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The only way is
up
by Ann Ball, All State Guard Service, Inc. - Houston
I literally fell into the wacky world of security in 1980. That spring I thought I might write a story about a middle aged school teacher who became a private eye. As the old joke goes, by the end of the day I was one!
Soon I was supplementing my teacher�s salary working for two companies part time. Not long after that, I went into All State Guard one day to investigate a
white-collar problem with their bookkeeper � and to make out payroll checks when she was fired. I never left.
My introduction to ASSIST was just as dramatic. I joined and attended one local chapter meeting and then the local chapters were abolished. So we went to the conventions instead. At one, they talked about my boss being appointed vice president to fill an unexpected opening. They held a closed door board meeting to accomplish this, but when they came out, he held no office and I had been appointed recording secretary � a post I held for the next eight years.
Back then, Texas security was wild and woolly � at least it seemed that way for a �good ole gal� from East Texas who had led a sheltered life. Cadillacs, stretch limos, and diamond Rolexes were common, as were a number of pretty rowdy behaviors. Although the industry had been regulated for about 10 years then, we still had some �bad hats� who would throw a brick through the window at night and go and sell security the following day. The education level was low and the industry seemed to have no self respect, and to share a low spot in the opinion of law enforcement and the public.
ASSIST worked hard to change that image. The local chapters were reinstituted and there was a push for more education � of the industry, by the industry, as well as the education of the public. It was ASSIST that successfully lobbied for many of the laws that have helped our profession, and against many laws that would have put us all out of business. When we got snapped by the sales tax, if it weren�t for the members of ASSIST who went to Austin to explain our industry to the comptroller, half our companies would have been forced out of business. The arguments by Mark Smith and Herb Kelpen as well as the comments by the other six ASSIST members who were there, crowned our remarks and saved our business.
The industry began to grow dramatically, and mature. As we grew, we tamed down, became better educated, gained more self confidence and self respect, and matured into a vibrant, viable profession.
There are many security organizations active in Texas, and Texas security personnel are, and should be, active in these, especially those that are concerned with particular facets of the profession. But all Texas companies should be members of ASSIST. Only through ASSIST can we fully keep up with, and influence, the state laws we all must work under.
Twenty five years after I joined the Texas security profession � and ASSIST � I am still there and likely to stay awhile. Sure, from time to time I get discouraged about my business. The hard work and dedication needed as an ASSIST member to keep the profession on the right track can get wearying. I get disgusted when I see so many in the same business sit back and leave all the work to only a few, when they should be joining in to lighten the load. All in all, though, I stay because I have seen that the hard work and dedication of ASSIST members pays off. It pays off in many ways: a better educated and trained work force that inspires both self confidence and the confidence of the public; better relations with government entities and law enforcement; improved regulatory practices; and more money in our pockets.
Thanks in large measure to the dedicated professionals of ASSIST, the security profession has improved and keeps improving. For ASSIST and the members of the Texas security profession, the only way is up!
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