measure success on, however, has never changed. I believe that finishing what you’ve started is the key to success. And, if success is as easy as that, nothing is impossible.
SIA: How do you think the SIA RISE community can help foster the careers of young people in the industry? What does the program offer that is most important to your company and you?
Andrew Campagnola: SIA RISE is exceptionally important to young people in not only the security industry but also society as a whole. Filling education, networking and even scholarship gaps between the different member organizations of SIA goes a long way toward attracting and creating the leaders of tomorrow.
These new leaders will give back to the industry, and the cycle of development will continue to affect our industry and the world for years to come.
For me personally, SIA has been a lighthouse that helps ensure I am staying on course to reach my goals. When I am looking to learn about new innovations on the horizon or seeking professional-development resources, SIA’s there!
SIA: What are some key components of your role with Chamberlain Group/LiftMaster?
Andrew Campagnola: In my role as lead for access solutions at Chamberlain Group, I have the primary responsibility of spearheading our key accounts program, which is focused on establishing and nurturing relationships with national property-management firms and property owners.
With my data-driven approach, I analyze market trends and the specific needs of each of these major accounts. Then, I work internally across a number of departments to ensure our solutions, as well as our company, can specifically tailor a partnership for their unique requirements.
Additionally, I bring insights to multiple projects for which my experience could be of use. The goal is to ensure Chamberlain Group continues to be a market leader that provides smart-access solutions for a more simple and seamless way of life.
SIA: You’ve held roles in a variety of areas within the security industry. What are some of the most valuable things you’ve learned and taken into your current role?
Andrew Campagnola: The importance of seeing the big picture has probably been the biggest takeaway. Having had the privilege of working across different facets of the industry — from the hands-on integration side to roles in manufacturing with engineering, sales and channel strategy — I’ve assembled a multifaceted understanding that’s invaluable to my current position.
Understanding the intricate details of product development from an engineering perspective has given me the ability to communicate the real-world benefits of our products more effectively.
Additionally, my time in sales and business development stressed the necessity of nurturing relationships — not just making transactions. Building trust and understanding customer needs is foundational to long-term partnerships.
Lastly, having touched the full spectrum of products — from intrusion to networking equipment — I’ve developed a holistic perspective of security solutions, which helps me craft comprehensive offerings. It’s about not a single product or business component but, rather, how all the pieces fit together to offer a seamless package.
Every previous role has been a building block, and the insights gained have sculpted my approach in shaping our strategic initiatives.
SIA: You’ve worked as a firefighter/paramedic and in community first aid. Could you speak about these experiences and how you’ve leveraged them in your security industry career?
Andrew Campagnola: There’s a lot to unpack here, but I can sum it up into two primary lessons.
#1 Organizational Dynamics: Leading a diverse team of volunteers, each with different backgrounds and commitments, in inherently high-stress scenarios seems like a normal day at the office. However, these volunteers aren’t just employees; they’re choosing to be there when they can. Balancing motivations, constraints and mission-critical outcomes requires a creative and ever-changing approach to ensuring the organization runs at 100% all the time.
#2 Emergency Response: In an emergency, being able to trust that every team member will execute their role flawlessly is not just a goal but also a requirement. At the same time, variables can change in a heartbeat, and that must be factored into the equation, as well. When this happens, critical thinking and adaptability are what we see in the next page in the manual.
As I said earlier, every experience makes up the journey of who I am. My experiences in the fire department and ambulance corps were early in my life, and they helped me create a foundation that I’ve built my career upon.
Beyond leveraging my network in the emergency-response world for sales, the skill sets and lessons have made me detail-oriented, ensuring that I always focus on not just the immediate task at hand but also the broader consequences of those actions. This ensures precision in everything I do.
SIA: What are some ways in which you think the security industry could foster more diversity, equity and inclusion?
Andrew Campagnola: Being more transparent about where our member companies are with their demographics is a huge step in highlighting where we currently stand as an industry and where we’d like to be.
There’s an opportunity with programs through SIA RISE to help attract talent by engaging with schools and universities to introduce students to our industry. Additionally, receiving training on DEI principles and being open to educating and listening could go a long way.
SIA: What key challenges, opportunities and/or trends do you see as most important to the industry — or, more specifically, to companies like LiftMaster in the smart-access space?
Andrew Campagnola: Here are a few:
- A focus on the end user, with UX design that ensures solutions are not just functional but also user-friendly. Companies need to ensure they are investing in this part of the solution-development process to ensure we have improved user journeys.
- Working collaboratively between companies and understanding where each organization in the chain brings value to the end user. Traditional methods and channels might need to be rethought so that we can continue to stay relevant as new entrants and requirements are introduced to our industry.
- Being more efficient and sustainable. This is another aspect that focuses on the end user, but, essentially, we need to push toward sustainable and energy-efficient solutions. It’s not just about creating secure products anymore. Our industry is blurring the lines between other industries and ecosystems that touch our customers every day.
SIA: What has been the most rewarding accomplishment or experience in your career in the security industry?
Andrew Campagnola: My first SIA AcceleRISE conference was definitely the most rewarding experience of my career. I’ve been to a lot of trade shows, industry-association meetings and workshops, but I’ve never seen so many people in the same room — for three days in a row! — all dedicated to seeing every other person in that room be successful.
In terms of accomplishments, I’ve enjoyed my fair share of sales success, which always feels rewarding in the moment; however, one standout moment happened when I was speaking with one of my integrator partners. They made a comment that I reminded them of my mentor at the time. This made me realize not only that I was absorbing the best qualities of someone I respected but also that others were noticing my growth. It was the best feedback I could receive to confirm I was on the right path.
SIA: What are your predictions for where the security industry may be headed in the next five to 10 years?
Andrew Campagnola: Even today, I see the lines of our industry blurring as we merge and interact more with other sectors. This will make the traditional security professionals less of a small, tightknit community and more expansive than ever. We’ll see mobile adoption grow significantly — not just for credentials but also for a fully transparent and secure experience.
We’ll have to see more interoperability and open standards either adopted by our member companies today or adopted by some large, outside force that has an interest in seeing it happen. While full seamlessness and transparency may not be here in 10 years, by that time, it will be so deeply integrated into our daily lives that we may not notice the shift to that transparent pinnacle when it does happen.
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